"What else is missing in the house?"
Alexander shouted from the room. Everyone exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to respond. Then suddenly…
"Ahhh! My Aestus Estus! My sword is gone!"
'Whoosh!'
Nero burst out of her room, her expression frantic as she grabbed Alexander's arm and began shaking it. Her desperation was so intense that Alexander looked at her as if he'd just seen a ghost.
"You… lost your Noble Phantasm? Why not lose yourself while you're at it? What's next? Going to battle without a weapon? Showing up to school without a pen? Or going to bed without—Durex?"
Nero froze, speechless.
"I… I didn't expect this to happen… Do you think this house is haunted?" she asked, her voice tinged with grievance.
Alexander rolled his eyes. Haunted? Really? After all the ghosts they'd already taken down? And wasn't Nero herself technically a spirit?
"That's it! I've said it before—the house must be haunted!" Gabriel chimed in, nodding furiously. She had just finished recovering her wings and feathers.
"Or… could it be that Kaito Kid has struck again?"
Alexander began to speculate. But what kind of thief could sneak into their home? Even the last time Kid visited, he was scared out of his wits. Who in their right mind would steal from here? And why only take wood, feathers, and snacks?
It didn't seem like the work of a professional thief.
"In that case… there is always only one truth!"
'Whoosh!'
Alexander's demeanor shifted, his expression growing serious. From seemingly nowhere, he pulled out a bowtie and declared, "It's time for me to solve this mystery! Kurama, use your sense of smell and find the culprit!"
Kurama froze, his ears twitching.
"Excuse me? I'm Kurama! A legendary tailed beast! Not some kind of tracking dog!"
Despite his indignation, Alexander's firm gaze left no room for argument. Sighing in defeat, Kurama muttered, "Fine. Whatever you say…"
With his pride thoroughly trampled, Kurama sniffed around the refrigerator. What else could he do? A tailed beast clearly had no human rights in this household.
"Well? Did you pick up a scent?" Alexander asked impatiently.
"Yes," Kurama replied reluctantly. "I smell… Fries, Coke, and—wait, is that mustard?!"
Kurama sneezed, rubbing his nose as Alexander stared at him expectantly.
"And? Did you smell anyone specifically?"
"No," Kurama replied flatly.
Alexander groaned. "Great. My so-called 'legendary detective skills' have gone down the drain before I even got started. A hero defeated before the battle even begins!"
Hearing Alexander's lament, Nero hesitated before speaking.
"Well… I can actually sense where my Aestus Estus is…"
Alexander froze, his face blank.
"You could've said that earlier! Lead the way, Nero!"
"Yes, sir!" Nero replied with enthusiasm, guiding the group toward a particular room.
They stopped in front of a closed door.
"It's here!" Nero declared confidently.
Alexander raised a skeptical brow. "This room? Are you sure?"
He couldn't believe it. Someone stole from them, yet didn't bother running away? Instead, they stayed in the house like they owned the place?
Alexander clenched his fists. He couldn't hold back anymore. Someone had invaded his home, eaten his food, slept in his room, and even dared to touch their treasures. How could anyone tolerate this?
'Bang!'
With a powerful kick, Alexander slammed the door open and charged inside.
"Caught you! You sneaky thief! How dare you—"
But before he could finish, Alexander froze in his tracks.
On the bed lay a small, adorable girl, her eyes closed in peaceful slumber.
Her sleeping face was serene, as though she were lost in a beautiful dream. As the cold breeze from the open door drifted into the room, the little girl stirred and turned closer to the Aestus Estus, letting out a soft "hiss…" from her lips.
"…Syalis?!"
It finally dawned on Alexander. The culprit was none other than the mischievous Princess Syalis, who had innocently declared this house her "Demon King's Castle."