The culprit in the serial suicide case had clearly been dead, yet within a single day, another victim had fallen.
Moreover, the victim was different from before - this time it was just an ordinary citizen of Fontaine. Though economically strained, their situation wasn't dire enough to warrant despair.
Yet they still chose to jump to their death. This wasn't an accident; there were no signs of coercion on their body.
Even if the Maison Gardiennage wished to classify this incident as a separate case distinct from the serial suicide case, the cloak bearing the words "Loved Ones Who Faced Despair" proved it was the same culprit's work.
The killer had changed targets, shifting from impoverished residents of the Fleuve Cendre whose origins and identities couldn't be traced to ordinary citizens. This seemed like a mockery of the police's incompetence, or perhaps an escalation fueled by Lofan's case.
After thoroughly reviewing the detailed records of the latest suicide, Charlotte realized this matter was far more complex than she'd imagined.
Her first line of reasoning: Charlotte remembered how Lofan had shouted the name of the Snezhnaya Empress in his final moments. Combined with the subsequent discovery of his surname, there was no doubt - Lofan had been a member of the Fatui, specifically from the House of the Hearth.
Perhaps the true mastermind behind this series of cases was the Fatui, with Lofan merely a pawn in their game. Yet the Fatui, being protective of their own, would be displeased even by the death of a single piece. This might explain why they chose a target that seemed nearly impossible to succeed with, using it as a threat against the Maison Gardiennage.
The second theory suggested Lofan was a copycat criminal. Perhaps hearing about the recent serial suicide case had rekindled the malice that had been festering in his heart for years, leading him to attempt a copycat crime. However, he was discovered before he could complete it.
Yet there was one aspect of this theory that Charlotte couldn't quite grasp: Why would Lofan admit to her accusation that he was the true culprit of the serial suicide case?
Suddenly, Charlotte's face twisted in anguish as a horrifying realization struck her.
She had reached a terrifying conclusion - Lofan hadn't denied the accusation because the accuser was her...
Charlotte felt as if her heart had been torn open again. The pain made her breath come in ragged gasps. It took a long moment before she could compose herself, but the sorrow in her eyes remained undeniable.
If this was truly the case, hadn't she personally pushed Lofan toward his death?
While attempted crimes still faced severe [ Trials ], they could never result in loss of life. Lofan would have had a chance to repent and reform, but all of that was ruined by her...
In her daze, Charlotte seemed to feel her hands covered in sticky blood.
"Charlotte, the Fonta you bought for me was truly delicious."
Charlotte suddenly recalled Lofan's final farewell words, these words once again piercing her heart deeply.
Warm tears slid down her cheeks. How desperately Charlotte wished she could return to the [ Trial ] scene from the previous day. If she hadn't spoken with such coldness and cruelty, demanding Lofan to disappear obediently, but instead let him reveal the truth, might the outcome have been different?
Everything could have been saved, but it was she, she who had personally pushed Lofan to his doom.
"Why did you obey every word from this sister you'd known for mere hours? Were you a fool?!"
Charlotte let out a sob. Fortunately, her private workroom kept others from witnessing her breakdown.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Charlotte's sobs gradually subsided, her gaze growing increasingly resolute.
Charlotte resolved to thoroughly investigate this case and uncover the true culprit, determined to make amends for her past mistakes.
In truth, even Charlotte hadn't fully realized that her first hypothesis was far more plausible than her second. After all, not all victims hailed from Fontaine. Yet instinctively, she found herself leaning toward the latter theory.
Armed with her professional tools, Charlotte approached the Maison Gardiennage officers, ready to search for any crucial evidence she might have overlooked.
Due to her unique status and direct involvement in the case, Charlotte successfully obtained basic information about the latest victim from the officers.
The victim was a 28-year-old Fontainian male. Both his parents had died in an accident three years prior, after which he became increasingly reclusive. He rented a house in a residential area but rarely interacted with neighbors, had no close friends, and no romantic partner.
Analyzing these details, it was indeed possible that the victim might have been contemplating suicide.
"Has anyone unfamiliar visited the victim's home recently?" Charlotte asked the Maison Gardiennage officer, who promptly answered her question.
"We've already inquired with the victim's neighbors. They haven't seen anyone unfamiliar in the area."
Charlotte nodded, then fell into contemplation.
"Truth be told, I suspect the Fatui are behind this!" The officer, noticing Charlotte's unusual demeanor, couldn't help but voice his opinion.
"The previous criminal, Lofan, was confirmed to be a member of the Fatui. They must be planning something malicious again."
"Now that the case has taken a new turn, please don't treat Lofan as a criminal until we've fully investigated the truth."
After hearing the officer's words, Charlotte stared him in the eyes and enunciated each word deliberately.
Overwhelmed by Charlotte's imposing presence, the officer quickly nodded and swallowed hard to moisten his parched throat.
"My apologies," Charlotte said, realizing her own lapse in composure.
"It's alright, don't worry about it."
The Maison Gardiennage officer waved his hand, not taking it too seriously. He understood the case's details and knew the specific reasons behind Charlotte's emotional instability during this period.
"In any case, if you wish to investigate on your own, Miss Charlotte, please ensure your safety. If the Fatui are truly involved in this case, it could become quite troublesome."
"Thank you for your concern," Charlotte replied with a smile. She turned to leave, planning to follow her instincts and search for clues in the Fleuve Cendre. Along the way, she would consider how to improve the living conditions of those dwelling beneath the gray river - perhaps this could be considered fulfilling Lofan's wish.
Just as Charlotte was about to depart, the officer suddenly called out to her.
"Wait, Miss Charlotte! I just remembered there's another clue I haven't shown you."
She turned back to see the officer handing her a stack of photographs.
The images appeared to depict a blood-stained letter...