“What’s the matter?”
Badak, a B-rank adventurer, asked.
A party of five adventurers, of which Tilda was also a member, had been summoned by the Adventurer’s Guild and they gathered in a conference room.
Ilia explains the situation,
“Well, actually, thanks to Lot-san and the others, we found out who seems to be the culprit of the recent number of cases of abduction of babies.”
Ilia added in a soft tone, “It’s just that it looks like he might be someone that only you, B-rank adventurers, can deal with.”
It was originally a request that was handled by C-rank adventurers, Lot and Lana, and it was for that reason that they were asked to help. There’s also the fact that both Lot and Lana have already been seen by the culprit.
“I see. So that’s why you came to talk to us.”
“That’s right.”
“By the way, who seems to be the culprit?”
“That’s—”
Badak and the others are surprised by the profile of the person that Ilia showed them.
“W-whaat!? Is that true?”
“Uh-, well…… According to him, yes.”
“Yeah, there’s no doubt about it. I used tracking magic to find out where he went you see.”
“““What?!”””
I, who was secretly clinging to Ilia’s back, popped my head out and affirmed it. There’s no particular meaning behind it, it’s just a surprise appearance.
Tilda suddenly stepped backwards and her face stiffened.
“Hiiii!?”
“Oneechan? I’m not scary at all….uh-, am I?”
“Aaaaah! Y-you were involved too!?”
She’s so scared that even my cute baby smile doesn’t work.
Hmmm, I wonder if the effect of mental manipulation has worn off?
I’ll sneak back later then.
“…… You again? How active do you have to be to be satisfied huh?”
Badak, on the other hand, is dumbfounded.
“For the time being, oniichan and the others are going to go there from the front, and I’ll sneak in first.”
“D-do-don’t tell me you’ll be participating on this too?”
“That’s right. I’ll be in your care again, Tilda-oneechan.”
“I just have a bad feeling ….…”
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Badak and a party of adventurers had arrived in front of a certain building. Standing at the entrance to a slum, it is not a beautiful building, but you can hear the noise of children from inside, giving the impression of peace.
It was an orphanage.
It is said that about ten years ago, a certain person was heartbroken by the poor life of children in the slums of the city so he invested his own money to build it. According to information that Badak and his colleagues have researched in advance, children are rarely seen in the slums these days.
“I asked the people in the area and they all said that the director here is a wonderful person.”
“I heard that he was once invited to the castle by the lord in recognition of his charity works. However, he declined, saying that he just did what he should.”
“The more I hear about it, the more he seems to be a man with impeccable character.”
While talking about this, they step inside the premises. They then rang the old doorbell, and after a while, a man in his sixties or rather, in his seventies, appeared.
“I am Badak. Well, I am an adventurer. I am very sorry for the sudden visit. ……Uhm, are you Brett-san, the director of this facility?”
“Yes, I am Brett, the director here.”
In front of the stern group that suddenly appeared, the man responded with a gentle smile and he seemed to be a benevolent person.
Then he made a suggestion,
“I don’t really know the details of the situation, but I’m glad you guys came all the way here. If you don’t mind, you can have a cup of tea inside.”
He didn’t seem to be wary of them. On the contrary, Badak and the others were a little confused by his attitude of trying to welcome them so casually. Still, they decided to accept the offer for the time being.
They were led to a place that seemed to be a cafeteria. There were several long tables for the children to eat together, and they settled down in their chairs at the urging of the director.
Badak broke the silence,
“I’m sorry if I offended you, but…… In fact, you are facing a certain suspicion you see.”
“Suspicion?”
“Yes, that’s correct. You…… well, we suspect that you are the culprit of the recent frequent cases of abduction of babies in the city.”
“Hoh-, well, well….…”
It was for a moment, but I felt like the depths of the director’s eyes lit up.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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