Volume 11 Chapter 8 Let's Go To The Circus!
I decided to go to the circus because Mudi told me to.
"Wade, by the way, I gave you the circus report, but you should go see it for yourself too."
"...Is this not enough?"
When I held up the bundle of papers Mudi gave me, Mudi said, "Ah, it's not enough."
"The creator's motto says 'hearing something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once.' What's written there is what I've seen and heard myself. It's not what you've seen with your own eyes."
I think the creator is a Japanese person, since the motto has a Japanese flair to it.
Anyway, that's that.
"...Got it. I'll gather a few people and go."
"Yeah, just be careful, okay?"
"I know, I know... Wait, what? You're worried about me? Ha! You're the one who's always lying, Mudi!"
That's the kind of conversation we had, and it led to our circus investigation plan.
The members were me, Ice, Sandra, Rollo, and Renril――a total of 5 people visiting the circus.
To be honest, I wanted to ask Klainatzirks to guide us during our preparations, but unfortunately, we couldn't catch them. Those guys are always slipping away like ghosts.
So, we crossed the river and headed to the circus.
"Wow, is this the circus? It looks like it's going to be fun. Oh, doesn't that look delicious?"
Renril said that, and I looked at him.
As soon as we stepped into the circus, it was in full swing.
Acrobats and clowns were bustling around, performing their acts. The dazzling attractions were shining bright, and lively music was playing.
This place is so amazing, it's like nothing I've ever seen before! It's like a whole different world. But, I have to wonder, is this place really that advanced? It's like they're using magic instead of technology.
"Wow! Look, look, Master~! Rollo wants to ride that~!"
This is Rollo's second time here, but she didn't get to play much the first time, so she's super excited now. She's completely in play mode.
But I have to pour cold water on their enthusiasm.
"I'm telling you again, this is a reconnaissance mission. Don't get too distracted, okay?"
"Aww, come on~! Master~! You're such a party pooper~! Can't we just have a little fun~?"
"Yeah, Master, we've been through so much in the slums, can't we just enjoy ourselves a bit?"
I sigh and check the papers Mudi gave me.
"That merry-go-round thing Rollo wants to ride... half the people who ride it don't come back."
"...What?"
"And that food Renril was eating... yeah, I found it. Apparently, people who eat it disappear into thin air when no one's looking."
The demon siblings' faces freeze in shock. Ice forces a laugh, while Sandra looks genuinely disappointed.
I remember what Mudi told me: "Be careful" followed by a warning about the circus.
"There are too many reasons why people go missing at the circus," the report said.
"Our mission is not to see how amazing the circus is, but to confirm with our own eyes that it's a dangerous place where people keep disappearing. Don't forget that."
"My" piercings, Rollo said with a dissatisfied tone, "If we'd brought snacks instead of money, that would've been better." Renril let out a sigh, looking down.
I forced a smile to comfort them.
"Don't be so down. Ice has brought lunch box, and we can ride the attractions when we're inside, Rollo."
"Really~?"
"That's just how it is! No way!"
We laughed at Rollo's tantrum.
With that, our circus inspection began.
"First, let's go here."
The building we stood in front of was called the "Mirror Dungeon."
"Wade-kun, what's this place?"
"The Mirror Dungeon. Inside, there's a maze with mirrors everywhere, and you have to work hard to reach the goal."
"That sounds fun~! Master, let's go together~!"
Rollo grabbed my arm, urging me on. I continued explaining.
"The weird thing is, the people who go in and those who come out don't match."
"...Wade, I don't get it. What do you mean?"
Sandra asked, so I thought for a bit before answering.
"For example, Sandra goes in. But Sandra doesn't come out. Yet, demons come out from the exit, saying 'Escape successful!' and stuff like that."
Rollo let go of my arm after my explanation. I said to Rollo with a smile.
"Shall we go, Rollo?"
"No way!"
Rollo hid behind Ice's back, refusing to budge.
Then, Sandra said...
"...It's true. I used my Ajna Chakra to peek inside, but I lost track halfway through. ...? This Mirror Dungeon, something's off..."
"I wonder if Sandra can use the Ajna Chakra. But if you overdo it, won't the Demon King of Deception show up?"
"I'm just following the path in order, so the Demon King of Deception won't come. But still, what's weird about this...?"
"No, I know what's weird about this place."
Sandra tilted her head a few times, then said.
"Wade, I'll go check it out. I should be able to handle it without any problems."
"Yeah... that's true. I don't think Sandra would be unable to handle it. Can I leave it to you?"
"Yeah, I'll go."
Sandra said that and walked into the mirror dungeon. She lined up and followed the flow of people into the building.
"Alright, I'll leave it to Sandra... and then what's next?"
But then, I suddenly looked up and realized...
The three of them were gone.
"...huh?"
I looked around, but no one was there.
Did someone kidnap them? No, that's impossible. There would be a commotion, and I would've noticed it from this close distance.
That's right. I would've noticed it. Even if one of the three was hiding to prank me, I would've noticed.
But the three of them were nowhere to be found. No shadow, no shape.
"...seriously?"
I didn't mean to let my guard down. I thought I was being careful enough. But it looks like I messed up.
"―――!"
I immediately took off running.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)