The next day, as soon as Tina woke up, she started her usual routine of taking care of Irene’s three essential tasks. She already felt quite familiar with the process.
First, she helped Irene, who looked disheveled after sleeping, put on her clothes and sealed away her ferocious beast, taking the opportunity to give her a little pinch. Then, she headed to the bathroom.
She washed the half-asleep Irene’s face, splashing some water on her, and tried to remove the blindfold.
“Smack—” Her hand was swatted away before she could even touch it.
Irene’s mind hadn’t fully powered on yet, but her body had already reacted.
“Eh? So your blindfold isn’t water-resistant?”
“Hehe.”
The girl giggled foolishly a couple of times.
Today, once again, Tina failed to remove Irene’s blindfold. She decided to treat it as a daily mission—if she persisted, one day, she’d finally see her true face.
Lastly, they went downstairs for breakfast, where Tina fed Irene in public. Irene was especially satisfied with the service this time and would easily give it a nine or even ten out of ten.
The only downside was that Tina couldn’t claim the daily reward of 60 coins and instead received strange stares from the nobles and Handmaidens nearby.
“We’re planning to go to the Investigation Bureau today. Could you please give us a map of the Valencia Kingdom?”
“Of course, Miss.”
The Handmaiden had already prepared a densely detailed map. The entire kingdom’s layout was clearly visible.
Tina’s mansion was located at the very edge of the kingdom. Fortunately, the nearest Investigation Bureau wasn’t far—a half-hour walk at most.
“Let’s go, Irene.”
“Mm.” The girl hugged her sword tightly and followed closely behind Tina. She didn’t look like a mere follower—more like a fanatical admirer.
“You could stand beside me. That way, we wouldn’t look like we have such a strange relationship.”
“Oh.”
Only after Irene obediently caught up did Tina notice the exquisite craftsmanship of the sword she was holding.
The blade was made of pure Mithril, flawless and gleaming with flowing magical waves visible under the sunlight.
The cloth wrapped around the hilt was made of special material—not only non-slip but also designed to concentrate magic power.
The guard was engraved with an eagle emblem, a mark of craftsmanship that clearly indicated a master’s work.
Last night, when she swung it, a single sword energy cut off the hand of that thug. Thinking back, Irene’s face seemed to be filled with a deadly aura then.
“Do you remember where this sword came from?” Tina turned to ask.
“I forgot. This sword’s always been with me.”
“Alright.” Expecting a lost-memory Irene to recall anything was unrealistic.
The answer didn’t really matter; Tina was just curious how a sword in the hands of someone who couldn’t care for herself remained so well maintained.
“Want to touch it?”
Feeling Tina’s intense gaze, Irene sheathed the sword and handed it over.
“Eh? It’s this good?”
“It’s mine, so it’s yours.”
Tina felt a little flattered. Looks like Irene wasn’t ungrateful after all; she wasn’t raising a white-eyed wolf.
The moment Tina took the Blood Sword from Irene, she nearly lost her balance and almost fell.
“Is this thing this heavy?”
Tina guessed the sword must weigh at least ten jin. How did Irene hold it so steadily?
“Also… why can’t I draw it out?”
After using all her strength to pull, the sword wouldn’t budge at all. She felt like she was being tricked.
If it’s not a sword I like, then I simply won’t draw it.
“Hehe.”
Irene took back the sword, then effortlessly pulled it out. She tossed it into the air, spun it a few times, and caught it smoothly as if the sword weighed nothing in her hand.
“So strong.” Tina roughly guessed there must be a Sword Spirit within, one that could adjust the sword’s weight and other properties based on the user.
Weapons that evolved into such advanced beings were rare to find on the market, and every wielder usually had a tragic past behind them.
Tina had heard these things at a blacksmith’s shop before, though she wasn’t sure how true they were.
However, her intuition told her that Irene’s amnesia might somehow be connected to the story behind this sword.
“We’re here.”
Following the map, Tina arrived at the front of the Investigation Bureau. Inside, it was crowded and chaotic.
Many citizens who came to report cases queued up in the hall, and the staff were clearly overwhelmed.
She observed at the entrance for a while and finally understood the internal structure.
Only a handful of people handled the cases and were exhausted, while some guards at the stairway carefully carried covered cargo.
Their cautious handling suggested these goods were extremely valuable.
Tina recalled the information she got from the puppet last night—such heavy police involvement probably related to that auction.
But that wasn’t her purpose here. She wanted to stay as far away from that matter as possible.
Currently, the queue ahead was at least thirty people long. Who knew how long they’d have to wait?
Tina told Irene to rest on the sofa and decided to inquire about the case details on her own.
At least, that was her plan.
But just as Irene sat down, Tina saw someone approach her.
The blonde girl was shy by nature, and the noisy environment had already drained her of all energy and means.
Now, with a stranger pestering her with questions, she just wanted to rush home and hide under the covers.
“Do you have something to say?”
Tina gave up her spot in line halfway and stepped in front of Irene.
“Oh? Are you close with this lady?” A man with blond hair dressed as a knight asked Tina.
“That’s none of your business. State your purpose, and if you’re here to cause trouble, please leave.” Tina’s tone hardened.
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I just… thought this lady looked familiar and wanted to say hello. Didn’t expect to see her like this.” The man showed a hint of regret, then changed his tone.
“Miss, I see you’re waiting in line to inquire about a case. How about this—I can provide a shortcut for you.”
“You’re not lying? No strings attached?” Tina was suspicious of this unexpected kindness.
“Of course not. I just want to make up for my earlier rudeness.”
“Then lead the way.”
Tina grabbed Irene’s hand tightly, afraid she might get lost.
Following the man through the crowd, they arrived at an office on the second floor.
The man personally brought them cups of steaming hot black tea and asked,
“Which case are you here about?”
“A young lady named Vanessa. She’s missing.”
“Oh—that one. Unfortunately, we still haven’t found her.”
He paused, “But we do have some leads. They all point to a vacant manor in the outskirts. Someone found her belongings nearby.”
Tina clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, “If you have leads, why don’t you investigate?”
“Oh, Miss, you know, there’s a shortage of manpower lately. We really can’t spare any guards.”
“Fine then. Leave this to me and her. No need to trouble you.”
As Tina stood to leave, the man added with a knowing smile,
“Don’t be in such a hurry. Don’t you want to know more about this young lady’s background?”