The spring breeze swept across the grassland, wiping away the tension of battle.
"Come on, let's continue the contest, nya."
Anya gestured defiantly.
"Anya-san just fell, and Chloe-san conceded defeat. That should mean I win, right?"
Bell stated the undeniable reality.
"That doesn't count, nya! I wasn't even holding a weapon, nya."
"But you were the one who said we wouldn't use weapons, nya..."
Faced with Anya's protest, even Chloe couldn't help but interject.
"Woo-nya... Magic doesn't count either, nya! You have to knock someone down so they can't get back up to lose, nya!"
Anya retorted fiercely.
"Even in detective novels, duels don't go that far..."
Bell gave a resigned smile and continued, "Alright, let's call it a draw. We'll just keep playing detective."
"It's not role-playing, I'm a real detective!"
Anya instantly forgot about the contest and began lecturing the pair on what detectives should do. Investigate cases, catch criminals. She gestured animatedly as she explained, thoroughly engrossed in her own excitement.
"But Anya-san, no one has come to us with a request at all."
Bell stated the harsh reality.
"Woo-meow... I can't smell any cases, nya... I wanna go back to sleep, nya..."
Anya, who'd been bursting with excitement just a second ago, visibly deflated at Bell's words.
"You're the one who wanted to be a detective, so don't get all down on yourself, nya."
Chloe gently encouraged her colleague.
"Why is Chloe suddenly so enthusiastic, nya?"
Anya asked in confusion.
When she first heard the word "detective," Chloe had shown zero interest. She only agreed after learning the quest involved the boy. Yet now, Chloe was brimming with enthusiasm.
"Guess what, nya~"
Chloe chuckled softly.
Her encounters with the young man usually took place inside the tavern, surrounded by patrons and other girls. This was the first time they'd strolled together so leisurely.
Chloe silently walked beside him, occasionally swishing her cat tail happily.
"Why hasn't anyone asked for a quest, nya?"
Anya scratched her head in frustration.
They were merely dressed in detective-style clothes—no signboard, no reputation. Even if anyone noticed them, it was only to discuss their good looks or out of simple curiosity.
"Anya-san, maybe it'll happen soon."
Bell's gaze fell upon a blue-haired woman.
Asfi noticed them and hurried over. "Excuse me, have you seen Hermes-sama?"
"This... this is the scent of a missing case, nya!" Anya perked up her tail excitedly.
"Hermes-sama was just over there on the lawn. He seemed to have something to do and left with a magic tool," Bell replied truthfully.
"Nya? I haven't even started my deduction yet, nya! White-haired one, how come you already told the whole story?!" Anya pouted in complaint.
Asfi glanced at their attire and offered a grateful look to the youth. "Cranel-san, thank you for your explanation."
"Are you heading to find Hermes next, nya? Leave it to me, Detective Anya—I'll absolutely complete the quest, nya."
Anya puffed out her chest proudly.
"No, let him fend for himself..." Asfi answered without hesitation.
"Woo-wah... I sense a chill in the air, nya..." Anya was startled by this resentful remark.
"Too bad we're not at the tavern, or I'd pour you a warm glass of milk, nya." Chloe had once served Asfi at the tavern, always noticing that tired expression with dark circles under her eyes.
"Asfi-san, has something happened?" Bell inquired.
"I need to transport some goods, but all the guild members have been summoned by Hermes-sama."
Asfi sighed deeply.
The Hermes Familia maintained a neutral stance, always accepting various quests. According to Asfi, this morning after she finished processing the documents, she discovered the goods meant for the merchants' guild still sitting untouched, and the guild members were nowhere to be found. The shipment contained valuable items, and Asfi couldn't find anyone trustworthy to transport it on short notice.
"I see..."
Bell pondered for a moment before turning to Anya. "Detective-san, don't you think this quest would be perfect for us?"
"...?"
Anya froze for a few seconds before suddenly snapping to attention. "You're absolutely right, nya! This quest is mine to take on—Detective Anya, nya!"
"Really? Thank you. I'll prepare a generous reward."
Asfi's tense expression instantly relaxed.
Perceiving her fatigue, Bell spoke softly, "Asfi-san, please make sure to get some rest. It's heartbreaking to see a girl working late into the night every day."
"Hmm...? Thank you for your concern..." Asfi turned away shyly. "I'll take you to the cargo location."
…
After some time, Bell and the others had flawlessly completed the quest.
"How about it, nya? Impressed by my detective skills, nya?"
Anya wiped away sweat, happily walking beside the boy.
"Oh, oh, if Anya-san were to open a detective agency, clients would definitely keep coming in."
Bell praised her without holding back.
Chloe lowered her voice, muttering a complaint:
"That has nothing to do with being a detective, nya... Plus, you are praising Anya the whole time but I was the one working the hardest, nya..."
"Nya? What did Chloe say, nya?" Anya perked up her ears in curiosity.
"She's calling you the world's greatest detective."
"Woo-nya?! I'm not that great, nya~"
Hearing Bell's words, Anya's face lit up with a bright smile.
"The blue-haired girl gave us so much reward money, nya! We can buy... buy lots and lots of fried potato balls, nya!"
"You were definitely doing math just now, nya?"
"That... that must be a misunderstanding, nya!"
"It's just about lunchtime. Let's go browse the stalls together."
Anya and Chloe always ended up arguing when they weren't paying attention. It wasn't hostile, more like playful banter between friends. Bell, caught in the middle, often had to smooth things over for the two of them.
"Argonaut-kun!"
At a potato ball stall, Tiona waved her arms excitedly.
"Long time no see."
Tione stood beside her sister, smiling softly.
"Tiona-san, Tione-san, hello. What a surprise to meet you here."
Bell walked up politely.
""Argonaut-kun, this outfit is...?"
"Hmph—let us handle you, we're detectives, nya~"
"Detective, nya? How cool!"
In just a few words, Tiona and Anya had become fast friends.
Meanwhile, Tione gazed at the youth, deep in thought.