Chapter 20

The Town Where Spirits Dwell
“……”

Lord Runken silently removed the hairpin from his hair.
But there was still a cat embroidered on his shirt pocket (the design made it look like the cat was peeking out), so it didn’t really make much difference.
I tilted my head and said to him,

“You’re on vacation, aren’t you? I recall hearing that you submitted a leave request.”

That’s right.
When I was applying for long-term leave myself, I had used the argument, “Even some ministers take long vacations”, and the very person I had in mind was Lord Runken.
He nodded quietly in response.

“… Indeed. By coincidence, I ended up coming to Nympée.”

It seemed he was determined not to admit he liked cats.

(Whether it’s pride or whatever else, that stubbornness is just like him…)

Still, whether he liked cats or not wasn’t all that important right now, so I didn’t press the matter.
Instead, this time, Lord Runken questioned me.

“Your Majesty… ahem, Lady Clementina. That hair of yours…”

He asked awkwardly, hesitating to bring it up.
I was mildly surprised.
I never thought he was capable of such delicate consideration—
Though admittedly, that was rude of me.

But considering how drastically I had cut my hair, it was only natural to be curious.
I nodded and answered bluntly.

“I cut it. It was all getting bothersome.”

That was all I said, and yet he let out an understanding “Ah.”
That’s enough for him!?

(I expected him to pry a bit more… That’s unexpected…)

Apparently, he decided that topic wasn’t important or at least less urgent than other matters.
With a slight sigh, Lord Runken began to speak.

“… It’s true I’m here for an inspection. There have been some concerning reports from Nympée lately.”

“Concerning?”

“Is this your first time here, Lady Clementina?”

I nodded in response to his question.
Lord Runken then averted his gaze from me, looking off into the distance—
Past the ranch, toward the main street—before speaking.

“… The temperature has risen since my last visit here.”

“Couldn’t that be explained by the season?”

I tilted my head, but Lord Runken shook his.

“Nympée is renowned for being cool and pleasant year-round, regardless of the season. It shouldn’t be getting hot—not even in summer.”

“Then, you suspect there’s a reason? And… what exactly was that ‘concern’ you mentioned earlier?”

I pressed him for details.
Lord Runken nodded, then took a sip of the iced tea Kevin had brought over.
After wetting his throat, he continued.

“… There are discrepancies in Nympée’s expense reports.”

“Meaning…?”

“The financial statements for the region’s expenditures. Here and there, the figures don’t add up. Yet, these discrepancies were approved without ever reaching my desk.”

I gasped in shock.
Seeing my wide eyes, Lord Runken nodded again.

“My plan was to report the matter to you—or the House of Lords—once I had solid evidence. But for now, all I know is that the official reports don’t match the reality.”

I took a moment to think.
Then, I asked him,

“… Lord Runken, weren’t you supposed to be on long-term leave?”

“I am on leave. This also happens to be my hobby.”

Ah, workaholic, huh?
I nodded inwardly as Lord Runken continued.

“So, when I came to visit, I noticed the temperature was significantly higher than before. By my estimate… about six degrees.”

(That’s oddly specific…)

Do you carry a thermometer with you or something?
Slightly put off by his precise number, I nonetheless organized the facts in my head.

Discrepant financial reports.
Official information not being properly conveyed.
And for some reason, rising temperatures in Nympée.
There was a clear link between the first two, but the third remained uncertain.

As I pondered this, Lord Runken continued.

“That’s why I’ve been questioning the locals.”

“Any results?”

I asked, and he shook his head.

“A complication arose midway through.”

“Ah…”

By complication, he clearly meant running into me.
Come to think of it, the raw meat that kitty had in its mouth earlier smacked right into me.
Glancing down, I saw red meat juice staining my clothes, and my lips twitched.
Lord Runken furrowed his brows slightly.

“… I dirtied your clothing. My apologies. I’ll reimburse you later.”

“No need. These little accidents happen.”

Like bumping into a child holding ice cream and getting it all over you, for example.
I suddenly recalled the cats I had seen earlier.
I had thought it odd how many of them were lying sprawled out along the roadside… Could it be—?

“… The cats lying around everywhere…?”

“Likely due to the heat.”

Goodness.
It was my first time here, so I hadn’t realized, but Lord Runken had apparently visited several times before.
He nodded, clearly accustomed to the situation.

“The cats here have little tolerance for heat.”

“Do you think the temperature will keep rising…?”

I voiced my concern, and Lord Runken furrowed his brows.
He tapped his finger lightly against the table.
It seemed he was troubled as well.
After a short pause, he answered.

“… It’s hard to say for certain at this stage. But it’s certainly possible.”

“The expense reports don’t add up, the information never reached the Minister of Finances—you—and now there’s this temperature issue. Nympée is a tourist destination. It’s strange no reports were filed about this.”

“Perhaps… they intended to cover it all up?”

Lord Runken finished my thought, and I nodded.

“That seems plausible.”

After that, we discussed our plans going forward.

Lord Runken intended to continue questioning the locals.
As for me, I would return to the inn, speak with my maids, and contact him again later.
And so, for now, we parted ways.

What do you think about this chapter?