kscans

Chapter 158 - Trouble

After we finished lunch, we decided to resume our investigation and entered the building. We then went down the right-hand corridor on the first floor, heading for the stairs to the basement.

"She's giving you a really nasty glare."

Nanapon glanced behind us and informed me in a whisper. Well, she could probably hear a whisper anyway.

"I went a little too far. I'm sorry about that."

I turned around and apologized.

"...It's fine."

Maede-san looked at me with eyes that showed no sign of forgiveness whatsoever.

She's really mad that I exposed her dangerous fetish... Well, whatever. That doesn't matter. The problem is...

I glanced at Yanagi-san as I turned back to the front.

It's this guy. He's been acting strange ever since he returned. His expression hasn't changed, but he's ignoring the agitation of his subordinate, or rather, his girlfriend, and he's clearly speaking less.

Something must have happened during that call...

As I was wondering what it could be, Nanapon pointed ahead. In the direction she pointed, there was a Skeleton.

"A Skeleton. I'll leave it to you."

"Right..."

Yanagi-san, his mind clearly elsewhere, and Maede-san, her face bright red, stepped in front of us and moved toward the Skeleton.

"Something definitely happened..."

As I watched the two of them hunt the Skeleton, Yoshino-san came forward to stand beside me.

"You think so too?"

"Yeah, Yanagi-san is acting obviously strange."

"Could it be Eleanor-san's fault?"

Nanapon tried to blame me.

"You mean about Maede-san? I doubt that has anything to do with this."

"There was probably some kind of trouble."

Trouble, huh.

"And yet they're not stopping the investigation."

"You know why, don't you. The source of that trouble is right here."

I had a feeling that might be the case.

"What do you mean? There's nothing particularly unusual here..."

Nanapon didn't seem to get it. Perhaps it's because she can see everything that she can't see this.

"I don't have any proof. Besides, our job hasn't changed."

"That's right. We go to the basement. That's all."

As we were talking, the two from the SDF finished off the Skeleton and returned.

"It's done. Let's hurry ahead."

Hurry ahead, he says. The person who had suggested investigating the second floor first, and then taking an early lunch, was suddenly in a rush. Come to think of it, did these two even eat lunch?

"Right. Let's go."

I decided to leave it be for now and proceeded down the corridor. A few Skeletons appeared along the way, but of course, Yanagi-san and Maede-san defeated them without any trouble. However, the speed at which they dispatched them gradually increased. They were clearly rushing.

"Rushing won't do any good..."

Nanapon reacted to my murmur.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's nothing. Look, we're here."

We had arrived in front of the room at the end of the hall. I opened the door, rushed inside before anyone else, and scanned the room.

It looked no different from when we were here the day before yesterday.

"Yoshino-san."

"Yeah, I know."

When I called out to her, Yoshino-san stared intently at the hole where the stairs to the basement were.

"What is it?"

Yanagi-san, likely suspicious of our behavior, asked.

"That's our line. Well, if you don't want to talk, that's fine... How about it?"

I brushed off Yanagi-san and asked Yoshino-san, who was still looking at the hole.

"I'm sure of it. The day before yesterday, this piece of wood was a few centimeters over this way."

Yoshino-san pointed to the remains of the board I had kicked apart, which were scattered around the hole.

Yoshino-san's unique skill is perfect memory. She can recall anything she has seen or heard at any time. That's why she can compare even the slightest movements and spot the differences.

"Heh heh. Someone's been here, haven't they."

I looked at Yanagi-san with a smile.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh my... did you not hear Yoshino-san say that things are different from the day before yesterday?"

"A few centimeters... you must have misremembered."

That's what a normal person would think. No one should be able to remember something like that.

"Yanagi-san, I have a unique skill. You can't deceive me."

Yoshino-san admitted to having a unique skill.

"...So what?"

Still trying to deny it, huh. It's probably an order from his superior.

"Yoshino-san, does it really matter?"

"It does. This is a breach of contract."

"Let's be magnanimous. The outcome will be the same regardless."

Let's be adults about this.

"What do you mean?"

Yanagi-san asked.

"Heh heh. I thought it was strange that it was so bright when we entered the building. Let's see, you investigated the building's walls, was it? But weren't you supposed to do that later? Why the sudden change?"

"There was a change in plans."

"Right. A change in plans. You found the stairs to the basement, and you thought there might be something good down there. So you tried to snatch it first. A fine idea, I think."

You had all of yesterday to search while we were away. In short, you tried to steal the gold bars.

"We had no such intention."

"It's fine, it's fine. It really is. I don't mind at all. Because you see, there's no one in the basement."

It's been quite a while since we arrived this morning, yet Nanapon hasn't reacted at all. Which means...

"No one? That can't be!?"

Oh?

"Heh heh... you admit it. But too bad for you. It's true. There's no one there."

"How do you know?"

"Who knows? I wonder how?"

I said, stroking Nanapon's hair.

"Kuh! So it's Yokokawa's unique skill!"

Well, of course he'd figure it out.

"Nanaka-san, what do you think? Is anyone there?"

"Um, no, there's nobody here, but..."

"Then I guess they died. Vanished into smoke."

If they're not here, that's what must have happened.

"Impossible!"

"N, no way...!"

Yanagi-san and Maede-san were shocked, but there was no other explanation.

"You don't have to believe me. In the first place, we don't even know if your comrades passed through here. Maybe they've already gone home?"

From our perspective, that was a possibility. But judging by Yanagi-san and Maede-san's reactions, that wasn't the case.

"Maede, go back and call for backup! We're conducting a search!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Therefore, I'm sorry, but the investigation is canceled."

Yanagi-san said something stupid.

"Huh? Why?"

"We need to search for the missing personnel."

Even though I just told you they're dead.

"Is that so. Do as you please. We're moving on."

"You can't!"

Yanagi-san shot back immediately.

"Can't? You're not the ones who decide that. The authority to advance or retreat lies with me. That's our contract, isn't it?"

"This is an emergency!"

"The ones who caused this emergency were you people, who broke the contract. I don't care about that... haha, I get it. You're trying to stall us like this so you can steal my treasure in the basement, aren't you."

Those gold bars belong to the Golden Witch!

"We would never do such a thing!"

"I'm sorry, but I hope you understand that your words have absolutely no credibility. Once trust is broken, it can't be regained."

Who does he think he is, saying that now?

"Kuh!"

"Now, now, calm down."

Yoshino-san stepped between me and Yanagi-san, a grin on her face.

"What is it?"

"In an emergency like this, all you have to do is issue an emergency quest. Why don't we search for the missing people?"

I'm telling you, they're already dead.

"I can't issue an emergency quest on my own authority."

"Then go back up and tell your superior officer to issue one. And just so you know, this is a compromise. By rights, we could sue for breach of contract, or we could ignore you and proceed on our own. But since we'll be doing the same thing anyway, why don't we go together? I think that's for the best."

Hmm, a compromise? To me it sounds like she's just saying, "Give me money."

"What? In other words, you're demanding hush money and compensation in the form of an 'emergency quest'?"

"As an A-rank Adventurer, I have an obligation to respond to emergencies like this. Of course, I'll expect a quest fee..."

It's about the money.

"Do as you please. It's all the same to me."

Amazed by Miss Unique, who was trying to squeeze money out of this situation, I took Nanapon and moved to the side.

"Yanagi-san, honestly, the situation is hopeless, but a search must be conducted. You probably heard that just now, didn't you?"

"Yes, I heard the report that they had not returned by the designated time."

"And you were instructed to have us search the second floor first, correct?"

"That's right. This morning, my superior told me to prioritize the second floor first."

They were supposed to return during that time. But they didn't come back.

"We could proceed on our own, and you could conduct your own search, but it would be more certain if we went together."

"That may be true, but..."

"I have no intention of reporting this to the branch manager. You understand what I'm implying, yes?"

I won't tell the Guild, and I'll pretend the breach of contract never happened, so give us money.

"...Maede, return and await instructions."

"...Understood."

It seemed the two from the SDF had folded to the evil Yoshino-san.

As expected of Yoshino-san. So reliable.

What's more, the amazing part is that Yoshino-san was the only one who made a promise. Nanapon and I promised nothing, so we can report this to Satsuki-san without any issue.

Bravo, Miss Unique! Those big boobs aren't just for show!