"So, the young lady just ntioned that you’re here to investigate the matter. Have you found anything?"
"Uh..."
Hearing this, Nanami Yachiyo fiercely glared at Yuibi Kakuno. If it weren’t for the latter’s nosiness, they wouldn’t be caught in a bind by the cloaked girl. Now, it was obvious she couldn’t say they found nothing—after all, the other side also had Magic Girls. They were all local foxes, spinning tales?
"... In fact, we ca here not to look for information about the Witch, but for that child."
"Her?"
Seeing Nanami Yachiyo’s gaze on the sleeping girl on the bench, Duanmu Huai curiously asked.
By the way, the original plan was to have the girl undergo treatnt, but Nanami Yachiyo firmly refused this suggestion. Tomoe Mami agreed, comnting that Magic Girls can recover from injuries by consuming Magic Power, making dical aid unnecessary. Hence, Duanmu Huai didn’t insist.
"Exactly, this child... Tamaki Iroha ca to this city looking for her sister, Tamaki Ui. We’re just locals helping out."
"Oh? Then what does that have to do with what’s happening here?"
"..."
"It doesn’t matter if you refuse to tell us, we’ll investigate on our own. I advise you not to underestimate our intelligence-gathering abilities, including intel on yourselves... Once we desire information, there is nothing we can’t discover."
"Uh..."
Feeling threatened by Duanmu Huai, Yuibi Kakuno involuntarily stepped back as Nanami Yachiyo’s face turned grim, yet Duanmu Huai remained calm. Jokingly, as a Judge, using such threatening skills was basic practice. Can you escape the Monk and still flee from the temple? The Tribunal isn’t so secretive organization like the n in Black; if necessary, it can break down doors and walls, even burn you and your neighbors alive.
Want to play tricks? Feel free—but beware of being executed as a Heretic.
"Actually, recently sothing called rumors has appeared in Kana City."
"... Rumors?"
This sounded quite confusing.
"In simple terms, rumors are urban legends. For example, if you quarrel with soone and say the word ’break up,’ the rumor monster of the breakup stairs will snatch you away..."
"What’s so unusual about that?"
To Duanmu Huai, things like this seed quite normal. Didn’t adults scare children this way before, like saying if you don’t eat well, a tiger will snatch and eat you?
"But, in fact, people have indeed disappeared, and quite a few at that. After our investigation, we found that this so-called breakup stairs’ rumor harbors sothing akin to a Witch."
"Sothing akin to a Witch?"
"Yes, though different from Witches, defeating it doesn’t yield a Grief Seed, and its Strength is formidable, making most Magic Girls’ Attacks ineffective."
"But what does this have to do with you helping Tamaki Iroha find her sister...? Oh..."
"Just as you imagined."
Nanami Yachiyo nodded.
"Previously, we accidentally encountered and defeated a breakup stairs rumor monster, after which the missing people returned. So, Tamaki Iroha believes her sister might have been trapped by such a rumor monster, and we’re here to investigate another rumor monster... As you saw, unfortunately, it seems we haven’t found Tamaki Iroha’s sister."
"I see."
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai nodded. Logically, Nanami Yachiyo’s explanation seed coherent and plausible...huh?
Wait, according to this logic, could the rumor that Magic Girls would find salvation upon coming to Kana City be a similar presence?
"That should suffice."
Just as this thought crossed Duanmu Huai’s mind, Nanami Yachiyo spoke displeasedly again.
"We’ve told you everything we knew; can we leave now?"
"Of course, you may go."
Duanmu Huai nodded, and Nanami Yachiyo turned and left with the unconscious Tamaki Iroha and Yuibi Kakuno. After their three backs disappeared, Duanmu Huai reached out, making a gesture.
"Alright, co out."
"Swish."
As Duanmu Huai spoke, Xitong Lingnao, Homura Akemi, Qianshu, and Mugeng erged from the bushes on both sides. In fact, they had arrived on the scene early but kept themselves hidden. Once Nanami Yachiyo and Yuibi Kakuno signaled an attempt to escape, they would spring from concealnt to subdue them.
Fortunately, Nanami Yachiyo, though a clear-eyed, foolish college student, maintained a clear-headed deanor.
"Lady Ayano?"
Duanmu Huai turned to Xitong Lingnao, who nodded, holding her phone.
"We’re already investigating the data concerning Nanami Yachiyo, Yuibi Kakuno, and Tamaki Iroha. We should have a report soon."
"Homura Akemi, do you think that Tamaki Iroha is the girl you dreamt about?"
Duanmu Huai nodded and looked at Homura Akemi because he rembered Homura Akemi had said a pink-haired girl in her dreams told her Magic Girls would find salvation upon reaching Kana City. Coupled with Tamaki Iroha’s bizarre form, Duanmu Huai started to suspect.
"No."
However, Homura Akemi shook her head.
"The girl I saw was younger than this Tamaki Iroha."
"Like her sister, perhaps?"
"Possibly..."
"Oh... Now, that’s interesting."
Duanmu Huai squinted, smiling slightly. Tamaki Iroha ca to Kana City to find her missing sister, and Homura Akemi dreamt of a younger, also pink-haired girl saying Magic Girls find salvation upon coming to Kana City... Is there no connection between the two?
And regarding the rumors...
"Qianshu, Mugeng."
Duanmu Huai turned to the other two.
"Tomorrow, I’ll give you a task. You heard what Nanami Yachiyo said earlier. I need you to collect the city’s so-called rumors, like missing people rumors. We missed understanding them today, but as long as we find one, we should about know what it is. Is that a problem?"
"No problem, Xiao Ai, leave it to us."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, after all, expenses will be reimbursed by DA, right?"
Indeed, nothing beats a funded trip.
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