The journey was good.
　A few days earlier than expected, we were able to reach the city one day before Kagne.

　It's a day's walk to Kagne from here.
　Half a day by carriage.
　If we were us, there's no way we wouldn't be able to reach it today if we pushed ourselves....
　After all, you shouldn't take it too far.
　I decided to take a good rest in the city just one town away.

"I'm alone, do you have a room available?
'Yes, I'm free. Shall we have a room for one person?　Or would you prefer to stay in a room for two or three people, etc.?

　I asked the receptionist at the inn and got a surprising answer.

　It seems that this town is close to Kagne, and is considered a trading base, where various people come and go.
　I thought the inn would be crowded, and at worst, I was prepared to camp out in the field, but.......
　I didn't think there was enough room for everyone to have one room.

"Two rooms for three. One room for four. One room for one. That'll be fine.
May I share a room with Lane?
That's fine with you, isn't it?
Munchies.........those two will attack you whenever they have a chance.
That's not to be scoffed at but that's some ballsy shit.

　Every once in a while, a fight breaks out that I don't understand.
　It doesn't seem to be a fight or anything like that, so I've decided to let it go... but what is it?

What do you think?　Do you want to take a break right away?
I am a bit tired. I'm a bit of a recluse, so I'm going to stay in my room and rest.
'Don't tell me you're a recluse. Sola will be resting in her room as well.

　Sola and Luna lead the way...
　Kanade, Tania, Tina, and Nina.
　That, and Millefeuille and Chocolat, headed to their rooms on the second floor of the inn.

　They've been camped out until they arrived in this town.
　Everyone must be exhausted.
　I want you to take a good rest for the rest of the day.

　I still have some energy left in me, so let's find out what we can about Kagne.

''Rifa and Chiffon don't need to rest?
No, I'm fine.
'I'm fine too. I'm not a brave man, you know. What do you want me to do?
So I'll take you up on your offer.

　I asked Rifa to replenish the food and water.
　The rest of the trip is about a day's journey, but you never know what's going to happen.
　I don't want to go out without anything.

　Chiffon and I decided to split up and gather information about Kagne.
　What kind of city is it?
　What is happening now?
　Is there anything I should be aware of?
　

　When I went to the pre-arranged meeting place, Chiffon was already there.

''Sorry for the delay. Did I keep you waiting?
'Nope, not really. Don't worry about it.

　Chiffon chuckles after he says this.

'It's kind of like a date, that exchange you just had,'
Well, come to think of it.

　Suddenly I felt embarrassed.

'Hmph, are you embarrassed?'
Don't make fun of me...
Lane, you're pretty new at this. With all those pretty girls around.
Come on. You're all just friends.
'Huh... I know you're sincere, Rain, but being insensitive is sometimes a sin, isn't it?
'Well what are you talking about?'
'I wonder. I can't say more than that, so you'll have to think it over later.
Oh, yeah.

　I nodded almost subconsciously, feeling a pressure that was hard to resist.
　Girls are so scary sometimes.

'Then let's get the information straight, shall we?
Yeah.

　Exchange the information gained from the interviews.
　The result......

　For some time now, the number of travelers from Kagne has dropped dramatically.
　Also, some people have gone to Kagne and never returned.
　However, the roads are not blocked off, nor are there any kidnapping incidents in Kagne.
　It's only that the residents of Kagne, or travelers, are voluntarily staying in Kagne.

　........Such information was laid out.

'I thought it would be bad if there was some kind of trouble, so I looked into it just in case...'
'Brilliantly, there could be some nasty stuff going on...'

　So far, I can't feel a clear-cut case...
　Still, isn't there something to it?　I suspect that this is happening.

People who headed to Kagne haven't come back ... no one is going out of Kagne ... hmmm, what does this mean?
'The lords of Kagne are blockading the city or something... but I don't hear about it. It's not like there are zero people from Kagne.
So you want to stay?
Well, I suppose it could be, but...

　Apparently this phenomenon has been happening for a while now.
　So maybe it's just a transient thing.
　Maybe in a little while, people will resume coming and going as usual.

'No, it's hard to say.

　We, who haven't seen Kagne's current situation, won't be able to come to a conclusion by discussing this and that here.

''It doesn't seem like there's any immediate danger, but.......maybe we should be careful just in case.
Yeah, I guess I would agree.

　Now all we have to do is go to Kagne in person.
　If it's unfounded on our part, then so be it.
　If there's something going on, we'll respond accordingly.

Lane, I'm home.
Welcome back, Refa.

　Just in time, Rifa came back.

'Do you have food and water?'
I've made arrangements. They'll get it to you before you leave tomorrow.
Yeah. Thanks.
"Hm.

　Rifa offered me her head, as if to say, "Stroke me," she said.
　As requested, I stroked it.

'Huh.'

　Rifa looked comfortable.
　When Chiffon saw that, he got a tingling look on his face.
　Does she want to stroke it?

"Hm.

　If you want to stroke it, it's fine, Rifa offered her head towards Chiffon.

''Uh...eh...eh.''

　Chiffon stroked Rifa's head with a sense of trepidation.
　Then her face feels like it's melting.

''Huh ... it's nice to say this. Rifa-chan's stroking sensation is the best.
Yeah?
'Yeah. Reminds me of a cat I used to have.
I'm like a cat?

　That seemed to be a bit frustrating, and Rifa got a subtle look on her face.
　She looks young, but she's the strongest species.
　As expected, her pride would not allow her to be treated with a cat.

'Oh, sorry. I'm just looking at it the same way in the sense that it's cute, I don't mean to belittle it or anything like that.
No, it's fine.
Thank you very much, Rifa-chan.
You're welcome.

　Satisfied, Chiffon moved away, looking somewhat satisfied.

'Chiffon, you have a cat?'
'Yeah, it was. It was cute.

　The fact that it's in the past tense means that he's probably gone.

'It kind of reminds me of that girl.

　Saying that, Chiffon had a slightly shadowy expression on his face.

''I wish I could meet that girl.......and everyone else....
Guys?
Oh, no. It's okay. I'm sorry I said the wrong thing.

　Chiffon would cheat by saying....
　His attitude was oddly disturbing.