Otherworld TRPG Game Master-Chapter 321: The Culprit Is Inside Here (2)

Inheritor of the “Hologram” magic from the Mad Wizard. Has a lover created through illusion magic, but that’s not the point.

She’s insane. She looks at me with strange eyes. It’s creepy.

● Lorei (10th Year / Female):

Known for frequently going outside the Purple Tower. Has connections with adventurers due to regular collaboration, making it unsurprising if she has contacts outside.

According to the Mad Wizard, she was once suspected of helping create a spell to turn people into surveillance devices (known as "Big Brother") in the former imperial capital. She was later cleared of suspicion as it was deemed a dark mage’s scheme to frame her, but the possibility of high-level deception shouldn’t be dismissed.

Her divine name is “Puppetmaster,” and she harbors a twisted desire to switch bodies with her sickly younger brother. Needs close monitoring.

● Charlie (15th Year / Male):

Lived in the “Old Tower” for about two years before Yuna Yurensto Violetiris took over as the current Tower Lord. Highly likely to have encountered or interacted with the former Tower Lord and Goat.

Currently holds a senior position within the tower, with significant influence when the Tower Lord is absent. Can interfere with various aspects of the Purple Tower’s operations.

Currently the prime suspect for being Goat. Must be cautious.

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[Question: What is the Central Control Room?]

The Mad Wizard crossed his legs and spoke.

“My dear seniors and juniors, the central control room of our tower is an important place. I could understand if one person were here, but four? I’d like to ask why you were all here...”

“Wait. What role does the central control room serve, and why is it important?”

“Oh, right, I should explain it to you too, kid. From our tower’s control room, we can manage the external interception system, heating and cooling, and other things. It’s connected to the tower’s entire mana lines.”

Mana lines. They’re connected to the entire tower.

“So if you occupy this place... does that mean you essentially control the Purple Tower?”

“Up to the 17th floor, yes. The floors above are operated separately since that’s where the Tower Lord and I live.”

“Any other notable details?”

“Yes. When we were attacked by shadow minions, remember how the lights in the tower went out? That was probably controlled from this room. So the person who tampered with this panel is highly suspicious.”

At the Mad Wizard’s words, the suspects exchanged glances. They all appeared anxious, with sweat on their hands or trembling eyes, as if nervous.

But it wasn’t the fear of being caught as the culprit... rather...

“Aren’t you curious to find out who it is?”

Wobble.

He spoke in a friendly yet strangely cheerful tone while his form shifted between a formless, ominous shadow and a figure with a sinister red gaze.

It seemed his sheer presence was terrifying enough to make them shiver.

[Interrogation: Reason for Visiting the Control Room (Melburton)]

Melburton testified while looking down at the floor. He wore thick glasses and had disheveled hair, looking every bit the research wizard type.

“I was on duty, on duty. You know, right? Someone has to be here in the control room... and today just happened to be my turn.”

“On duty? And what does that entail?”

“Yes, uh, well... usually it involves controlling the temperature. If it’s too cold, I raise it; if it’s too hot, I lower it. The main job is monitoring. If something dangerous happens, like an experiment going wrong, I’d send a tower-wide alert... but it’s kinda weird for a kid to talk down to me... I mean, no, never mind.”

Melburton seemed to respect my authority as the Hypnotic Detective. Or maybe he was intimidated by the Mad Wizard glaring menacingly from behind me.

I glanced back uneasily. Come to think of it, the Mad Wizard might not like me taking the lead as the Hypnotic Detective.

Why did I suddenly feel compelled to start this investigation...?

“...”

A hand-like shape that vaguely resembled the Mad Wizard’s patted me on the back. He seemed to want me to continue. Was my method of deduction aligning with his intention, or did he have something else planned...?

I decided to continue with the interrogation.

“So why didn’t you sound an alarm? I didn’t hear any alarms while coming up the tower.”

“...Pardon?”

“When the Mad Wizard and I entered the tower, he cast a grand spell to seal it. Isn’t that ‘dangerous enough to sound a tower-wide alert’?”

“Well, that’s... because it was obviously the Mad Wizard... senior’s doing. I didn’t think there was a need to sound the alarm.”

He didn’t see the need to sound the alarm?

Suspicious. But I decided not to dwell on it further, as it seemed plausible.

[Interrogation: Reason for Visiting the Control Room (Charlie, Lorei)]

“Then, why were the others in the control room? Melburton was on duty, but the rest of you weren’t.”

“I’ll go first. I’m Lorei, a ten-year wizard of the tower. I ‘received a message’ that there was an issue with the control room and that urgent assistance was needed. It called for skilled wizards to quickly head up to the control room.”

“Oh, yeah, same here. I’m Charlie, a fifteen-year wizard. I got a similar message and went to the control room. I think I was the first to arrive... Lorei came in shortly after.”

A message from the control room?

I looked at Melburton. Only someone in the control room could send a tower-wide message. Yet he looked extremely flustered, as if it were impossible.

“...Wait, wait a second, Senior Lorei! You’re saying you received a message? I didn’t send a message to anyone!”

“Sorry, Melburton, but I did receive one. If it wasn’t from you, who sent it?”

“I don’t know, but it definitely wasn’t me!”

Their testimonies conflicted. Melburton claimed he hadn’t sent a message, but Lorei and Charlie stated they received one, prompting them to gather in the control room. So, who sent that message?

If Goat is among these four, he would have needed to draw people to the scene or blend into a group to avoid suspicion.

This point is noteworthy. It could very well be Goat’s ploy...

“Alright. Lastly, you—”

“Huff, huff, huff...”

“Could... could you question her instead? I’m counting on you, Mad Wizard...!!”

I retreated.

[Interrogation: Reason for Visiting the Control Room (Luche)]

Hiding behind the Mad Wizard, I took on the role of recording. He smiled warmly and spoke in a friendly manner.

“Our shota butler enthusiast, doing well?”

“Of course! I’ve been spending blissful days with my darling ♥”

“Glad to hear it. You need that kind of affection to master ‘Hologram’... I’ve got some new outfit samples prepared. I’ll share them after we’re done here.”

“I’ve tried various things too. To reach the ideal of the bunny boy, I even experimented with a tie—”

Focus, Mad Wizard, focus.

I tapped his back in frustration, and he conjured a mouth on his back, whispering that it was fine to say goodbye in case this was the last time he’d see her if she was Goat. Perhaps the Mad Wizard was also uncomfortable, with his seniors and juniors now as suspects.

“So, why did you come to the control room?”

“Well, I also received a message... ugh.”

Luche suddenly staggered as if struck by dizziness. Blood trickled from her nose as her face went blank.

The Mad Wizard spoke nonchalantly.

“...Oh.”

“Lying is not an option. I’m looking deep into your soul. If you intentionally lie, I’ll ‘punish’ you. Understood?”

“Y-Yes! S-Sorry, I didn’t know you’d be so angry.”

A lie detector, perhaps. It seemed impossible to lie in front of the Mad Wizard.

But all suspects were illusion wizards. Through self-hypnosis, they could make themselves believe their lies as truth. Assuming they’re speaking absolute truth would be a trap.

Fortunately, any attempt at self-hypnosis would also be detected by the Mad Wizard.

Thus, the lies I need to be wary of are those achieved through self-hypnosis “before meeting the Mad Wizard.”

Luche admitted truthfully.

“I lied to avoid suspicion. It’s just... I happened to walk in. ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ When I saw Seniors Charlie and Lorei going inside, I got curious. So I went in.”

“Good. You should be honest, at least today.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The Mad Wizard finished questioning Luche and stepped aside.

[Interrogation: What Happened in the Control Room?]

Lorei and Charlie took turns recounting what happened.

“When I entered the control room, Melburton was slumped over, and Senior Charlie was inspecting the control panel.”

“Right. I needed to check what was causing the issue.”

“I joined Senior Charlie in examining the system, but found no abnormalities. I thought Melburton must have sent the message by mistake... then Luche walked in.”

“And as soon as Luche entered, the door disappeared.”

At that point, the Mad Wizard’s grand spell activated, sealing the control room entirely. What did the four suspects do in the sealed room?

“Senior Charlie assumed it was an external attack. He started manipulating the control panel to respond. But I thought it was our junior’s doing and tried to stop him.”

Tried to stop him?

“I didn’t think our junior would attack the tower. Since it was for the good of the tower, I felt we shouldn’t interfere.”

“Melburton speaking. I thought he had a point. I wasn’t shirking my duty; Senior Lorei’s reasoning seemed sound, so I thought the alarm wasn’t necessary...”

[First Timeline Assembly]

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Based on the testimonies so far, the timeline is as follows:

● Melburton was on duty in the control room.

● Charlie, after receiving a message about an issue, entered the control room.

● Lorei, receiving a similar message, entered the control room.

● Luche, out of curiosity, entered after seeing them go in.

● The Mad Wizard activated “Gate Succession,” sealing the area.

● The Mad Wizard was attacked by Goat’s shadow minions, and the tower’s lights went out.

● The Mad Wizard was ambushed by tower members under Goat’s mind control, but subdued them swiftly.

● The Mad Wizard reached the control room.

“...”

The “Hypnotic Detective” guidebook left by my master contains deep wisdom to solve cases and reveal villains. Thanks to this precious book, I was able to carry on the role of Hypnotic Detective, albeit clumsily.

Chapter 52 of the “Deduction” section says that a single, pointed question can be a light in the darkness.

The Mad Wizard and I asked the suspects in unison.

“Among the four of you in the control room, who turned off the tower’s lights?”

“Seniors and juniors, raise your hand if you’re the one who turned off the lights when I was attacked by shadow minions.”

“...”

“...”

But no one raised their hand.