Bang!

Startled, Nigel Ars slammed the door shut.

“What’s wrong?”

Sid Cromwell quickly approached Nigel.

When Nigel wordlessly pointed at the door with her finger, Sid carefully opened it.

The moment he saw who was on the other side, Sid smiled brightly.

“Ah, Beselion! You came quickly.”

“It’s been a while, Sid.”

Watching the two greet each other warmly face to face, Nigel frowned.

“Sid, did you call him?”

At the grumbling voice full of discontent, Sid’s eyes softened.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance. I thought it would be fine since you two are close friends.”

Looking at the dejected dark blond head, I felt guilty for not apologizing.

Right, what fault did Sid have? It was my fault for not giving an answer after that guy confessed with the signet ring.

Nigel let out a soft sigh and spoke again.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that… It was just sudden. You did well, Sid. I’m glad to see his face after so long.”

Seeing the instantly brightened face, Nigel threw away the urge to grab Sid’s collar and shake him vigorously into the depths of the trash can.

“…Come in.”

“Then, excuse me.”

Noah entered the house with a fresh smile as if flowers were in full bloom despite it being midwinter.

“It’s a nice house.”

Noah looked around curiously.

The modest mansion, located in a just right secluded yet bustling area of Solef, had a small but well-maintained cute garden and yard. Inside, it was an excellent house with everything it should have – a spacious kitchen and dining room, living room, and a couple of guest rooms.

As excellent as it was, it was expensive, but it was easy for Zeronin, the sole supplier of Leparo.

“Yeah, the owner of this house is a man who became suddenly rich.”

“A man?”

Noah’s eyes curved gently as usual. But there was something strangely unsettling about it.

Just before Nigel could fall into suspicion, Sid spoke first.

“Ars! Do you think it’s appropriate to describe Zeron with such an uncultured combination of words?”

“It’s the truth though.”

“What in the…!”

Sid was terribly shocked as if he had suffered blasphemy.

Just then, Zeronin Silvas came out of the kitchen carrying a mountain of chocolate cookies.

“Ah, there he is. That’s Zeronin Silvas, the owner and sudden rich man.”

Zeronin waved his empty hand dryly.

“See, Sid. Even Zeron admits it.”

“Ugh…!”

Sid clenched his fist as if frustrated.

Thud.

Regardless, Zeron put down the cookie bowl on the table.

Then he stared at the two boys who seemed quite close to Nigel.

One boy had dark blond hair of good texture and a well-defined nose that exuded nobility, as if he were the archetype of an aristocrat.

The other boy had a well-trained, sturdy physique, but his blue-silver hair and delicate, elegant face made him look more beautiful than handsome.

“Nigel, you’re not making friends based on their looks, are you?”

At Zeronin’s voice that suddenly came to her ear, Nigel frowned, saying what nonsense are you talking about.

“Did you eat something wrong today? They’re just friends. Nothing would happen even if I slept in the same room with Sid, and Noah…”

Looking at Noah’s blue eyes staring blankly at her, Nigel quickly bowed her head.

“…He has someone else he’s interested in.”

“Well, it’s hard to imagine Beselion being with anyone other than Lady Dien,” Sid said, nodding his head repeatedly.

Once again, Nigel felt an uneasy gaze directed at her bowed head.

Nigel forcibly ignored Noah’s gaze and spoke as if nothing was wrong.

“By the way, why didn’t you call Allen?”

“There might be dangerous situations, and Allen is…”

Sid’s abbreviated words contained various meanings.

Allen’s arms and legs, even thinner than Sid’s, looked like they would tremble at the slightest touch.

“Ahem…”

“I understand what you mean perfectly. Just take care of the aftermath yourself.”

“…Alright.”

Sid answered.

“Then, let’s look for evidence.”

The three gathered around the table and began to speak.

“Any close friends who might know Kyle’s whereabouts?”

“None. He always just went back and forth between home and the imperial palace.”

“Does that person have no human relationships?”

“Nigel.”

Zeronin, who had come to refill the empty dessert plate, reprimanded Nigel.

“Sorry. I’m just so frustrated with the situation where not even a small piece of evidence is coming out.”

Sid waved his hand listlessly as if it was okay.

It was good that they had gathered. But there was too little evidence.

As Zeronin said, the life of a palace official who lived exactly the same every day like an accurate clock yielded nothing when shaken.

That’s when it happened.

Nigel’s communication stone, which had been shoved in a corner of the table, began to glow in a dark green color reminiscent of the noon forest.

“…Ah.”

Nigel quickly infused magic with an exclamation.

−Happy New Year, Nigel. Are you staying healthy? This senior missed you…

“Senior, are you with Lifnae?”

−Oh, oh? We are together. This communication is because Lifnae wanted to hear your voice…!

Oliver, who suddenly stopped talking, let out an inexplicable scream. Then a calm and affectionate tone flowed through the communication stone.

−Oh, Nigel, what’s the matter?

Listening to Lifnae’s voice, Nigel felt guilty for only reaching out when needed.

“Lifnae, it’s sudden, but…”

−You need information, don’t you?

“Yes.”

−Why are you so hesitant? You’re more than qualified.

Lifnae’s refreshing laughter leaked from the communication stone. Nigel raised the corners of her mouth, imagining Lifnae’s smiling face.

−So, where should I go? There’s a risk of the conversation being traced through the communication stone.

“No, I think it would be better if I come since I’m the one asking for help.”

At this point, Oliver’s playful voice was heard again through the communication stone.

−Nigel, pretend you didn’t hear and generously overlook Lifnae’s words. Lifnae said friends take turns visiting each other’s houses… Aargh!

“…Thank you, Lifnae. I’ll give you the address.”

Nigel smiled with satisfaction, imagining Oliver unable to use any force in front of his younger sister.

Soon after, the doorbell rang, and with this, the four-person table in the reception room was filled with no empty seats.

“That lady is surely…”

Sid, who immediately recognized Lifnae’s identity, stood up abruptly.

Zeronin Silvas, who made a name for himself in academia, and the heir to Wellider, a walking encyclopedia. Every person Nigel knew was a big shot.

“…As expected, my choice to pick you, Ars, was not wrong.”

“If you know that, why don’t you slip me some money?”

Pfft, Lifnae’s laughter was heard from behind Nigel.

“Nigel deserves to have good connections. By the way, I don’t charge information fees to friends, so you don’t have to pay my share, Nigel.”

After finishing her words, Lifnae looked around briefly, then nodded as if she understood something.

“It seems urgent, so I’ll skip the introductions. I can guess why you called me.”

Lifnae summarized the situation as soon as she sat down.

“Seeing Cromwell’s second son here, it must be related to the succession ceremony.”

“That’s right. The eldest son, Kyle, has disappeared. This letter is the only clue we have.”

Nigel handed over Kyle’s letter. Lifnae examined the letter carefully, then looked at Nigel with a faint smile.

“…I’m disappointed, Nigel Ars.”

When Nigel tilted her head, Lifnae spoke again.

“I thought you would know, was my expectation too high?”

At Lifnae’s words, Nigel examined the letter carefully again.

There was no trace of any code in the short sentence written in elegant cursive.

‘The only noticeable point is the smooth cream-colored paper.’

“…Ah.”

Nigel finally solved the puzzle contained in the letter.

“This paper, it’s made in the temple. Paper made in the temple is sprinkled with holy water, making the surface smooth and shiny.”

When she took the apprentice cleric test as a child, this was the type of paper used.

Lifnae nodded willingly at the perfect answer.

Sid spoke slowly, blankly stroking the surface of the paper.

“Then… Kyle is related to the temple?”

“It’s probably certain. The temple has been a good place to hide one’s identity and seek refuge since ancient times. Most of the princes and princesses who received death threats sought refuge in temples, right?”

“Correct, only son of Beselion. On the surface, the temple is a group that lives only for the goddess, separate from the secular world. The only place where a nobleman facing a succession ceremony could disappear without a trace is the temple.”

Lifnae looked straight into Sid’s confused eyes.

“To add my personal opinion, coincidentally or not, there’s a cleric appointment ceremony at the Northern First Temple in three days. Well, it might be useless information, but still.”

At the moment when they grasped the clue to Kyle’s whereabouts, which had been veiled, the expressions of the four split.

Sid smiled at the fact that he could find his brother’s whereabouts, and Lifnae smiled at her friend’s wisdom that didn’t disappoint this time either.

And Nigel and Noah’s faces hardened at the fact that Nigel, a saint, would have to take the huge risk of going to the temple.

“…Nigel.”

Noah’s voice, looking at Nigel with pity, was unstable.

Nigel, who had been thinking with her eyes closed for a moment, slowly opened them. Then she stared at Sid, who was smiling at the small clue.

“…Then we should go. To the North.”

Sid’s eyes, which met Nigel’s directly, were filled with joy.