The words of the bearded man made Aoto and Chokata both freeze.
Mukiura Town—a Castle Town not far from here, is also one of the jurisdictions Aoto is responsible for.
It also happens to be the next Castle Town that Aoto planned to inspect after lunch.
A murder case in his jurisdiction? This is not something one can just ignore.
He paid no further attention to Chokata.
Aoto hesitated only for a moment, then quickly focused his gaze, stood up swiftly, and walked quickly towards the bearded man.
"Good day. I am a Dōshin of the North Station Town Patrol." From beneath his wine-red feathered robe, he revealed the jitte and seal cage at his right waist, and Aoto went straight to the point, "The death you mentioned in Mukiura Town, what is it about?"
Aoto suddenly appeared beside them, startling the bearded man and the others.
Looking at the jitte at Aoto's waist and the seal cage that only Garrison Officials were allowed to wear, the bearded man swallowed hard.
