fifth trial

[thecastle]

FIFTH TRIAL

Saturday, Week 5

UNCOVER THE GUILTY PARTY


Yesterday's events were quite shocking. None of you expected to find two victims, much less two who were so young and full of life. But, as always, there's a silver lining here. Their lives bought you release from the motive, and isn't that worth something? After all, it would be a lie to say that this thought hasn't passed through anyone's mind. But would it be right to thank whoever was involved for what they did? For some of you, the idea isn't all that outlandish.

Any further deliberations regarding whether or not the act was truly just will need to wait until later. For now, you have a trial to attend.

Once thirteen of you gather in the Great Hall, the large doors slam right open and prompt everyone to ascend the stairs into the trial room.

As those present takes their seats, it becomes apparent just how many lives have been lost over the course of this game. Half of the seats are now empty, which is staggering given how many of you there were when the challenge began. Beyond the room and the current occupants are the profiles lining the walls. They're hard to miss at this point, for obvious reasons.

The Sage's steady voice slips in through the pendants as soon as everyone's settled.

"It is time, my warriors, to meet the challenge head on. You have all managed to come this far and so I expect you to perform as admirably as you have in the past. How may vary, but every individual here is important and brings their own unique touch to these trials. ... Normally, that is. To my dismay, a number of you will be temporarily incapable of taking part in this challenge.

Let us hope this is a trend that does not continue into future weeks. That said... May all who remain be blessed with only the best of fortune. You will need it."

As soon as the Sage finishes speaking, five images flicker into sight as if brought to life by a projector. Seeing how there's no such device present, it may not be a stretch to consider magic is at work here.

15 REMAIN

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locations | profiles | votes

Comments

[browbeater]

[he sighs.]

Let's take a step back. We're focused on minor evidence that we're not even sure is relevant. I've got a theory.

Miyamura wasn't wearing his clothes, and the clothes he was wearing were too small. There's no way the killer put those on him, so he must have already been wearing them. I don't know about you guys, but I've worn clothes that were too small for me before.

It's uncomfortable. You can't move as well as normal, and did I mention it's really uncomfortable? Because it is.

He had normal clothes available, but he chose to wear those clothes anyway.

Besides that, an empty razor case was found in his room. [mako holds the razor, and the razor case. He's removed the good luck charm for now. He slides the razor in.]

What if the razor belonged to Jin or Miyamura?

[fedorascout]

It could belong to anyone. I myself received a razor from the pond during the second week.

Therefore it's possible Kurosaki-kun or Miyamura-kun received a razor as well, but this isn't something that can be confirmed.

[browbeater]

It can't be. But what if the razor was theirs and not the killer's?

The razor seems pretty important, but I feel like we're treating it like an afterthought at this point.

It's clear, at the very least, Miyamura was gravely injured by it, if not killed.

[irrationalities]

I'm thinking it did. There's no point in the killer planting the case there and leaving the razor to be found in the greenhouse.

[browbeater]

Then it's possible that one of them, but probably Miyamura, went out with it. Jin is dressed normally, Miyamura isn't.

[irrationalities]

What makes you think Miyamura had it?

[browbeater]

Because of the clothing.

Why do you think Miyamura decided to dress strangely when going out at night?

[pseudoregelia]

Do we have anything that seems like it could still have fingerprints left behind? And... Madame Lutece, do we have any fingerprint powder we could use on them if so?

[notimmortal]

The razor itself was wet and clean when I found it, so I doubt it has any.

[browbeater]

If we have any way to see the fingerprints, I'd be interested.

[pseudoregelia]

Madame Lutece and Ayumu were working on fingerprinting powder, but I'm not sure what the stock is currently like, myself.

[...My, since when has he been anything other than Narumi-san?]

[browbeater]

[... he noticed that, Hiyono, and he is definitely going to try and find out... later....]

They only had enough for one trial-- I remember that.

[irrationalities]

[Doesn't say anything but suffice it to say that he Notices.]

[fedorascout]

[Ooooh, way to go, Hiyono! Kizakura looks forward to reading about this in the gossip tabloid]

[originallutece]

Not anymore, unfortunately. I'm still waiting to see if the Sage will restock the laboratory, but we used it up last trial.

[pseudoregelia]

[Awww...]

Of all the things for them to fall behind on...

[godinsolitude]

Making this easier on us would be too much trouble.

[Siiiiigh.]

[devilsphysician]

If Miyamura was dressed strangely... and carrying a razor on him.

[He frowns, it seems very unlikely, but maybe if they look at it from this angle...?]

What if...

[browbeater]

[look, he doesn't want to say it. He liked Miyamura a lot, but saying what he's thinking out loud is just.]

Yeah. What if we've been looking at this the wrong way the whole time.

[fedorascout]

...you think Miyamura-kun was going to try to kill someone?

[browbeater]

He was extremely upset by the motive.

It's not outside of the realm of possibility.

[devilsphysician]

I really do not want to consider it, but that would solve some of the more puzzling details....

What if one or both of them went to ambush someone, but the would be victim killed them instead?

[browbeater]

Yeah, so maybe we need to think of the remaining evidence in that manner. Assuming the killer ran and hid, then came back for seconds, hasn't been getting us anywhere.

[originallutece]

Then let's assume that. That at least Miyamura, if not Jin as well, were planning on murdering one of the five suspects deliberately.

Who would be the likeliest person they'd target?

[browbeater]

I don't know. I'd guess it'd be either a target of convenience or someone they know.