Crossbell Times (Zero) - Special Edition

Crossbell Times - Special Edition

[Extra] A Glamorous Stage and the Intrigue Behind It

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◆A Preview of 'Golden Sun, Silver Moon'◆

The anticipated new stage show from Arc en Ciel has had its private performance. Ilya Platiere captivated the audience from the moment the curtain rose with an acrobatic performance. Act 2 followed with the appearance of a hopeful new face, Rixia Mao, who stunned the audience with a different mystique and expressive dancing. Together with the atmosphere that Ilya generated, the audience was delighted. I got the feeling I was witnessing the rebirth of the Arc en Ciel. I look forward to the public opening.

◆The Mayoral Assassin's Dagger◆

While the drama was unfolding on stage, a more real one unfolded behind the scenes, as the police discovered and halted an attempted assassination on Mayor Henry MacDowell in the balcony during the private performance. An official statement has been issued regarding the incident.

The official word is that the suspect, Mr. Ernest Reis (29), MacDowell's former top aide, arrived with the mayor to watch the performance. He smuggled a dagger and gun past security officials and attempted to use them to assassinate the mayor.

◆What Motivations Did He Have?◆

Mr. Reis served as the mayor's top aide for many years and was known for his honest personality. Why did he commit this crime?

In gathering evidence, we discovered that he also illegally misappropriated mayoral funds and had connections with specific representatives. Additional evidence suggests he planned to run for the next mayoral election, and it is speculated he committed the crime to try to obtain the political position himself. However, the police have taken over the investigation, and so the true reasons will likely not become public.

◆Behind the Suspect's Arrest◆

The Crossbell police became aware of the plot in advance of the attempted assassination and deployed a security team inside the theater. The team was fooled by the suspect's clever diversion. However, the newly-commissioned Special Support Section conducted its own independent investigation and were able to thwart Mr. Reis' plot and save the mayor. A detective from the First Investigative Division said, 'No comment. I cannot divulge more than what has been disclosed publicly.'

◆Mayoral Vacation◆

After the incident, Mayor MacDowell decided to take a vacation. 'Even though he wasn't permanently injured, the stress on his mind and body was immense, so he made this decision in consideration of his old age,' stated a public relations officer. We are glad the mayor is safe and sound, but it is so far undecided how long the break will be. The Anniversary Festival is approaching, and all of us at the newspaper pray for his quick return to duty.

クロスベルタイムズ号外

【特報】華やかな舞台　その裏の陰謀

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◆『金の太陽、銀の月』プレ公演◆

劇団アルカンシェルにて、待望の新作プレ公演が上演された。序幕からアクロバティックな演技で観客を虜にしていくイリア・プラティエ。そして第二幕から登場、期待の新星リーシャ・マオは神秘的かつ素晴らしい表現力。イリア嬢の生み出す空間と相まって客席は驚嘆の声に包まれた。劇団アルカンシェルのまさに新生を予感させる舞台だ。本公演が今から楽しみである。

◆市長への凶刃◆

クロスベル警察は、アルカンシェルプレ公演の舞台裏で現クロスベル市長ヘンリー・マクダエル氏の暗殺未遂事件が進行していたと発表。現在明らかになっている情報と、事件の経緯について公表した。

警察の発表によれば、容疑者は市長の第一秘書を務めるアーネスト・ライズ氏(29)。氏は市長とともにプレ公演の鑑賞に訪れていたが、警備担当者の隙をつき隠し持っていた短剣、および拳銃を使って市長を暗殺しようとした疑いがもたれている。

◆第一秘書が、一体なぜ……？◆

アーネスト容疑者は長年市長の第一秘書を務め、誠実な人柄で知られていた。なぜ犯行に及んだのか。

当誌記者の取材によれば、容疑者は事務所の資金を不正に流用し、特定の議員たちとコネクションを作っていたという。また次期市長選への出馬を考えていたとの証言もあり、政治的地位を求めての犯行と推測される。しかし警察による取調べは全て非公開となっており真意は謎のままだ。

◆容疑者逮捕の裏側◆

クロスベル警察は事前に暗殺計画を察知、劇場内に厳重な警備を敷いていたという。アーネスト容疑者の巧妙な偽装工作によって一時捜査情報が混乱したともされるが、新設部署・特務支援課が独自の捜査を展開、市長を救った模様だ。

一方、当日の詳しい経緯について捜査一課の人物は「ノーコメント。発表された事以上はお話できない」

◆市長、休暇へ◆

マクダエル市長は事件の後、休暇を取られることとなった。「市長に怪我はなかったものの心身の疲れが酷く、高齢であることを加味した判断」（市広報官）市長がご無事だったことは喜ばれるが、復帰時期については未定という。創立記念祭も迫る中、本誌も一丸となって一日も早い回復を祈るばかりだ。