Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace woke up in the late afternoon as the first rays of the setting sun painted the sky with golden and orange hues. The city, once immersed in a deep slumber, was now beginning to come alive again.

Getting up and shaking off their sleep, the group decided to explore the city streets. As they walked, they heard the murmurs of the citizens, expressing their concerns about the mysterious disappearances. "Is it already the tenth girl that has gone missing?" said a gray-haired man as he observed people passing by.

Worry hung in the air, and the streets were filled with anxious glances and whispered voices. The stories of the disappearances fueled fear and uncertainty in the city, keeping everyone on edge.

Hikari drew the attention of Hiro, King, and Ace to the conversation among the citizens. She spoke cautiously, "Could this be the work of the Signs of Light?"

Hiro murmured in response to Hikari, "I don't know... let's go to the tavern 'BERE' to try and learn more about the city chief and see if it's really the same person we saw with the girl. But let's be discreet, we're outsiders, and I don't want to raise suspicion."

Hikari, King, and Ace agreed with the idea of discreetly investigating the "BERE" tavern. With cautious steps, they approached the establishment and pushed open the wooden door, entering the cozy and lively atmosphere of a typical medieval tavern.

The interior of the tavern was illuminated by a series of candles and chandeliers hanging from the low ceiling, casting a yellow and flickering light over the sturdy wooden tables. The characteristic smell of beer and fireplace smoke permeated the air, while the sound of laughter, lively conversations, and music filled the space.

There was a variety of characters gathered in the tavern. Bearded men in worn clothes and tattered cloaks shared stories and songs around large beer mugs.

Women in colorful dresses with ribbons in their hair chatted animatedly as they enjoyed their drinks. The sounds of musical instruments blended with the melodic voices in harmony, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. It was a refuge for those seeking a moment of fun and escape from everyday worries.

Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace decided to approach the tavern counter, where a middle-aged woman with long black hair was busy serving drinks and interacting with customers. The bartender was a charismatic and astute figure who commanded the counter with mastery.

She had piercing eyes that reflected wisdom and a warm smile that conveyed hospitality. Her face exhibited lines of experience and an air of seriousness, denoting a woman who knew how to deal with the ups and downs of life in that city. She wore a linen blouse with rolled-up sleeves, highlighting her strength and hard work.

Her gestures were agile and precise, moving gracefully between the shelves of bottles and barrels of drinks. She possessed a deep knowledge of the different liquors and beers offered there, able to advise customers on the best choices for their tastes.

When Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace approached the counter, the bartender momentarily interrupted her busy work, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. Her eyes examined the outsiders with a mix of interest and caution, assessing them shrewdly.

"Good evening, travelers," she greeted with a melodious yet firm voice. "My name is Amelia, what brings you to my humble tavern? Are you looking for something to drink or seeking something more?" Her tone indicated that she was ready to handle any kind of request or situation that arose.

"Good evening, Hasn't this just opened?" Hiro questioned, surprise evident on his face. The bartender, with a subtle smile, replied with a slightly ironic tone, "Yes, but you know, the party never ends for them. Some already stay here sleeping or passed out for the next day."

Hiro arched an eyebrow, observing the lively and boisterous customers around him. He realized that the tavern was a true haven for those seeking fun and escapism from daily worries. It was as if time and obligations didn't exist within the walls of that establishment.

Hiro and Hikari exchanged a brief glance, aware that they needed to approach Amelia carefully, without revealing too much of their intentions. With a friendly smile, Hiro responded, "Amelia, we are passing through this town, and we have heard about some mysterious events. We would like to know more about the city chief and if you have any knowledge of the recent disappearances."

Amelia maintained a shrewd gaze, as if assessing the sincerity of Hiro's words. She pondered for a moment and then responded in a voice laden with mystery, "Ah, the disappearances... a sadness that has plagued our city for some time. I can say that the city chief, Lord Idenshi, has his mysteries, but he is a good man who has done everything for the city."

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Hiro fixed his gaze on Amelia and asked with curiosity, "But what mysteries would those be?" Amelia, leaning closer to them, whispered, "There are those who say that there is more than one Lord Idenshi." She quickly stepped back, adding aloud, "But they are just stories that drunkards tell around here."

At that moment, Amelia directed her gaze towards the tavern door and exclaimed loudly, "Speaking of the Devil, look who just showed up." Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace turned around and spotted Lord Idenshi entering the establishment.

"Talking about me? I suppose it's only good things," the man said with a smile on his face. Amelia responded with an ironic tone, "Yes, yes, same as always?"

Lord Idenshi replied, "Yes, of course," and calmly sat down next to the group. Ace began growling, but Hiro quickly placed his hand on him to calm him down.

"Is he yours?" asked Lord Idenshi.

"Yes, I apologize. He doesn't usually act like this, but he's friendly," Hiro said, trying to calm the situation.

Lord Idenshi smiled kindly at Hiro's reaction to Ace and replied, "I understand. Animals have their temperamental moments too. There's no problem at all."

Hiro sighed in relief, realizing that Lord Idenshi showed no signs of suspicion. Hikari, trusting her instincts, decided to initiate a friendly conversation, "So, Lord Idenshi, we are passing through the city. I've heard that you are a well-known and respected man around here. Could you tell us more about the region and its peculiarities?"

Lord Idenshi nodded, showing his willingness to share his knowledge, "Certainly! This city has a rich and captivating history. Over the years, many mysteries have intrigued the residents. Besides the legends, there are also stories about ancient artifacts, hidden treasures, and even magical creatures that inhabit the surroundings."

Hiro and Hikari listened attentively, absorbing every word from Lord Idenshi. There was no doubt that he possessed a deep knowledge of the region and its history. The conversation continued in a friendly manner, with none of them suspecting each other's true intentions.

While the three of them conversed, the other patrons of the tavern chatted among themselves, oblivious to the significance of that conversation. However, the atmosphere in the city wasn't one of complete tranquility. Murmurs about the disappearance of young girls spread among the citizens, echoing throughout the environment.

Hikari, attentive to the conversations around her, whispered to Hiro, "It's already the tenth girl who has disappeared, isn't it? We need to be careful. Apparently, this place holds secrets."

Hiro nodded, sharing the same concern. They knew they couldn't let their guard down. Although Lord Idenshi seemed to be a friendly person with knowledge of the region, there was still much to uncover about the truth behind the disappearances and the mysteries surrounding the city.

Feeling no need to continue that conversation, Hiro looked at Hikari and said, "Now that the sun has set, let's take a walk around the city."

"Yes, let's go. Sorry, Lord Idenshi, but we'll explore more of the city," Hikari said.

Lord Idenshi, with a welcoming expression, responded, "Don't worry, my young friends. The city has much to offer, and I'm sure you'll love it. But before you go, allow me to ask: what are each of your names?"

Hiro promptly replied, revealing the identity of each group member, "My name is Hiro, this is the wolf named Ace, the squirrel is King, and she is Hikari, my loyal companion."

Upon hearing Hiro's response, King couldn't contain a sigh of disbelief. He whispered playfully to Hikari, "I can't believe how someone can be so absent-minded." Hikari, trying to disguise her laughter, put her hand over her mouth to hold back the urge to burst out laughing.

Hiro, not understanding what was going on, asked curiously, "What's so funny? What are you laughing about?" Hikari, controlling her laughter, discreetly replied, "Nothing, Hiro. Let's go, we have much to discover in the city!"

Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace left the tavern, entering the bustling streets of the city at dusk. The lights were starting to come on, illuminating the facades of medieval buildings that exuded a charming atmosphere.

As they walked, they overheard the citizens whispering again about the disappearances of the young girls. The words "it's already the tenth girl who has disappeared" hung in the air, bringing a sense of unease.

Hiro, determined to uncover the truth, suggested, "Let's go back to 50/50. Maybe we'll find clues about the disappearances or useful information."

Hikari agreed with Hiro's idea and added, "That's a good idea, Hiro. Maybe we'll have better luck this time and manage to discover something relevant."

With cautious steps, they approached the "50/50" establishment once again. As they got closer, voices echoed in the night air, mixed with the buzz of lively conversations from the patrons. As they neared the establishment, an unexpected scene caught their attention: Lord Idenshi emerged from the door, accompanied by another woman.

Hiro, with a determined expression, whispered to Hikari, "How did he get here before us and already has someone else? Something definitely isn't right. Let's follow him closely and find out what's going on."

Hikari nodded in agreement and instructed King, "Stay alert, King. If you notice any suspicious movement, let us know immediately."

King responded with a nod and a vigilant expression. He was ready to act if anything unusual occurred.

Hiro then turned his attention to Ace, asking, "Ace, can you track his scent even from a distance?"

Ace lifted his head proudly and replied, "Absolutely, master. I smelled him in the tavern, and I can follow him for miles if needed."

Hiro gently stroked Ace's head, expressing gratitude. As Ace's tail wagged excitedly, Hiro said affectionately, "You're a good boy, Ace. We can count on you to guide us on this journey."

With the determined and united team of Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace, they prepared to follow the trails of the mysterious Lord Idenshi. Where is Idenshi heading, and how did he already end up in that place?