A bauxite mine in Trom in the Shoro Kingdom experienced a cave-in accident.
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It was highly probable that it was a man-made accident, or sabotage by someone, and the agents of the Shoro Empire were investigating.
Among them was Regulus 45, a.k.a. <
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There are ten agents mobilized in total.
They were having a meeting at the temporary headquarters.
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This temporary headquarters is an abandoned house on the outskirts of the town of Trom.
It is ostensibly the <
There is no external problem at all since there are members to review the maintenance and management of the mine.
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"Now that we have completed our investigation, I would like each of you to report back to me, starting with No. 1 and No. 2.
The agent leader spoke up. The leader of the agents, called number 0 for the sake of convenience, spoke up. The remaining members of the team are, of course, called Nos. 1 through 9. Regulus 45 is number 9.
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Basically, they work in pairs. This time, No. 1 opens his mouth.
"Yes. I and No. 2 have investigated tunnels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, which are still intact. As a result, we found some small scratches similar to those on the reinforcement of the tunnel where the cave-in occurred.
"Mm, I see."
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It seems that the tunnel No. 4 and No. 5 were not the only ones that collapsed.
"The location of the scratches was about 40 centimeters from the ground, almost the same as the ones we saw in the collapsed tunnels.
"I guess that means he put it in a place where it was hard to see."
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A wound at eye level would be easily detected, while a wound at a lower level would be more difficult to detect.
Since there were no others, it was the turn of No. 3 and No. 4.
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"We investigated the collapsed No. 4 tunnel. As a result, we found this. ...... Hey."
Following No. 3's words, No. 4 placed a small bottle on the table.
"What is this?"
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"This is an animal hair, we found it at the end of tunnel No. 4.
He said that the fact that it was found at the end of the tunnel, where no animals are supposed to live, was a sticking point.
"Of course, it is not a human hair. I did some research and it's close to that of a rock wolf.
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Rock wolves are not demons, but predators. They are about one meter long, so it is possible for them to make a wound about 40 centimeters high. It is more natural to think so.
However, rock wolves live in the northern forest zone and should not have the habit of entering deep into caves.
"No traces of feces or prey remains were found."
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This concludes the reports of Nos. 3 and 4.
Now it is our turn.
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The report of No. 5 and No. 6 begins. It seems that No. 6 is the one to report this time.
"The two of us were investigating Tunnel No. 5. This was another tunnel that had collapsed, but has now been reconstructed and seems to be out of danger. And we found the same ......"
A small bottle was placed on the table by No. 5.
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"It was animal hair."
Here, too, he said, was a hair of an animal, probably a rock wolf.
And again.
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"By coincidence, we also found footprints."
No. 5 puts the sketch on the table.
"They are life-size."
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They were indeed those of a rock wolf.
"But there are no traces of feces, leftovers, or any other living ...... smells," he said.
He concluded.
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Then it was the turn of Nos. 7, 8, and 9. They were a three-man team.
"We have investigated the surrounding area," No. 7 said.
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No. 7 spoke up on behalf of the others.
"After some time, they had almost disappeared, but we found some rock wolf tracks.
They were on wet mud.
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"The only thing is that the footprints seem to be for more than one animal, but when I look at the footprints, they are for only one animal. What do you think about this? ......"
What do you think about this?
"...... could have had exactly the same footprint."
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He stated his opinion as follows.
"Exactly the same footprint? Speak up."
No. 0 said irritably.
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"...... I'm saying it's a fake rock wolf."
At this, half of the group laughed and the other half frowned.
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"Who could do such a thing ......?"
At this point, a few swallowed their words.
Yes, because I thought of <
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"No, not the Magecraft Meister or the Deus ex Machina.
No. 9, or Regulus 45, assured us.
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"It's too badly done."
"......How do you know that? No, I'm not questioning the <
"That's easy. It is impossible that these two have such poor skills that you can judge them to be fakes just by looking at their footprints.
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"I see."
With that explanation, the group seemed to be satisfied for the time being.
"Besides," Regulus45 continued.
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Regulus45 continued.
"The two of you have no motive."
There would be no profit to be gained by bringing down the mine.
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"Besides, both of you were involved in the rescue operation at the time of the accident.
"Indeed. ......No, again, I'm not doubting you, I'm just curious as to what No. 9 is claiming that they are not the two of you.
I was curious to know what No. 9 had to say that you two didn't." No. 0 turned a straight face.
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"Well, we now know that it seems to be a fake rock wolf that caused the cave-in, but there is still a long way to go just to get a clue as to who the real culprit is. All of you, hang on, and be careful."
I understand.
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I understand.
The meeting was brought to the old man through the eyes and ears of Regulus 45.
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>
The old man seems to be getting curious about the identity of the mastermind.
<
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<
* * * * * * * * * *
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At the same time, at the research institute in Horai Island.
"Hmmm, this asphalt emulsion is best used like this!
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Saki, who had continued her research, had come to a conclusion.
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"Kuhu, I can't wait for Jin to come back.
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"Saki, thank you for your hard work."
Erza, who remained on Horai Island this time, thanked Saki for her hard work.
"You helped me a lot, too. Thank you too.
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"Well, I think Jin will be back tomorrow."
There is a big time difference between Japan and the Shoro Empire, so it's no wonder.
It was a rush of research, but the results seemed to be bearing fruit little by little.
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