The heroes followed Hayato Renji through a long hallway, their footsteps echoing off the polished floor. Tension hung in the air like a storm cloud.
They entered a spacious lounge. Renji gestured for them to sit.
"You may ask," he said calmly, taking a seat across from them.
Ryker didn't waste time. "When was the last time you saw any unknown visitors around your estate?"
Renji leaned back slightly. "None. My security is strict. No one enters without clearance."
"Do you know anything about the missing girls around this island?" Jasmine asked sharply.
Renji's eyes narrowed slightly. "Only what I've heard from the news. I've kept my distance from the public lately."
Sol crossed his arms. "Why's that?"
Renji hesitated for a moment, then replied, "My daughter has been very ill. I've been caring for her."
Aisa tilted her head. "May we see her?"
Renji stiffened. "She's resting. I'd rather not disturb—"
Before he could finish, Shin quietly slipped away down the hall.
A minute later, his voice echoed through the mansion. "Ryker. Come here."
The entire group stood and followed the sound.
They found Shin standing at the doorway of a softly lit bedroom. Inside, a young girl lay asleep on a grand bed, pale and fragile.
"She's real," Shin said. "But look."
Yumi walked in and glanced around. "This room... has traces of magic. And something else."
"There's energy residue," Amelia confirmed. "Something was done here recently."
Renji had followed them and now stood in the doorway, his face unreadable.
"Explain this," Ryker demanded. "Now."
Renji's calm expression slowly faded. "I told you... I have nothing to hide. But perhaps... there are things even I don't know happening in my own home."
Yumi stepped further into the room, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the glowing shimmer in the air. "Celica… do you sense this?"
Celica raised her hand slightly, her expression focused. A soft pulse of energy rippled around her. "It's a healing barrier."
Sol furrowed his brow. "Healing barrier?"
"Yeah," Celica nodded. "It's weak, but definitely present."
"You're right," Renji said, stepping beside them. "I placed it here myself. I may not be a powerful healer, but it helps her a little… enough to ease the pain."
"It's a minor effect," he continued, looking at his daughter with a tired smile. "But it gives her rest."
Jasmine stepped back respectfully. "Apologies for the intrusion. We didn't mean to disturb her."
Renji shook his head slowly. "No... You're just doing your job. I understand."
With nothing else to uncover, the group nodded to Renji and quietly exited the room.
They soon left the mansion, stepping back into the night air, the sky above them dark and heavy with unspoken questions.
The group walked silently under the dim streetlights, heading back toward Saori's home. The mood was quiet—everyone lost in thought after the visit to the mansion.
But as they neared the house, they slowed down.
A small crowd had gathered in front of Saori's gate. Among them stood an elderly woman Ryker recognized instantly.
"There are people here," Sol muttered.
"That's the grandma," Aisa said, her eyes narrowing.
From within the crowd, an older man in priest-like robes stepped forward. He had a calm but dignified presence.
"Greetings. I am Tetsu Katamaya," the man said. "Leader of the local church."
Ryker and the others watched him carefully as he continued.
"We all respect this man," the grandma said proudly. "He guides us. Most of our village decisions go through him. We all accept his word."
"Oh?" Ryker raised an eyebrow.
"What brings you here?" Sol asked directly.
Tetsu gave a slight bow. "We've come to ask—no, to plead. Please find the missing girls. Catch those responsible. Our village needs your strength."
Ryker stepped past the crowd, toward the house. His voice was quiet but resolute. "We're trying."
Sol gave a small nod to the church leader. "Don't worry. We will catch them."
The group entered the house, the weight of the village's hopes now heavier on their shoulders.
Inside Saori's home, the warm lights offered a welcome contrast to the tension outside.
"You all came," Hizuru said with a smile as she greeted the group at the door.
Ryker didn't say a word. He walked straight past everyone and entered one of the rooms quietly, closing the door behind him.
Hizuru frowned slightly. "What happened to him?"
"He's probably just thinking," Yumi replied softly. "He does that a lot."
"Dinner is ready," Saori called from the kitchen, placing plates on the table. "Come, eat before it gets cold."
The team gathered around the table, tired but hungry. The scent of home-cooked food filled the room.
As they sat, Sol leaned toward Shin. "That church… we saw it, right?"
"Yeah," Shin nodded. "Tetsu Katamaya. He's the leader."
"He gave me a strange feeling," Sol said under his breath.
Just then, Ryker emerged from the room, holding a small notebook. He looked calmer.
"You okay?" Celica asked.
Ryker nodded, slipping the notebook into his coat. "Just writing down what we know."
He sat down with them, picking up a bowl of miso soup.
"Did you write something useful?" Izumi asked curiously.
"Maybe. A pattern in the locations," Ryker said between bites. "Could be nothing, but I want to check it tomorrow."
"Do you think the church is hiding something?" Yumi asked.
Ryker didn't answer immediately. He looked toward the window, where the moonlight cast shadows across the floor.
"I don't trust anyone yet," he said quietly. "That includes the ones who claim to protect."
The table fell into silence for a moment.
Then Aisa smiled faintly. "Let's eat. We'll need energy for tomorrow."
One by one, the team began eating, the clinking of utensils mixing with soft conversation, strategy whispers, and a quiet tension that refused to fade.
Later that night, Ryker's team gathered in one of the rooms. The air was quiet, thick with anticipation of what was to come.
Ryker leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Tonight… I have a plan."
Yumi looked up. "What kind of plan?"
Ryker's eyes scanned the group. "You all will search every part of the island. Find every girl—and bring them here."
There was a long pause.
"A-Are you crazy?!" Celica burst out, eyes wide with frustration. "You want all of them here? That's too many girls to keep in one house!"
Ryker didn't flinch. "I'm the leader. This is my decision."
Akira stood up, face tense. "Hey, don't act like we're just here to follow your every order. We're a team, not your servants."
"Stop it," Aisa said, her voice firm but calm. "If Ryker has a reason, we should at least listen."
Celica turned sharply to Aisa. "You're always on his side!"
"W-What?!" Aisa's cheeks flushed red. "No! I-I mean… I'm just saying we don't have a better plan right now!"
Celica stared for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Ah… okay, okay. I get it."
Ryker gave a small nod. "Thank you."
Though the room fell quiet again, the air now carried a tension mixed with trust—fragile, but growing.