"Deity?"

"Hmm... it was the Lord Deity. Our town guardian from Water Fungus Town. After I dealt with him... I don’t even know where he went."

Old Bob sat slumped on the grass, looking worn-out. Under the Association officer’s careful questioning, he confessed everything he’d done.

After Hans hit him and fled, Bob—left with broken bones—had tried negotiating with the young carriage driver. All he got was Hans’s arrogant reply:

"You old geezer just wants to scam money. Scram! Don’t ruin my drinking. I never hit you."

Ignoring Bob’s simple request for an apology, Hans walked away.

"After that, I wrote his name on paper and tossed it into the wish box. I just wanted to know... if the Deity our elders always said protected us could get this old man some justice."

Bob took a puff from his clay pipe, a flicker of fear crossing his face.

"You saw a god?"

Shiren asked sternly, feigning seriousness.

Bob squeezed his eyes shut and nodded miserably.

"He appeared in my dream that very night. Said he’d give me an answer. And then... well, now, half a month later..."

"You heard Hans went missing. But why assume a deity took care of him?"

Mei Yige was certain this was human—or something else’s—doing. Still, she chose to "believe" Bob’s story to soothe the old man, ignoring his fragile state.

Other officers doubted him too—until Bob pulled a small cloth bundle from his chest.

"This..."

He handed it to the officer beside him and fell silent.

The officer unwrapped it, nearly dropping the bundle when he saw what was inside.

"Hair? This color... looks like Mr. Hans’s. Oh, and there’s writing on the cloth."

Mei Yige glanced at the cloth. The character for "death" scrawled on it sealed the hair’s owner’s fate.

"He’s definitely dead."

Bob clutched his head. "I only wanted an apology... but this... this..."

The shock was too much for a man in his sixties.

He’d made a wish with little malice—only to receive the cruelest retribution. That’s why he’d avoided the investigation. After all, this was his sin.

"Is that wish box really that potent?"

Mei Yige didn’t care about Bob’s guilt. His avoidance proved it—he wasn’t truly remorseful. Just afraid of blame.

"I’ve heard it’s tied to some southern cult. But I only worship the Goddess. That box is just a symbol... Hah. Guess someone hit the jackpot?"

The hair was Shiren’s handiwork from last night. When a wish couldn’t be repaid, the "deity" had to provide proof. A Demonic Being’s little joke. Now she understood why Mei Yige had found her.

Shiren’s gaze flicked to Bob’s pipe. It must have picked up traces of Hans—how Mei Yige tracked her. No matter. There was no proof.

"Someone impersonating a deity for revenge? Personal grudges happen. So many make wishes daily... but few actually go missing."

The officers didn’t believe a god was involved either.

But—

Mei Yige clapped her hands, flashing the bright smile everyone knew so well.

"Case solved! Time to clock out. If the Lord Deity did this... well, what can we do?"

"Wait, Magic Consultant! Isn’t this too hasty?"

"Don’t you want this settled? It’s our fault for not handling the dispute sooner. The guards should take responsibility now."

With a wave, Mei Yige closed the case.

Shiren shot her a curious look.

*Where did your sense of duty go?*

"What’s wrong, Miss Youshen? Do you disagree?"

"No. Just... impressed by your decisiveness. Though we still don’t know where Mr. Hans is."

A Demonic Being’s mischief stirred in Shiren. She almost hoped Mei Yige would uncover her trick—just to see how quickly she’d strike back.

"But the outcome isn’t what matters. It’s about showing we tried."

Mei Yige’s reply surprised her. Or rather, it was meant for everyone present.

She turned to the crowd.

"I’m no detective. Not even a guard. The Guild Head just asked me to lend magical aid. I’ve done all I can. The Association gave its best. That’s how I honor Mr. Hans—and everyone who trusts us."

Villagers lingered at the forest’s edge. They’d never let old Bob stay alone. Knowing how rumors spread, Mei Yige only wanted a satisfying explanation—to keep her own life undisturbed.

*How troublesome when someone connected to you causes trouble.*

Her impatience stayed hidden.

Focusing on effort over results wasn’t a salaryman’s logic—but years as the Hero’s Sorceress taught her its weight. One rumor of treason, a smear campaign, and all her contributions vanished.

"After all... I’m just a mage. This is all I can do. Thank you for your help, Miss Youshen."

No need to say more. Overdoing it would ruin the effect. She had to show helplessness, regret—shattering her "powerful" image to seem more human.

"I did little. Since it’s over... let’s part ways. If we meet again, Miss Mei, would you treat me to tea?"

Shiren felt a flicker of respect. Mei Yige’s "do your best" philosophy echoed her own. She’d noticed the villagers too. Her current form couldn’t risk exposure—so she abandoned plans to linger near Mei Yige.

"Of course! Everyone, take Mr. Bob home. Then coordinate with the guards on next steps."

"But we can’t just say a deity did it..."

A junior officer floundered.

"Actually," Mei Yige said smoothly, "I sensed a massive protective magic array over town. This might truly be divine intervention. Though this deity likely only punishes the truly wicked."

Her authority as Magic Consultant made the lie convincing. Mei Yige found no flaw in it.

"Hopefully... but we need a reasonable explanation, Magic Consultant!"

"Then stick to the plan: Young Hans got eaten by a horse~"

"Magic Consultant, please be serious!"

"Ehehe~ (ゝω・´★)"