Blood Of Platinum
Chapter 29. Lost Pocket Clock bag. 3
Kaito walked again to the residential area where he was staying this morning. Something is different about the area. When they first got there this morning, it wasn't very crowded, it was just children and women. The man in the place seemed to start doing activities or working so, only a little was visible. But, at this moment Kaito saw a different scene. There are so many people who pass by, trade or do street music performances.
‘The situation is different than it was this morning. Is this also due to the effect of looping?’
Kaito certainly questions that. The place was indeed so lively as the big road and main road in the city. There are not so many stalls or shops in the residential area of the population but of course there are one or two shops through it, including the clothing store he visited this morning.
Kaito paused for a moment and looked at the state of the shop from a distance. The window of the place was made of glass so it could be seen by the people passing through it.
“Same as this morning, this place is also very crowded”
Kaito walked back while looking at something complicated. Kaito's mind was still overwhelmed with curiosity by this situation of change. Not being in ‘world malam’ and actually experiencing repetition that is still a mystery. Plus a serious new problem like now.
‘Could this be all games from ‘world noon’? Or is it another fate that I can find my memory pieces?. It felt too sudden and the timing was just too right. Kino who lost her pocket watch when we just arrived at this place, plus there are no clues whatsoever left behind’
This will probably be the most difficult problem Kaito has ever faced. But, he still felt so indebted to the two brothers. Therefore, his desire to help them would not change.
After walking around the residential area, Kaito saw a staircase descending on the right turn, not far from the wide street in the residential area. The stairs are quite a lot and when it goes down, the road is like leading to another road.
At Kaito's sight range, he could see there were house buildings on the right and left sides along the steps. This was enough to shock Kaito right now, too visibly surprised that he could not stop staring at the stairs with wide eyes and a sweaty forehead.
“Since when is there another road in this city?!”
******
Ryou runs to find Kino's whereabouts. He had completely forgotten about the serious trouble that had occurred because their pocket watches were gone. Right now, his priority was really just looking for the older brother.
‘I don't know where he's looking for his pocket watch, but one or two places he might go I think I can tell. I'll try to find it from the most conspicuous place in the city. Kino couldn't have looked to a foreign place first. I'm sure first he'll go to a place that is no stranger to him’
A complex thought. He really knows his brother's habits. Ryou immediately ran towards the road that he had been on twice today. The road is the road to the altar. What a not so bad guess. After a few minutes of running, Ryou walked slowly to slightly catch his breath. Finally, he reached the fountain pool that was right near the altar.
“This place should be our gathering point later, but since I also passed this fountain to get to the altar, I guess I'll just search around here”
Ryou went around the pool. He surrounded all sides of the pond, looked into the bottom of the pool and looked at the little angel statue in the middle of the pond. After pacing back and forth at the place for a few minutes, Ryou finally sighed in disappointment and annoyance.
“Cih, absolutely nothing! I think I can get a clue to the whereabouts of Kaito's gem. Then our fate is the same. Now not only have to find Kaito's memory gem, but also our pocket watch. Turns out ‘both worlds’ is just as troublesome”
Ryou grumbled with a pose of pushing down his waist. After a moment of silence, it turns out that the grunt still has a continuation.
“Think with the loss of ‘world night’ will give you a little good fortune. I was fed up with the fantasy creatures in the game there and was grateful for not having to see the damn goat even though I was eager to cut off its head and eat its flesh as a form of revenge. Ah, nevermind! Angry is not obviously just a waste of my energy! Besides, it won't solve my problems either. I better find it inside that altar”
Ryou finally realized that his chatter had wasted at least a quarter of his energy. What should be praised from him now is that he still took the time to look for clues to Kaito's memory pieces when he still had to find the whereabouts of the brother.
As he climbed the stairs to go to the top of the building, he heard people passing by in anger. He did not really care about the problems that were overwhelming them, but there was a concern for him to make him pause on the spot.
“I can't believe they still don't know the cause of the loss that often happens these days!!”
“I heard that some people who came to the altar often lost their valuable objects during this week”
“If you go to the altar, I think it's best not to bring money for donations anymore. I'm afraid it was stolen”
“There are those who say the thief mingled with the worshippers at that place”
“I can't believe they still haven't found my jewel bracelet!! I'll sue them all if you keep this up!”
Ryou looked at those people passing by while having such a conversation. He looked back for a while and finally tried to approach one of the married couples who had been angry because of the loss of her jewel bracelet.
“Excuse me. Uncle, aunt, may I ask you something?”
“Yes? What is it gonna take?” said the husband of the couple
“I accidentally heard uncle and aunt talk about missing gem bracelet. Can I know more about it?”
“Who are you? How dare you know our business?”
The husband felt a little distracted and showed a dislike towards Ryou's question. Of course Ryou held back his emotions and tried to act like an innocent child.
“Ah, forgive me. Earlier I was sorry for the loss you both experienced. Actually this morning while I was praying, I also lost my stuff at the altar. I thought I dropped it so I meant to look for it again. But, hearing the chat you two I'm so a little worried that the thing was stolen”
“Oh, my goodness. I'm sorry young man. I thought because there was something. I'm sorry for your problems too” the husband finally got a little nice to her
“If possible, are you two willing to explain the details?”
“Well, actually not the first time my wife lost her favorite gem bracelet. This is the third time”
“Eh? That many? Why can?”
Ryou was quite surprised to hear that. He even spoke in his heart.
‘Lost the gem bracelet three times?! What exactly is this couple?! But, it is too often if it is simply called ordinary loss. The most reasonable is that this couple became the victim of thefts’
The wife answered questions from him.
“I don't know. You who pray here must have realized it, right? Not everyone comes to this place to pray. There are those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of architecture that is very stunning and there are also those who just want to take a walk to enjoy the attraction of the place. My husband and I are one of them. But, in the past week I've always lost my bracelet. When asked to the guard officers they did not even receive any reports of loss at all”
Ryou started asking questions of a slightly attacking nature to see their reaction.
“You two don't suspect the altar clerk who took it? After all, the jewel bracelet is a valuable thing. It could be those who take it for donation fund needs or other”
“It's impossible. All of these altar officers were the most honest. The residents of this city also know that and of course it is not just a rumor or a figment. We also proved it when I lost my diamond necklace. They found it and returned it to me”
The wife answered confidently and pointed a diamond necklace around her neck as evidence to Ryou. But, it was still not an answer that could stop Ryou's other suspicions.
“But didn't you yourself say you've lost your gem bracelet three times in the past week?”
“It's true. Not just my wife. Some people lately also experienced it and of course it made us annoy”
“Means when you lost the diamond necklace, there has been no case of loss like this?”
“True. It has only happened this past week but many have lost their things. Speaking of that, you said you lost your precious thing too. What is that thing?” the husband asked Ryou
“My missing item is an antique pocket watch in golden color in vintage” style
“Hoo, antique clock yes. It does seem to have a high market value. Hope you find it”
“Thank you very much for the information”
Ryou parted ways with the couple with little information.
“Information of NPC yes. I don't know why I feel the info is enough to be used as a clue. Now, just look at the reality on the field. If indeed the pocket watch is not on the altar it means that what the NPC said can be taken into consideration the truth”
Ryou started running up the stairs and arrived at the large door that was still open. He looked around the door. He remembered that early this morning there were still children crowding in front of his entrance and asking for donations to those who passed by, but now there was nothing. Though there are still many pilgrims and visitors who come to the place.
“……”
Ryou just watched as he stared at where they were standing this morning expressionlessly. After that, he went straight inside and approached the altar attendant.
“Nothing? Really no?”
Actually, Ryou had expected that so he didn't expect much. But, seeing that the officer looked so tired, she felt a little sorry for him. Ryou plays the role of his young son once again.
“It looks like uncle looks so tired. Is there a problem?”
“That's. Already this week we received complaints from many people about the loss case that occurred at the altar lately”
“So. If you may know, has anything changed before there was this case and after the loss occurred? Anything can, for example, the number of visitors and worshipers who increase or decrease suddenly, altar ornaments that change or others?”
“Hmm..it looks like there are only a limited number of children asking for donations for their orphanage”
“Kids?” Ryou looked up and pointed towards the entrance “what group of children standing there are meant?”
“True. They're only here in the morning. After eight or nine, they usually return home. Maybe their donations have been collected or looking elsewhere to ask for a donation”
“Does the altar not set aside the results of the donation of pilgrims to the orphanage?”
“We do. It's just that to be honest we've only seen those kids for the first time. We asked which orphanage they came from but they didn't answer. Just begging to be able to request donations here”
“So”
Ryou thought another impossible possibility.
‘Should I take this seriously and relate to the loss case we are facing now?’
Ryou did not want to linger in that place. Obviously the information of the couple can be used as a hint, although it is possible that his pocket watch has nothing to do with the case at the altar.
“Alright then. Thank you very much uncle”
Before Ryou turned around and left, the officer called out to him for a while.
“Actually before this there are other young people who ask for the same pocket watch as you. Is that maybe your friend?”
“What?! Really it?”
Ryou thinks it might be his sister. He asked where the teenager was going and he ran as officers told him.
“The young man immediately left after I replied will tell him if he finds the object he is looking for tomorrow”
Ryou looks so rushed to leave the place and goes to look for Kino. He could not stop praying that his brother could be found.
‘Come brother! Don't make your coolest brother look for you all over town. Hopefully he's not far’ yet
******
The sun was already at its hottest point of the day. The hotter, the more it indicates that time is getting noon. Theo and the other children intended to go back to the main street in the city after finishing their bread. The children's faces did not look excited as they only ate bread after three days of not eating and drinking. Stelani called Theo who walked ahead.
“Theo, can we just go home today and rest? I feel like some of us are starting to pale from holding back the hunger” Stelani spoke to Theo
Theo glanced behind him. Stelani's right, they look so pale. Even the charade of eating bread happily could only comfort them for a moment.
They were just kids hanging their lives on Justin's purchase. Even after all they got from asking for donations and stealing, they were only given a piece of bread for each child with dirty conditions. Of course it's ironic. Theo also could not force them to make money in a city with this condition.
“I understand. Stelani, you take Fabil and the others back home”
Theo turned around and walked again. Stelani approached Theo with a panicked face.
“Where are you going yourself, Theo?! If you want to steal again at the altar I'll ban you!. You've been doing it there for a week. It would be dangerous if you did it too often. If it comes down to fear, not only will we be expelled from there when asking for donations, but Justin-sama will also hurt us again just like he did to you earlier!”
Not only Stelani, the other children also tried to stop Theo. But, he just smiled and said everything would be fine.
“I won't do it. Don'worry. I also thought that it would be very dangerous to keep stealing in the same place. For sure today I will bring a lot of money so Justin wants to give us dinner today”
“Tapi–”
“Better you guys are back. I'll take care of it”
Theo confidently smiled and asked Stelani to drive them back home. Of course it won't end completely either and they all know it. But, the state of the children was getting pale and if it was longer than that they would definitely die.
Finally, Theo decided to walk again alone towards the big streets of the city. Stelani and the others just followed what Theo said.
“You think this is okay, Stelani?” Fabil asked as he held one of the pale children
“I can't stop Theo. We all know how hard he fought for all of us. In fact, at a time when no one can fight Justin-sama.only Theo can make Justin-sama give us a meal. It was not the first time Theo had endangered himself for us by opposing Justin-sama”
“You know what? I think Theo's great. Even though we are in such a predicament, he can still smile and make us all unable to stop worrying about him. Ahahaha” Fabil was a little mocked and laughed at the joke he made himself
After that, things didn't get better. They were only afraid that if it continued like this, not only would Theo be in danger, but they would all be in trouble as well.
“Nee, Fabil..how can we be free from Justin-sama”.
Stelani said something that surprised all the children. Fabil who was holding a small child was also instantly speechless and surprised.
“Stelani-neechan what did you say earlier?” say a little child
“S–Stelani, yes!! Watch what you say!” Fabil immediately became panicked
Stelani realized what she had said and she panicked. He apologized for saying that unconsciously. Of course, all will not end well if up to listening by Justin's men considering the quiet and untouched areas of the people it is his territory. They decided not to discuss anything and walked a little faster to get to the place called ‘home’ by them.
Meanwhile, Theo who was walking alone continued to hold his chest as if he was grasping something. He kept saying the same words over and over again with a sharp eye.
“I'll repay you. I will repay you. I will repay you. I will repay you. I... will never forgive you!”
******
Kino was already very tired of looking for his pocket watch on all the roads and places he had been through. Even he had gone to the altar and had time to search the fountain pool as he walked out of the building. Now he was in front of the bakery they had visited this morning. At least he remembered it even though the shopkeeper did not remember it. Kino saw the state of the bakery.
“I think I should eat something. Kaito-san has already split the bidder's sale money between me and Ryou just in case we need it. Although I don't think it's the right time to eat” Kino being a little moody again
The moment he wanted to take the money out of his pocket, he became hesitant for a moment. He began to think about what he had heard at the altar some time ago.
[I've lost my favorite diamond today. I lost my wallet too!]
[This is the third time I have lost my gold and gold!]
[My wife lost her jewel necklace today!]
He started thinking about the case of loss at the altar. At first he did not want to think about it, but when he took the money in his pocket he began to wonder.
‘Has his pocket watch been stolen? If that's true, why would the thief pick up a pocket watch that looks old and full of scratches? Why isn't the money in my other pants pocket? Was it really my fault that was so careless as to drop that important thing? I really don't know where to look for it anymore’
Kino began to look again glum and blamed himself. He put the money back in and set aside his intention to enter the bakery. His appetite disappeared instantly and what re-emerged was his guilt. His eyes began to glaze over as it held back tears. The moment he turned around, from behind was someone patting him on the shoulder.
******