Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain-Chapter 352: Answers In Bakehouse

The moment they arrived at the final destination, Noah became a hundred percent sure that the disappearances weren't random.

Just like the other houses, this one was also a gated property with guards, a big mansion, and a butler waiting for them at the stairs.

"Welcome to House Lessworth." The butler said with a bow.

Fontaine, Armand, and Lessworth. The three main families competing in the same business. There was definitely a conspiracy here.

And just like every investigator worth their salt would say, they needed to find the person that would benefit the most from the three family heads disappearing into thin air.

Was it their wives or a new business rival? Or was a deeper conspiracy afoot? That was what the investigation was for.

After exchanging pleasantries, the butler led them into the building.

They met Lady Lessworth, and after questioning her, spoke with the staff and looked around the property. Then they were out in record time.

As they left in their carriage, Daisy began compiling all they'd learnt, and decided to go visit the places where the three had disappeared. And as always, Noah said nothing. He had to admit that a part of him was enjoying the investigation. It was fun. Like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle.

They soon arrived at the area where Fontaine had last been seen. Daisy parked the carriage on the side of the road and stepped out.

The street was a T-junction, with one road leading from the shops Fontaine had visited last, the opposite one leading to his home, and the one cutting across them both leading away to the outer city.

She observed the street, looking this way and that. The street wasn't particularly packed, but there was a constant stream of foot traffic.

However, the family heads had all disappeared on the last day of the week, during a time when the citizens in the capital were not so keen on moving from place to place, which meant there would be very few witnesses on that day.

She looked around before her gaze landed on a large shop. The shop occupied the ground floor of the building, with an apartment sitting above it. That meant the owner of the store probably lived there. He'd be the most reliable eye witness.

"Come." She said to Noah, walking towards the shop.

Noah followed without question.

She pushed the door open, the bell above the frame jingling to announce their arrival. The shop was a bakery, with the tantalizing aroma of bread, pastries, and pies filling the air.

There were two workers kneading dough deeper inside, but an older man, perhaps in his late thirties, stood behind the counter.

"Welcome to the Bakehouse." The man smiled politely. "What would you like today? Bread? Cake? I can assure you, we've got it all here."

Daisy wasted no time flashing her badge. "May I speak with you in private?"

The man swallowed, suddenly looking anxious. It wasn't a sign of good news whenever government officials came calling. "Is everything alright? May I ask what this is about?"

"I assure you, everything is alright. I simply want to ask a few questions about the road out front." Daisy said, placing a reassuring smile on her face.

"Oh." The man's face softened, holding a hint of confusion. "Okay, let me..."

He turned back to one of the boys kneading dough behind him. "Boy! Man the counter for me. I have to speak with these officers real quick."

"Yessir!"

The man nodded, before flashing Daisy and Noah a quick grin. "Raised them real strict, I did."

When none of them smiled back, he cleared his throat awkwardly before gesturing to the staircase at the side of the room. "Err... we can talk upstairs."

"Lead the way."

"Ah, yes." The man cleared his throat before going up the stairs, Daisy and Noah following behind.

They finally emerged in a small, cozy living room that looked like someone had poured a lot of effort to make it look homely. The man led them to a dining table, gesturing to the chairs around it.

"You may have your seat. Would you like anything to drink? Water or..."

"No need." Daisy waved away his request. "Please have a seat."

The man's eyes flicked from Daisy to Noah and back to Daisy, the nervousness returning. He swallowed, before sitting.

Daisy took the chair opposite him, sitting like she owned the place. "On the last weekday, did you perchance see a red colored enchanted carriage with dark highlights passing in front of your store?"

"Red carriage..." The man frowned, his eyes flicking to Noah, then Daisy.

"There's no need to be nervous." Daisy said, voice softening as if she was speaking to a spooked animal. "There would be no consequences if you fail to remember. We'll simply thank you and be on our way."

The man nodded, his nervousness fading a bit. "Red carriage?"

"Yes. Red enchanted carriage." Daisy nodded. "It wouldn't have any horses pulling it."

The man thought about it for a moment before his eyes widened, excitement entering his voice. "The red enchanted carriage? With an armored guard sitting in the driver's seat? Around evening?"

"Yes. That one." Daisy nodded encouragingly. "Do you know what happened to it?"

"That carriage." The man smiled. "I only remember it because I was escorting one of my regulars to the door, and we saw it at the same time. He joked that he wished he had one of his own."

"And what happened to the carriage?"

The man frowned. "Is everything okay? Nothing happened to the carriage as it passed. It simply turned to its right and moved along the road to the outer city."

Daisy blinked. "Are you sure? That was the road it took?"

"Yes." The man nodded. "I remember it clearly."

"Alright." Daisy stood, the man standing too. "Thank you for your cooperation."

"Happy to help." The man grinned.

"Shall we?" Daisy motioned to the stairs.

"Of course." The man nodded, moving to lead the way. As he passed her, Daisy's hand flashed, chopping him in the back of the neck.

Noah's brows rose at the sight.

The man flopped, and Daisy caught him before he could hit the ground. Her eyes closed as she clamped a hand to his head, reading his memories.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes then glanced at Noah. "He was right. Fontaine didn't head home. Instead, he headed for the inner city."

Noah nodded.

Daisy turned back to the man, tapping his back and sending mana into his body. The man startled awake, his expression filled with confusion as he wondered why Daisy was supporting him.

"You stumbled." Daisy said quickly, releasing him to stand on his own.

"I stumbled?"

"Yes you did."

The man was still confused, but accepted her explanation anyway, leading them down to the bakery.

The boy at the counter eyed them before the man sent him back to help his brother with the dough.

"Thank you." Daisy nodded to the man. "You've done a good service to the kingdom."

"Always happy to help." The man said. "Can I interest you in a few pastries?"

"No need." Daisy said then left, Noah following after her.

Outside the shop, she stood for a moment, staring down the road Fontaine had taken.

Just what had made him change his destination?