When contacted by the police, Momoka's grandfather, Chairman Onishi, rushed home.

Is it true that Momoka was kidnapped?"

　His mother, Risa, nodded, holding back tears.

What about the police?"

He's in the reception room. It seems the kidnappers have contacted the kindergarten.

　Risa informs them that the kidnappers are not demanding money from each of the children's parents, but are demanding a sum of 500 million yen from them collectively.

I can get you 500 million in no time.

　Saying this, Risa stopped Chairman Onishi as he was about to leave.

The kidnappers have instructed us to prepare the money in black magic stone instead of cash."

　Chairman Onishi went to the reception room. He went in and asked the liaison detective what the situation was.

The father of the child, Hiyori Nirasaki, will be in charge of organizing the event and will prepare the 500 million yen. However, I hear that the black magic stone is in short supply and they are having a hard time collecting it.

Then maybe someone I know can help.

　Chairman Onishi called Director Jikoji of the Adventurers' Guild. After getting confirmation that he could tell the detective what had happened, he explained the situation to Director Jikoji and asked him to prepare a black magic stone.

　Chairman Onishi and Risa headed for the kindergarten. They asked Director Jikoji to bring the black magic stone they had prepared to the kindergarten. When they arrived at the kindergarten, they entered the room where the detectives of the Special Case Investigation Section were, and told the police supervisor that Director Jikoji was supposed to deliver the black magic stone.

Are the children safe?"

　Risa asked the detective with an anxious look on her face.

The kidnappers are after money, so I think they're safe."

　Parents of other children are also at the kindergarten, looking worried and praying for their children's safety.

　Chairman Onishi met and talked with Hiyori's father, Daigo Nirasaki.

If I pay the ransom, will my daughters come back safely?"

　President Nirasaki asked with an anxious look on his face. President Onishi's face remained difficult,

I hope he comes home safe and sound. I don't want to think about anything else."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

　Time passed and Director Jikoji appeared with a black magic stone.

I'm sorry I'm late. It is a black magic stone worth 400 million yen."

　Since President Nirasaki had prepared 100 million yen, Director Jikoji prepared 400 million yen in black magic stones to cover the shortfall.

Thank you, Director Jikoji. I appreciate it."

　When Chairman Onishi thanked him, Director Jikoji said he had something to confirm.

What is it you want to check?"

I want to confirm this with Risa-san, not with the chairman."

　Chairman Onishi called Risa. Detectives also come up to see what's going on.

Risa, where is Pon?"

The director of the Jikoji temple recommended that I hide in the shadow of Hyakka, so I am in the shadow of Hyakka. But I have the ring, so I cannot use Hyakka."

My daughter told me that even if you are far away, you can transmit commands to a shadow puppet if you strongly remind yourself of them. In other words, it is possible to bring Pon out of the shadows."

　Risa and Chairman Onishi look surprised.

Are you sure? If so, I'll get to ...... right away."

Wait a minute. Timing is the key in these matters. It would be better to consult with the detectives before deciding on the timing."

I understand.

　Risa and Director Jikoji explained the situation to the detectives. However, the detectives were not knowledgeable about shadow puppets and seemed puzzled.

But even if you could get a shadow puppet out, it would still be a pet. I don't see much point in that."

　The detectives were skeptical. They didn't think it would help.

I don't think they understand me. Let me show you my shadow puppet."

　Director Jikoji brought out of the shadows a leopard-shaped shadow puppet, Leopold, which weighs 30 kilograms.

　The detectives look at each other with interest. One of them,

How powerful are these shadow puppets?

He is small in stature, but has about three times the strength of a normal adult male."

　The detectives nodded.

So how big is Pon, that he's lurking in Momoka-chan's shadow?"

It is 60 percent larger than a Leopard. Its strength is five times that of an adult male."

　When the detectives heard this, their faces hardened. They thought that it was no longer a pet, but a ferocious animal.

Isn't that dangerous?"

I am absolutely obedient to whoever wears this ring, so don't worry."

　The detectives seemed to consider the shadow puppets a last resort.

　The kidnappers contacted us to find out how to deliver the ransom. The police staked out the delivery location and attempted to arrest the kidnappers. The kidnappers showed up on a motorcycle, and overcame the police pursuit.

　But so much for the kidnappers' good fortune. Later, the motorcycle, speeding into the intersection, collided with a truck trying to make a left turn, causing an accident.

　The kidnappers who received the black magic stone were severely injured and rendered unconscious. The parents of the abducted children despair upon hearing this.

　Chairman Onishi suggested bringing Pon out of the shadows.

　　　◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◇◇◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◆◇◆◆

　The abducted children were brought to an abandoned factory site and held captive inside a rundown factory.

Momoka, I want to go home.

　Hiyori started to cry and Momoka nodded with tears in her eyes. At that moment, Pon came out from Momoka's shadow. Hiyori looked at Pon with a surprised face.

Pong."

　Momoka hugged Pon. The place where Momoka and the others are being held is a former equipment warehouse, and the kidnappers are not in the room.

　The kindergartners, with the exception of Momoka, looked on in amazement as Momoka and Pon hugged each other, and Momoka introduced him as her pet Pon.

　The children, who were scared at first, saw Momoka and Pon and felt that they were safe. They began to approach Pon and pat his back.

　There are seven children in captivity and four kidnappers, one of whom is unconscious and in critical condition. The remaining three kidnappers were in an abandoned factory waiting for the return of their friends who had gone to collect the ransom.

'You're late, you didn't get caught by any chance, did you?

Kenji is such a good motorcyclist that he even raced. There is no way the police would catch him."

I know," he said. I had the escape route worked out in advance. I don't think he could have failed, but he certainly was slow."

　One of the kidnappers turned his attention to the equipment warehouse where the children were being held.

I can't hear those kids crying."

You must have cried yourself to sleep."

Maybe so, but I'll go check."

　A nervous-looking man stood up, approached the equipment warehouse and opened the door.

What the hell is that?

　When the man shouted loudly, something black hit him in the stomach and sent him flying five meters into the air.