Chapter 7:

The SS-rank Special Ops Investigation Department officer, Lieutenant Scarlett Ko. She was the youngest combat specialist in history, and the first female officer to earn the title ‘Lieutenant’. Exceptional and capable, her achievements garnered a name that later was renowned throughout vast lands of Amestris and beyond. Her presence was power.

Today, many recruits finally understood the meaning of ‘power’ and ‘fear’ in the presence of the legendary Lieutenant Scarlett Ko. Her demeanour was elegant and dignified, much like how the rumors described her to be. Bold, refined, and respected. Officers watched in silence as Scarlett and Major General Edward were immersed in a complex discussion. Her presence was intense and profound.

There was no one like her.

Scarlett tossed the documents she had onto Edward’s desk with a huff. There were tons of unanswered questions she’d like to know why. “Where are they being detained? I would like to see them, Sir Edward.”

Fang, Edward’s aide, nodded curtly. “They are being detained in Interrogation Room 1, Scarlett.”

Before the new recruits could give Scarlett a brief summary of the drill, Scarlett was gone. At times she was captivating, and vice versa. Scarlett’s ability to control presence was remarkable. Her consuming ambience had turned 360 degrees. Transparent and null, she was often overlooked and disregarded. They stared incredulously at Sir Edward’s desk which Scarlett had perched on, making use of its wooden platform as her personal chair. She was like the wind. Erratic and arbitrary.

Scarlett was on her way to the said destination. Interrogation Room 1, just beyond the bustling hallway. She observed the exterior upon arrival at the detaining area. Rooms which are being used are strictly guarded by patrol officers. Observing closely for any discerning clues through the one-way looking glass, she frowned at Ridgeway Institute’s notorious tyrants that plagued the campus like a stubborn piece of slime.

Julian, trying his best to bust the metal handcuffs – a man who refused to admit defeat, a distinguishable trait of the Lewis noble family. Proud, haughty, and greedy. He was an asshole.

Isaiah, terrified and panicky. He was pale white, recovery from the earlier incident seemed impossible at the moment.

Daniel, frustrated and offended for being arrested without reason. He felt wrongly accused. He gnawed at the table outrage.

Roy, timid and frightened – it became the reason he was used by Julian and his pals. He was their errand boy.

The four of them looked up when they heard the unlocking of chains from the outside. Someone is coming. They frowned, each with a variety of trepidations of their own, as they watched the person who was the reason they were detained in a dark and gloomy room. They stared at the person who they once thought was a fellow classmate of theirs.

“You bastard! How dare you show up!” Julian had cursed.

The person in front of them was now their enemy. He stood, clenching his fist. He was going for a punch. He had forgotten, the cuffs that chained him to the table rebounded, preventing him from doing so. His first attempt had earned him a warning from the patrol officer, who pulled the chained further and tighter. He had never felt so humiliated and powerless in his entire life. For the first time, he earnestly wished he had the power to overthrow the person who lied to him.

Scarlett and Edward took their seats on the other end. They wore inscrutable expressions, extremely deadpan the other party had no idea what they had up their sleeves. It was as if they were dealing with a pair of Scarletts.

The former tyrants were astounded. It wasn’t a dream. Everything was real. A dreaded nightmare transformed into reality. A possible future they never dreamt of. The possibility that their darkest secrets would resurface because of a single mistake. A noble prince like him, arrested under suspicion of murder. It was unheard of! A scandal! The noble name of the Lewis family would be ruined!

The interview lasted more than an hour. Seeing the horrified faces of infamous troublemakers was worth all the effort she squeezed information out of them. Edward was petrified on the spot. Never, ever, ever, get on her bad side, he made a mental note to warn his recruits. He had completely forgotten how ferocious and bloodthirsty she was.

The patrol officers at the scene quivered in fear as they watched how Scarlett rendered the tyrant troublemakers capitulated to her commands. Bursting into tears, the noble heir of Amestris had displayed his pathetic, repulsive sight, begging correctional officers for help.

“Hmph. So weak.” Scarlett sheathed her sword.

They had underestimated Scarlett’s abilities. They must have felt superior being classmates and rivals for the past three years. Taking in her quirks and habits into account, they believed they would have an advantage at hand.

They have been delusional.

It was the first time they saw Scarlett without her usual disapproving frowns and lame excuses. She was calm and distant. The person before them was not the person they knew as ringleader of the pacifist faction during her time at Ridgeway Institute. She was a stranger who wielded influential power as a law enforcer. Ruthless, astute, and perceptive.

She was the best among them. The exalted officer nicknamed ‘Dawn’, touted to be the next general of the Special Investigation Division, Public Security Bureau.

Julian and his friends had attempted to bite the correctional officers on duty on the way back to the detaining area. With one swift kick, Scarlett ruthlessly tossed them into their cells without a second thought. Julian had growled, pulling at the metal bars.

“Scarlett, you bastard!”

Scarlett’s expression was impassive and vacant, void of all emotions. “You’re a suspect, and I’m not your friend. I’m not eligible to provide special treatment to all potential criminals. I suggest you stay put before you’re stuck in there for life.”

Julian was consumed with rage as the four of them watched Scarlett leave. Sneers and snickers visibly mocking their contemptible appearances loomed upon them. It made the first realization they shared a cell with several others who were possible real criminals and serial killers. They consisted of people from various backgrounds and diverse demographics.

One boy had approached them, a devious smirk etched on his pale expression. He was, unmistakably, the resident with the highest criminal record. No one dared to look at him in the eye as he approached Julian and his friends. The tense atmosphere had meant trouble. Julian sensed from experience. Even if he was an idiot, or the pampered heir of a noble family, the years he spent rivalling against Scarlett were not wasted for nothing.

Putting his skills to good use, he swore he’ll get out of the detaining ward alive.

“You’ve got guts, threatening the Black Iris.” The boy spoke.

“Black Iris?” the four repeated.

The boy sighed. “Then you all must’ve been ignorant pieces of shit. Don’t you have any idea who she is? You can’t go condemning ‘bastard’ in her face! She’ll skewer you!”.

Cold sweat trickled down their foreheads like little beads, they were overwhelmed by emotions of distress. Isaiah, Daniel and Roy were petrified on the spot. They had collapsed, their knees grow weak and the sudden loss of strength. Julian was their only hope.

They surveyed the boy from head-to-toe. Possibly in his teens, he had chopped amber hair and notable tattoos on his arms. His hazelnut-colored irises were soulless and frozen. The gaunt look on his face reminded Julian and his friends that despite a youth like them, he was a full-fledged and accomplished criminal, Like the residents of the detaining ward, they were dressed in custodial orange jumpsuits. His sarcastic remark earned Julian’s interest.

“Isn’t she just an undercover agent? She must be testing us.” Julian huffed, staring at the boy in disbelief. “And who are you?” Julian raised his pudgy fists against the boy.

“The Black Iris’s appearance is a sign of misfortune. My brothers warned me about her. She’s deadly dangerous, and extremely competent. She was the officer in-charge of your interview, wasn’t she? I’m sure you’ll find my words useful.”

If you ever encounter the Black Iris, do not engage in battle. Run!

Those were the words he was parted with when they raged war with officials of Amestris. 

Julian and his friends exchanged terrified glances. Julian’s peers lined defiantly in front of Julian, forming a barricade. “Don’t… don’t you know who he is?” Roy stammered.

The boy’s punch was hard and painful. Despite being protected by his three friends, all of them were badly injured from one single hit. Julian clutched his cheek, devastated at the threat in front of his eyes. Scarlett’s warnings came flowing back into his mind.

You don’t know how fortunate you are. If you’re that unwilling to ‘fess up, that’s fine by me. Let’s see how you survive in the detaining ward. I wish you all the best.

The men in the ward were far from Scarlett’s ruthlessness. They were killing machines. The boy cracked his knuckles and flexed his shoulders. “I don’t. And I don’t care. As long as you’re here in the detaining ward, you’re a potential criminal on probation. Till then, your identity means nothing here.”

“Hmph. He’s probably a spoiled brat who relied on his family’s name and power to get through things. Look at him! Fat and stupid, just like a pig.” One sneered.

“Cut him some slack! He even threatened the Black Iris!” Another mocked, followed by snickers, travelled around the cell, much similar to Professor Thomas’s roll call during homeroom.

What sent chills down his spine was his vague memories of him in the interrogation room. Julian and his peers remembered being escorted into the gloomy room earlier that afternoon. He was sure that Major General Edward, accompanied by Scarlett had walked into the room. And he remembered flaring at Scarlett when she demanded for answers. Everything was vague after he stared into her golden irises.

What had happened? How did he lose consciousness?

The uncertainty remained an enigma. Left with no choice, Julian and his peers had to accept their fate. He had faith in his uncle, the Vice-principal of Ridgeway Institute will find a way to get him out of this hell hole.

The investigation office was overwhelmed by a chaotic mess, much different from the calm atmosphere they had left for the interview earlier that afternoon. Scarlett clicked her tongue when they received the alarming news. Things have turned for the worst; the killer is on the hunt. Another female student from Ridgeway Institute had turned up dead.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Edward frowned when his trusted aide handed him the most updated report.

Scarlett was deeply absorbed in going through documents that had connection to Ellie Smith. School records, surveillance footage, financial records, familial status…. everything. She was an expert in detecting loopholes. They found one when Scarlett ran through the autopsy report one more time. Scarlett was glad she did.

Scarlett had pulled up one of the crime scene photos from Ellie’s case. The branded crest on the back of Ellie’s neck. Scarlett had a hardened expression. It was a familiar sight.

“Is this why you called me back, Sir Edward?” Scarlett questioned. She pointed at the screen. “This is the crest of the Cross Order.”

The discovery of the bloody crest sent cold chills and shivers down their spines. Scarlett had it the hardest. She gulped, studying the photos closely to avoid novice mistakes. There was no one in Amestris who didn’t know about the mysterious Cross Order. A mysterious organization, and a band of criminals.

Edward nodded. “Aren’t I helpful?” He draped an arm around Scarlett. “The Public Security Bureau has been chasing after them, am I right?”

Scarlett sighed. “If that’s the case, you might be looking for a group of hitmen.”

And that was bad news.

“You’ll never get them.”