"I'm energized after that meal! Time to pick a quest!" Natsu rushed towards the quest board, ready to take on anything like usual. Kagura waited for him at their table, since she told him he could pick whatever he wanted.
He greeted Nab who was locked in a staring contest with the inanimate object, while his eyes scanned each quest that was available currently. Obviously, he wanted one that was related to fighting.
"Hm? The reward is pretty high in this one." Natsu glanced at the quest that stood out because of the number of zeros. He picked it up in eagerness and returned to the woman who started petting his Exceed.
He put it on the table for both of them to read it. "Look! We can get at least a million jewels for only catching a thief."
"A million!? That a jackpot! You can buy a lot of fish with that." Happy said in shock as he read its description. Even by usual standards, a client offering this amount must be of noble status.
Kagura scanned the flyer, raising an eyebrow at the given details. "Retrieving a heirloom that's considered a high-grade Magic Item? This was also issued by a Marquis, so a million isn't that surprising." She looked down to check the location, which was near Kunugi Station.
"It appears we must take a train ride. Preparing nessecities is a must." She rolled the piece of parchment and glanced at the dragon slayer who had an ugly expression. "What's wrong, Natsu-san?"
"Uh… Well… Can we change it? I think I saw another one that's also good." Natsu suddenly lost the eagerness he had, which made the swordswoman tilt her head in confusion.
"I don't see the problem here. You were already attracted by the amount, you know?"
"Don't mind him, Kagura. Dragon Slayers have motion sickness due to their heightened senses." Happy nonchalantly stated. He was already used to his partner's avoidance with trains, a little bit of convincing is always needed.
"I see. What is the solution to that dilemma?" Kagura asked. It was quite surprising for her to find out that he had such a weakness. Natsu's energy on the daily felt like a never-ending pool of chaos.
"Well, he can endure it for the entire ride. But he loses consciousness sometimes, and I had to carry him because of it." Happy shook his head as if he was an elder. He gazed at her with a mischievous expression.
"Knock him out, and everything will be fine." The Exceed nodded in a sagely manner, acting like he unraveled such an important piece of information.
Kagura did not expect a solution like that, making her giggle softly. "Understood. I shall do that then. We'll organize our stuff before going, so I will return to Fairy Hills first."
She turned back to where the pink-haired young man was supposed to be. "No need to be afraid, Natsu-san. I will--- Hm?" Kagura noticed Natsu sneaking back to the quest board, and he actually managed to snatch the rolled-up flyer without alerting her.
Misplaced motivation gives quite a few peculiar traits.
"H-Hey. I'm just seeing if we can have different options. The quest can wait, so how about getting another one… Ah!" Natsu was swiftly grabbed by the wrist, as Kagura pulled him wordlessly from his saving grace. Happy just covered his mouth in laughter.
"Ahem! Kagura, I think this is a good one… Wait, wait, wait! Those scary things are the stuff of nightmares! I don't wanna ride 'em!" His pitiful cries echoed throughout the guild, much to their amusement.
There weren't many people who could keep the brash and loud dragon slayer in line. It seems Kagura can be added to that list.
…
Kunugi Station.
"Eugh… I can't believe sleeping doesn't work even until now. It should work, damn it!" The trio exited the train, finally arriving at Kunugi Station. Natsu wobbled and walked slowly, trying to recover from the trip.
"Just give it up, Natsu. We don't have any permanent remedy for it." Happy munched on some fish like usual, glancing at his friend who looked like someone who saw some unspeakable things.
Kagura observed his state in worry. "To think this has been an ongoing problem. This is truly an inconvenience for the both of you." She rubbed Natsu's back in comfort.
"Heh, it's no biggie! I consider this as training in my mind. Igneel would be embarrassed if I fall to this, no sickness will stop me---! Urgh!" He miraculously held in the unsavory feeling in time.
"Phew! And besides, your thighs were comfortable, Kagura! So thanks for the help back at the train." Natsu smiled at her, unaware of the sudden emotional offensive he initiated towards the woman.
Kagura froze as she listened to him, followed by a little bit of color adorning her cheeks. "… I'm glad you liked it, Natsu-san."
The blue cat observed the pair with a sly glint in his eyes. "Oh my! Young people these days are quite bold. Those are some suggestive words, Natsu. Huhuhu~"
"Suggestive? What the hell do you even mean by that? You learn a lot of complicated words, Happy."
"This mature cat shall enlighten you. It's---!"
"If you continue further, I will cut your tail off, Happy."
"... Understood."
Kagura led the duo as she contacted their person of contact, internally panicking as her heart was beating violently. To think mere words could rattle me this much. I still need more practice. Perhaps only he is the exception... His presence gives me comfort in a way. She smiled lightly.
While searching for the client's representative, the trio leisurely strolled through the town. Its hustle and bustle usually peaking around this hour. They also bought food along the way, making sure to stay in tip-top shape.
After a while, Natsu spotted a butler near a parked carriage. He called out to Kagura walking beside him. "Isn't that the guy we're looking for? Dude exactly fits the description with that obvious suit and all."
Kagura scanned the flyer, then glanced at the location Natsu pointed at. "That's indeed him. We shouldn't delay any longer, let's go." The dragon and cat nodded as they walked towards the butler.
The butler in question spotted them, his expression brightening as he recognized Natsu. "Luck has descended on Lord Marquis! I am honored to make your acquaintance, Sir Salamander." He arrived before them first, bowing in an elegant manner.
Natsu gazed at him with a weird expression, not used to fancy greeting shenanigans. "No need for the formal approach. I ain't used to such things." He shook his head awkwardly as he signaled to the other two for help.
Kagura and Happy stared at him with amusement instead.
"Hoho! I understand. Wizards have eccentric personalities, and your reputation precedes you." The butler relaxed as if the tension went away. "You may call me Chris. I am the designated personal butler for Marquis Florentine." He introduced himself.
"I am Kagura, his teammate."
"Aye! It's the same for me. My name is Happy!"
Chris also greeted them respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." Specifically at the stoic-face woman. "I've also heard of rumors that a new strong member had joined Fairy Tail, would that be you, Ms Kagura?"
Kagura nodded. "Yes, that is me." She remembered that enthusiastic journalist from Sorcerer Magazine. "Jason is indeed quite adept at his work." His persistence is commendable to say the least.
"Geh! You actually met that annoying guy? He really is like a fly when you catch his attention." Natsu clicked his tongue, while not forgetting that most of the information there jumbled his reputation so much.
The butler chuckled. "The public is just that interested in one of Fiore's most infamous guilds." He opened the door to the carriage. "Hop on inside, Sir Salamander, Sir Happy and Ms Kagura. I can also debrief you on the way."
Only Natsu was left as the others entered, muttering encouraging words to himself. "It's not a train, it's just a small carriage. Let's do this!" He gazed at the steps solemnly, like a soldier preparing for war.
He obviously lost.
Natsu sighed as he laid down on Kagura's thighs again. "I hate moving vehicles." Luckily, when it comes to smaller ones, his motion sickness feels a little bit milder. He felt the woman's hand caress his hair, soothing the wretched state he was in.
"Will Sir Salamander be fine?" The butler looked back from the driver's seat, startled by the display that the dragon slayer was showing.
"He will recover after the ride is done. You don't need to worry." Kagura absentmindedly stared at Natsu's features.
"Alright… I will now fully give you the context for your mission." Chris nodded, going straight to the point to not waste any more time.
He began the story by informing them that some people had a similar situation, even in other towns. All types of Magical Items ranging from everyday appliances to decently forged weapons have been stolen one by one. Whether it would be from nobles, blacksmiths, thriving businesses… None was spared.
Following these burglaries, all victims only had a singular description…
Only silence.
No traces. No clues. Even Surveillance Larcimas were useless, not because it malfunctioned. But because all manner of sound around this mysterious figure were gone, creating the possibility of walking unhindered through them up-front with no worry.
The assailant didn't even need to break stuff to escape, opening the front doors or windows were enough. It was simply infuriating to watch the footage if you were a victim.
Marquis Florentine was this thief's latest victim. Additionally, he already requested for help from the council's Rune Knights, and yet they also came up empty-handed. Their lack in competence should be questioned…
"May I know the scope of this thief's reach? From the way you described him, it appears he is like a specter that's jumping from place to place." Kagura inquired, thinking that this was bigger than she initially thought.
It must be a variant of Sound Magic... This could be a bit of a problem. She speculated internally.
Chris sighed as he told her in a despondent tone. "Towns and villages spanning from Onibus to Oshibana Station. But I don't think that person would dare try in Clover Town, since that landmark is rampant with Light Guild activity."
"That's still wide. We can't be searching through every building now, can we? This thief could be anywhere!" Happy complained as he listened.
Natsu waved at his partner like a drunkard, pointing at his nose. Kagura and Happy realized what he meant.
"How could I forget!? Old guy, we should be able to catch that thief successfully!"
The butler glanced at them with surprise and a little bit of doubt. "Really? You're just not trying to comfort me, are you, Sir Happy?"
Kagura interjected. "He is not wrong. Natsu-san's magic made his senses a lot sharper than most wizards. We could discover unseen clues that not even the thief was aware of." She gently observed the young man on her lap, and had this urge to pinch his cheeks.
"Haha! I didn't even know that magic like that existed! As expected of Sir Salamander, your completion efficiency is not for show." Chris finally saw hope in this ongoing issue. It seems betting on Fairy Tail's Wizards was the right choice.
After finally having a clear approach, he led the trio towards the Florentine Estate.