First clue

Okay. Now that we're all here, I want to thank you for offering your help, even if it'll be more of a hindrance for me." Lumi began, her tone serious. She walked over to the wall of windows, and with a wave of her hand, she shut every single one, enveloping the room in darkness. Then, she activated a projector, filling the entire wall with images related to the case.

Lumi continued with authority, "The delivery was made on the 5th of September 1055 in the Astral era. Unloading and placing the crates in the warehouses finished at 04:50. At 06:10, I was informed that everything was stolen. It took us three hours to unload everything, meaning the crates arrived here at 01:50. Then someone managed to rob everything in less than two hours after we left."

Saturn, seemingly uninterested, let out an extremely loud yawn, cutting off Lumi in the middle of her speech.

"Oi, that was clearly not necessary!"

Saturn chuckled, "Yeah, yeah, hehe. But Wumi, I don't think we need to bore the readers with a step-by-step on how you unloaded some crates. Instead, why don't we get going right away?"

Lumi stood still, her frown evident. She shut off all the projectors and opened all the windows to let the light back in. Then, she mysteriously produced a ball peen hammer from thin air and headed for the elevator.

Saturn, intrigued, asked, "What's up with the hammer?"

Lumi blushed, "Don't you dare laugh, but here in Lklandkeeling, we sometimes need a little force to open some doors."

Saturn teased, "Ooo so, you have broken locks?"

"I said don't laugh, brat!"

Saturn and Plutonia jumped up from their seats and hugged each other, slightly shivering in fear.

"But I wasn't even laughing!"

A moment passed, and the two slowly rose from their chairs. With a collective sigh, they made their way to the elevator, flanking Lumi on either side. The door closed with a soft whoosh, and the trio stood in the confined space, bathed in dim overhead lighting.

Lumi's voice broke the silence, her tone a mixture of annoyance and exasperation. "Oh, and by the way, Saturn."

Saturn turned towards her with a little twinkle in her eye.

In an instant, Lumi's frustration boiled over. She swung her hammer with swift determination, the metal head of the tool making a sharp "BANG" as it connected with Saturn's head. Saturn let out a yelp of pain and surprise, cradling her throbbing scalp. Lumi's scolding words followed swiftly.

"I've told you many times not to call me Wumi or anything other than Lumi. How hard is it for your thick skull to understand?" Lumi's expression was a mix of anger and exasperation. "And next time, don't just cut me off and command me around in my own nation."

Saturn, still nursing her aching head, gave a sheepish apology. Her embarrassment was palpable as she lowered her gaze, her earlier bravado all but vanished. She looked like a scolded child squatting all the way down.

Plutonia remained stoic and unmoved by the event that just unfolded before her. She had seen this dynamic play out between her sister and Lumi countless times and had learned not to intervene.

Finally, the elevator arrived at the first floor, and the doors opened to reveal the bustling city beyond. The three of them left the elevator but only two willingly on their own feet. Saturn, still rubbing her head, was unceremoniously dragged by the collar on the floor by her sister.

The walk was quite the distance away from the Dae Turris of Lklandkeeling. The streets all filled with snow, vendors, traders, animals, and ordinary people going through their lives. Unlike many other nations Lklandkeeling almost felt like a time travel machine, a place that almost felt like one was taken back to the medieval ages in Europe. Little by little they got closer to the warehouse, Plutonia amazed by all her surroundings stepping from side to side using all her will to not run out and explore in excitement. For her, this was the first time she visited Lklandkeeling as Lumi tend to visit Saturn for her own fear of Saturn's piloting skills. Clearly remembering the track record of Plansanturia Processors.

"Over here," Lumi declared, leading them into a narrow alleyway. They emerged on the other side, greeted by the imposing warehouse. Suddenly, Saturn, who had been dragged along for most of the journey, sprang to her feet and dashed to a side door, patiently waiting for Lumi to open it.

"Oops," Saturn exclaimed as she suddenly slipped and accidentally rammed her head into a window right next to the door, shattering it. She let out a small cry of pain before opening her eyes and spotting a small, glittering object at the edge of the room.

Lumi, struggling to contain her frustration at the broken window, couldn't help but scold Saturn, again. "You damn moron! Who the hell is gonna pay for that now?"

But Saturn seemed oblivious to the damage, her eyes fixed on the shiny object. She pointed with excitement, "No, Lumi, look over there! I see something shiny."

Lumi sighed, remarking dryly, "Maybe first get your head out from the window."

Saturn gradually extricated herself from the shattered window frame, her initial excitement now transformed into a cautious curiosity. Yet, her eagerness remained, and she eagerly repeated, "I see something shiny!"

Lumi, wasted no time. She swung her hammer forcefully, the metal clanging against the door's knob, and booted the door open.

The trio ventured inside, their footsteps echoing through the vast emptiness of the warehouse. They gathered around the small, gleaming gem that had initially captured Saturn's attention. Plutonia, with her sharp eye, noticed another object at the center of the dimly lit space. She walked over, her steps deliberate, and discovered a golden ring, its enigmatic ensign on the front and cryptic writing adorning the shank. She immediately called out to the rest and presented the ring. Saturn appeared bewildered, while Lumi seemed lost in deep thought.

it looks familiar," Lumi finally mused aloud.

Plutonia, her eyes sparkling, nodded in agreement. "I've seen this kind of ring in Polanoire before."

Lumi, her frustration momentarily dissipated, clicked her tongue with a mix of annoyance and resignation. Her hand found its way under her chin as she let out a sigh.

"I guess we have no other choice," Lumi confessed reluctantly, with a look of nervousness.

Plutonia shared Lumi's sentiment, nodding once more in agreement. Their unspoken understanding and shared apprehension filled the room with tension. Meanwhile, Saturn remained in the dark, her confusion evident as she shifted her gaze between the two.

"What now?" Saturn asked.

With unease in her voice, Lumi replied, "I didn't want it to come down to this, but I guess we have to call him."

Plutonia added, her tone carrying a feeling of power, "Rudolf Heartblaze."