「Hold it right there.」
「Wait a moment.」
「Eh?」
Yuu probably thought that he decided the scene in a cool way but naturally Falhart and Mary stopped him.
「First of all, could I have you explain who the owner of that underwear is and why you are in possession of them? If possible, I would like for this to end peacefully but, if you don’t answer me truthfully……I shall also have to prepare for the worst.」
「W, wait, wait a second. Don’t treat me like an underwear thief! There’s a profound reason for this, if I don’t have this, I won’t be able to search for Bernadette!」
「How is that underwear related to any of this?」
「It’s the scent.」
「「Scent?」」
“Is he telling lies out of desperation?” is what the two of them thought, but Yuu continued on without looking like he was in unrest.
「My sense of smell, if I put my mind to it, can exhibit an ability greater than that of a dog’s. And so, the clothing where a woman’s aroma is left behind is without a doubt underwear. In other words, by sniffing the scent of the underwear, I can ascertain Bernadette’s location! It’s freshly washed but it’s not like it was done with Japan’s detergent, so there more than enough of the aroma remaining! And then, if Bernadette was captured by the kidnappers, we’ll also be able to save the people that those guys kidnapped!」
Yuu showed an “in your face” look that totally said “how’s that!”, but the two that didn’t know about the height of Yuu’s five senses turned looks of doubt towards Yuu.
「Guh……Then, then I just have to show you……Nn?」
Yuu spread open the underwear and tried to bury his nose in the crotch but, suddenly noticing something, he averted his eyes from the two.
「Nn? ……You’re」
Attracted to the same direction and averting his eyes to it, what Falhart saw was young man in a large brimmed black hat adorned with a richly colored feather and wearing a black mantle that was the same color as the hat. In his hand, a pure white cloth that was unbalanced with his appearance was gripped.
It was Jean Jacques Eustace.
The Jean that normally displayed an aloof of the world appearance was raising his shoulders up and down and stood with his breath thrown out of order.
At almost exactly the same time that Falhart thought the question “What could have possibly happened?”, Yuu and Jean both simultaneously opened their mouths.
「Bernadette was swept away by 『Zephyr』.」
「Kuon-kun snuck away.」
The two that had reported together had faces that looked like they had just chewed on something bitter.