When The Silver Bell Of Charlotte's Pharmacy Rings (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 162

After scolding Whiskey, Willa sat down with a satisfied expression only when the cat’s behavior calmed down. Their dinner consisted of soup, bread, roasted corn and potatoes topped with butter, and grilled herring.

Willa offered a brief prayer before the meal. Though rare in Roanoke—where religion had lost its authority long ago—Charlotte and Matiel waited silently until she finished her prayer before picking up their spoons.

For a while, the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery and the quiet chewing of food. Had they gone completely without eating, it might have been different—but as soon as they began eating, a long-forgotten hunger surged back like an incoming tide. Matiel, unaccustomed to filleting herring himself, wore a slightly uncomfortable expression…

“You said you came here to investigate a disappearance case?”

At Willa’s question, Charlotte and Matiel exchanged glances. Charlotte nodded and replied,

“Yes, that’s right.”

“But with most of the villagers gone missing, that’s rather ironic, isn’t it?”

Willa stirred her soup with her spoon and let out a low chuckle. Matiel wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and looked Willa directly in the eye.

“What happened in this village? Why is it so quiet, and where has everyone gone?”

Willa didn’t answer immediately. Instead, after finishing her own portion, she broke off a small piece of herring and dropped it for Whiskey, who was purring contentedly at her feet. Whiskey ate it appreciatively, though his usual expression still looked rather grumpy.

Once Whiskey had left, Willa tore off pieces of bread and divided them between their two plates. Only then did she finally look at Matiel and say,

“It’s because of Machi.”

Charlotte and Matiel both frowned simultaneously.

“Machi?”

“What’s that?”

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