episode_0079

When I returned, I asked a member of the military police to call the Wolf Gang, and the first thing I did was find the room where the group was.

I was worried that something might have happened in the short time that Katy and I were away.

It was late at night so I thought I might have fallen asleep, but that wasn’t the case.

“Nothing happened, right?”

Mercy, who opened the door, was the first to greet me.

“Yes, yes. Nothing happened.”

Vivian and Helena were sitting in front of the desk and came out to meet them.

“Ian?”

“Oh, Ian.”

When I looked at the desk, there was a magic book and a combat manual that I had bought.

“It’s good to see that you are so passionate.”

Lucia was sleeping.

In order to maximize the Elixir’s recovery ability, a good night’s sleep was the best thing Lucia could do right now.

“To do better, you can’t be lazy… .”

Perhaps because she was conscious of Lucia sleeping, Helena spoke softly.

“Hmm. Can we expect more growth next time?”

“Ma, that’s right… ! oh… .”

Helena must have thought that she had made a loud noise without realizing it, so she hurriedly covered her mouth.

Fortunately, it seemed unlikely that Lucia would wake up.

I didn’t even say it that loudly.

“There is no need to overdo it until it is too late.”

“Yep… !”

“What about Lucia? Do you think it’s worth staying?”

The two immediately nodded.

“You are kind and good at speaking. You say it because you are a noble…? . Oh, you asked me to forget your last name, but it would be rude to say something like that, right? Ugh… .”

“Well, that’s about it… . Just in case, you just need to be careful in front of yourself.”

“Yes… .”

Helena also said.

“You are kind and easy-going, but you also have the side of putting people at ease.”

Mercy nodded as if she agreed.

Fortunately, Lucia’s first impression seemed to be good.

“Well, but… .”

Vivian cautiously opened her mouth.

“What is going on…? ?”

I left, saying I had some business to do, and took turns with Kati.

It’s natural to be curious.

Maybe you feel left out.

Since I wasn’t sure earlier, I didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry, so I kept quiet.

There are a lot of things that are somewhat clear now, so I don’t mind letting you know.

“The person who came to me… To be precise, I should say that there was someone chasing me.”

I told them everything, starting with the stares I had felt ever since I came here, and even about the person who had just ambushed me outside.

When they said they had been attacked from behind, both of their complexions turned very serious.

However, considering Mercy, there was no mention of the ‘Liberal League’ or criminal organizations at all.

There is no need to dwell on bad memories.

“… So, I sent Carty to find out who this guy was. It also seems to have some kind of relationship with the Anti-Imperial Coalition. It’s just a guess.”

“… … .”

Vivian and Helena nodded awkwardly.

It might sound like something from another world.

There were somewhat complicated emotions in their eyes.

A difficult and unfamiliar feeling of awe.

This is why I was reluctant to reveal that it was Philip… .

But you can’t keep it a secret.

If you hide it every time this situation repeats in the future, you will definitely feel more alienated and a wall may be created in your relationship.

The only thing I can do is to keep talking to them and let them get used to it.

When raising the first party, there was no chance of getting caught up in something this big in the beginning.

After they grew up, their heads got bigger and they didn’t have much interest in me.

Something like this happens when I try to start a new party… .

“… It’s not that big of a deal. That’s not to say the assassination was trivial, but you don’t have to find it that difficult for me. As I said, I am who I am. In the first place, it was Ian, not Philip.”

“Ah, yes… . Yeah, right… .”

“I know… .”

Being difficult for me will never be a comfortable feeling for these two.

In the end, we have no choice but to adapt well to each other.

-smart.

It seems that the Wolf Gang has come.

I answered as I felt the gaze of my companions.

“You are my guest. Is it okay if I come in for a moment?”

“Yes. Sure.”

“Yes. Of course.”

After accepting it as if it was natural, the two of them didn’t know what to do when they heard that a guest was coming.

Mercy chuckled as she looked at the two.

“You can stay comfortably.”

I told them and opened the door.

As expected, it was Wolf Gang.

After coming inside, he said jokingly:

“Wow, this place is too bright for someone like me to be rude.”

“I’m too anxious to leave my seat at all. Please understand.”

“You still care so much about your own party.”

He and I stood near the door and talked.

Although it was a very low probability, I could not ignore the possibility that Edgar’s forces would remain here and attack me when I left the room.

“It’s been quite a while since we had a conversation like this. Oh, by the way, the last Arke Village incident was handled well.”

“… Oh, that’s it.”

That happened.

“And there was one person who visited Felix.”

“Was there anyone looking for that guy?”

“That… . This is a woman named Penny who is currently the first party manager. He said he was also a master of the Manager’s Guild.”

“… Hmm.”

“When he came, he brought up the name Philip, and the soldier who was in charge of the guide at the time heard it… .”

Did that guy somehow reach there?

“Well, it’s okay. It’s not like I go anywhere and there’s no one who will understand me.”

It might be the case if you personally checked the clues like Vivian and Helena.

It is difficult for most people to believe that ‘Ian is Philip’.

After exchanging brief greetings, I asked.

“How is the progress of the investigation?”

“It’s more cooperative than I was worried about.”

I could tell who they were worried about from the expression “cooperative.”

… If you think about it, they are both people to worry about, but Kylie is a person of particular interest.

“Henry’s arms were cut off, but it was manageable.”

“Is your arm cut off?”

“When Kylie heard that Henry testified, she went wild. Since he was trying to kill me but he was holding back, he told me to tell Henry that he was grateful.”

“Huh. I guess I put up with it a lot because of his personality. What’s going on?”

“It was surprising, but it doesn’t mean there were no results. Henry’s mouth opened. He must be in the middle of making a statement right now.”

A simple greeting was enough.

It’s time to get to the point.

My business is two-fold.

I glanced at Lucia who was sleeping and asked.

“Is Andrea in this castle by any chance?”

Andrea di Fiorene.

Lorenzo’s eldest son and the first superhuman.

I am guessing that he may have pulled some kind of trick on Lucia.

It’s just a probability, but it’s a pretty high probability.

“Coming from outside the city. We’ll have to investigate to find out, but it seems difficult to tie Lorenzo to the same charges.”

“It’s not because of that. I have some personal business to attend to, so please let me know first when you arrive.”

“Of course.”

“And I was ambushed by a guy earlier… .”

I checked on Mercy and expressed it with gestures instead of words.

He drew a circle with his fingers on his wrist and drew an X.

“I met with their representative.”

Wolfgang nodded his head slowly.

“After sending him back to find out the base, I asked Katy to track him down… . I don’t think I can handle it alone if the facility is large. Could you please support me?”

“It’s the military police’s job, but shouldn’t it be Ian who provides the support, not us?”

Wolfgang chuckled.

“When I see you sometimes, you are amazing. In many ways. That sense of duty, the ability to execute. Shouldn’t our military police actually watch and learn?”

I smiled bitterly and looked at Mercy from the corner of my eye.

She was sitting next to Lucia and quietly looking down at Lucia.

It’s unlikely that Lucia will wake up or get sick, but I am taking care of her just in case.

I’m not sure why, but I feel a special sense of responsibility towards Mercy.

“I’m kind of amazing.”

I took away the bitterness with a joke.

“Once you confirm the location, you can depart immediately. As I said, the first two warrior parties are more cooperative than expected, so we have a bit more manpower. It is also because we are handling the internal officials of Fiorene with ease.”

Just when I heard the answer from Wolfgang, a telepathic message came from Kati.

[master. I found it.]

I immediately grabbed some paper and a writing utensil nearby and got ready to write down.

‘I’m listening.’

[From the eastern gate of Fiorene City… .]

Kati did not follow the route he followed, but showed it as an easy route to take.

Once again, I feel that my memory and spatial perception are amazing.

Wolfgang shook his head as if he trusted me as he watched me draw a map and write down an explanation.

[…] That is all.]

‘I’ll be right there.’

[and… . I haven’t figured out the exact number of opponents yet… .]

Carty rarely hesitated to report.

[…] Many elves are imprisoned.]

‘… Elf?’

I reflexively looked at Mercy, who was still sitting next to Lucia.

Liberal League, Elf.

After all, it’s this combination… .

Mercy felt my gaze and looked at me.

Unaware of the situation, she made eye contact for a few seconds, then smiled and placed her index finger on her cheek.

I ended up laughing while watching the prank of pretending to be pretty.

… So, is it finally possible to completely put an end to what happened with Mercy?

*

It’s been quite a while since I rode a horse.

Several horses gallop on a dirt road.

The early summer night breeze passed by pleasantly, but the situation was not one to enjoy it.

[There are two entrances, all disguised as abandoned buildings. One is a little bigger and the other is smaller. Additionally, there is a back road for emergency egress. It leads to a valley facing the north, but it is narrow enough that one or two people can barely pass… .]

I had to keep conveying the information I received from Kati to the Wolf Gang next to me.

After hearing the story, Wolf Gang relayed it to the two platoon leaders next to him.

The Liberal League mobilized two platoons of military police to attack the stronghold where its leader was hiding.

Add me, Wolfgang, and Katy to it.

[There are quite a few people skilled in combat. However, there is no person stronger than Edgar. Materials and capital seem to be coming and going in quite large units and there are a lot of people, so it is understood to be an important place.]

Wolfgang explained the operation.

“The 1st and 2nd platoons each enter through two entrances! Ian, just block the back road!”

I had to shout out loud because I was running fast.

“Okay! Which platoon will Wolfgang follow?!”

“Go to the larger of the two entrances with the 1st platoon!”

“Then, I will attach Carty to the 2nd platoon! Because we need to know each other’s situation!”

‘Carty. The 2nd platoon of the military police will enter through the small entrance. ‘Stay with me.’

[All right.]

‘What about Edgar?’

[It hasn’t come up since it went down to the depths. There was a risk of being discovered entering there, so I did not spy on them.]

‘good job. that’s enough.’

[…] thank you.]

“It’s a truly coveted ability! You’re so strong, but what on earth are you doing as a maid?!”

Even among those who know that I am Philip, there are very few who even know that Kati is Mine.

“He doesn’t intend to become a warrior?!”

It’s not that I haven’t thought about that.

But to Demon, to become a hero to kill the Demon King… .

I don’t know what a mine is, but it didn’t seem like it.

Katy is already living a life that goes against her instincts for me.

“Just my… .”

I almost called her a maid without realizing it.

“… No, I wouldn’t think so anyway!”

“What a waste of talent! You actually blocked Kylie’s attack!”

That surprised me too.

Carty’s claim that it is due to diet is valid.

Still, I’ve become much stronger than I knew… .

What do you do alone without me knowing?

“But weren’t you a maid in the past?! Obviously different clothes… .”

“There, that place!”

I cut off Wolfgang’s words.

There was nothing I could do as my destination was getting closer.

From now on, you must dismount your horse and approach quietly.

Even so, if the other person notices in advance and runs away, it will be difficult.

While the dismounted military police were forming their ranks, they communicated with Kati.

‘We’re almost there. how is it?’

[A few more people came, but there were no strong people worth noting.]

‘okay. I’m in charge of the back roads, so please know.’

[yes.]

After checking the weapons and personnel, the military police advanced, carefully stepping on the grass.

A very small sound rang out.

The black armor of the military police naturally blended into the darkness.

The silent march of the heavily armed military police seemed as if darkness was flowing.

“See you later.”

I separated from the group and headed in the direction that led to the back road for evacuation.

[…] Be careful.]

‘you also.’

Last time I fought with Edgar, I was in a hurry so I took out my fake sword, but today I’ll have to use my real sword properly.

***

Edgar was receiving treatment deep underground in the base.

‘Pathetic guy… .’

Ian’s skills were too much for him to handle.

However, the other person’s temperament was very immature.

I had a chance to kill him, but I missed it by doing something pointless.

That foolishness saved his life, so he was even grateful.

‘damn… . Rather, I think we should cut ties with the Anti-Imperial Coalition altogether.’

That wasn’t as easy as it sounds.

This is because one of the remnants, Gustav von Brehem, is hiding in this very base.

I am still next to Edgar as he is receiving treatment.

“Henry and Lorenzo aside, even the first party was arrested… . I didn’t know it would come out this strong… .”

He, who was accompanying Kylie, sensed danger when he saw that Henry had already been arrested.

When Kylie went crazy and started throwing swords, I immediately ran away.

This was Edgar’s base, which he chose as a place to escape.

Edgar felt complicated looking at him.

It might be fortunate that Gustav is here.

Henry doesn’t know this base, but Gustav knows this place.

If this person had been caught, the location of this place would have been ruined.

Although the Liberal League is difficult to track due to its point-organized activities, there is bound to be a place that regulates all of its activities.

This base was also one of the places of control.

This place is full of important documents recording the history of the Liberal Alliance’s activities and the locations of its bases.

In terms of ranking, it is an important place, right after the main base.

‘Henry would have already mentioned the alliance with the Anti-Imperial Coalition… . Fuck, why did things get so messed up… ? Ian, what is that guy… .’

As Edgar continued his frustrating thoughts.

-bang!

The door hurriedly opened and a subordinate came in.

“Dae, CEO… !”

“What is it?”

“The military police invaded… !”

“… What?”

“And on the back road for evacuation… .”