I searched every nook and cranny of Gandalcia, but Claire was nowhere to be found.
Could it be that Claire was really kidnapped?
Knowing her, it’s possible that she staged it all, but I don’t think she’d be that foolish..… Just where on earth could she be kidnapped though.
“Upa, I’m thinking of going to Belucca now. Will you come with me?”
“Okay. I’ll follow you anywhere.”
Just as we are about to leave, Silver came in front of us. Redas-san is with him.
“Brrrr”
Silver bowed his head and seemed to be telling us to get on.
“Are you sure?”
Redas-san explains with a smile.
“Silver knows that Cedie is in trouble. He even begged me to put a saddle on him.”
As expected of Silver. There’s no horse more reliable than him when it comes to emergencies.
“You’re going to help me look for Claire huh.”
“Heen!”
We then set off for Belucca. We travelled along the road, asking people who passed by if they had seen Claire.
“Have you seen a blonde girl about thirteen years old? She is probably with a tall maid.”
“Hmm, I didn’t see anyone like that.”
He must be a farmer who lives in the neighborhood. The man hurried back to the village.
The sun has already set and it is getting dark. There were no more people walking along the road either.
“Are you tired, Cedie?”
“Not at all. But it’s getting dark already.”
There are many stars shining in the sky. This is a world where there are almost no street lights, so the brilliance of the stars is so vivid that it was unthinkable in my previous life in Japan.
“Shall we go back to Gandalcia first?”
“No. I think I’ll head to the mansion in Belucca after all. I don’t know if it will be of any use though.”
Just when I said that, a strange thing happened.
A ray of green light stretched out toward the Cygnus star shining in the night sky.
“That’s it!”
“What is it? Some kind of light magic?”
“Not really, but I’m sure Claire is under that light.”
“I see. Alright, let’s go!”
Before I could pull the reins, Silver took off.
The side road was narrow and the branches and leaves of the trees overlapped, making it difficult to find. The star guide seems to be operating further down this road.
Upa and I get down from Silver and moved ahead with soft footsteps.
“We’re almost there. From here on, I’m going to go alone.”
“No, I’ll go too.”
“That’s no good. Cedie, you wait here. I’ll find out what’s going on over there first.”
As we argued, the light that was pointing at the Cygnus Star began to shake slightly. For some reason, it keeps flickering on and off.
“What does that mean?”
“I think she’s moving violently while wearing the star guide. Oh no! Maybe something happened to Claire!”
They’re not being violent right!?
Looks like there’s no time to sneak around and check what’s going on.
“Damn it, let’s go!”
As we ran down the path, I saw a small cottage at a dead end.
“W-who is it? A horse?”
“Guwaa!”
Without hesitation, Silver knocked down the two men who looked like guards.
“No, Silver, stop. We haven’t determined if they are really the kidnapper.”
“Heen…… (They have villainous looks, so……)”
“No, it looks like you guessed it right, Silver.”
When I opened the door, I saw a thin elderly man trying to snatch the ring from Claire.
“Give it to me!”
“Let go, you old fool! You can take anything you want, but I will never give you this ring!”
Isn’t that Avon Shylock, who was expelled from Belucca?
“Shylock, you were the kidnapper!?”
“Huh!? Baron Dantes!”
In addition to Shylock, there were five other men in the room. They are all holding weapons in their hands. They must have already heard the commotion outside so they are ready to fight.
One of them quickly pointed the tip of his sword at Claire’s throat.
Seeing the stand still, Shylock seemed to have decided that he had the upper hand. He gradually regained his composure and his insolent attitude returned.
“If it isn’t the Baron. Welcome to this hovel.”
“Cedie, you’re here! Get lost, you scoundrels!”
“Shut up you stupid girl!”
Shylock pulled out a dagger and placed it to Claire’s neck.
Claire went silent.
“You kidnapped Claire to get back at Alexei-oniisan, right? But this is the end of it. Release Claire. If you release her here, I won’t go after you.”
Alexei-oniisan would be a different matter, though.
“Fuhahaha, what a silly thing to say. Baron, you see, all I need to do is shut your mouth.”
Hearing Shylock’s words, Upa stepped forward to protect me.
“Oh, and don’t forget that I got a hostage here. I’ll ask you to lay down your weapon, big man.”
Shylock pressed his dagger on Claire.
“Throw away your sword Upa.”
“But ….…”
“It’s okay. Throw away your sword and plug your ears with your fingers.”
“……Got it.”
He must have guessed my plan.
Upa did as he was told, He tossed his sword and plugged his ears with his fingers. Even Silver sat down on the spot, holding his ears with his front hooves. His posture was so cute that I almost burst out laughing. Thankfully I managed to hold back my laughter.
I quickly played the deep-sea flute.
Doremi Doremi Somiredoremire ♪
As soon as the melody of “Tulip” rang out, everyone in the room fell asleep immediately.
Upa, Silver, Claire, Shylock and his thugs all fell asleep. The overweight kidnapper seems to have sleep apnea. He is snoring so loudly and his breathing repeatedly stops and starts. He’s at high risk of heart failure, so I hope he tries to lead a regular life while incarcerated.
I first retrieved the kidnappers’ weapons. Then I shook Upa to wake him up. He had his fingers plugged in his ears so he should wake up earlier than everyone else.
“Guhehehehe……”
I thought I heard a strange laughter, but I realized that it was Claire who was laughing.
What a way to laugh…….
“Gehe~, Cedie really. You praise me so much, but I’m not giving you anything. Oh well~, I guess I’ll kiss you on the cheek then. Gehehe…”
How carefree….
As I watched Claire who sprawled on the floor, I continued to shake Upa’s body.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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