The next day, we're out to investigate the other churches and spots where the abductions happened. It would've been fine, if only I wasn't partnered up with Gio.
Shizu suggested that we pair up and investigate the scenes of the crime. Shizu partnered up with Nik while I was stuck with Gio. His interpreter, Mr. Suzuki, was called over by his bosses so I had no other choice but to accompany the Italian man since he couldn't speak Japanese.
I'm not the only one happy about it, so was he. Still does actually.
We ended up investigating the churches and we're on our way to the second church where the second nun was abducted.
"Mister di Angelo," I call. "What do you think of this case?"
"It's obviously worrisome for the Vatican, that's why I was sent."
Hmm…
"But does the paladin really have to come himself? They could've sent someone else you know."
His silence is suspicious. Should I push him more? I mean, I have been a very annoying person to him so far.
"I volunteered."
What is this, the H*ng*r G*m*s? Err… I mean, I wonder what he means.
"What do you mean you volunteered?"
Dude, why are you looking at me like that? Why is there even sadness in your eyes?
"I volunteered because my sister is one of the missing nuns."
Oh… He's related to one of the victims.
"She's the third one to be abducted and I asked the Pope to send me here for that. Being the specialist for the demons the police had captured was just something I was going to do on my way to Okinawa."
I see.
"Do you have any clue regarding this case?" I ask again. "I mean, missing women, especially virgin ones, always raises flags."
"I know. But what kind of flag, we're not sure. This is supposed to be confidential information only within the Vatican and the Church, but one of the priests sent us a message before he died. The nun he was partnered with was taken by a demon."
Demons again? I've been encountering them a lot lately.
Wait, I just noticed something…
"Mister di Angelo, if you wanted the Onmyouji Union and Sector Zero to help you regarding this case, you shouldn't have held back that information. Knowing what kind the culprits we will be facing is one big advantage already you know? Don't you know the saying; know thy enemy?"
"I don't want to hear a lecture from a kid. Especially not a demon sympathizer."
*SIGH*
He still isn't over that?
"Look Mister di Angelo, I've got a bone to pick with demons as well, so please don't call me a demon sympathizer. I just happen to be friends with Licht, who's a demon, a harmless one at that."
"Ha! How are you sure that little demon under that detective's care is harmless? Are you sure he hasn't killed anyone in the past? He's a demon, he can kill anyone whenever he likes."
He's got a point, but…
"I don't know about his past, but I know they're working on it. What I care is the Licht I know now. Trust me, he can't harm anyone right now, even if he wants to."
"What makes you so sure?"
He's under a curse that reduced his capabilities greatly. At most he's just an average demon right now that he can be dealt with by a beginner onmyouji.
Of course, I can't really tell him that.
"I just am, and you have no other choice but to trust my words."
He just remains silent and we make our way further towards the edge of the city.
Hmm? There's a police line in front of one of the stores. Did something happen?
I drag Gio towards the crowd of people to check what happened.
Damn. I'm too short! I can't see anything!
All of a sudden, I feel a tug and I see Gio pulling me forward, navigating throughout the crowd. We reach the front and I can finally see what the people are crowding about.
A store, an antique store by the looks of it, seems to have had an incident. The glass in front of the store is broken and smoke is coming out from it. Police cars are also stationed just as there are many police officers around.
"What happened here?"
"It's a robbery." says the woman beside me.
I immediately translate that to Gio who only nods his head.
"Mister di Angelo!" calls a new voice.
A guy is making his way to us. He seems to be a local detective. But if he knows Gio, then that means he's no ordinary detective.
"You know me?" Gio asks, but the detective only gives a confused look.
Aaaaahhh. Gio can't speak Japanese and I'm pretty sure the detective can't speak Italian either.
I wonder if both of them can speak English, but never mind. I'll just fulfil my role as the temporary interpreter of the paladin.
"You are also one of the guests of the Tachibana Family right?" he asks after translating Gio's question.
"I… am."
"Excellent! I am Lieutenant Hiragi Shiota, a detective of Sector Zero Okinawa. Please ask Mr. di Angelo of his opinions concerning this robbery."
I relayed his words to the paladin.
"Why is he asking me about it? I'm not here for a robbery case. Furthermore, I have no idea about police work."
Right…
"Lieutenant Shiota, di Angelo-san says he cannot provide the answer you're looking for after all, it is not his line of work."
"I see. You are on your way to investigate the missing case right?" I nod my head.
This guy is too open about it. Is that even okay?
"Well, I will not delay you any longer."
"Please wait Lieutenant."
"Hmm?"
"Is this the first time this area has been robbed?"
He looks at me with a questioning expression. He's probably wondering why a kid is asking him such questions, but he does know I'm a kid affiliated to the Guardian of Okinawa, so I hope he'll give me a straight answer rather than being confidential.
"This area yes, but there has been three other robberies all over the city. This is the second antique store to be robbed and the fourth robbery case within a week."
Four robberies? Within a week? Why do I get a bad feeling about this?
"Within a week? Have you gathered any clue yet?"
"Not yet, but this is already under the jurisdiction of the police. Sector Zero is only here because this antique store houses a few items where yokais reside."
Yokai, also known as ayakashi, it's the Japanese version of the supernatural. And Japan has a wide variety of them.
"I see. We will be going now then."
I pull Gio out of the crowd and head to the direction of the church to return to our initial goal.
"What was that out there?"
Should I tell him or not?
"I just… I have a bad feeling, you know."
"What kind of bad feeling?"
"I'm not sure, but the robberies are definitely suspicious and unnatural."
"It's a robbery."
"That's not what I meant. Let's just go."
Missing nuns and female teenagers, dead priests, new moons, and now four robberies within a week with two of them being antique stores, are these all related?
Just what the hell is going on?