“Yugo, do you have a minute?”
“Hmm? Do you need something, Captain?”
“Yeah, just for a bit. I’d like to speak with you privately.”
As the party continued and everyone enjoyed their food and conversation, Jinba’s sudden request struck Yugo as odd. He felt a strange tension in the air.
Jinba wore a smile, but seriousness and anxiety bled through from beneath it. Realizing the expression wasn't genuine, Yugo nodded. He left his boisterous companions behind and followed Jinba out the back door of the shop.
“What’s going on so suddenly? Is it something you can only say when we're alone?”
“...Yes, exactly. Yugo, I hold you in high esteem. Between the Bull Golem Incident and this recent Robbery Incident, you’ve contributed immensely to resolving these cases and preventing further damage. Because of that, I’ve decided to share this with you. This is a Top Secret matter known only to a select few within the Security Force. Listen closely.”
Casting aside the smile he had shown inside the shop, Jinba’s expression turned grim as he gave his preamble. After checking the surroundings to ensure they were truly alone, he delivered a startling revelation.
“...The recovered Demonic Sword has been stolen. The one Batz was using is currently missing.”
“What—!?”
Yugo froze, stunned by Jinba’s words. He managed to stifle the shout that nearly escaped his lips, then threw questions at the captain in rapid succession.
“Stolen? By whom? Where did it happen? Do you have any leads on where they went?”
“I’m sorry, but we know nothing. It’s certain that the specialized Recovery Unit secured the Demonic Sword, but it apparently vanished into thin air before transport could begin. We haven’t found a single clue regarding the culprit, and a desperate Search Operation is currently underway.”
“How could that happen!? What was the Security Force doing!?”
“...I am truly sorry. To have the Demonic Sword you risked your life to recover stolen from us is an absolute disgrace. I can do nothing but offer my apologies.”
Watching Jinba bow his head deeply, Yugo shook his head, struggling with his own sense of frustration. He knew there was no point in blaming the man before him, as Jinba likely wasn't directly involved in the transport or security of the item.
As Yugo remained silent, Jinba continued. “This isn't an excuse, but it's not as if Mr. Rommelo—who was in command of the security and transport—was being lax. He may be prone to jumping to conclusions, but he was faithful to his duties and was motivated to make up for his failure during the En Incident. And yet—”
“And yet it was still stolen. Which means the thief is a real professional, right?”
Jinba gave a firm nod, confirming Yugo’s assessment.
The two of them reached a shared understanding: someone with the power and knowledge to grasp the value and danger of the Demonic Sword had snatched it from right under the Security Force’s nose.
“What’s the status of the search? How many people are on it?”
“A large force. But even so, we haven't found a trace. ...Mr. Rommelo is personally leading the search right now, but he’ll likely be held responsible for this blunder soon.”
“Does that mean a demotion or a transfer?”
“He’d be lucky if that were the end of it. Honestly, there’s a high probability of this.”
Jinba brought the edge of his hand to his own neck in a Knifehand Strike, making the universal gesture for being fired.
Yugo felt some pity for Rommelo, but more than that, he felt a mounting sense of crisis. That dangerous Demonic Sword was still out there, lurking somewhere in the city. He looked away from Jinba and muttered to himself.
“Who could it be? What is the thief planning? Is it the one they call the Hooded Person... the one who gave the sword to Batz in the first place?”
It was the most logical conclusion—that the Mastermind behind the incident had come to reclaim his property.
However, Yugo did not know that the reality was far removed from his deductions. The theft was the result of a much more selfish man’s actions, leading toward a much worse scenario.
The destination of the stolen Demonic Sword was, in fact, far closer than he ever could have imagined.