[Week 5, Sunday: Belph]

[doublecrows]

Don't bother using next week's check on Hikage-san after all.

[hi, Belph]

I confirmed he isn't an Editor, although he does have a second title.

Comments

[axilium]

[...]

Be careful about whom you give that info to, detective. If words gets out and anything happens to him because of it...

[he smiles—but there's a sharp edge this time, unusually.]

I won't be very happy.

[doublecrows]

[oh, dear]

[a snort and a perfectly!! pleasant!! smile in return!!]

And you think I would be? I told you before. . . he's someone I consider an ally.

I'm only telling you because of your status as a Vizier. It'd be a shame for you to waste one of your weekly inquiries; that's all.

[axilium]

As long as you keep that in mind.

Anyway, duly noted. Thanks.

[doublecrows]

Naturally. His second title seems harmless, anyway. If he isn't an Editor. . . then my ally he shall remain.

[just. tilts his head]

You two are close?

[axilium]

Well... something like that.

[doublecrows]

[are they MAKING OUT]

. . . I see.

[but. that's all he says on that front]

[axilium]

[WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO KNOW]

Is that all?

[doublecrows]

. . . not quite.

[but it is the crux of what he wanted to say]

I've spoken with the other Historians. Between all of us, we can still only think of one villain objective that has been completed. The other one I listed was a mistake on my part.

[one of seven isn't much, not with their dwindling villain numbers]

And that objective is yours. [. . .] Should you know of any other villains, please encourage them to finish their objectives. No matter how difficult they may seem.

[axilium]

[...]

The trial just now apparently counted as completion of my objective. I wasn't expecting it, but there you have it.

[two still isn't great, though.]

I don't know any other villains, though.

[doublecrows]

[. . . well, that's a relief. Akechi slumps slightly, because that's one more]

Neither do I. Those with villain titles must be more cautious, due to the nature of their objectives.

I can hardly blame them. But they must work harder.

[axilium]

Yeah. Well, that's your job, Mr. Historian. Get Varian to spread the word again, if you need to.

[doublecrows]

That's my intention.

[Varian is a GOOD BEAN]

I certainly hope the other Narrators understood the message.

[axilium]

Guess it depends on how seriously people take Varian.

[doublecrows]

I don't know how many allies he has, or what kind of pull he has over people as a whole.

But I suppose we'll eventually see.

[axilium]

... Why'd you choose him, anyway?

[doublecrows]

The same reason I came to you with the letter after I received it.

He also encouraged me to write to them. Further. . . he's someone I don't have a lot of connections with publicly. Therefore, it'd be more difficult to trace the response back to myself.

[axilium]

So, did he figure out that you're a Historian himself, or you told him?

[doublecrows]

I told him, when I showed him that letter.

[LEAP OF FAITH, AKECHI]

[well. less a leap of faith, and more a calculated risk]

[axilium]

Quite the risk, detective.

[doublecrows]

I'm aware.

I suppose I'm not adverse to all risk, when said risk is necessary. I've survived this long by some miracle; I suppose I'm becoming a bit too confident with my life.

[axilium]

Who knows? Maybe the Shield likes you, for whatever reason.

[doesn't explain why no one votes for him at trials but eh.]

[doublecrows]

That doesn't explain why everyone was willing to implicate an innocent two weeks in a row, rather than vote for a certified killer.

[I MEAN]

[HE AIN'T COMPLAINING]

[BUT]

[axilium]

You should thank your partner. I suspect that people don't want to upset him.

[doublecrows]

You certainly won't see me complaining, as long as this works out in my favor.

[axilium]

Well, do try to survive, detective. You're still useful to me.

[doublecrows]

And you, me. I'd hate to see you die this late in the game.

[axilium]

Well, I may not have someone out protecting me, but I'll do my best.

[doublecrows]

I'm certain Shirasu-san would do his very best, either way.

[axilium]

Probably.