"Miss Zelma, the mother of Miss Merze, was a close friend of the head chamberlain of our family. So, on the basis of this relationship, Miss Merze came to our house, or rather to the head chamberlain, to ask for advice.

This was on February 2.

"So our chief chambermaid ...... consulted my wife, Richarda, who consulted me ......, and I found out about it on February 4 at noon. It was noon on February 4."

"I see. So the person who was consulted had to be very careful because of the circumstances.

I see. ...... and I went to see Miss Mertze myself and confirmed the dagger as proof. At the same time, I also discovered that Mistress Mertze had some semblance of the Emperor's family, and I was rushing to Leuthart to inform His Majesty."

"I see."

That's why we had a collision at the particular junction.

He disappeared without thanking Elsa for treating him because he felt obliged to report the accident to the emperor as soon as possible.

"I'm sorry, I've been so ungrateful," she said.

"No, if that's the case, that's all right. Please tell me what's next.

Yes. After informing His Majesty, I returned with His Majesty's direct secretary and visited Miss Mertze at ......."

She was kidnapped?

Yes.

The question is, says the Viscount, was it just a kidnapping of a woman or was it a kidnapping based on the knowledge that she was of imperial blood?

"I think it was probably the latter. The dagger was missing, too."

"That's for sure."

At this point, Elsa raises a question.

"......What made you decide that it was a kidnapping?　Could it be a simple disappearance?

"Ah, yes, because ...... there were signs of a struggle and the room was ransacked.

I see. Then there is a strong possibility that she was abducted.

Yes.

Yes.

Let's try to clarify the timeline here.

On February 2, Melze visits Jenny, the head chambermaid of Viscount Jochia, and tells her that she is descended from the emperor of the previous generation. After that, Melze goes home.

On February 3, Jenny, the first lady's maid of honor, asks for advice from the Viscountess Jochia.

February 4, Baroness Rijalda consults with the Viscount. The Viscount goes to see Mertze and confirms the situation.

On his way back to report to the emperor, he is involved in a collision.

Elsa is treated and the carriage is repaired by Jin, so he heads for the palace, knowing that he is in a bad way.

Report to the emperor. He and his secretary go to Mertze's house to investigate further, and find that he has been kidnapped.

February 5: Council meeting. The meeting is held in the hope of finding some clues, but nothing comes of it.

Instead, it is discovered that Jin and Elsa were involved, and the emperor himself apologizes for the Viscount's rudeness.

February 6 Despite the best efforts of Viscount Yohia and others to find her, Miss Merce is not found.

The emperor is so distressed that he decides to ask for help from the nobles, and dispatches Viscount Yohia to help.

This is what happens.

"So it has been two whole days since she was kidnapped?

Jin asked with a difficult expression as if to confirm.

"That's what I'm saying. ......"

Viscount Yohia also replied with a difficult look on his face.

"And in the meantime, you are searching for them?"

"Of course, we are doing it in secret. His Majesty has also sent ten knights of the Kingsguard to ......."

"And there's been no progress?"

No. ...... and His Majesty said he'd talk to Jin-sama about it.

I see.

At this point, Jin confirms the important information once again.

"Are you sure that you were kidnapped?"

"Yes. Yes, I am sure of it, considering the circumstances.

......What do you think was the reason for the kidnapping?

"No ransom demand has been made. I thought about the fact that he is a member of the imperial family, but he is not recognized and has no claim to the throne. ......"

"Well, ...... if it is a kidnapping, the purpose is unclear, isn't it?"

Yes.

"And this Miss Mertze, she had no motive for disappearing?"

No. ......

If she intended to disappear in the first place, she would not have come to Jenny, the head chambermaid of Viscount Jocher's household.

"Oh ...... if only we had taken him into our home right away, none of this would have happened. ......"

"Let's not talk about what ifs. It's not good for us."

"......, you're right."

I'm not good at guessing, but I'll try to think about it.

But he can't come up with any solution.

So he asks Viscount Jocheir if there is another way.

"Is this Miss Merze a mage?"

"Yes. She should be able to use some magic.

In other words, if we know her , we can search for her with the MagiRadar.

"I see. Do you have any items left at ......?"

"Clothes and daily necessities, I guess ......."

However, Jin hears the answer and feels that it might be difficult to know the magic pattern of Miss Merce, he confirms another possibility.

"What do you mean by <>?"

"I have only seen it once, but it is something similar to a ceremonial sword, decorated with jewels and magi crystals.

"Do you know what those magi crystals are for?"

If it contains some magic, we can trace its magic power.

"Yes. It reacts to the blood of the emperor.

What do you mean?　Can you tell us more?

Yes. ......

Viscount Yohia didn't seem to know much about it, but he did know that it emits light when it is charged with the magic power of the emperor's house.

(hmmm ...... is <> with a specific magic pattern activates <> ......?)

But it is not enough to identify the magic pattern of <>.

However, it is.

(There must be a common denominator in the magic pattern of the emperor's family. If we can know that, we can use the <>.

Now, we can finally find a clue to the discovery.

(The magic pattern of the emperor's family: ...... Hmmm, I don't know. I'll have to go check it out.)

Jin then makes a proposal to Viscount Yohia.

"Okay, I understand. I will look for Miss Mertze here.

"Oh, thank you, Jin-sama!

"Well, do you have a portrait of this Miss Mertze or something ...... that will give us an idea of what she looks like?"

"In that case, I have a portrait that I had made as soon as possible."

The viscount took out a picture from his pocket and presented it to Jin.

It was a rough sketch because he had drawn it in a hurry, but it captured his features.

"May I have this?"

"Yes. I know who he is.

I understand.

Thus, Jin had a clue for the search, and Viscount Yohia left to continue the search on his own.

"Well, let's go check the magic pattern of the emperor's family.

And so Jin moves on. .......