Discordant Duet on the Black Snowfield · Chapter 1

Into the Snowfields

Claire

Mm. Everything's going according to plan.

At this rate, I should make it through the day without even having to alter Plan A—

Maid A

Ms. Claire!

Claire

What is it?

Maid A

Well... there's been a problem with the aprons for the new maids.

Claire

...A problem?

Maid A

Well... when we checked them after washing, we found they'd been dyed all sorts of colors.

We looked into it and found that someone had filled the detergent container with dye instead.

Claire

Who would dare pull a prank like that? Scarlet?

Maid A

No, it's not a prank...

Emily says she accidentally mixed up the detergent and dye when refilling the containers.

Claire

*...Sigh* We'll have no choice but to postpone the new maids' training a little.

I'll make the necessary adjustments.

*Sigh...* It's fine. I still have Plan B, so I can take things easy—

Maid B

Ms. Claire, we have a problem.

Claire

...What is it this time?

Maid B

Some Saviors were having a major argument, so I asked what was going on...

It seems the training ground schedule got mixed up.

There must have been some mistake when it was drawn up.

Claire

About that schedule...

Maid B

Yes?

Claire

Was Emily the one who made it?

Maid B

Ah...! Yes, she was.

Claire

...I thought so. Let's go.

And now... I'm already down to backup Plan H...

Scarlet

Claaaire!

Claire

*Sigh* What is it now, Scarlet...?

Please... just don't tell me you've caused some kind of trouble.

Scarlet

Trouble? Me? Hahaha! You really do make the funniest jokes, Claire!

That's not why I'm here! I came to ask when you're making those pancakes you promised me!

I finished everything on my to-do list today!

I even finished all those backlogged equipment repairs and organized the fabric warehouse inventory! Hahaha!

So hurry up and make me pancakes, Claire!

Claire

...Ah. I did promise you that.

I'm sorry, Scarlet... but I'm far too busy today...

Scarlet

W-what?! You promised you'd make me pancakes!

Keep your promise! Pancaaakes...!

Claire

I told you, I'm really too busy today...!

Scarlet

Hmm! So that's what happened!

That Emily... Come to think of it, she does seem even more forgetful than usual lately!

Not that she wasn't always forgetful!

Claire

That's troubling. If only we knew the cause, we might be able to help her.

Scarlet

Hmm... Isn't she just tired?

Claire

Tired...?

Scarlet

Doesn't that happen sometimes?

Like when you're so busy with work that you forget what you were doing just a second ago!

Or you forget what snack you were saving for after work!

Claire

I can't say I relate. I keep notes on everything and stick to my schedule.

Scarlet

Kgh...! You cold-blooded planning maniac!

Claire

...Still, you may have a point. Perhaps I should give her a few days off.

Emily

You want me to take a vacation in Kalaid?

Claire

Yes. Think of it as a vacation courtesy of Candle Square, to thank you for all your hard work.

Emily

Hmm... I appreciate the thought, but I must decline.

Claire

...What? Why?! I-I mean... why is that?

Emily

As you know, I have plenty of duties to attend to at Candle Square.

Once I wake up, I must wage a two-front campaign of combat cleaning and combat laundry...

After breakfast, I must oversee combat dishwashing, and then...

Claire

I'm telling you to just go get some rest—

*Sigh...* No. Emily, what I mean is...

This is a special mission. One that only you can handle.

Emily

A special... mission?

Claire

That's right. You know each Candle Square branch sends regular reports to NOA headquarters, right?

However, the report from the Kalaid branch...

It's long overdue and still hasn't arrived.

It's probably nothing serious, but... just maybe...

Some sort of incident may have occurred at the branch.

Emily

What sort of incident...?

Claire

Ah... Um... Well... Yes! Perhaps there's some sinister conspiracy being carried out behind my back...!

Emily

A sinister conspiracy...?!

Claire

Which is why I want you, Emily, a maid I trust, to go there personally, investigate, and uncover the truth.

Emily

If that's really the mission... then perhaps I should be the one to go.

Claire

And while you're there, enjoy Kalaid's hot springs and have something delicious to eat.

Emily

...You mean for me to blend into enemy territory and conduct reconnaissance. Understood.

Claire

Yes. Exactly. Now pack your things and get going.

Emily

R-right now?

But I need time to prepare my equipment for the mission and ready myself mentally—

Claire

You can figure all that out on the way...! Just go...!

Emily

W-whoa?!

Trish

Hiyah! The top-tier hunter, Trish, has arrived!

Young-Looking Receptionist

Trish! How many times have I told you not to kick the door open?!

Do you have any idea how many times we've had to repair it because you keep kicking it open every time you come in?!

Trish

Ahaha! The way of the hunter! Always make a powerful entrance!

Besides, I paid for all the repairs last time. What's the problem?

Young-Looking Receptionist

Grr...! That's not the point...! *Sigh...*

Trish

We can argue about little things like that later...

I came running because there's something I need to check!

Young-Looking Receptionist

W-what...? Is something urgent going on?

Trish

Something urgent? Of course there is!

That rumor... Is it true?

Young-Looking Receptionist

What rumor...?

Trish

The rumor that someone spotted a Wendigo in Kalaid!

Young-Looking Receptionist

Oh, that? I think... we did get a few reports like that from the Kalaid branch...

Something about one being spotted wandering around the unexplored snowfields from a distance...?

Trish

So... it wasn't just some made-up rumor?!

Young-Looking Receptionist

Well... we can't be sure it was actually a Wendigo, but we did receive reports of sightings—

Trish

All right! Kalaid, here I come!

Thanks for confirming it!

Young-Looking Receptionist

W-wait, Trish!

Trish

Just sit tight and wait for the top-tier hunter Trish to come back with that Wendigo!

I'm going to be the first hunter in the Aselus Association to ever hunt a Wendigo!

Young-Looking Receptionist

Hey! Trish! You did check the calendar before leaving, right?

Kalaid right now is...!

...*Sigh* Well, she'll figure it out... right?

Polaris Observer

Anyone here?

Naru

Yep! Naru, the super genius elite investigator of the Orbital Search Team, present and accounted for!

Polaris Observer

...Oh. Ms. Roberta isn't here? What about Ms. Lugh?

Naru

They're both out at Site 34!

Why? Is something wrong?

Want me to help? Hehe!

Polaris Observer

...No. It's nothing urgent.

It's just... the observation readings from Kalaid seem to be slightly higher than usual for this time of year.

It's probably just an observational error...

But this is the sort of thing that calls for the experience of investigators who spend a lot of time in the field.

Naru

Then I'll report it to Ms. Roberta as soon as she gets back!

Polaris Observer

All right. I'm counting on you.