NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
Episode 192. Find the lost item (5)
* * *
To sum up the store manager’s opinion in one word, since we’ve come this far, let’s just catch that guy and go back. If we go to the place marked on the navigation later, we’ll be able to find a clue to chase that guy… .
“I can catch the bread thief right now, so I don’t think there’s any need to chase after bread crumbs. What do you think, Chan-i?”
He asked my opinion along the way, and I thought the same as the store manager. The more I put off the work, the more I give this guy who just keeps leaving. In the meantime, another unlucky person other than me may show up.
The only thing I’m worried about is that this is an idea that came up spontaneously without any information. What if there’s a magic turret that recognizes the idiots in that bar and activates? Should I hit them with my body?
“I don’t think it’s that dangerous. It was written on the navigation app that the bar was open for business today.”
“Now that I think about it, I think I could probably deal with a magic turret with my body…?”
“I don’t like that. Chan just had to suffer once.”
If not all of them, at least I want to go easy on them until I face the guy who did the work. The officer who had been quietly listening to the conversation up to this point glanced at the fallen orcs and opened his mouth.
“Those orcs will be arrested on charges of special assault, special intimidation, and property damage.”
“What kind of money, maybe because you were trying to break the bathroom wall?”
“Yes. In the case of the special assault and special intimidation charges, they meet the requirements for emergency arrest.”
By the way, an emergency arrest is the ultimate weapon that the police can use against those who refuse to move without a warrant. The officer added.
“In the case of a teacher, he or she is punished for the same crime as the person who committed the crime under the criminal law.”
Since the charges were the same, it meant that he could use the same ultimate attack on the guy who had instigated this. The police officer’s expression didn’t change, but it seemed like he was full of intention to do it.
“The magic you mentioned. They are things that require further verification.”
The paralyzing magic in my pocket. Putting that guy in jail with this is only possible after verification from the National Institute of Magical Investigation. It seems like there’s a separate National Institute of Scientific Investigation in this world.
“But you’re saying that we can somehow put handcuffs on him?”
“It’s possible. A moderate method… I’ll have to think about it.”
“I have an idea, officer. It’s a method used by the person who gave me the job before.”
Let’s look at the scenery at the same time, he coughed and started to talk about his own ideas. The bar we were going to was operating normally, but it wasn’t exactly normal.
They must have been casting unauthorized detection spells everywhere, and they would be especially effective today, when they’ve set out to catch us. Which means we can’t approach them in a police car. They’ll know in advance and run away.
“Then what should we take? Do you have a car, store manager?”
“I sold it because I was sick of being stuck in traffic. What about you, officer?”
“There are no private vehicles, and all vehicles used for undercover work within the jurisdiction are used for crime prevention purposes in the school district.”
“There’s no answer, manager. Should I call a taxi?”
“I don’t know about call taxis, but I think the car they came in would be the best.”
He pointed to the orcs and said, “That’s a good idea. If we go back in their car, we won’t be affected by the magic. We’re going in the car they normally drive.
But this raises another problem: Who will drive?
“I left my driver’s license at my old house, sir.”
“I only have 2nd class ordinary. If I had known this would happen, I would have gotten 1st class…”
“Even if that is not the issue, if an uninsured person drives a vehicle, he or she is subject to imprisonment for up to one year under the Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act.”
This problem made it impossible for the police to drive, and the plan itself was in jeopardy. What the hell, why are there so many obstacles when trying to do something good?
“Then… take public transportation.”
“There are no buses around there, Chan-ah. It’s just business as usual, it’s really remote. Remote.”
“No, what kind of stubbornness is this? Or rather, that.”
I was thinking of just saying whatever came to mind, but as soon as I thought of it, I had a gut feeling that if I just said it out loud, it would be a big deal.
However, the police officer and the store manager looked at me at the same time, and it was difficult to say anything. I brought up the subject with the hope that they would deny it.
“… How about calling a surrogate mother?”
* * *
The moment it occurred to me, I thought it was a good idea. Since designated drivers have separate designated driver insurance, they wouldn’t get fined for driving without insurance even if they drove those orcs’ cars, right?
If you ask for parking within a 5-10 minute walk, there won’t be any inconvenience to the valet. However, what I overlooked is that the park we’re currently in is quite remote even for this neighborhood.
This means that most surrogates wouldn’t come here. It’s Saturday, and even if it weren’t for this place, there would be a lot of surrogates looking for surrogates everywhere. So who came?
“My name is Wolf. Sorry I’m late, sir?”
The old man came. I was just drinking while apologizing for being late, and the person who came less than 3 minutes after I called a designated driver said this.
As if he had been speeding down the road, the collar of his suit was slightly disheveled. As soon as he saw us, he straightened his clothes and asked in a tone that was half glad and half puzzled.
“Sir and officer, was your name Officer Iruel?”
“Yes. Have you been well since that day?”
“It was peaceful. But why are you three in this remote place?”
Should I say this or not? I was at a loss and couldn’t continue speaking, but the old man who was looking around briefly saw the orcs lying around the bathroom.
As soon as he narrowed his eyes, police cars came rushing in from the park entrance and started to lift the orcs who couldn’t control their bodies and stuff them into the back seats.
“…The three of you, I will return after finishing the handover.”
The tone of voice of the officer speaking was very subdued, and I could easily guess why. After saluting, he trudged towards the bathroom, and the old man who was watching him spoke.
“I guess you’ve been through quite a bit.”
“It’s so nice to see you again, Elder Wolf. How are things going right now?”
The store manager briefly explained the situation to the old man, and as I listened, my awkwardness eased somewhat. It was because the store manager’s tone was firm. I called him because I needed someone to drive the car for a criminal investigation, and there would be no harm done to him―
“Criminal investigation? What kind of criminal investigation are you talking about?”
“I don’t think I can tell you that, sir. I’m not done with the work yet.”
“…Is that so?”
He did answer like this, but his tone was so gloomy that it was almost annoying. I chimed in.
“The store manager and I are assisting the officer in our respective capacities as a magician and a half-magician. We received a separate request for collaboration from the officer, and he… is the person in charge.”
“Can I speak to the officer and help you?”
“I’m not sure about that, but it seems like it’s going to take a while to get permission. We’re planning on finishing up everything today… Yes.”
While listening, the tips of your ears, which had been angular, drooped. Just by looking at it, you could tell that you had seen the most interesting angle in the current situation. I thought you would be like this, so I wish you hadn’t come.
“…Is it okay if I just help you drive?”
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“Yes. Excuse me, but may I ask you a favor?”
“Yes. It’s my job, and it’s also your job.”
But the old man was a man of great determination, so he quickly regained his energy. Surely, someday, there will come a time when we can laugh and talk about the bloody fight in the public restroom at the city park…
The officer returned shortly after this conversation, holding a keychain with only one car key in his hand, seemingly confiscated from one of the orcs.
He approached and stood in front of the old man, saluted, and spoke at the same time.
“This is a situation that requires private cooperation. May I ask you for help?”
“Of course. When do you plan to leave?”
“I plan to leave right now. I’ve been told where the car is, so I’ll take the lead.”
* * *
These orc guys parked their cars in the alley between the buildings outside the park. There were four cars parked side by side in a one-lane wide alley, so why bother to go all gangster-like with parking?
The key was in the front of the car, and each of us took a seat in the passenger seat or the front compartment and started off. During the 20-minute drive, the store manager and the officer talked about work, and I just listened quietly.
“That wizard, if things go wrong, he might try to use magic on you. Officer, have you ever subdued a criminal who uses magic?”
“I’ve done it countless times in simulations, but not often against serious criminals.”
“Then I will go see that magician with you. I think he will have something to tell you after seeing the magic he uses, and also…”
Even without saying anything, the sound was full. The old man also occasionally pricked his ears while driving, and we drove for 20 minutes on the night street.
I arrived near the bar indicated on the navigation and pulled over to the side of the road. After that, the old man who got out of the driver’s seat tried to follow me so naturally that I tried to tell him to wait inside… .
“I’ll just smoke a cigarette nearby and then go in.”
I swallowed my words when he confidently said that. Eventually, the four of us arrived near the bar together, and from there, we moved according to the plan we had made in the car.
“Chan and I will go first and call the boss. If you come in with the officer, he will think you have come to arrest him.”
“Yes. If you give me the signal, I will break the door down and come in.”
The signal was that I would act out the truth at the bar. I was confident because I had learned a lot from studying the truth.
So the scenery was a blind spot nearby, the old man really went to the back of the bar to smoke a cigarette, and I went in first, next to the manager. When I went in, the atmosphere and the smell, oh my…
“Customer. We do not allow minors to enter.”
Apart from the faint neon lights, there was nothing to see, and although there was a faint smell of alcohol, it was mostly salty or musty, dusty. The only person inside was a bartender at the counter.
Even if they received a solution, it was a place where recovery was not guaranteed. The bartender, who seemed to be indifferent to the internal situation, simply frowned at the store manager. The store manager responded with a sly smile.
“I usually drink beer a lot. Even though I’m forever 18!”
I have a cold sweat running down my back because of the atmosphere here, but the store manager is calm without any change in expression. How many more years do I have to live to become an eternal 18-year-old?
“Then please leave.”
“I’m joking. Okay, here’s your ID.”
I followed the store manager who was walking slowly towards the counter, and the manager took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to me. It wasn’t an ID card, but an A4 piece of paper with a nerve paralysis magic circle drawn in ink.
“Actually, I didn’t come here to drink, I just found a lost item.”
“… … .”
“Based on what’s written, it looks like you’re the owner of this place. Did we come to the right place?”