I left the Knights' headquarters I got in touch with everyone and met up with them in the town square.
　Then we talked about Tania.

''Nyah.......Tania's fake, I can't forgive her!　I can't believe I did something bad and put the blame on Tania.
'I'm not sure if that's the intention or not but I agree that it's inexcusable.
We are going to find the real killer and beat him to a pulp!
Hmm... for Tania, I'm... I'm going to do my best.
I've got to make him regret making an enemy of us. I'll do it!

　Everyone was as angry as I was.
　Dependable.
　At the same time, I was a little worried that I was going to overdo it.

'Okay, guys, let's go!

　Kanade stepped forward, pumping his fist in the air, just as he was about to depart.
　I hurriedly put my hand on its shoulder to stop it.

'Stop. I'm going, where do you think you're going?
I'll look around the city and if I see a dragon, I'll hit it!

　You are too rash.

'What's the use of walking around aimlessly and aimlessly?　That kind of thing only consumes time unnecessarily.
Nyaah....now that you mention it, I feel like it.
So what are you going to do?

　Tina asked, tilting her head.
　Her body changed from a kettle to a doll, and she was able to make such detailed gestures.

'Let's go talk to the victims and witnesses. Maybe we can get some information.

　I asked Stella to compile a list of victims and witnesses.
　It's not yet a publicized case, so there are about ten in all.
　But if we put all ten together, we'll have something reasonably solid.

I don't want to spend too much time on this, so let's split into three groups and interview them.
Yes, yes, I'd like to be with Rain!

　Kanade was the first to raise his hand.
　Seeing Kanade, Sora and Luna look at him with a strange look on their faces.

You ran for office so vigorously, didn't you? Isn't there something about it?　I doubt it.
Come to think of it, these days Kanade often wants to be with Rain. I'm jealous of that, I thought to myself.
'Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no!　I don't have anything in particular....well...I just wish I could help Rain...

　Kanade fumbled and panicked.

''Ay,''

　Sora and Luna's eyes narrowed and changed to zit eyes.

　Catching their gaze, Kanade gets even more flustered...

You know, I think we're getting off on the wrong foot.

　Anyway, I calmed everyone down.

'As for the grouping, well well it's me and Kanade. Sola and Luna. Nina and Tina.
After all, it's the same old combination.
I'll do my best, okay?

　Nina clenched her small fists and got into the swing of things.

'I'll be here in an hour. I'm sure you'll be fine, but take care of yourself, okay?
Yes, no problem. If anything happens, I'll use Luna as a shield.
Sister Shield!
I'm going....
I'll show you my light-hearted talk.

　Everyone disperses, leaving me and Kanade alone.

'Well then, we'll go too.'
Yeah, well... oh.

　With a face as if he had noticed something, Kanade stopped in his tracks.

　Right?　
"Kanade?
Meow!　Uh, uh....

　Kanade's eyes darted here and there...
　It was somewhat, and for some reason, he looked up at me with a red face.

''Um, you know...?　Oh, and, uh, do you mind if I hold your hand?
Yeah?　A hand?

　Because you can get it off...?
　Sure, there are a lot of people there today.
　Besides, I've been separated from Kanade in the city before, haven't I?

'Okay. Here.
You don't mind?
Why are you surprised?　It's okay, that's all.
Meow.

　Kanade happily held my hand.
　Her tail wagged restlessly from side to side.

'I'm sorry Tania, but I'm happy...'
I don't know. Let's go.
Yeah!

　With a very grumpy Kanade, we set off to ask around.



----------



　... an hour later.
　The interview was over and we met up at our original location.

'From what Sola and the others have heard, the dragon was seen flying off into the mountains to the north.
We're the same. There have been many reports of sightings up in the mountains.
It sounds like what we've heard. What I heard is that someone saw them flying in from the mountains.

　Each of them exchanged the information they had gained and summarized their stories.

''So you're saying ... that the impostor who cheats on Tania's name lives in the mountains to the north.
Well, I think that's the right thing to do.
'Yeah. I didn't hear anything else that sounded like it, so I think we're good to go.

　No particular objection has been raised.

　I don't have any other leads at the moment...
　I'm going to search the mountains to the north.

'Then let's get going!
Stop.

　Kanade says cheerfully, but again, he waits for it.

'Nyan?'
"We'll have to be ready to go into the mountains. If I'm not careful, it could take a few days.
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
But it's frustrating to have to wait even longer to get this done as quickly as possible.
'It can't be helped. If Sola and the others fail because of their recklessness, it will be all for naught.
Yeah, I'll be fine.

　Nina looked a little better at it.

'Preparations, then........are already done, okay?
Hmm?　What do you mean?
I heard that there could be some of Tania's creatures in the mountains and I've been buying things in advance.

　Nina opened the entrance to the subspace storage.
　A quick look inside revealed a full set of climbing equipment, including food and water.

''When did you........''
Mmm-hmm. Nina is getting better every day.

　Tina made me proud, as if she were my own.
　Maybe she thinks of Nina as a buddy because they are together a lot.
　It's a good thing they're so close.

'Huh?　But what did you do with the money?

　I'm in charge of my own wallet, but....

I said I'll see you later.
You're going to pay the bill, aren't you?

　I'll have to thank the people in town later.

'Ugh ... are you mad?'
No, I don't think so. It's just that the bill isn't very good, so don't do it except in an emergency like this. Can you promise me that?
Hmm.
Good boy.

　He patted Nina's head and....
　Then he looks at everyone.

'Then let's get going. We can't keep Tania waiting, you know.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!