第６２１堀：獣人美人刑事純情派 学生誘拐事件 猫 (Part2)
"Also, Yuki said that Kagura can do a lot of things across the board, so considering the workload, she's an all-rounder like a mix of Rurua, Milly, and Eris, so he said that might also be a reason. He said, 'It's tough being a genius, huh?'"
"Ah, I see. She handles politics, leadership, accounting, and all sorts of other things, doesn't she? In our case, we basically divide the work, but Kagura did everything herself."
"...Things have settled down quite a bit now, but when Yuki was summoned, she was so busy she didn't even have time to tremble like that just now. Kagura was working tirelessly to protect the country herself."
"Being a noble is tough, huh?"
I agreed with Eoid's opinion.
Nobles have it tough, especially with strong loyalty.
However, I was relieved to clearly understand that Riel and Kaya held no resentment or dissatisfaction towards Kagura.
If I could convey this to Kagura, she would surely feel even more at ease.
While I was thinking such thoughts, the gate inspection finished, and we were allowed to enter the town.
"Oh, so this is Oonock Town!"
"...It's more bustling than I expected."
"Yeah, it is. I wonder if there are any interesting shops?"
"No, shouldn't we save sightseeing for another day? Right now, we have the work Yuki asked us to do..."
As Eoid admonished the three, Riel, who had turned around, let out a chuckle.
"I see. Eoid might actually be quite similar to Kagura. Especially how he's swayed by his girlfriend, Amanda."
"...Oh. That fits perfectly."
"Ah, I get it."
Yeah. I kind of get it too. Is it the serious demeanor?
That atmosphere is very similar to Kagura's.
"No, I'm a man. So, Solo, Mikos, what should we do now?"
"As planned, we'll guide through the backstreets. Solo, you can guide through the main street, right? Even if we find something, the story is that we have to wait until Kagura gets permission from Viscount Oonock."
"We'll probably have some time left over, so how about we have lunch together after the tour? There's a shop where I used to work."
"Oh, a place Solo used to work? I'm interested! Let's meet there after work!"
"...Riel. Calm down. You can't decide by yourself. Is everyone else okay with that?"
When Kaya asked this, everyone nodded.
"...Alright, then. And Riel, be a bit quieter. The backstreets, especially, have poor public safety. If you cause a ruckus, it'll trouble Yuki."
"Ah, okay. I'll be quiet."
"I'm here too, so it'll be fine, Kaya."
"...Ria, the country bumpkin, is with them. Mikos. Take care of the two of them."
""Hey!?""
After such amusing exchanges, we made our way towards the backstreets.
At first, I wondered if Riel's lighthearted demeanor would be alright, but that was an unnecessary worry.
As soon as we entered the backstreets, the usually chatty Riel instantly went quiet, her eyes sharpened, exuding an aura that made the backstreet thugs flinch.
I usually avoid the backstreets unless I have business there, and even then, I try not to make eye contact as I pass. But Riel boldly looked around everywhere, and any thug who met her gaze quickly looked away.
"Hey... Riel's atmosphere completely changed, but does she work in Weed?"
"Ah, didn't I tell you? Riel was in the police... well, you might not understand that, but she was like the Vice-Captain of Weed's Royal Guard. Tori is the Captain."
"Whoa!?"
In other words, she's an expert at this kind of thing.
And Weed is the royal capital, right? The captain of the royal capital's guard... why would a wife be doing something like that?
"You two, stop chattering unnecessarily. If you show too much of your girlish side, they'll look down on you and attack."
""Yes. Sorry.""
Scary!? Riel's work mode is quite terrifying.
Despite all that, we continued walking, making a loop from the backstreets into even more dangerous alleys, when suddenly a man in a tattered robe stood in front of us, blocking our path.
"Would you mind moving? You're in the way."
Riel said this quietly and with a smile, and the man in front of her trembled slightly before immediately responding.
"...I see. Even I wouldn't want to cross you. So, what business do you have walking through a place like this, bringing along the kittens behind you? And even Mikos, the young lady."
"Huh?"
As I was surprised to be called by name so suddenly, the man lowered the hood of his robe, revealing his face.
"Oh, Gudo."
It was Gudo, a man with a stern face and a diagonal scar running across his forehead.
"An acquaintance?"
"Yes. That's Gudo. He's helped me a lot when I was gathering information in town. He may look like this, but he's kind."
"I tell you every time. It's not that I'm kind. We just want to know what the nobles of Oonock are up to. It's a proper transaction with young lady Mikos, who provides us with that information."
"Even so, you still deal with a young girl like me, don't you?"
"That's because young lady Mikos's information is reliable. We repay those we can trust accordingly."
"But why are you in such a dangerous alley? You're usually at the backstreet tavern, aren't you?"
"I heard young lady Mikos broke my warning and went into the alley. So I rushed over."
"Ah, I'm sorry."
"It's fine as long as you're safe. From the looks of it, it doesn't seem like you were caught by that imposing older sister."
Ah, is that how it looks?
I kind of get it. Riel has such an incredible presence right now, so he must have misunderstood.
Just as I was thinking it was good that nothing had happened, Riel opened her mouth.
"I see. So you're Gudo. Perfect timing. I have a letter for you from Big of Baide."
"Hm? From Big? I see, so you're his messenger."
Huh? What's going on? Is the conversation progressing without me knowing?
Riel is bad at paperwork, but she's the type who can handle things flexibly and appropriately in the field.
Her upbringing was... well, *that*, so she's good at such things.
And there's no content like "finally cornering the culprit on a cliff by the sea..."
It's not a mystery like some suspense drama, but more of an "Abunai Deka" type, perhaps?