The spring breeze swept across the grassland, wiping away the tension of battle.
"Co on, let's continue the contest, nya."
Anya gestured defiantly.
"Anya-san just fell, and Chloe-san conceded defeat. That should an I win, right?"
Bell stated the undeniable reality.
"That doesn't count, nya! I wasn't even holding a weapon, nya."
"But you were the one who said we wouldn't use weapons, nya..."
Faced with Anya's protest, even Chloe couldn't help but interject.
"Woo-nya... Magic doesn't count either, nya! You have to knock soone down so they can't get back up to lose, nya!"
Anya retorted fiercely.
"Even in detective novels, duels don't go that far..."
Bell gave a resigned smile and continued, "Alright, let's call it a draw. We'll just keep playing detective."
"It's not role-playing, I'm a real detective!"
Anya instantly forgot about the contest and began lecturing the pair on what detectives should do. Investigate cases, catch criminals. She gestured animatedly as she explained, thoroughly engrossed in her own excitent.
"But Anya-san, no one has co to us with a request at all."
Bell stated the harsh reality.
"Woo-ow... I can't sll any cases, nya... I wanna go back to sleep, nya..."
Anya, who'd been bursting with excitent just a second ago, visibly deflated at Bell's words.
"You're the one who wanted to be a detective, so don't get all down on yourself, nya."
Chloe gently encouraged her colleague.
"Why is Chloe suddenly so enthusiastic, nya?"
Anya asked in confusion.
When she first heard the word "detective," Chloe had shown zero interest. She only agreed after learning the quest involved the boy. Yet now, Chloe was brimming with enthusiasm.
"Guess what, nya~"
Chloe chuckled softly.
Her encounters with the young man usually took place inside the tavern, surrounded by patrons and other girls. This was the first ti they'd strolled together so leisurely.
Chloe silently walked beside him, occasionally swishing her cat tail happily.
"Why hasn't anyone asked for a quest, nya?"
Anya scratched her head in frustration.
They were rely dressed in detective-style clothes—no signboard, no reputation. Even if anyone noticed them, it was only to discuss their good looks or out of simple curiosity.
"Anya-san, maybe it'll happen soon."
Bell's gaze fell upon a blue-haired woman.
Asfi noticed them and hurried over. "Excuse , have you seen Hers-sama?"
"This... this is the scent of a missing case, nya!" Anya perked up her tail excitedly.
"Hers-sama was just over there on the lawn. He seed to have sothing to do and left with a magic tool," Bell replied truthfully.
"Nya? I haven't even started my deduction yet, nya! White-haired one, how co you already told the whole story?!" Anya pouted in complaint.
Asfi glanced at their attire and offered a grateful look to the youth. "Cranel-san, thank you for your explanation."
"Are you heading to find Hers next, nya? Leave it to , Detective Anya—I'll absolutely complete the quest, nya."
Anya puffed out her chest proudly.
"No, let him fend for himself..." Asfi answered without hesitation.
"Woo-wah... I sense a chill in the air, nya..." Anya was startled by this resentful remark.
"Too bad we're not at the tavern, or I'd pour you a warm glass of milk, nya." Chloe had once served Asfi at the tavern, always noticing that tired expression with dark circles under her eyes.
"Asfi-san, has sothing happened?" Bell inquired.
"I need to transport so goods, but all the guild mbers have been summoned by Hers-sama."
Asfi sighed deeply.
The Hers Familia maintained a neutral stance, always accepting various quests. According to Asfi, this morning after she finished processing the docunts, she discovered the goods ant for the rchants' guild still sitting untouched, and the guild mbers were nowhere to be found. The shipnt contained valuable items, and Asfi couldn't find anyone trustworthy to transport it on short notice.
"I see..."
Bell pondered for a mont before turning to Anya. "Detective-san, don't you think this quest would be perfect for us?"
"...?"
Anya froze for a few seconds before suddenly snapping to attention. "You're absolutely right, nya! This quest is mine to take on—Detective Anya, nya!"
"Really? Thank you. I'll prepare a generous reward."
Asfi's tense expression instantly relaxed.
Perceiving her fatigue, Bell spoke softly, "Asfi-san, please make sure to get so rest. It's heartbreaking to see a girl working late into the night every day."
"Hmm...? Thank you for your concern..." Asfi turned away shyly. "I'll take you to the cargo location."
…
After so ti, Bell and the others had flawlessly completed the quest.
"How about it, nya? Impressed by my detective skills, nya?"
Anya wiped away sweat, happily walking beside the boy.
"Oh, oh, if Anya-san were to open a detective agency, clients would definitely keep coming in."
Bell praised her without holding back.
Chloe lowered her voice, muttering a complaint:
"That has nothing to do with being a detective, nya... Plus, you are praising Anya the whole ti but I was the one working the hardest, nya..."
"Nya? What did Chloe say, nya?" Anya perked up her ears in curiosity.
"She's calling you the world's greatest detective."
"Woo-nya?! I'm not that great, nya~"
Hearing Bell's words, Anya's face lit up with a bright smile.
"The blue-haired girl gave us so much reward money, nya! We can buy... buy lots and lots of fried potato balls, nya!"
"You were definitely doing math just now, nya?"
"That... that must be a misunderstanding, nya!"
"It's just about lunchti. Let's go browse the stalls together."
Anya and Chloe always ended up arguing when they weren't paying attention. It wasn't hostile, more like playful banter between friends. Bell, caught in the middle, often had to smooth things over for the two of them.
"Argonaut-kun!"
At a potato ball stall, Tiona waved her arms excitedly.
"Long ti no see."
Tione stood beside her sister, smiling softly.
"Tiona-san, Tione-san, hello. What a surprise to et you here."
Bell walked up politely.
""Argonaut-kun, this outfit is...?"
"Hmph—let us handle you, we're detectives, nya~"
"Detective, nya? How cool!"
In just a few words, Tiona and Anya had beco fast friends.
anwhile, Tione gazed at the youth, deep in thought.
...
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