They approached the counter where Leafa was standing. She was arranging fresh pastries in glass display cases, her movements were quick despite the early hour. Reinhard noted the steam rose from coffee pots while the aroma of baked bread filled the warm interior.
"Good morning." Leaf greeted them after turning around and with the same warmth they had received the previous evening. "You're up early today."
Marie smiled. "We wanted to get an early start on our investigation."
"That's great, just tell me what you three want for today." Leafa says, leading the trio to nod their head.
They ordered breakfast which was fresh bread, eggs, and coffee. They went to sit at the table near where Anasha had claimed her favorite spot and where she ate with her family. Reinhard glance at the carved smiley faces with a faint smile and then stretched his arms.
"So what do you guys think? There is an enemy Beast Master in the town?" Marie asked with a tilt.
"I'm not sure but after sleeping on it. It could have been the Inquisitor Group Cups that did this." Joseph says.
"I thought of that too but it wouldn't explain why the workers didn't notice the illusion. They have been working on the place for two weeks, they should have noticed something was off." Reinhard points out.
"Are you suggesting the Beast Master has been constantly using illusions on the worker?" Marie asked with a hum.
"It would make sense." Reinhard says with Joseph nodding his head.
It's then they heard footsteps, leading them to glance to the side. They saw Anasha heading towards them and carrying a tray with their food. But Reinhard immediately noticed something was wrong. Her usual bright demeanor had dimmed, replaced by an expression that spoke of troubled sleep and worried thoughts.
Her steps lacked their typical bounce, and she kept her gaze focused downward rather than meeting their eyes.
"Anasha!" Marie called out cheerfully.
The girl's head snapped up, her face immediately brightening when she saw them. "You guys are okay! I'm so glad."
Marie giggled warmly. "You didn't need to worry about us, Anasha. I told you we're strong!"
Anasha managed a small giggle in return as she carefully placed their plates on the table, but the forced nature of her cheerfulness was obvious. As soon as she finished serving, her expression fell again, and she stared at the table with the carved smiley faces.
Marie reached out and gently stroked Anasha's blue hair. "What's wrong? You don't look well."
Anasha's voice came out as barely a whisper. "I had a nightmare where beasts rushed into the town and attacked my brother... I could only watch as he called out for me, but I did nothing. It woke me up in the night and it was difficult to fall back asleep."
Reinhard leaned closer, his voice soft and reassuring. "There, there. That nightmare is just your worry about him showing itself, but don't worry we will find him."
Anasha bit her lower lip, uncertainty clear in her blue eyes. "Are you sure?"
Reinhard nodded. "I had nightmares like those about my little brother. Of course, I took them too seriously and made them into a bigger issue than they were. He got annoyed and scolded me, as in the end, it was all just me being too worried."
Anasha giggled softly, the sound more genuine this time. "Maybe you're right... I guess I am worrying too much."
"That's how it is when it comes to our siblings." Joseph said gently as look of nostalgia appears on his face. "We worry about them a lot because we care... Even if they get annoyed when we do."
Anasha's smile fully returned, reaching her eyes for the first time since they'd arrived. Marie pulled the girl closer and continued stroking her hair, earning another giggle.
Anasha glanced around the cafe to ensure no other customers were listening, then whispered, "Did you guys find anything?"
Joseph smiled reassuringly. "Nothing yet, but we didn't get to finish our search."
Anasha nodded with understanding, then reluctantly pulled away from Marie's comforting embrace. She looked back once before heading off to help other customers, her posture slightly straighter than when she'd first approached their table.
They ate quickly but thoroughly, knowing they would need their strength for whatever lay ahead. The bread was crusty and warm, the eggs perfectly cooked, and the coffee strong enough to fully wake them despite their short night's sleep.
After they were done eating, they stepped back onto the morning streets. The town was still quiet, with only occasional residents moving about their early business. Shopkeepers swept their storefronts while bakers arranged fresh goods in their windows.
They moved carefully through the residential areas, keeping watch for guard patrols. The few guards they encountered seemed focused on routine morning duties rather than active vigilance, making it easier to avoid detection.
The restricted area appeared ahead with the same barriers they had encountered the previous day. But in daylight they saw the illusion had returned over the burned district, leading them to furrow their brows.
Most likely we will encounter something in the cellar.
They found a section where the barriers were positioned to allow maintenance access, slipping through when no guards were visible. The burnt district looked worse in morning light from the blackened buildings, crumbling walls, and debris-strewn streets.
Reinhard led them to the administrative building where he had discovered the cellar entrance. The structure looked more stable than the others, though fire damage was evident throughout its stone walls and empty window frames.
Inside the debris still partially concealed the cellar door. Working together, they cleared enough material to access the entrance fully.
The cellar opening was narrow and dark, with stone steps disappearing into shadows below. Cool air rose from the depths, carrying scents of earth with light leaking into the cellar and displaying the chip stone steps.
Reinhard went first, testing each stone step carefully before putting his full weight on it. Marie followed close behind then Joseph who was using his enhanced hearing alert for any sounds that might indicate danger or discovery.
As they descended into the unknown depths beneath Mensis Town, each step took them further into the possible underground tunnels.