CH 180.2

Chapter 180.2. The Absent Female Detective

-Masatoshi’s POV-

In this case, I can imagine a future where you enthusiastically and secretly create a favor for His Majesty the Emperor. And in the process, Duke Kanna discover it due to his abnormal information network.

“While my father has his own independent intelligence agency. There are still limitations. It would be ideal if we knew someone trustworthy, with a powerful information network, who could help without anyone finding out.”

“Hmm… such a person…”

I didn’t think there was anyone like that, but upon further consideration, one person came to mind. Perhaps we could trust them. Although it’s uncertain whether they have an information network, it might be worth asking.

“In that case, how about asking a child? They are supporters of the Emperor, so the risk of information leakage should be low…”

“Shh, someone’s coming!”

As I tried to continue the conversation, Sena-san interrupted, signaling with a serious expression and a hand gesture to stop him.

“Tekteneen, teteteneen…”

I heard a tuneless and clumsy humming voice from a side street. We stop and become alert, but the voice sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?

When they turned their gaze toward the side street, a girl carrying a backpack appeared with a carefree demeanor, walking casually.

She was a girl with very familiar features.

She’s a girl with short chestnut hair and a few freckles.

“What the heck, it’s Mion!”

Startled, Masatoshi blurts out with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. They were on edge since it was an isolated place.

Even if you have power, it’s the same. When there’s a slightly open gap in a drawer, it creaks. You don’t want to go to the bathroom after watching a horror movie. When a crow caws in a deserted dusk residential area, you’ll get flinched.

Mental strength remains unchanged, even if you have the power to destroy buildings and burn down houses.

So when I express my anger, saying, “Don’t startle me like that. What are you doing walking in this back alley? What will you do if you get attacked?”.

Mion surprised by Masatoshi’s voice, raises one hand and assumes a defensive stance.

“W-Who, who are you?”

“What are you saying? You shouldn’t walk in a place like this. What if someone attacks you?”

With a stern gaze, Masatoshi warns Mion, who shows surprise and fear on her face. If it were us, we could easily handle any local thugs who might approach, but Mion is a commoner. It’s extremely dangerous.

There are perverts who target children.

“H-Huh?”

Despite my warning, Mion inexplicably looks at us and becomes flustered, so I return a stern look, thinking how stupid she is.

“Masatoshi-san, shh!”

“Yes?”

Sena-san pokes my side after seeing our interaction. I inadvertently relax. I’m getting poked in the side by a girl. It was a dream come true.

“Masatoshi? Masatoshi… Wait, could it be? You’re Sena? You’re in disguise again!”

“Ah.”

“Ah.”

The fool here was me. No, it was both of us.

“Sena-san… Why are you calling me by my name?”

“Well, because Masatoshi-san forgot that he’s disguised and called out to Mion-san!”

As we both sighed, relieved Mion approached us.

“What’s the matter? Geez… You scared me! I was desperately trying to think of a way to escape!”

“It’s because you’re here in the first place!”

“This path is a safe back alley that shady people don’t know about!”

Mion complained with her hand on her hip. Well, she had a point. It was deserted. We chose this path to go home, thinking it was unknown even to the locals.

“So, are you two on a date? Here in this place?”

“No, we were looking for someone. We had something to investigate. Mion-san, why are you walking in a place like this?”

Sena-san answered without any hint of embarrassment. It would have been nice if she blushed or got flustered, but instead, Masatoshi slumped his shoulders and felt downcast.

Mion laughed, unable to hold it in after seeing Masatoshi’s dejected expression, but she quickly provided an explanation.

“There’s a little shop ahead that sells trinkets. I buy embroidered handkerchiefs and such from there.”

Mion shook her carried backpack, indicating that it gets filled with merchandise.

“Oh, there’s a shop that does that thing?”

“Yeah, it opened just last year, and it’s been a big help.”

Mion smiled and gave a peace sign, completely carefree. Masatoshi let out a sigh, sounding sarcastic.

“Thanks… Well, can you escort this idiot for me, Sena-san?”

“Hehe, yes, I think that’s a good idea. I can’t let a girl walk alone in such a dangerous place.”

Sena-san, the gentle saint, chuckled and nodded. Just as they were about to turn back on their way, something unexpected happened.

Arrows of lightning rained from above, exploding and filling the air with smoke around Masatoshi and the others.