290-262 Incident investigation (1)

"Now that Nao and the others are gone, what should we do?　We can't really make any serious moves until they get back, can we?

On the morning of the day that Nao and Haruka left for Laffan, the remaining Toyas gathered in their assigned rooms to discuss their plans.

However, it was Toya, Natsuki and Yuki who were participating in the discussion.

Mary and Mitya were just lounging on the bed, listening.

At the very least, we need to avoid anything that could lead to a fight. At the very least, we should avoid anything that could lead to a fight, because some of our classmates might show up.

Even if it's not a classmate, the other day's attacker turned out to be someone of that level, so we can't be too careful.

The three of us all looked serious as we remembered that we were in a bit of a pinch.

Although one of them was badly injured, they were all able to escape in more than a one-on-one situation, so their skill is not to be underestimated.

On the other hand, Mary and the others, who did not see the situation firsthand, looked a little uneasy.

"Were they that strong?

"Your brothers are so strong?

No, we're not that strong yet, to be honest. Maybe it was a good opportunity. It was a good opportunity to see where we stand.

We were able to beat Sazius and his team. ...... So it turns out he was right.

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In fact, the soldiers of the Viscountess of Nenus are weak.

If their soldiers were strong, they wouldn't have left the trees in the town of Raffan until they became scarce.

Since it is an important local product and can be exported to other territories, it is only natural that they would use their territorial army to secure it.

So even if Mary and the others are able to beat me, be humble, okay?　If Mary and the others can beat me, be humble and remember that there are still others out there who can beat you.

I don't think I can beat them. ...... Yes, I'll try to remember that.

Do you understand?

In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out by yourself.

But what should we do?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out, but we're complete amateurs. ......

Yes. My knowledge is limited to what I know from mystery novels. What about Toya?

No, if you two can't make it, what do you expect me to do? What can I expect?　But games are all about choices, right?

"Canvassing, stakeouts, sting operations?　That's how it works in dramas.

Yeah. I don't know the details.

The three of us are just high school students, neither police nor detectives, and we have no idea how to investigate.

Therefore, it is inevitable that their knowledge is only at the level of TV dramas or mystery novels.

In addition, in this world where there is no such thing as a photograph - to be precise, there is such a thing, but it is not as easy to prepare a photograph of a suspect as in a TV drama. We can't even interview them while showing them the photos.

Since the family register is vague, it is impossible to know if the suspect is really missing.

If I had to give an advantage, it would be the small population.

...... Shall we go and talk to the guards for now? That way, there's no danger, and they'll know more about the investigation than we do.

"Right. That's a good place to start. I'm not sure.

When Toya and the others stood up, Mary and the others who were lying on the bed stood up as well, but they looked a little troubled and called out to them.

What do you want me and Mee to do?

"Well, you can come with us, but there's not much point, is there?

They may be mature, but they're still kids, not even ten.

There's no way they'll be of any use to the investigation, and if things do get rough, they'll be a liability.

It is only in the world of shonen manga that elementary school students can conveniently solve crimes.

You can do whatever you want, as long as you don't go out into the city. ...... You can participate in the training of the territorial army, or you can play with Master Iliad - no, study?

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it.

When Mary heard this, she pondered for a moment and then quickly nodded her head yes.

I understand. I'll just go with it. Is that okay with you?

"Yes. Leave it to your sister.

I'm sure you'll be fine, but try not to bother the Viscountess.

Of course. Take care of yourselves, Natsuki.

Have a good day, sisters.

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After leaving the room, Natsuki and the others first went to the office where Sazius was working.

The first thing the Natsuki did was to go to the office where Sazius was working.

A building that doubles as a dormitory for the territorial soldiers, located a short distance away from the main residence of the Viscount Nenus family.

In one corner of the building was the office of Sazius.

When Toya and the others visited him, they were immediately welcomed.

I'm sorry I had to ask you to do something so complicated this time.

"No, it's fine. It's an official request. But ......, you do that kind of work too?

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

The desk where Sazius was sitting was piled high with papers, and the bookshelves against the wall were lined with bound volumes of paper, probably for some kind of material.

For them, it was the first time to see such a large amount of paper, except in a bookstore.

If you're my age, you'll see more of this. If you're Jasper, you're more likely to be in the field. ...... Huh, I wish I was in that position. It's a pain in the ass.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

In fact, it was clear just by looking at the unorganized desk that Sazius was not very good at office work.

I can understand your feeling. But for today, let me talk to you. You know best, don't you?

Got it. Let's see. ...... Speaking of events, it's going to be spring. We found a body, a young woman. Well, that happens all the time, you know. It's not a big deal. The problem is, she was a resident of Kergu.

"......?　Wait a minute. How did you know that person lived in Kergu?　You found him here in Pining, didn't you?

"Oh, you're adventurers, don't you know?　The Barony of Nenus issues resident cards upon request. Not many people have them, though.

A resident's card is issued to those who live in a town and pay taxes by applying to the town office.

The main purpose of this card is to receive tax exemption when entering and leaving the town.

This exemption is available not only in the town you live in, but also in other towns in Viscount Nenus' domain.

In other words, it has the same effect as the guild card of the adventurer's guild.

However, the majority of residents who never leave the city have no use for them, and only a few have them.

Merchants who go to other towns to buy groceries, farmers who go out of town, and so on, usually know the gatekeepers of their own town, so they don't have many chances to actually receive the card.

And, well, the way the victim died was a little suspicious. I did some research in Kerg to check it out. ...... It seems he left town around winter without telling anyone he knew. Probably.

It's possible that he had business in Pining, per se. ......

Well, he was in Pining. The victim was a peddler or something. But on the other hand, he didn't go without saying anything to others.

The victim was not peddling to the public, but wholesaling to stores.

For this reason, it is natural for him to inquire in advance when he is going somewhere to purchase something, and to tell the shop owner when he will be back.

Nevertheless, he went missing without any such information.

It is precisely because of this suspicious situation that Sagius was able to obtain information.

By the way, what is the suspicious way of death?

Oh, we haven't found any trauma to cause death. I think it was poison, but it was in an alleyway. Maybe he was poisoned somewhere, walked over there and ran out of energy, or maybe he was dumped after he died. Oh, and by the way, the victim was a woman.

No external injuries. ...... How old is she, by the way?

Mid-twenties. But, well, it's just one woman's suspicious death. That's all that happened then.

"Oh, it's over, then?

In fact, it is not uncommon to find a dead body in the city itself.

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Therefore, unless a murder is committed in a public place, or the murdered person is an influential person or related to one, the body is just incinerated.

Even in the case of a murder, there is not enough manpower to investigate the death of a commoner with much effort.

"So, the next case was before summer. A woman's family claimed that their daughter had disappeared.

Sagius took out a sheet of paper, looked at it, and continued to explain.

"The woman's boyfriend, the man whose body was found, and the woman is missing. But when I looked into it, I found out that the woman and the man had been seen fighting. The story ended with her killing the man in a love affair and the woman running away. This is the time...

"What about this time?

When Natsuki overheard Sazius' words and asked him back, he nodded lightly.

"Yes, at this time. I'll explain later, but we were busy at the time, too. We didn't have time to spare.