"Hic. Why don't you get drunk even after drinking so much? It's not fair, leaving me like this, while Yulia is always by your side, it's maddening. Look at me too once in a while..."

 

 

The effects of Ascal's long-honed skill of discreetly swapping and diluting his drinks were exceptional.

 

Serena, drunk, had passed out.

 

She must have been confident in her drinking ability, but her skills were no match for Ascal's tactics of secretly pouring out alcohol, watering it down, and pretending to drink while actually spilling it into a napkin.

 

'I'll have to learn a few more tricks.'

 

Ascal gently covered the collapsed Serena with a blanket.

 

Serena, snoring softly, fell into a deep sleep. She didn't show it, but it seemed the journey had taken its toll.

 

Ascal put on his coat and stepped outside.

 

The Kingdom of Kelli was a unique place.

 

It was one of the most peculiar lands on the continent because the south was always in summer, and the north in perpetual winter.

 

Legend had it that the land was shaped this way due to a battle between two dragons, but the exact truth was lost to time.

 

Anyway.

 

Two seasons coexisted within the same land.

 

This was why the Kingdom of Kelli had been consecutively chosen as the best vacation spot by the Empire's magazine for three years running.

 

One could bask in the sun on a beach when they felt like it, and then enjoy a warm natural hot spring.

 

It was the ultimate holiday destination.

 

'I've always sent my subordinates, but now I'm finally here to see it myself.'

 

Ascal couldn't hide his excitement.

 

However, duty came first.

 

People had gone missing in the hot springs; how could he wander around the Kingdom of Kelli, worried and anxious?

 

A true Imperial officer had to conduct thorough investigations and inquiries to uncover the truth behind these disappearances.

 

And as always, a detective invariably gets entangled in dangerous affairs.

Tragically, there are often cases where investigators, passionately pursuing a missing persons case, become so deeply involved that they end up missing themselves.

 

And in this repeating history, Ascal Erendale was just another name added to the list.

 

He had already thought of a pseudonym.

 

'Kalli seems like a good choice.'

 

To naturally blend into the list of missing, first, he needed to understand how others had disappeared.

 

Ascal began his inquiries.

 

A. Village Woman: To me, it's clearly a love triangle gone wrong. The husband must have pushed her. Why else would a man return from a vacation alone? Maybe the wife was unfaithful, or they fought over money. This isn't a disappearance; it's a clear case of murder.

 

B. Priest: The White Dragon is angry. It's a punishment for neglecting our kingdom's guardian deity. If we don't offer a hundred sacrifices to the White Dragon soon, more people will go missing.

 

C. Native: The Siren Hot Springs, where the disappearances occurred, are hotter than other springs, and the path to them is rough. In my view, it's likely that someone soaked too long, got dizzy, and fell.

D. Investigator of Kelli Kingdom: Maybe... the hot springs were so hot that people just melted?

 

****

 

"Indeed."

 

The people's words were of no help. The native's theory, however, seemed plausible.

 

'I need a more natural route to go missing.'

 

Ascal conducted on-site verification for his perfect disappearance plan.

 

The Siren Hot Springs, the site of the disappearances, were guarded, but upon showing the emblem of the Empire, he was granted immediate access.

Steam billowed from the hot spring.

 

It was enchanting enough to tempt anyone to dip in immediately, but Ascal first took out the water contamination measuring device given to him by Bernstein.

 

Red indicated the presence of toxic substances, and green meant everything was normal.

 

 

'The hot spring seems fine.'

 

It was just a bit hotter than usual.

 

Why then had people who used this spring gone missing?

 

"Growl."

 

"…!"

 

'Uh.'

 

What he saw was a giant bear with white fur. Ascal didn't turn his back; instead, he slowly stepped backward.

 

The bear took a step forward.

 

'Could this creature be the culprit behind the disappearances...?'

 

A bear, woken from hibernation and hungry, could have attacked the people. This place was its hunting ground. It made sense.

 

But Ascal had no intention of being an easy prey.

 

He was born into a warrior's family.

 

'It's time to show my hidden swordsmanship skills.'

 

Ascal took a mid-stance, ready to react at any moment.

 

"Growl."

 

"?"

 

But the bear didn't attack. Instead, it just raised its front paw, standing still as if greeting.

 

"Growl!"

 

The bear grunted, seemingly dissatisfied.

 

'What does it want?'

 

Ascal reflexively raised his hand in response.

 

Then, the bear lowered its paw, seemingly pleased, and began to walk away.

 

"…?"

 

Ascal quickly descended from the hot spring area and explained the incident to the investigator.

 

"I encountered a bear. It might be the culprit behind the disappearances."

 

"Ah, that bear? It's not dangerous. It's a local bear that roams around here, and it likes being greeted. If you meet it, just say hello."

"If that was the case, you should have told me earlier."

 

Ascal looked at the investigator with a dumbfounded expression.

 

 

The next day:

 

"You went to the hot spring alone yesterday."

 

"It was for the investigation. But, you seem a bit upset."

 

"Don't know. I'm sulking. I'll speak informally now."

 

Serena puffed her cheeks, poking Ascal repeatedly with her finger.

 

"Let's go together today?"

 

"If it's for the investigation..."

 

It seemed the princess had no serious intention of participating in the investigation.

 

'How can I get rid of this interfering princess...'

 

Lost in thought, they eventually arrived at the Siren Hot Springs.

 

"Actually, it's my first time seeing such a hot spring. And it's also my first time coming to a resort with someone."

 

Serena glanced at Ascal with a mischievous look. Seizing the moment, she tried to push Ascal into the hot spring with her palm.

 

But.

 

'Is that a feather I didn't see yesterday?'

 

Ascal noticed something resembling a large bird's feather and bent down to pick it up.

 

Consequently, Serena, who lost her balance, fell into the hot spring.

 

"Eek!"

 

Drenched, Serena grumbled.

 

"What the, really."

 

Ascal was engrossed in examining the feather. Its size was extraordinary. He had never seen a feather this large before, almost like that of an eagle.

 

 

Upon smelling it, he detected a strange, fishy scent.

 

"This is..."

 

"Kyaaaaaaaa!"

As Ascal tried to piece together his thoughts, Serena let out a scream.

 

Turning his head, Ascal witnessed an unbelievable scene.

 

Creatures with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a bird surrounded Serena.

 

They were silently gazing down at her.

 

"Sirens!"

 

Creatures known for luring people away with their enchanting songs.

 

The sirens briefly glanced at Ascal, then turned back to Serena with menacing expressions.

 

Then, they began to sing.

 

A melody so sweet and alluring.

 

Ascal felt his eyelids growing heavy.

 

A drowsy haze was descending upon him.

 

But he managed to resist.

 

He had developed some resistance to this kind of attack.

 

Yet, it was only a matter of time before it overpowered him.

 

He had to resolve this crisis somehow. The thought of Serena being abducted was unbearable.

 

'Feeling sleepy? Drowsiness is creeping in?'

 

Perhaps.

 

"Sing, Serena! Sing!!!!"

 

Ascal realized something. He was definitely feeling drowsy, but this was nothing compared to the impact when Serena performed as her alter ego, Seri.

 

Indeed.

 

Clearly, actress Serena's voice was superior to that of the sirens.

 

Serena, puzzled by Ascal's abrupt request, looked at him incredulously. However, seeing his serious expression, she decided to trust him and began to sing.

 

 

Her song was melodious.

 

Ascal experienced a drowsiness far beyond what he had felt earlier. To fight off the overwhelming sleepiness, he had to slap his own cheek.

 

"It's working..."

 

The singing sirens appeared flustered by Serena's song. Eventually, they folded their wings and ceased their singing.

It was as if they had faced a superior opponent in a singing battle and suffered a crushing defeat.

 

Then, something unbelievable happened.

 

Numerous sirens simultaneously folded their wings and bowed their heads.

 

As if they were acknowledging a queen.

 

"How, how did this happen?"

 

Serena was perplexed. Ascal couldn't help but voice his thoughts.

 

"It seems you've been recognized as the queen of the sirens..."

 

Serena Barba, the second princess of the Barba Empire, had become the queen of the sirens.

 

"All the missing people were in the territory of the sirens. It seems they were testing them, and those who failed were kept as servants."

 

Serena, perched on the shoulder of one of the larger sirens, spoke out.

 

"I told them to send everyone home."

 

"That's a good resolution."

 

"The sirens have offered to teach me their songs. I'll stay a bit longer to learn. They say they'll teach me songs to lure men? Can't wait. Hehe."

 

Ascal broke into a cold sweat.

 

Anyway, the matter was resolved. All the missing people returned home, and the hot spring resumed normal operations without any issues.

 

The king expressed his gratitude excessively.

 

"Truly, the prowess of the Dragon of the Empire!!! Solving in an instant what our investigators couldn't in weeks!!! Please, stay as long as you wish in our kingdom! Of course, all expenses will be on us."

 

Though his plan to fake a disappearance was foiled, it was a good outcome that the missing people were safely reunited with their families.

 

'Maybe I'll rest a bit before leaving...'

 

After successfully completing his mission, Ascal deserved a little vacation, and no one could object.

 

Ascal nodded to himself.

 

 

A day passed.

 

A week passed. 

 

A month passed.

 

"So comfortable... so relaxing..."

 

Ascal, today as well, was fully immersed in the hot spring, enjoying his rest. His chronic shoulder pain had vanished, and without the stress of work, this place felt like heaven.

 

"I could stay here forever, now..."

 

He gazed absently at the sky.

 

'Incredibly clear.'

 

'Wait. How long have I been here?'

Time had passed so much that Ascal's sense of dates had become blurred.

 

'I don't know. Let's just rest a little longer.'

 

 

Just then an airship appeared in the sky.

 

An airship ship? Why?

 

And it was getting closer.

 

On it was the emblem of the Imperial Royal Family, painted in black.

 

Only the Empire's special task force could use such a ship.

 

Their nickname?

 

The Emperor's Hunting Dogs or hound, who could stop even weeping officials in their tracks.

 

"Really, really Fucked  up."

 

For the first time since becoming a high-ranking official, Ascal let out a curse he'd been holding back, all due to the seriousness of the situation.

 

The door of the flying ship opened, and a rope was lowered.

 

Descending from it was a figure.

 

"Father?"

 

The person who came down the rope was Ascal's father, Arthur Debrue. The emblem on his chest gleamed in the sunlight. It was the emblem that only the leader of the Hunting Dogs could wear.

 

"I have climbed up the ranks."

 

"…"

 

"Let's go home now, son."

 

His tone was like that of a father coming to fetch a son who had run away from home.

 

 

"Ah, what a pity. If only he had stayed a little longer, he would have been mine. I planned to make him the next king. Ah, such a shame."

 

A girl with white hair stamped her feet in frustration. White scales adorned her cheeks.

 

"Yunryong, that guy is lively. He’s too lively."

 

The White Dragon, trying to calm her heart, reached for the orb she always carried in her pocket.

 

"Wait. Where's my orb? Where did it go? I can't be without it, can't be."

 

The White Dragon started to sob.

"Here, a souvenir."

 

Upon returning to the Empire, Ascal received surprisingly light reprimand and was released. It seemed his successful resolution of the matter, and the fact that he was in the allied Kingdom of Kelli, where his whereabouts were well known, worked in his favor. Serena had already returned.

 

"What's this? This orb... it seems to have some strange energy flowing through it... Did you pick up something dangerous?"

 

"I don't know. Anyway, it's from the Kingdom of Kelli, do whatever you want with it."

 

"This suspicious thing? You keep it."

 

Bernstein tossed the white orb to Ascal, who caught it reflexively.

 

"Bring something back and this is the thanks I get. Tsk."

 

Ascal clicked his tongue and slipped the orb into his pocket. It seemed to be of no use, so he decided to just keep it as a decorative item at home.