52 This Hero Begins The Investigation!

We left the inn and began to walk towards Yasri's home. The sun had already risen and was shining across the village brilliantly. The nearby fields were filled with a multitude of crops, livestock, and the occasional farmer that was tending to their field. Unlike yesterday, this village feels and sounds far more alive now, and I'm not the only one that's taken notice.

"Woah. What's the deal with everyone? Why is it so alive all of the sudden?" Kany asked.

"Hmph! Obviously it's because they feel safe with us around!" Tael declared while crossing his arms.

"You know, honestly I think Tael is right." I said. "The people of this town had been stuck in a rut for a while but now they have hope through us. Honestly it puts a bit of pressure on me…"

"Don't worry, Kenji-san. I'm sure we can fix this!"

I nodded my head at Erana's reassurance. We continued down the dirt road for a short while before arriving back at Yasri's home. Since this village isn't very large, getting around isn't difficult.

I stepped up to the front door and knocked.

"Excuse me, Yasri-san! Are you there?"

After waiting a moment, the door in front of me opened and a humanoid cat woman appeared in front of me.

"Ah, good morning to you. What may I help you with?" Yasri asked.

"Can you lead us to a wife of one of the farmers that have gone missing? We need to ask them a few questions."

"'A few' you say… Are you sure?" Yasri looked at me like I was telling a lie.

"Y-Yes! A few. It's necessary for the investigation." I affirmed.

Yasri looked to be contemplating my words for a moment before finally stepping outside and letting out a sigh.

"Very well. I shall lead you to them. Come with me nyow." She said as she walked past us. I've only now realized this, but she seems to walk silently.

We turned around and followed her for a little while. We paced around the small village until we were brought to a relatively new looking building. Behind the building there was a large fenced off area with many crops that were ready for harvest. This must be the place.

"This is where you will meet one of the wives. Her name is Nyaomi."

"Nyaomi?" Tael asked.

"No, Nyaomi." Yasri asserted.

"That's what I said! Nyaomi!"

"No you said 'Nyaomi' but it's Nyaomi."

"But you just said-"

"Okay! We get it! Let's move, Wizard without common sense." Kany said as she grabbed Tael by the robe and dragged him away.

"W-Wait! But it's Nyaomi, right?" Tael asked.

I merely rubbed my temples at Tael's inability to pick up peoples speech quirks. I don't know why, but I think I'm more irritable today than normal. Hopefully this subsides soon.

"Innis?" A disheveled woman shouted out from the now open doorway.

I was knocked flat on the ground by this woman's action. Tael was trying to hold back his laughter as he began to help me up. I should slug him in the stomach again soon.

"Wait… Who are you people?" The woman asked us.

This woman looks like she's in her mid thirties. Her hair is a dark brown and goes down to her shoulders. Her clothes are a dark brown and go all the way down to her feet like a dress. She has dark bags under her eyes and she has a worrisome looking face. Her build is slightly muscular while her hands are rough and coarse. This must be one of the wives of the farmers.

"A-Ah! Kenji-san, are you hurt?" Erana crouched down to ask me.

"Y-Yeah I'm fine. Ugh." I said as I rubbed the spot where I was hit. Despite how she looks, this woman is pretty strong.

"Is your name Naomi?" Kany asked the woman.

"Yes!" The woman ran up to Kany and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Have you found Innis? Is he okay?"

"W-Woah! Okay lady! We're just here to ask questions!" Kany quickly let out.

"O-Oh I see…" The woman said as she let go of Kany and looked to the side. It seems that all the energy this woman had previously had just left her.

I finally got up from the ground and dusted myself off.

"Ma'am, my name is Kenji. We're adventurers that have been tasked with searching for and, hopefully, rescuing everyone that has gone missing." I said as I held my hand to my chest. The rest of the party nodded their heads at my declaration.

"Adventurers? You're going to find Innis?" She looked at each of us and asked.

"That's what we plan to do, but before we can do that we need to ask you a few questions. May we come in?" I asked her.

"Questions? Y-Yes… Yes you can ask whatever you need to… Coming inside, however…" She trailed off.

"Is something wrong?" Tael asked.

"Oh, no it's just… I haven't cleaned since Innis went missing you see…" She looked around and fidgeted in place as she said this.

"It's alright Naomi-san. We just need to ask you a few questions. We understand any issues you've had in the meantime." Erana gently told Naomi as she lightly held her shoulder. It seems like Naomi finally decided to calm down now that Erana is taking control of the situation.

"A-Ah, yes… Of course you can come inside…" She moved her hand towards the doorway and gestured us inside. We took her invitation and walked into the interior of her home one at a time.

...She really hasn't cleaned since he left. There's dirt on the floor and dishes that haven't been washed that have started to pile up. Thankfully the windows are open, otherwise this place would definitely stink.

"Here, have a seat." She said as she walked in front of us and led us into what appeared to be a living room. Naomi took a seat in a chair that was facing the doorway. I don't know why, but I get the feeling that she's been spending a lot of time in that chair recently…

Once Naomi gestured for us to take a seat, we all reluctantly sat on the sofa that was provided.

"O-Okay, Naomi-san. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind me asking…" I began.