She is not an investigator.

"...More or less."

However, he really had no experience in this area, and given his special status, even acquiring these ordinary daily necessities was quite a troublesome matter.

Although he could directly ask the priest and Igris for help, he didn't want to cause them any more trouble.

He's caused enough trouble already.

"..."

He hesitated for a long time, but finally picked up his weapon.

It's called a weapon, but it's really just an iron rod that he's used to. It's very ordinary and not very offensive, although for him, his most powerful weapon is himself.

During his time as the Punisher, fighting was practically the only thing he had to do, to the point that he also had to master various skills.

Whether it's fighting skills or killing skills.

"Um……"

Lost in thought, he found himself on the street leading out of the city.

There weren't many people here, but you could see a few police officers on guard and patrolling nearby.

Perhaps because the events outside the city were quite significant, many people were terrified of the situation outside, so the areas near the city's outskirts became much quieter.

Although the place was already rather deserted, the best way to leave Bayanka was never to walk directly out of the city, but to take a steam train.

Only someone with such a sensitive background would seek alternative means of transportation.

"—"

His wild thoughts came to an end, and he stopped in front of a shop.

This is a textile shop with many textiles inside. Although it's quiet, it must still have regular customers.

Of course, that wasn't the reason he stopped. What really made him stop was that oddly shaped little guy lying by the window.

It has two eyes, no nose, a mouth outlined in black silk thread, and wears a black garment, which may be its body.

Its body is small and its proportions are strange, its head looks very big, and it wears a traffic cone that looks like a trash can on its head.

From an aesthetic point of view, this thing is adorably ugly.

So naturally, it also attracted Wilson's attention.

"...How much is it?"

He arrived at the shop and stood next to the shop owner, who was engrossed in watering the flowers, and pointed to the small dolls by the window.

Yes, it was just a doll.

"...? Ah, um... I made it myself, it's a bit too ugly, I wasn't planning on selling it... Do you really want it?"

"Ah."

As Wilson spoke, he pulled out his wallet, seemingly genuinely intending to buy it.

The shop owner hesitated for a long time, probably because she felt that the person in front of her had a really unique aesthetic sense, that she would be willing to buy such an ugly but cute thing to take home. In addition, she was not sure how much this thing could sell for, after all, it was ugly but cute.

"Uh, ten copper coins?"

"Here's a silver dollar, keep the change."

Wilson was very wealthy and never lacked money, so Igris would never know that the exquisite silver pocket watch she received was worth twenty gold coins.

If she knew, she would probably be even happier, so happy that she would almost want to hug it to sleep.

"it is good…"

The shop manager came into the shop, grabbed the doll that was leaning against the window, and handed it to Wilson.

Wilson looked at the ugly-cute doll in his hand, touched it, and put it into his bag full of supplies.

Consider it a gift; after all, simply sending some daily necessities would seem a bit too cold-hearted.

Girls of that age probably still prefer toys.

Although it's adorably ugly.

…………

Wilson returned to the wilderness. Once outside the city, there were hardly any people to be seen, and even animals were rare. However, the roads were still familiar, since he had been there once before and wouldn't forget them so easily.

Although it's called a wilderness, it's not really that desolate; various plants and other things can be seen everywhere.

In addition, it's still springtime, so the scenery outside the city should be quite nice.

"..."

He probably hadn't had this much leisure in a long time. He used to be very relaxed. Back then, he was still the Punisher, someone many people feared. So, back then, he was never the one who should have been afraid or worried.

But he can't do that now. The more he longs for a peaceful life, the further away that life seems to be. The more he fears trouble coming his way, the more trouble seems to come his way.

That's life; things rarely go as planned.

"—"

Finally, he arrived at the town called Dead Eye once again.

Perhaps the name is unlucky, but it doesn't matter anymore, since there are practically dead people everywhere here.

He set foot on this land once more, and he could see the masterpieces they had left behind when they last came.

The bar and the cleaner's house were burned down, Iglesias did it, probably because the bodies were too difficult to bury through normal means.

The woman named Jenny was buried under a streetlamp without a tombstone, at Isabella's request. According to her, she was a person who hated trouble in life, so she should be left with less trouble in death.

Whatever, Wilson doesn't know her, but Isabella does, so just listen to her.

And then there's the sheriff here, the poor guy who got sewn onto the dog. The dog was pretty pitiful too... Anyway, they were buried in the police station yard, and those targets became their tombstones. At least they finally had a proper resting place.

Although there's nothing to be happy about.

"stop."

"...?"

The call suddenly came from the end of the street, and the red figure rushed out, looking at Wilson with a wary expression.

"Why are you back again?"

"I'm bringing you something."

Wilson lifted the package he was carrying, and the mask made his emotions even more inscrutable.

"...It's dangerous here, you don't need to..."

“I was once a pitiful person just like you. I’m not only helping you, but also giving some comfort to my past self.”

Without hesitation, he tossed the package on his back to the girl in front of him.

"This is the only reason I came here. Please accept it and I'll be leaving."

"……Thanks."

Wilson waved his hand and walked out of the town.

His purpose was indeed very simple, and he didn't intend to say much, just to hear how grateful she was to him, or even to have a good cry.

That was meaningless and not what he wanted. He probably came back here hoping that someone could help him back then, just like he did.

Ah, actually, it's not that there weren't any, it's just that the person died a much more tragic death.

"...?"

strangeness.

Was there such a thick fog when he first arrived?

Why... is this fog red?

The Bizarre Stage Play – The Book of Secrets: Chapter Forty-Seven, The Encirclement

"Strange guy..."

Little Red Riding Hood opened the package, which contained a lot of food and daily necessities. These were common items, nothing special.

The only thing that really deserves attention is something else that is extremely conspicuous.

Among these practical supplies, it seemed utterly out of place.

Coupled with its pitiful appearance, this design, which seems to be attacking aesthetics, makes it hard for Little Red Riding Hood not to notice it.

A doll, a rag doll. She knew that these kinds of things were usually chosen as companions for children. Of course... even so, they would try their best to choose dolls that were relatively prettier, rather than this ugly thing in her hand that was almost indistinguishable.

But this was a gift for her, and she couldn't be too picky about her own gift.

"...It really does look ugly."

She poked the hat on the doll's head; it was soft and, although it looked like a trash can, it was indeed a hat.

Little Red Riding Hood also has a hat, which is one of the reasons why she got this name. She had already changed into a new outfit, but the new outfit turned red.

After all, her blood is red, and even though she doesn't look very human, she is still the same as humans in this respect.

"Um--"

Perhaps that's why she always found this trash can-like hat displeasing... Maybe she should try to dye it red?

But if it's blood, the smell will be too strong...

It's a happy kind of trouble.

She would certainly cherish this gift, after all, it should be the first gift she had ever received.

Perhaps today is also a day worth commemorating.

Although she lost her new home, the family and friends she might have had, and a good dog.

But one must always look forward; she certainly couldn't live in the past forever.

Once she settles down here and the dangers have completely left the area, she will be able to have a life that truly belongs to her, not only making friends but also looking forward to a bright future.

But...shouldn't she be looking for something else?

"Um--"

It's probably not anything important, right? If it can be forgotten, then it probably doesn't matter.