Chapter 65 The Whereabouts of Yuruyana
When it comes to dukes from neighboring countries, apparently coordinating visit schedules is a real pain in the neck.
Looks like it'll be a while before Yuruyana meets the Queen's sister, Madam Silven.
After finishing up with the castle, things at the shop finally settled back into a routine.
"I'm heading over to Ms. Elza's to deliver the medicine."
"Alright."
Yuruyana's still making his regular trips to the noble district, and I've started getting orders for Arcane Art supplies and machinery from the castle again, so things aren't exactly the same as before.
"As expected, his real work is always top-notch..."
I couldn't help but admire the research materials on the magic gem that Ricardo analyzed.
I checked them again when I had the time.
Back in school, I used to do the same thing, but if someone told me to analyze a new magic gem and finish a report in 3 days, I'd be stuck.
He hasn't wasted the last 5 years since graduation, that's for sure.
"Can't make something half-assed like this."
Recreating the effects of a magic gem with Arcane Machinery has been one of the long-standing research goals of the Arcane Machinery department.
Half of the common machines we use today, like refrigerators, fans, and stoves, were actually developed based on magic gems.
But the more powerful the magic gem, the greater the risk of malfunction, so simply recreating it isn't enough to make a product.
"Good thing the capital's summer is so long."
I sighed and opened up my notebook.
If I'd waited until winter to take this to Ricardo, I could only imagine the complaints he'd have.
Lord Osric would probably laugh it off, though.
* * *
It had been about a week since I started the usual cycle of making and remaking prototypes of the box-type circuit board.
"Hmm?"
The alarm I set for 6 PM snapped me out of my thoughts, and I tilted my head.
Normally, Yuruyana would come ask me what we're doing for dinner before the alarm even went off.
"Yuruyana?"
When I stepped outside, the shop's lights were off.
I'd been holed up in the basement for the past few days, so I left the store duties entirely to Yuruyana.
The things my customers buy are mostly custom orders that they pick up later, anyway.
That means most customers who come in are really just after Yuruyana.
So when he's away for deliveries or errands, I put up a "Gone out" sign and temporarily close the shop.
When I checked the door, the sign was still hanging there.
"...He hasn't come back yet?"
If he'd been out for a long time, he would've at least said something.
If he didn't want to bother me, he'd have left a note saying where he was going and when he'd be back.
He's a stickler for business, so it's unlikely he'd leave the store unattended to chat with someone.
This has never happened before.
I had a bad feeling.
I quickly locked up and headed outside.
First, I made my way to Hannah's diner.
"Oh, hey Tsukumo. Good evening! I thought the shop was closed again today."
Mako was as casual as ever.
Recently, with all the temporary closures and half-days because of royal castle business, I felt bad, but the regulars who've known us since my grandfather's time just laughed and said, "That's how it's always been with that shop."
"Where's Yuru-Yuru?"
"He still hasn't come back. ...I was working in the back all day, so I wasn't out front. Do you know when it closed?"
"I think it was already closed when I got back from school. Hey, has anyone seen Yuru-Yuru today?"
Mako raised her voice, trained from years of customer service, calling out across the busy diner at dinnertime.
"Haven't seen him."
"He was there when I went to pick up my medicine in the morning."
"The shop was closed from the afternoon, right?"
Regulars who lived nearby chimed in with their responses.
And then,
"I saw him around noon on White Brick Street."
A middle-aged man, tipsy with a mug in hand, answered while asking for a refill.
"Really?"
"Yeah. A kid like that? Hard to mistake him."
He nodded confidently, his face flushed.
There aren't many silver-haired people in the capital, and even if there were, Yuruyana always catches people's attention.
Especially if you're familiar with him ── you'd never forget.
"Which way were he heading at that time?"
"I think I was going uphill."
Uphill means north.
I was probably on my way to Mr. Junce's shop after having lunch and ranting to Ms. Kanae at a café.
"Yuru-Yuru, is he all right?"
"Not yet. Thanks, I'll check it out."
I thanked the man who gave me the information, slightly lifting the received glass in response.
"Watch yourself, Second. There's been some weirdos around lately."
"I'm an ex-soldier. No slouch can beat me in that area."
"True enough."
As I heard that voice behind me, I turned back outside the shop and was called back by Mako.
"Tsukumo, you okay? ...You look awful."
"I'm fine. Just been busy and a bit tired. Thanks for looking out, Mako."
"Yeah..."
As I quickly left the dining hall, a mild itching and pain began to surface on my arms and back.
It was unpleasant, especially during tense missions, so I consulted a doctor who said it was a sign of intense stress.
Running down White Brick Street, the bad feeling grew stronger.
"Sorry to bother you at this hour, Mr. Junce. Did Yuruyana come by today?"
Despite the shop being closed, Mr. Junce, who had come out after hearing the doorbell, looked surprised at Yuruyana's labored cough.
"Ah... He was here until after 3."
"Did he say where he was going after that?"
Mr. Junce shook his head.
"He said you were busy and that the shop was understaffed, so he left in a hurry."
"Hmph, I see..."
"Didn't he come back to the shop?"
"Yes... Thank you, I'll look into it."
Something must've happened between here and the shop.
There might be some traces left.
"Wait."
Mr. Junce firmly grabbed Yuruyana's arm as he turned on his heel.
"Lately, some guy came around asking about Yuruyana. I chased him off."
"What was he like?"
"A middle-aged noble dressed as a commoner. His clothes were ordinary, but he had a strong scent of expensive perfume."
Yuruyana's a pharmacist, and a man at that.
It only took a moment for someone to figure that out.
His eyes and nose are unmistakable.
"Smell..."
"It's the scent of Lilicheska incense wood. Unique aroma. You must have a keen nose to notice it right away."
Yet another Lilicheska...
I should've brought him to the castle sooner.
A twinge of regret stirs.
"Excuse me. May I borrow your communication device?"
"And if you don't mind, I'll have some water too. Do you have any alertness potions?"
"I'll take one."
Even as my vision starts to warp, I can't afford to fall yet.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!