Chapter 36

Still, just because I happened to be the first to find the child, everyone is praising me so much that I feel uncomfortable. I understand that they are happy the child is safe, but even so...

I acted without considering whether I would stand out because a life was at stake this time, but I didn’t do anything that deserves such overwhelming praise.

For example, if the people in that hideout were very strong wanted criminals, or if the child had been hidden by powerful magic and would have been hard to find, I could understand. But that wasn’t the case. The child was in a state where anyone could have found them. The people I defeated were just untrained amateurs with bad attitudes, and one who was a bit experienced in fighting. They had some experience in martial arts, but they weren’t strong. If they had the skills to stand on their own, they would probably be working as proper adventurers or soldiers. It’s only natural that I, who have received training, would win. But to be evaluated so highly...

Or, if the way I solved it was truly remarkable, I could understand. For example, if someone as skilled as Wilfred-niisan was there, he could have just walked in without any preparation and finished it in an instant. If someone like Father, a magician, was there, he could have used magic from outside the hideout to perceive the inside and rescue the child while capturing the criminals. In that case, this level of reaction would be understandable, but that’s not what happened.

To be evaluated so highly when I didn’t do anything that remarkable... But perhaps it’s convenient for the patrol team, who are outsiders, that I solved it. I feel more uncomfortable than happy about it.

"Is the last one done?"

"Yes, probably... I think I can draw it as I see it."

"Wow! It’s so good! With this, we can catch them quickly!"

"Amazing... It’s as realistic as a photo taken with a magic device..."

I hand over the last drawing I was working on while talking. These are the portraits of the three men who didn’t return to the abandoned house, among those I met in the alley, which was the trigger for my involvement in the incident. Including the man with the hat, who I think was the "leader" among those I drew first, I believe I have now conveyed the faces of all the people I saw. It was good that they tried to hide their faces, which made them stick in my memory. I heard that the others were all captured, so I hope these people are caught soon too.

The main culprit who kidnapped the child is apparently the leader of an organization that has infiltrated several underground societies, including this city. I was asked to help create a wanted poster because they hoped I might have seen the leader, whose face is not yet clearly identified. I hope I saw him among the people I saw.

Incidentally, there were originally dedicated staff members for creating portraits, but somehow, while I was explaining the faces I had seen, it ended up being me who drew them. I told them I wasn’t that good, even though I had learned, but it’s fine as long as my drawings are enough to identify the faces.

They say they will issue a wanted notice based on these portraits. At the gates of this city and nearby towns, on shared magic cars, and at inns where people come and go. While face photos taken with magic devices are starting to be used, human eyes are still important in such cases.

"Even though you’re so strong, you can draw so well... You have so many talents, I’m envious."

"Um, thank you..."

I was told by Angelica-oneesan that anyone could draw what they see if they train enough, so I thought it wasn’t useful now that we have magic cameras. But it seems it was useful. ...I’m glad.

I’m glad I could help with the investigation by drawing a little, even though I don’t have the talent to draw "wonderful pictures."

"Did you hear that Riana was involved in a kidnapping?!!"

"Ah!"

While I was nervously interacting, Fred-san rushed in, and I was so surprised that I made a strange sound. A familiar patrol officer was trying to pull him away from the door, saying, "Fred-san, we’re taking a statement now, so family members can’t come in."

"No, we’ve finished the initial questioning, so it’s fine."

"Oh, is that so? Then I’ll wait here with you. Is that okay?"

"Huh? Ah, y-yes, it’s fine..."

Actually, I wasn’t fine at all, but I answered without fully understanding what was being asked. I told Fred-san that Riana should stay, and the familiar officer left again.

I was so surprised by Fred-san’s sudden appearance in the quiet room that my heart was racing. I was even more surprised than when I ran into the men coming out of the abandoned house.

"She wasn’t involved; she was the one who solved the kidnapping case."

"...Solved? And a case! Who told Riana about it? I’m going to complain about involving her, no matter how capable she is."

Fred-san’s concern was justified. Normally, I wouldn’t be asked to help with an investigation. It would have gone to a more skilled veteran, someone who is good at using magic for criminal investigations. I can use magic to a practical level, but I’m not particularly good at it. It took time to activate, and it picked up a lot of noise.

Despite that, the officers who took my statement started to exaggerate my involvement to Fred-san.

"Of course, it wasn’t public, and the Adventurer’s Guild wasn’t told."

"Huh?"

"Apparently, the first thing she noticed was the smell of the drug the kidnapped child was drinking. Isn’t that amazing?! After that, her actions were like an adventure story."

"Without any trouble, she investigated and entered the hideout, rescued the child, and defeated five men, including the gang in the hideout..."

I couldn’t look Fred-san in the eye and fidgeted with the hem of the borrowed dress. It was a dress I was given to change into after my clothes got dirty from saving the child, but the skirt was much shorter than anything I had ever worn before, and I suddenly became self-conscious about it.

After all, it was a skirt length I had never worn before, and I could feel a draft... I thought I had gotten used to it, but now it felt strange.

"...Is Riana hurt? Are you okay?"

"Um, yes. I’m fine, nothing happened."

"Phew~ I’m so relieved."

After listening to the story, Fred-san laughed, embarrassed by the misunderstanding. It seems the information was miscommunicated, and he rushed over from the Adventurer’s Guild, worried. I felt guilty for causing him worry, but I was also touched. Oh, how insensitive of me.

"Feeling thirsty after all that... Chromat-san, do you have any drinks?"

"It’s not a cafe, but..."

Despite the cold outside, Fred-san, drenched in sweat from running, relaxed and sat down in the seat where a patrol officer had been sitting. It seems he knows a lot of people. I thought he was just saying he was "normal," but I think Fred-san doesn’t realize how impressive he is.

Seeing his relaxed interaction, I felt more at ease. I hadn’t realized I was a bit tense among all the strangers.