Chapter 22
A Late Evening
“…What…?”
Nigel slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again—as if he had just heard something completely unbelievable, like a story from a fantasy.
“Andy… Andy is missing?”
Julie shook her head violently, tears streaming down her face.
In the corner of the inn, Nigel spotted a portrait of Andy smiling brightly.
Over the picture, large bold letters were written:
“Missing Person.”
Big enough to be seen from afar.
…He had wanted to tell her everything that happened in Sienia.
About receiving the teleportation stone and being able to travel anywhere in the academy…
About accidentally breaking through a classroom wall…
About getting back at that arrogant noble boy who had looked down on him…
He wanted to tell her all of it…
Blink.
Nigel slowly opened his eyes.
Julie sat collapsed on the floor, staring blankly at the door.
…This wasn’t the time for that.
Step. Step.
Nigel picked up the flyer, folded the top and bottom to hide the text, leaving only Andy’s face visible—the Andy he knew.
He handed the now square-shaped, yellowed paper to Julie.
“Julie, please tell me. When exactly did Andy go missing?”
At his calm voice, Julie slowly lifted her head.
“Uh… that is… so…”
“Please hold my hand.”
With Noah’s help, Julie barely managed to sit in a chair.
Allen rushed into the kitchen, brought a glass of water, and handed it to her.
“Thank you… you’re very kind…”
Julie forced a faint smile after taking a sip.
“Julie. Please answer. When did Andy disappear?”
Nigel asked steadily.
“Five days ago… before the Flores Festival started… she’s been gone since then. She was with my childhood friend—the fruit shop owner’s second daughter.”
“Did you report it to the guards?”
Noah asked with concern.
“I… I kept thinking she’d come back today… then tomorrow… and only today did I realize something must have happened to her… If I had gone to the guards sooner… someone like me…!”
Tears welled up in Julie’s eyes again.
“Ma’am, please use this.”
Allen, now teary-eyed himself, handed her a handkerchief.
“Sniff…!”
Julie bit her lip and wiped her tears.
“…On a crowded day like today, the guards will have a hard time acting.”
A heavy silence filled the inn.
“Where’s her father?”
“Andy’s father… went out to look for her. I should go too, but… I feel like she might walk through that door any moment. She’s lived her whole life in this inn, so she hates entering a dark, empty place…”
Julie glanced out the window.
Whenever she sent Andy to feed the horses, Andy would always make a funny face at that window to make Julie laugh.
“…Ju—Julie! Julie!”
“…Ah, I’m sorry, Nigel.”
Julie shook her head lightly.
“…You don’t need to apologize to me.”
“Oh dear… what should I do? I bragged about cooking something nice for your friends… but I can’t treat you today…”
Julie gave a tearful smile.
“That’s not what matters right now. We need to find Andy.”
Nigel gently placed his warm hand over hers.
His casual, almost indifferent tone—like it was just another ordinary matter—somehow made her feel reassured.
“Nigel… our Andy… do you really think we can find her…?”
Julie clutched his hand desperately, like it was her last lifeline.
“Yes.”
The answer came instantly, without hesitation.
Julie’s vision blurred with tears.
***
“Five days ago—so last Friday, right? And you only reported it today.”
“Yes… Nigel… that’s right.”
“Is there any chance Andy went to a relative’s or a friend’s house?”
Julie slowly shook her head.
“She’s the kind of child who always tells us even when she goes out briefly… and all our relatives live far away in the south.”
“Then was there anything unusual last week? Different behavior, or her health?”
Allen asked, rubbing his swollen eyes.
“Now that I think about it… there was something strange.”
“What is it?”
Nigel asked.
“It might be nothing… but she seemed more tired than usual. She used to stay up late, but she skipped dinner and went to bed early. I thought it was because she was busy with the festival… She said she wanted to wear a pretty dress today…”
“A dress?”
Allen echoed.
“Yes. She loves dressing up, so whenever there’s a festival, she earns extra money besides helping at the inn. You know, on the day of the Imperial Ball, there’s a commoners’ dance in the central plaza.”
“Then she didn’t run away… Julie, do you remember where Andy worked?”
Nigel asked.
“Uh… where was it? I knew it…”
Julie frowned, clutching her head.
Smack!
She suddenly slapped the table.
“Ah! Her diary! She’s written in it every two or three days since she was little—she must have written where she worked. Wait a moment!”
Julie hurried off and returned with a bright red notebook.
“Now… where should I look…”
“When did she start working somewhere besides the inn?”
“About… two weeks ago.”
“Found it. Two weeks ago, Thursday.”
Allen flipped through the diary.
“Let me read.”
Nigel began reading aloud.
**[Today I finally went to the place Liz kept insisting on.
They said if I just go there and sleep for a bit, I’d get 1 gold coin in my hand.
It sounded so unbelievable that I refused several times even after hearing about it.
Only after biting the coin on my way home did it feel real.
No… honestly, I still can’t believe this shiny gold coin is really mine.
I feel a bit tired, but earning money this easily!
I’m so grateful to Liz for introducing me to this job.]**
“…This smells suspicious.”
Nigel muttered.
“Indeed.”
“Next is… Saturday.”
Allen turned the page.
**[I went again today with Liz.
It’s a bit tiring, but 1 gold coin for just three hours of sleep.
Both Liz and I were so excited!
With this, I can buy my Flores dress and treat Mom and Dad to a fancy dinner—at that restaurant from the gossip magazine!
…Of course, Mom’s cooking is the best, but how can I not be curious about this ‘ultimate taste’?
P.S. Sorry, Mom.]**
“Andy…”
Julie gently touched Andy’s portrait.
Allen patted her back softly.
“…Next is Sunday.”
Nigel steadied his voice.
**[I fought with Liz today.
Even though we have enough money, she said she’s going again to earn another gold coin.
Her body is weak, but she’s incredibly stubborn.
She probably doesn’t even realize I’m worried.
So annoying. I’ll stop here today.]**
“Maybe she quit the job then…?”
Noah said carefully.
“I’m not sure… she still went out often last week…”
Julie frowned deeply.
“Ah—Tuesday last week. The final entry. I’ll read it.”
**[Liz is acting strange.
Even when I call her name, she responds seconds later.
She barely reacts to anything I say.
Her uncle said she’s like that sometimes—but I know why.
It must be because of that secret job.
I’m still upset, but I went to her room and talked seriously.
I told her something’s wrong and she should stop going to Histon.
But she ignored me and kept repeating that she has to go to Histon, then fell asleep.
…Even if I’m mad, she’s still my friend.
I think it’s time for me to step in.
Tomorrow, I’ll bring Liz back from Histon.
Should I tell my parents and her uncle? I’m still thinking about it, but it’ll be fine.]**
“Histon…! That’s it—Histon!”
Julie’s eyes widened.
Allen’s eyes widened as well.
“Histon…? That sounds familiar… Ah!”
Allen suddenly exclaimed.
“It’s that rising members-only social club! The one on Main Street!!”
Everyone else looked confused.
“…What? No one knows? It’s a place where members play card games, plan business ventures, and get investments!”
Allen thumped his chest in frustration.
“If it’s members-only… Allen, do you have an invitation?”
Nigel asked.
“Yeah. It’s probably at the villa we went to earlier.”
“Then let’s go immediately.”
Nigel, Noah, and Allen exchanged looks—and nodded at the same time.
“Julie, I’ll bring Andy back.”
“Oh dear… I feel so sorry… I couldn’t even feed you properly…”
Julie gently stroked Nigel’s hand.
“We’ll have dinner a little late. Together with Andy.”
Nigel smiled.
Julie smiled back through her tears.
“Then we’ll be off.”
She wiped her tears and saw them out.
***
By the time the sun had set, the group arrived at Allen’s villa.
“Sebastian! Where’s my invitation—the one from Histon?!”
Allen shouted urgently as soon as they entered.
Without asking questions, Sebastian moved quickly.
“…Found it.”
Soon, he returned with a black letter sealed with a red stamp.
At the top right corner, the word “Histon” was written in elegant gold script.
“Thanks, Sebastian! You saved us!”
“It’s my duty, sir.”
Sebastian bowed and left.
Rustle.
Allen opened the invitation.
“…But there’s a problem…”
“What is it?”
“It only allows one guest.”
A new obstacle appeared.
