After Iluna completed her statement according to the standard procedure, she dawdled, somewhat unwilling to leave. But since she had no reason to stay, Shade and the professor eventually saw her to the door. As they said goodbye, Shade casually remarked:
"I still have to go home at noon and have lunch with Little Mia."
Iluna blinked, smiled, and waved to him. Only then did she walk briskly into the fog.
The professor had not caught the meaning behind Shade and Iluna's exchange. Once the door had closed again, he shook his head and sighed:
"Although Tobesk is the kingdom's capital, the clearance rate for theft cases like this is very low. Rather than hoping the police will find the thief, I think I should keep an eye on the black market myself. Perhaps I can buy the vase back sooner that way."
"Professor, I heard this is a series of thefts. Ridgewich Field is taking it very seriously."
"Oh, Detective, taking it seriously doesn't improve the case-solving rate. An antique tapestry I reported stolen ten years ago still hasn't been found. I'd wager Ridgewich Field might not even have the case file from my report anymore."
Professor Manning spoke with considerable dissatisfaction, then looked Shade over again.
"Detective, how about I entrust this theft case to you? I hear you're an exceptionally capable detective, with a one-hundred-percent completion rate."
"Where did you hear that? As I recall, the advertisement I placed in the Steam Bird Daily didn't brag about me that much."
Shade asked curiously. Professor Manning gestured for him to speak in the study.
"That's what people say. I attended an academic conference yesterday, and I even heard about what you did at the Eisberg Family's and the royal family's wedding banquet on Tuesday. Penny Detective, was it?"