Night of April 29th.

Three guests, Groma, Eira and Cachair, do not return.

< breaks the seal of the letter entrusted to him.

It reads: .......

in the capital of the Kingdom of Klein.

It was written as follows.

A day's ride by horse-drawn wagon will be sufficient to reach the <>.

And from the <>, they can communicate with <> by .

Thus, the disappearance of the three was reported to at 7:30 p.m. on the night of April 30.

* * * *

On the night of April 30, <>.

"Three people are missing: ......?　What in the world happened to them?"

Arnold, the head of the <>, tilted his head when he received the news.

He was still unfamiliar with the current interstate situation, and he had a limited understanding of the <> organization.

But.

He had another connection.

The world's most prestigious one.

Yes, <>.

Hiding in his room, Arnold used the bracelet to contact Jin.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

It was Laokun who received Arnold's message.

The "Mere Old Man" immediately contacted Jin, and when he confirmed that there was enough time, he connected the line between the two parties.

>

Arnold explains the situation to Jin ......, but he himself does not know the details of what is going on.

"I see, I heard that Eira and the others had gone to the Kingdom of Selroa, but all three of them are missing?"

So I told him mainly that the three of them were missing.

But that was Jin.

"Okay. I'll take care of it right away."

.

"No problem...I know the three of them. I'll let you know if I find anything."

In a short time, such an exchange took place.

In fact, Jin had already been in the office for some time.

In fact, Jin had already learned of the three's crisis and had begun to make his move.

The 29th was Rorona's birthday, and the got together to celebrate.

Naturally, Arnold was also present at the party, and it was after the birthday party that Jin learned that the three had gone to investigate.

, a.k.a. , of the fifth column (Quinta)>, just in case.

"That's what I'm talking about."

<>

I can't do anything without Jin's permission, but the dispatch of the <> can be done at your discretion.

"So?"

<> I saved Eira from a close call. We also sent another one, <>, also known as <>.

"Oh, that's good. So, what's the truth behind this?"

<

"I see. Then let's continue the investigation and get the full picture."

"Let me know as soon as you find out."

* * * * * *

And now back to the 29th, 2:00 p.m. local time, just outside the town of Hulek.

"I found ......."

"Who are you?

Eira asked the woman who peeked in.

"I'm Erica. I'm a hunter."

"...... well, I'm Eira. ......You said you found it. What do you mean?"

Eira asked cautiously.

Erika replied with a smile.

"Because I was asked to support you.

"Asked?　By whom?

Jin-sama, sir.

"Oh, I see!　Then are you an automata?

Yes. Nice to meet you, Eira-san.

"Nice to meet you too, Erika!

You can call me by my first name.

I see.　Then you can call me by my name too, Erica.

"Yes, Eira."

This is how Eira and <-Erica met.

Eira was relieved.

She was relieved to know that she was not struggling alone, but that her friend Jin was there to back her up.

She also believed that Jin's automata would be able to perform beyond her expectations.

"Let's pull back for a moment.

"But Groma is still ........."

"...... I'm afraid Mr. Gromma has just been captured by the townspeople."

"What!"

Erika calms Eira, who is about to jump out of her skin.

Erika soothes Eira who is about to jump out of her skin. Mr. Groma is safe. I saw him from a distance, but he was not harmed.

"I see..."

Anyway, it's not safe for you to be here.

I understand.

Eira decided to follow Erica's advice and leave the town of Hulek.

She does not return to the town of Ulaanu either.

They camp in the forest that lies between the two towns.

In this respect, <>=Erika was wearing the cover of a hunter and had her own camping gear.

"It will be a little inconvenient, but bear with it. It would be troublesome if someone were to come after you.

"No, it's enough."

It was certainly more inconvenient than staying at a hotel or inn, but since this was the case, there was nothing to complain about.

Besides, if we are not back by this evening, a letter will be sent to <>.

Is that so?

"But we can't just wait for reinforcements to come from <>. Is there anything we can do, Erica?

"Just wait a little longer. Until my partner comes back."

Your partner?

Yes. He is an automata like me, created by Jin-sama. His name is Linen.

"That's reassuring."

Eira heard this and felt her impatient heart calm down a little.

It even allowed him to sleep in the small tent that had been set up for him.