Collector’s Cage - Chapter 46

Dormi, Hermie’s nemesis, stuck his head out with a face that looked more prosperous. He must have secured ample research funds and succeeded in his research, as he seemed positively radiant. While that bastard was living happily, think of all the anguish she had suffered!

"You son of a b***h!!!"
"Huh? Wha— what?!"

At Hermie’s explosive shout, Dormi, who had finally noticed her, widened his eyes in shock.

“Sh-she’s… not dead?”
“Not dead?! Not dead?! Is that all you have to say for yourself?!”

Anticipating a full-blown commotion, the white-haired mage intervened to control the situation.

“You two do know each other. Dormi, you come with me. Guards, search Dormi’s laboratory.”
“The contract must definitely be in there!”

As if his wits sharpened in the face of crisis, Dormi hurriedly added an excuse.

“Grand Mage Dezerna, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but there were circumstances for everything. If you’d just let me explain—”
“Dormi.”

When the white-haired mage called his name heavily, Dormi’s mouth snapped shut.

“I told you to shut your mouth and follow.”
“Y-yes…”

He was thoroughly disciplined. Seeing Dormi being led away with a pale, ashen face felt like a massive blockage in her chest was finally clearing. She wanted to see the arrogant mage get his comeuppance.

The Guild Master whispered to Hermie. His expression had grown much more relaxed.

“It seems things are working out well, doesn’t it?”
“It’s a huge relief.”

Faced with a crisis that could tarnish the Magical Tower’s honor, the mages—who never batted an eye at commoners—were now moving swiftly.

From behind, a voice announced they had found the contract. Once the investigation was over, they would get their unpaid money back, and Hermie would be returned to normal.

She could finally go back to her ordinary life.

A sigh of relief escaped her as the tension drained away. Her whole body went limp, and Hermie simply slumped down on the spot.

Relief, joy, and a lingering sense of injustice swirled together, making her head spin.

And then, hazily, someone else came to mind. Now that the harrowing ordeal was resolved, it was Froy who surfaced in her thoughts.

'Is he looking for me? I hope he's not too heartbroken.'

The face of the man who had been strangely kind and warm flickered in her memory. She hoped he wouldn’t be too sad.

‘I’m probably overstepping, worrying like this.’

Hermie shook her head. He might have already forgotten about some little fairy and become deeply enamored with another pet.

He was a man with the wealth to acquire any rare animal he wanted. He’d probably forgotten all about Hermie—the troublesome one who wouldn’t listen, threw tantrums, and even ran away. She stubbornly ignored the sharp, stinging pain in her chest.

***

Froy woke up early in the morning feeling blissful. Thinking of Hermie waiting by his bedside, a wave of warmth washed over him.

Carefully, he turned his head to check the area around the pillow.

“Hermie, good morn—”

The first thing Froy saw upon opening his eyes was an empty nest. The moment he confirmed the vacant spot, his brow furrowed sharply.

His good mood was crushed to pieces in an instant.

“Hermie?”

Had she crawled into the blankets? Remembering how Hermie would stick to his fingers, Froy frantically searched the area around him.

Worried he might have accidentally squashed her, he carefully peeled back the blankets. But Hermie wasn’t in the bedding either.

He looked around the bed. There was no sign of her.

She wasn’t in the cage, nor anywhere in the room. His expression hardening into something frightening, Froy summoned the butler.

“Yes, you called? I’ve baked an apple pie again today, shall I send it up right aw—”
“Hermie is gone. Search the entire mansion and the gardens.”
“Yes, sir.”

The butler, who knew that Hermie was the tiny fairy the master was so attached to, bowed his head without another word. He had sensed an unusual fury.

That the fairy, purchased at great cost and carried around all day, had disappeared was no ordinary matter.

The money wasn’t the important issue. The problem was that Froy had been uncommonly affectionate towards her. Froy detested any damage to the objects he cherished.