Obo and I run through the backwoods of the estate until we reach a ten-foot-tall get. Obo runs straight through it, and I leap over it with my newfound weightlessness. Just a little farther now.

We reach a courtyard with carefully kempt greenery. The estate sleeps, except for a few lights visible from the windows. Obo and I crouch down and begin to discuss.

Adachi: "Security looks reasonably light, but there's one problem. How do we know which room is Alice's?"

Obo: "Good question. In this case, it's a simple problem of elimination. I see candlelight coming from the central room on the second floor. I know for a fact that one isn't Alice's room. Can you guess why?"

How does Obo know that for a fact? I'm unfamiliar with things like this, but Obo has a lot of experience. The central room looks to be a lot larger than the rest of them. Oh! I've got it.

Adachi: "Is it because that room is the master bedroom?"

Obo: "Correct. You can tell because of its placement and size. Because the Lord's family is placed on the second floor, we can eliminate all the bottom floors. There are two other rooms on the second floor with candlelight coming from them. One of those two is Alice. Let's go."

Obo and I make our way onto the manor's roof and walk above the two rooms we need to check. Obo motions for me to check one and appears to be going to check the other. I nod and drop from the roof to the balcony. I hope I don't see anything I shouldn't.

I peer into the room from the balcony and see Alice writing something down on paper at her desk. Obo drops from the roof, and I assume he found out that his room was incorrect. His face is flushed. Perhaps he saw something indecent.

I slowly try the door handle, but it's locked. Alice is faced away from the balcony, so she won't notice us as long as we don't make any sound. The question is, how do we talk to her without freaking her out? Obo seems to have something in mind. I'll just follow his lead.

Obo motions for me to sit back and stay silent. He puts his arm straight through the door using his treasure and turns the lock. We open the door slowly and sneak in. I wonder what Obo plans to do. He sneaks up behind Alice and puts his hand over her mouth to control her screaming. This is a bit more barbaric than I would have liked, but I suppose it's effective. He turns her around to look at me, and I wave with a smile. I put my finger up to my mouth to signal her silence, and she calms down.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Obo slowly removes his hand from her face, and everyone stands in awkward silence for a moment. I suppose I'll go first.

Adachi: "Alice, we-"

Alice: "Adachi, I'm so sorry!"

She cuts me off before I can begin.

Alice: "You did so much for me, but you ended up getting dragged into my family situation. I hate my father. He isn't even my re-"

Adachi: "He isn't your real father? I know."

Alice: "What?! How do you know? That information has been very well covered up now. It only floats around the town as a rumor."

Adachi: "I know because I know your real father. He raised me."

Alice is lost for words now. This must come as a huge shock for her, as she hasn't seen her real father since she was an infant. She had probably already given up hope of hearing from him ever again. However, I can see a faint hope rekindle itself in her expression.

Adachi: "We shouldn't stay here long. Alice, I may have guessed wrong, but did you get ahold of my bag, perchance?"

Alice's eyes light up as she remembers my belongings.

Alice: "Yes, I hid your bag well before my father's guards could see it. It is quite safe, I assure you."

Obo and I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm so happy my hunch was correct. We managed to avoid a complicated conflict.

Obo: "Where is the bag? Can we have it now?"

Alice shifts nervously and looks downwards now.

Alice: "Sorry, it's hidden in the cellar of this manor. At night, the guards go down there to play cards and drink. So it's better to retrieve it in the daytime."

I nod my head in agreement.

Adachi: "That's fine. So, you can retrieve the bag in the daytime without suspicion?"

Alice: "Yes, quite easily. I've been doing things under my step-father's nose ever since I realized my real father's innocence. By the way, Adachi, is there any chance I could see him?"

Obo cuts in on the question directed at me.

Obo: "We shouldn't discuss such things here. Let's set up a meeting spot for tomorrow afternoon. Can you make it to town with the bag?"

Alice: "Yes, indeed."

Obo: "Go to the red hound café tomorrow at noon. I'll be waiting for you there to lead you to our meeting spot. Is that alright?"

Alice: "Yes, I can certainly do that."

Adachi: "Thanks a ton, Alice. See you tomorrow."

As Obo and I slip back out the window out the balcony, I hear Alice say, "There's no reason to thank me..."

On the balcony, we close the window gently and then hear the door open. It's Alice's mother.

Alice's mother: "Who are you talking to in here?"

Alice: "Nobody, mother. I was just thinking out loud."

Good luck with that, Alice. Sorry for the trouble. Obo and I leap off the balcony and dash into the backwoods of the estate. My first mission was a success!