Elfaria Chapter 12

012. Osada-kun's Guess

　Morning.

　When it was time to open the gates - and another hour passed - my partner was nowhere to be seen.

「That guy. Where the hell has he gone?」

　I looked around, but there was no sign of him.

　For a brief moment, I thought, "Maybe he went back inside first, alone," but I dismissed the thought because there was no point in doing so and I didn't think he had the personality to do so.

「The only thing I could think of was ― maybe he got caught by some bad guys?」

　If this were a normal situation, I could just laugh it off and say, "Ah-ha-ha♪ There's no way that could happen♪," but the world is not so easygoing.

　There are plenty of people who think bad things, and Hanaria, which is said to be relatively safe, is no exception to this rule.

　This is also a suburban area.

「If that's the case――there are three possible patterns?」

1. He moved somewhere or was taken away.

2. He has already been killed and disposed of by someone.

3. Still sleeping at the woman's place.

「From the way he looked yesterday, there is no doubt that he went to have sex with the woman. He had money, so there was no reason not to do it. But ...」

　I'm surprised, but I'd like to think that he bought a woman who is not a public prostitute.

　Not only in Hanaria but also in all but a few countries and regions that have adopted the "public prostitution system," and it is highly unlikely that they would take a customer alone, except in very special cases.

　If they did, those who are licensed to do so in a legitimate manner would not keep quiet.

　The upper echelons of countries and cities, as well as temples, have public prostitution systems in some places.

　In the case of Hanaria, this includes "Lavia, the God of Love and Lust", and "Felicia, the God of Medicine and Fertility".

(In some cases, even the slavers' unions would not be silent.)

　The reason for making enemies of such people and selling their bodies ― there is no doubt that a "criminal organization" is involved with a high probability.

「It can't be helped.」

　I don't want to think that he was "killed," and it's too heartless to say that we're breaking up the duo because he seems to have gotten into trouble.

　For the time being, I decided to return to the city to do the "bare minimum". And then

「Welcome to the Hanaria branch of the Fixers Guild!」

　I stood in front of Hannah, a woman with long chestnut-colored hair in a braid.

「Hey, hey! I'd like to ask you something.」

「Yes? What is it?」

「Between last night and now, did Yuuto ever show his face here?」

「No? He didn't come here, though?」

　Seeing her puzzled expression, I inwardly muttered, "I knew it".

「Then, my next question is this. Have you heard anything about people "disappearing" or "going missing" in or out of Hanaria recently?」

　After asking this question, Hannah gave me a little thought, and then she said, 

「...... I see. So Yuuto-san was involved in a crime and disappeared.」

　I was a little surprised because she easily saw through it.

(...... This girl...she's not a normal person, is she?)

　The analytical ability to grasp the truth from little information,...... even without the fact that the question was a little blunt, but from the look on her face, there is no doubt that she is convinced.

「He's a very troubled person, isn't he? Even though he is still ranked G ―However, if there is a possibility that he is still alive, we as a guild cannot afford not to do the least we can. May I ask for more details?」

「Sure!」

　Since I was told to do so, I told her everything I knew from last night to this morning. Then, she said

「Really, men can't help themselves, can they? If you dangle a G-ranked fixer slip on the outskirts of a city and then show yourself to have a lot of money, it's only natural that you'll be targeted.」

「Well, Yuuto is young. I guess it's all part of the experience.」

「But in the case of Hanaria, even if it is in the suburbs, it is also true that licensed public prostitutes are active. If he's involved in a crime in such a situation――」

「Do you have any idea?」

「Yes. But I can't be sure, and if by some miraculous stroke of luck――Maybe he'll be back today or tomorrow?」

「...... hmmm」

　This means that the Fixers Guild is already working on a solution. But ...

「I'm relieved――I guess I can't say that.」

「Yes. You can't do anything about luck, and in my opinion, it's his own fault. Besides...」

「"Only you can truly save yourself."――huh?」

　Others can only help you.

　Anything more than that would only be harmful, and I can't take care of every single thing that needs to be done.

　It is a world that is rife with dangerous demonic beasts.

　Weak beings who cannot even protect themselves satisfactorily do not have the "right to live".

　If Yuuto was killed or died, it only means that he was just a person of that caliber.

「"If you don't want to die, do something about it yourself!" ――That's a common phrase for a Fixer, but what about Yuuto-san?」

「Who knows. But...」

　With a grin on his face, Osada continued.

「He didn't seem like a cute guy who would go down so easily. I'm sure he'll grow up and return in his own way.」

　He assured Hannah in an endlessly easygoing voice - yet still conveyed a strong sense of trust.

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