Leon’s eyes did not drift away from the three faces. He once again glanced at the two women standing next to Dr. Anise.

They were indeed Lumina and Irene.

"They knew each other...?" he muttered.

Out of all places, Lumina had visited Evana. This was not a coincidence. Knowing her, Leon was certain something important had brought her here.

’Haru, both their pictures are placed inside this Akashic Record.’ Rumi pointed this out.

"Ah... You are right."

All the portraits here represented the history of Evana City in one way or another. If that was the case then both Irene and Lumina were people of significant influence here.

’Wait a second...’ Leon thought inwardly. ’Lumina was one thing. She was a Swordmaiden and had contributed to the Calamity War. But what about Irene?’

Leon’s eyes settled on her portrait. Her platinum hair was slightly shorter but even so, she looked exactly as Leon had seen her today. As if she had never aged at all.

As Leon sat with those thoughts, Rumi pointed out something else.

’Lumina was here before this city entered the loop. Considering the timing, could it be possible that she came here searching for Shin? It is highly likely if you ask me. There is a chance Shin may have come here as well.’

Leon thought carefully about her words. He had already arrived at the same hypothesis.

Lumina had abandoned her noble status and gone searching for Shin Kataino.

’There is also this detective. Irene Adler. There might be something connecting all three of them.’

If someone of Lumina’s status had visited this city, Dr. Anise would certainly have been aware of it. And if that was the case, Anise would have gone out of her way to ask about Lumina’s purpose. Lumina would have told her about Shin. Dr. Anise, understanding the situation, would then have appointed Irene to handle her case.

’Exactly.’

Both arrived at the same hypothesis.

’But then,’ Leon thought with a slightly troubled expression, ’why would Shin visit Evana?’

Shin’s story had always been vaguely referenced in the game, mentioned only as Lumina’s lover alongside her name.

Him visiting Evana of all places seemed odd. There was no apparent reason for Shin to be here. Unless there was something he needed from this place. But what?

’Is this something to do with Shin’s soul?’

"It is so big. Hey, can we get closer? I want to touch the surface."

"No. Look from here."

"Huh? Why not?"

Cyan and Lillian’s voices broke through Leon’s thoughts. He turned to find the three of them now standing near the golden crystal pillar that stretched up toward the ceiling.

Inside the pillar, a plasma-like electric current flowed up and down in steady streams like digits moving through a circuit.

The elven girl hopped in front of Ethan and Cyan to block them from getting any closer.

"I said no touching."

’Should I just ask her?’

Leon called out her name.

"Miss Lillian. Could you tell me when this portrait was taken?"

"Hm?"

The elven girl looked left, then right, and finally spotted Leon standing in front of a holographic painting.

Ethan turned as well and caught a glimpse of the frame behind Leon. He could not make out the full detail from where he stood, but he could tell it was a portrait of three women standing close together.

Lillian walked toward him. She stopped just beside Leon and first glanced at the portrait.

"Oh, this was taken during Dr. Anise’s 500th birthday." Lillian said. Her expression softened as she spoke. "Although from what I heard, she had never once celebrated her birthday before that. It was these two beside her who forced her into it." A small smile appeared on her face. "It was the first time our city had ever held a celebration like that for her. The portrait was taken as a memento of that day."

She paused for just a moment, still looking at it.

"I think they were the only ones who could have made her agree to it."

Leon turned to look at Lumina and Irene before asking.

"What is their relation with the Doctor?"

Lillian blinked.

"They were considered friends, if I had to say. Although I am not entirely sure. Dr. Anise has not really talked about them much lately."

Leon went quiet after that. It was Ethan who leaned in from the side and whispered into his ear.

"Hey, is that not the Swordmaiden? And that girl beside her, she is that detective we just met."

Leon glanced at him sideways. From the look on Ethan’s face, he had already started picking up on the unnatural details of Evana. It was only a matter of time before he put it all together.

Ethan thought for a moment and a troubled expression settled on his face. Cyan, surprisingly, wore the same one.

Leon had not expected Cyan to catch on this quickly as well.

’About time,’ Leon thought to himself.

"They are indeed the same," Leon replied.

"Alright, I am lost." Ethan raised his voice slightly. "The Swordmaiden existed over 200 years ago. If that is the case, how is Detective Irene Adler standing beside her in this picture? She is clearly human. Uhh.. both of them are."

Lillian overheard him, and before Leon could say anything she cut in.

"200 years?" She blinked. "What do you mean? This picture was taken recently. About three years ago."

"What did you say?" Ethan and Cyan said at the same time.

Lillian nodded. "Yes. You can see the date at the bottom."

"No, no, miss. That cannot be right..."

"..."

Leon watched the three of them go back and forth.

None of them were wrong. That was the thing.

From Lillian’s perspective the portrait had been taken three years ago. From Ethan and Cyan’s perspective the Swordmaiden had no business existing in this era, let alone three years back. And Irene standing right beside her only made it more contradictory.

None of them here were aware of the loop. That they had all been living the same single day for over two centuries.

"There you are, Princess Lillian."

A voice came from behind them.

All four turned at the same time.

The one who had spoken was someone who was in the portrait hanging behind them.

Platinum hair, sharp golden eyes, a flowing dress and a wide hat decorated with blue roses.

Irene walked toward them with a calm expression.

.

.

[A/N: I will write one more Chapter after my classes are over in 2-3 hours. Thank you for the patience, and I apologise for the delays.]