We managed to link up with Bron almost immediately.
Since the butler of the House of Count Pugyal was with him, I had them give me a rundown of the current situation.
Hmm.
Unfortunately, there was no easy resolution like finding out he’d already turned up somewhere. We had virtually no leads. On top of that, there was the possibility that he had been moved to an entirely different location via a Teleportation Gate.
"We must act while preparing for a series of worst-case scenarios, but our master is not incompetent. He is exceptionally reliable when it comes to self-preservation."
Reliable at self-preservation, huh?
"Even if this were a kidnapping, he is the type to negotiate with his captors and ensure his own safety."
I see.
"Another team is currently investigating where the Teleportation Gate might lead, so our group will focus the search on Shashato City itself. We would appreciate your cooperation."
Right, let’s get moving.
There was no point in everyone sticking together in one giant crowd. I suggested splitting into several smaller teams.
"Ah, regarding that—unless someone from our house is present, there is a chance the master will not show himself."
He won't come out?
"In the event that he is hiding from a perceived threat, he will not reveal himself to a stranger, even if they call out to him."
I suppose that makes sense.
"Therefore, I apologize, but please allow a member of our household to accompany you."
I wasn't about to "allow" it; if anything, we were the ones tagging along. I told him to let us know whatever he needed. To be honest, I would have been in over my head if they had handed the search command to me. I'm no professional investigator.
For the time being, we divided the High Elves and Lizardmen into several teams and began the search. I ended up in a group with Dos, Draim, Gucci, Bron, and the butler.
Looking at our lineup, I couldn't help but wonder. Wouldn't it be better if we... you know, split up into different teams?
I checked with Bron, but he stood his ground, insisting this combination was the most efficient.
"Those who need to be watched should be kept in one place."
I-I see. So Dos and Draim were the ones who needed watching.
Wait. Just to be clear, I'm not the one who needs watching, right?
"Village Head, your job is to be the one who keeps Dos-san and Draim-san in check."
Phew. Glad to hear it. I’ll do my best.
Apparently, Count Pugyal's associates had already divided the city into sectors and were performing a broad, general sweep. That meant our group was free to search wherever we liked.
Having total freedom was actually a bit of a problem. We were currently standing in front of Big Roof Shashato, which was essentially the center of the city. North, south, east, or west—which way should we go?
"There was an event in the south side of town at noon today. The southern district is crowded and suspicious. Specifically, there’s a campsite for outsiders in the southeast. Let’s start there."
Gucci made the suggestion with surprising intensity, and Bron agreed. However, Dos voiced his dissent.
"The northwest."
Draim immediately backed him up.
"My daikon agrees—it’s definitely the northwest."
Draim, stop using that daikon as a ventriloquist’s dummy. You’re going to make it hard to eat.
So, what was the basis for Dos and Draim choosing the northwest? Surely they hadn't actually consulted a vegetable?
"Well..." Dos paused for a moment after my question before explaining. "The Devil Race aren't the only ones who serve the Dragon Race. We have various other followers."
Oh? I suppose that makes sense.
"And just because they serve us doesn't mean they're always standing right at our heels."
"Which means...?"
"There are some in this city as well. According to a report from one of them, it seems someone has erected a suspicious barrier outside the city to the northwest. Given the timing of the disappearance, it seems too coincidental to ignore, wouldn't you say?"
Definitely. I see, so they had that kind of information and that’s why they insisted on coming along.
...Could they have mentioned that from the start? People's lives were at stake here.
Wait, no. Dos and Draim were dragons of immense power. They wouldn't treat a human life lightly. So why would they hold back the information until now? Was it because they knew for a fact that Count Pugyal was safe?
Even when I pleaded with my eyes for an answer, they remained silent. I could only pray for the Count's safety.
In any case, our direction was set: Northwest!
Bron, you okay with that? Good. Butler-san, any issues? Good.
Gucci, why do you look like you're about to face your execution?
"Look, we don't know for certain if he's in the northwest. It’s fine if you want to head off on your own."
"N-No. Please, let me stay by your side."
I didn't mind, but his reaction was strange.
"Ah, Gucci," Dos interjected before I could say anything. "I want you to stay back and guide the reinforcements as they arrive."
Gucci looked like a man who had finally accepted his doom. He grabbed Bron’s hand and began pleading with him about various things. I had no idea what that was about.
Since we had a lead on a suspicious location, we headed straight there. Personally, I couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary, so I left the navigating to Dos.
Suddenly, the butler’s entire demeanor shifted.
"Thank you. I have located the master. My apologies, but I shall go on ahead."
With a quick bow, the butler took off at a terrifying speed.
I assumed following him was the best bet. Just as I started after him, the butler reappeared, carrying a limp man over his shoulder.
"As you can see, the master is safe."
"As I can see?" He looked completely unconscious to me.
"Do not worry. This is one of the master's Secret Arts of Self-Preservation: 'Playing Dead'."
"So he's actually awake?"
"No. Doing things halfway would be even more dangerous, so he is truly unconscious. By the look of it, he won't wake up for a few days. I shall take the master to a secure location at once."
That was for the best. Safety first. We also needed to notify the rest of the search party.
"Leave the notifications to me. However, it is a burden on all of you, but the ones who seem to be the source of this incident are just ahead. Could you please hear them out regarding the circumstances?"
"The source?"
"Specifically, why they felt the need to make off with the master."
Right. I was certainly curious about that.
But these were people capable of kidnapping Count Pugyal. Weren't they dangerous? Even with Dos and Draim around, I wasn't sure about walking right into a lions' den...
"Village Head, it's fine," Draim said. "Prada is there."
I was genuinely surprised. Had Prada been the one to take the Count?
"We won't know that until we ask. Come, it won't be dangerous."
Well, if Draim said so, I guess it was fine. Let's go get some answers. I told the butler we'd handle it and we continued onward.
I wondered if they would still be there or if they’d have fled by the time we arrived.
They hadn't run. We found three women at the site. There were the familiar faces of Prada and Erme, and then one I didn't recognize...
"I-I am called Beton," the stranger said, trembling as she offered a greeting to Dos and Draim.
Now then, time to hear the story.
And yes, I promised to listen, so I had to tell Prada and Erme to stop screaming about whose fault it was every five seconds.