Ch.467Midnight Rendezvous

Night approaches.

Fluffy snowflakes flutter down, settling like a blanket over the plaza.

The gray snowfield has risen to ankle height. The blue-white moonlight illuminates the half-broken streetlamp, casting long shadows across the snow.

The city that had been burning with heat, cheers, and flames until midday was now filled with quiet silence and bitter cold.

As if the city itself had died.

…Well, I like the quiet.

I tossed the empty cigarette pack behind me and lit my last remaining cigarette.

A scarlet glow added to the pale winter plaza.

It must be around two o’clock by now.

If I’d known it would be like this, I should have brought more cigarettes. They’ll probably be hard to find in this city.

Exhaling a breath mixed with a yawn, I used the rising smoke as company to drive away the approaching drowsiness once more.

The burnt mint flavor seeping into my lungs cleared the fog in my head.

I couldn’t fall asleep here.

Not because of the cold. Rurik’s hide actually grew warmer as the weather got colder, now as warm as midsummer sunshine.

Despite the snow all around, the area around me was quite toasty.

Thanks, Rurik. You’re probably decorating my mansion by now.

The King of Werebeasts, stuffed and mounted… honestly, it might be quite pleasant to look at.

I should go see it sometime.

Anyway, the reason I couldn’t sleep… no, the reason I was forcing myself to stay awake was because I couldn’t trust anyone in this city.

Of course, the Paladins of Astraea wouldn’t launch a night attack. They’re not that type.

Even if they did attack at night, they would wake me up with flashing golden holy light before charging. Ambushing a sleeping woman wouldn’t be righteous.

…That is, if they considered me a woman.

But the followers of the Church of Kranus… or the mob protesters who must be full of resentment by now would be a different story.

They’re hostile to me too, but unlike the Paladins of Astraea, they wouldn’t be bound by methods or principles.

Or maybe… the masterminds behind this plot. They might take action themselves.

After all, I’ve interfered with their plans.

– Crunch.

Well then… let’s see who’s come to visit.

—-

I turned my head toward the sound of footsteps crushing the snow. One person. A young man. No hostility detected.

Then not an assassin targeting me, but perhaps one of the Crusaders I was waiting for?

“Who’s there?”

I placed my hand on Durandal’s hilt and half-rose. Ready to charge immediately if they proved to be an enemy.

My muscles, loosened by the heat, contracted and tightened.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Baron Median.”

The man who stopped at my threat bowed his head respectfully, as if asking me not to attack.

“I am Fritz of the Special Operations Crusaders. I’m in charge of investigating this place, Arad.”

So it was the Special Operations Crusaders after all.

I waited for quite a while, and they’re only showing up now.

As I removed my hand from the sword hilt and adjusted my posture, Fritz raised his head and took a few more steps toward me.

“Nice to meet you. I was wondering when you’d come.”

I greeted him with a slight wave of the hand holding my cigarette.

“I apologize. Having to move while avoiding others’ eyes…”

“Ah, I’m not blaming you. You said you were conducting an undercover investigation, so naturally it would be difficult to get away.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Fritz, now face to face, appeared to be a sturdy man of about thirty.

Having infiltrated the protesters for information gathering, glimpses of the same rough armor as theirs could be seen through his thick cloak. Probably provided by the Church of Kranus.

Perhaps due to the cold weather, his hooded face was flushed red, and his fingertips peeking out from his clothes were trembling slightly.

He must be having a hard time.

“So, how are the results? I’d like to hear if you’ve found anything.”

Since the last report was about tracking down the shadowy figures inciting the protesters, I thought he might have found some clues by now.

I’d be a bit disappointed if he hadn’t discovered anything.

“I have found clues. However… it would be difficult to discuss them here.”

Fritz frowned with a troubled expression as he looked around.

He doesn’t want to speak in an open area? I’m not sure if I should call him cautious or just annoying.

I exhaled a mouthful of smoke and lightly flicked the cigarette butt.

The burnt ash fell off and dissolved into the air.

“Is there really a need to be so careful? Even if we talk here, only I would hear it. There’s no human presence anywhere around us.”

“I don’t doubt Baron Median’s abilities, but… with magic or miracles, there are plenty of ways to eavesdrop without getting close.”

…Right. That makes sense.

His wariness of magic and miracles… that means the culprits behind this are related to such people.

If we’re dealing with a mage, I certainly couldn’t judge safety based solely on the presence or absence of auras.

I had no choice but to follow Fritz’s request.

“Hmm… alright, fine. So, where do you plan to talk?”

“Please follow me. I’ll guide you to the Crusaders’ safe house.”

Fritz turned and began walking. I got up from my beloved bench and followed him, trampling through the snow.

A Crusader secret residence. Come to think of it, this might be good. I could get some sleep there.

Even if it’s only for a couple of hours.

—-

“Ah, by the way.”

Following Fritz away from the plaza, I voiced a question that suddenly occurred to me.

“I thought you’d be curious about Lacy’s news, but you don’t seem interested? Since you haven’t asked me.”

If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to contain my curiosity.

Like why I came to Arad alone, leaving the others behind, or why I drew a line with the Church of Elpinel by advocating an impossible occupation theory.

The fact that he’s not asking me… is it because, being clever, he’s already guessed the reasons?

“That’s a misunderstanding. How could we be indifferent to Lady Elmaine’s welfare? The reason I haven’t asked is… well, we’ve already received reports through correspondence.”

Fritz answered nonchalantly without even looking back at me.

Received reports through correspondence, he says.

“…Is that so?”

I stopped walking.

And with my hand on Durandal’s hilt, glaring at Fritz’s back, I asked again.

“—Who are you?”

In a voice colder than the dawn chill.

—-

“Who am I? What are you suddenly saying…?”

Fritz turned his head slightly toward me with a forced laugh, as if I’d made some strange joke.

Playing dumb, huh.

Fritz’s reaction was so natural that it didn’t feel the least bit off, but… I was already certain.

That this man before me was my enemy.

And for good reason…

“Correspondence? You heard through correspondence? How could that be? Unless you rode a dragon, there’s no way a letter could have arrived before me.”

If that had been possible, I would have arrived in Arad before the protests even began.

So his words were a blatant lie. He probably thought he could get away with a convenient excuse.

“I’ll ask again. Who exactly are you?”

Durandal, filled with killing intent, was now pointed at Fritz, who had stopped in his tracks.

“……”

Fritz remained silent for a while.

That silence itself was proof that my suspicion was correct.

“Ha. I never thought I’d be exposed by such a trivial reason. I was too careless. I heard you were a stupid barbarian… but that’s not quite the case, is it?”

With a snicker, Fritz turned to face me.

On his forehead, which had been bare just moments ago, was now a crimson tattoo.

“Well, that just means your intelligence is worse than a barbarian’s. Anyway, when I ask who you are, are you too stupid to remember your own name?”

I mocked Fritz, who had revealed his true colors, while reassessing his aura.

…He didn’t seem particularly strong.

I could sense mana, but at a level that was barely enough to call him a mage, and his warrior’s presence was mediocre at best.

To be honest, I felt I could kill him with a single strike.

More importantly, that tattoo, I remember seeing something similar somewhere… when was it?

Was it in the game before I fell into this world? The memory was frustratingly vague.

That might mean he’s not a particularly important figure.

“I already told you my name. It’s Fritz. Have you forgotten already?”

Fritz was really his real name…?

I don’t know that name. Who the hell is this guy?

“Fritz… Honestly, I’ve never heard that name before. Who are you? How did you know about the Special Operations Crusaders?”

“Never heard of me? That’s harsh. You should remember your subordinates’ names! Even if I’m not directly under you, we’re on the same side!”

With a fierce grin, Fritz drew his sword and charged at me.

Or rather, he attempted to charge.

– Swoosh!

With a flash of blue-white light, his limbs flew through the air.

Fritz spun around with the momentum of his charge and crashed face-first into the snow with a thud.

Is he insane?

A mere knight with a steel sword daring to attack me?

“Kuhk…!”

I stepped on Fritz’s back as he groaned and placed my sword against his neck.

The gray snow, soaked with his blood, slowly melted.