154 145: The important thing is disappearing.

The next day.

I was talking to Nigel about a strange incident I saw and heard in the city yesterday.

And so.

"Yeah, that's right." It's one of the agenda items that came up at yesterday's meeting. Actually..... "

I started talking slowly.

──At first, it seemed to be from a watch that a certain boy cherished.

He always kept his watch on the bedroom shelf. But when I woke up in the morning, the clock strangely disappeared.

He also asked his mother, but he can't find the watch. The mother also thought that her son might have been left somewhere.

But with that in mind, similar incidents continued throughout the city.

A teddy bear that a girl held without letting go of her skin. My favorite t-shirt. A wallet I had as a parent. This engagement ring is a pledge of love──.

The things that were important to them disappeared one after another.

It wouldn't be a big deal if there were only one or two of them.

However, as the number of similar cases increased from ten to twenty, people began to think it was strange.

"Of course, the Vigilante and the Adventurer's Guild are also working to solve the case. But all along,── I couldn't see any signs of a solution, so I started talking to myself."

"That's right..."

Is it true that yesterday's incident was not just a coincidence?

"Is this just about the king's capital of Lynchgiham?" In other cities and villages..... "

"Yeah, I haven't been able to confirm it so far." I heard about Berkhaim and other countries, but I don't think there are any similar cases. ”

"Lynchgi Ham is── even more exclusive to the king's capital." So, is it conceivable that it was a thief? ”

"Of course, I thought about the possibility first." But some of the things that have disappeared don't make much money. It's obviously unnatural to steal all that without looking at anything else that might turn into gold. "

"That's true." And... if it's just a thief's doing it, it'll solve the case faster. ”

Together with Nigel, I bothered my head.

Besides... this is my guess.

”... if I leave it like this, it's going to be even worse”

"Is that...?"

"What's gone now stays in the precious [thing], right?" What if this spreads to your loved ones?── "

When I say that, Nigel has a happy expression.

"It's a story that may be unlikely,── but it's impossible. If that happens, the case will go worse."

That's right.

A loved one for me──, Nigel.

No, he's not the only one.

Cecilie and Douglas. To Mr. Abby, Your Majesty. I'm not the right person, but── I'm not going to be depressed without Ralph.

"Is that too much for me?"

"No, it's too late for that to happen. That's why I'm not overthinking it. Besides, your guess at a time── like this is quite right."

and Nigel put it in their mouths.

"Besides... if Elliane is gone, I can't face Douglas." even though you said something so great..... "

"Nigel?"

It's nothing.

When asked, Nigel shook his head to the side in a panic.

"...? Well,── I'll look into this case myself." It's not right to just wait until the case is resolved. ”

"Is that okay? You do a lot of things yourself, don't you? Then I'll do it.──"

No.

I quickly controlled it with my hand.

"You must be busy, right?" This is an important time for succession to the throne. We can't just have a single incident. I think it's easier for me to move freely. ”

"But..."

“If I can't solve it, I'll rely on── you. Isn't this the way to go?"

"... All right, I'll believe you."

and Nigel gave a gentle smile.

Hmm... what should I start with?

Even if the vigilantes and adventurers were to investigate with blood on their eyes, they wouldn't even be able to catch a clue...

For now, let's start by interviewing the people of the city.

Then you may know something.

Thinking so, I left the room behind.

I was going out of town to break up with Nigel and start investigating.

Along the way.

Ralph, let's go!

In the courtyard, Cecilie enters the sight of Ralph playing with her bow in one hand and stops her feet.

Cecilie releases the bonito. But... maybe she didn't have enough strength, so the bow fell right in front of her.

Ralph makes a deliberate detour and runs around the courtyard. And I gave it to Cecily-chan with a pounding bowl.

"Hmm, isn't that pretty good?" Cecilie also released a piece of golden wood that was attached to the board. ”

A golden piece of wood... a bonito.

Cecilie doesn't understand Ralph's words.

But maybe because Ralph seemed so happy, her face suddenly smiled.

"Well then, let's go next!" Today I'm going to play with Ralph for the first time! "

Let's hang out

Cecilie and Ralph are going to have a good time.

It's a smiling sight, isn't it?

Looking at these two people (although they may be "one" with one person), I smile.

Ralph was initially reluctant to deal with Cecilie properly.

Anyway, her way of touching it seems cluttered.

However, it gradually improved and── now we are both friendly.

"But... I'm a little worried about you."

Somehow... I feel that Cecily's bowl is smaller than usual.

Thanks to that, even the little Cecilie can hold it easily... but I don't think Ralph is going to be enough.

"When I think about it..."

Ah, onee-chan!

Cecilie notices us.

"Cecily, you're playing with Ralph." I'm glad it looks fun. ”

Yeah! The weather's nice, and I'm playing with Ralph!

When I call Cecilie, she rushes over to me.

Then Cecilie hugged me around her waist and gave her a happy look on her face.

"Do you want to play with Cecilie and Ralph?"

“That's a fascinating suggestion. But I──'m sorry, I have something to do.”

"That's right..."

"Cecilie says unfortunately.

"Speaking of which, I felt that the bite was smaller than── usual." Today's bonito is different than usual, isn't it? "

That's right.

When I was talking to Cecily, Ralph came into the circle of talk.

"Everything seems to be closed, like the shop that always supplies Ralph with gold pieces of wood." Because of this, I couldn't get a satisfactory piece of golden wood, so I was going to endure it for a while. ”

"Oh, that's right..."

That store was good. I had an assortment of golden pieces of wood worthy of Ralph. I don't think you'll get any more pieces of gold than that. ”

I thought all the bonitos were similar, but they seemed to be quite deep.

I hope the shopkeeper will get well soon. because I lost my precious bag...... ”

"Was that a precious bag? Ralph, can I tell you a little more about that story?"

This leads to the disappearance of the important thing I was talking to Nigel about earlier. Is it true that the owner of the bonito restaurant was also harmed by the incident?

Ralph doesn't know that much either. However, the owner of the store is completely depressed and has told me that the store is closed. Is there anything that bothers you?

Yes, actually.──

I'm Ralph... and I'll explain to Cecilie what I talked to Nigel about.

Then Ralph had a strange look on his face.

"Is that so... if you continue to do so continuously, it's impossible to think that it might be a case." I can't help but worry about Eliane and Nigel. "

said.

"That's why I'm going to go out to the city and investigate this case." I'm also concerned about Ralph's bonito, so I'll talk to the owner first.── "

…………

Cecily-chan?

When I was having a conversation with Ralph, I saw how Cecilie had been thinking.

She won't open her mouth when I call her.

But.

"Onee-chan"

So you finally decided to be prepared,

I want Cecilie to help me with that, too.