episode_0033

“I did everything the Brigade Commander told me to do! Let’s go back!”

Ha, that’s ridiculous.

It was quite a distance, but I was paying attention to what the guys going back were saying, and this is what I heard.

Oh. Don’t you know I have translation privileges?

If they were talking amongst themselves and didn’t know what we were talking about, then that would be understandable.

By the way, you’re a brigade commander. If you’re a brigade commander, you’re directly under the Four Heavenly Kings, right? Well, to invade the country of Yoso, you have to be at least that high.

If he had infiltrated this far away place from the battlefield under the orders of Kritik, the Four Heavenly Kings and Commander of the Legion, he would probably be of that rank.

Suddenly, I remembered the conversation with the Jituasusu tribe member Kiki who had been in contact with Chujara.

Was the name of the guy who communicated with him Kuhora?

Even if I could find out the information I was curious about by immediately capturing and interrogating the fleeing enemies, it was still premature for me to step forward.

The most fatal thing for them would be that they are completely unaware of my existence.

It doesn’t seem like there’s any particular trap, so should I just deal with it?

The thought that I could sweep it away without having to capture it. I decided not to get involved if it was a problem that could be solved within the element tribe, but this was a problem that had long since gone beyond that level.

“What do you do with enemies that usually run away?”

Still, I asked patiently one more time.

“Keep your distance and keep a close eye on their rear. Only take out enemies that you can definitely kill. Don’t follow them too far, as they might be traps designed to lure us in.”

Although the difference in force was between a squad and a battalion, considering their ability to easily overcome the pursuit of hundreds of Chujaras, it was not a bad idea to attack the retreating enemies.

It’s not often that a situation is this easy to attack. If it was a tactic to buy time, it would be best not to get involved.

But if I step forward and the enemies get scared and stay put, it will be difficult to eliminate them. It’s not for nothing that I’m so focused on quietly dealing with them.

“Then what about now?”

“I would like to check if other members of my kin are being held hostage, but for now, I will have to be satisfied with the fact that we were able to rescue them without any casualties. Although I doubt if they are really of my kin.”

“I see.”

Everyone seems suspicious because they are looking at other factors besides Aor.

Well, if you hand it over almost openly, it would be dereliction of duty if you don’t suspect anything.

As Aor said, you rescued me too easily. It was as if you had let me go on purpose. But it was so obvious that it was actually strange.

“Suspicious. Maybe it was intentional. But for a spy, it was too cruel.”

Aoru was suspicious just as I was, but he put his doubts to rest, thinking that if that was the case, then his appearance wouldn’t be this horrible.

“Or maybe you have a bomb attached to your body.”

“Bomb? What is that?”

The interest shown when guesses are put into words. Rather than thinking about it alone, it encourages people to share opinions and deduce possibilities.

“That’s an explosive object. If there’s a similar object in this world, you know, a cannon shell?”

“You mean the weapon used by Canturko?”

“Yes. Like bows and arrows, cannons and shells, but when shells hit the ground, they explode.”

Rather than saying it exploded, he lumped together the story that it made a loud noise as if it had exploded when dropped by artillery fire.

Considering the historical background of this world, I thought they might have carved stones or used iron balls.

“I’ve heard of it.”

“But this is a weapon that is not put into a cannon, but is attached to the body and used to explode to cause damage.”

“That’s…?! Then does that mean my fellow tribesman’s body will explode!?”

“That could be possible, but don’t worry too much. If it’s not magic, there’s probably something dangerous, like a bomb, attached to the body somewhere. Bombs also need a lot of volume to explode big.”

If the hostage was a demon and had intentionally wrapped a bomb around his body, it probably wouldn’t have been a suicide attack.

It would be more effective to throw it like a shroud or dig a trap.

Moreover, when I quickly glanced over it earlier, there didn’t seem to be any bombs or anything on the hostage’s body.

“This is just an inference. But since this is your first time hearing it, I guess there has never been a case like that?”

“Yes, fortunately.”

“Then maybe it was some kind of magical trick. Is there anyone here who is good at magic?”

I asked around with various possibilities in mind, but unfortunately there was no element that had knowledge of magic.

“I don’t think so.”

I looked around with a feeling of hope that Aordo might be there, but it was quiet.

“Then I’ll contact my colleague who has a lot of magical knowledge and find out.”

On the continent, or perhaps in this world, he was the greatest magician and sage, and he was about to be called the greatest.

Also, considering the priority of the work, I left two silent signals in case I messed up the work by contacting you during an infiltration or similar situation.

If it was something I had to contact quickly, I would have left a signal by blinking the light three or more times, but since I simply had a question, one or two signals were enough.

“Your colleague will contact you later, so you can find out then. Even if you don’t know what it is, it’s clear that something was done to the hostage.”

As soon as they reached the temporary base, they declared that they would be on high alert. The hostage was a rare element. From the perspective of the Demon King’s army, it was a waste to waste it like this.

“I don’t have much magical knowledge, but I’ll tell you what little I know.”

For example, by making someone lose their senses with drugs given to them in advance and attacking their colleagues. For example, by drawing a magic circle on their skin and brainwashing them. For example, by using it as a portal for movement. Or, for example, by using magical items for such purposes.

He briefly explained the techniques that were used, although not often, when rescuing prisoners on the battlefield.

“So the way to deal with it is to check if the hostage has a magical tattoo or magical tool on his body. If he has been drugged, you should make him vomit or tie him up and observe his condition.”

At the same time, we arrived at the temporary shelter, and fortunately, the situation we were worried about did not occur.

“Was there anything unusual?”

“Yes!”

“What is the physical condition of your fellow tribesman?”

“There are some wounds here and there, but they are not life-threatening. However, it seems like it will be difficult to talk.”

“Ugh-.”

Two elements in the makeshift shelter waited behind the blue element’s sight, while another one comforted the crouching blue element.

“Check if there is anything wrong with your body.”

“Yes.”

As Aor gestures, the two elements that were following him move.

“Huh?”

Although his touch was not rough, he was skilled at holding onto someone so they wouldn’t run away.

“Are you looking back?”

“No. Please watch it with us for our lack of magical knowledge.”

After a while, he skillfully took off his outer clothes, but it wasn’t difficult because they were just rags.

“Okay.”

“Oh my gosh-.”

Did he regress to childhood due to mental shock? Krilik is like a mad scientist among the Four Heavenly Kings, but this is still so disturbing no matter how many times I see it.

“Um… .”

The scars on the blue element’s body were so unpleasant that he narrowed his eyes. Still, he carefully checked to see if there were any bombs or magical elements to prevent any unforeseen situations.

“If it’s okay, you can touch it.”

“Oh, no. You can judge it by looking at it, so there’s no need to touch it.”

“I see.”

“What-?!”

But when I approached him to touch him without hesitation, he flinched and stepped back.

“Hmm-. Maybe the human male is cooperating with the Demon King’s army. Or maybe the human male captured him as a slave and sold him.”

It didn’t seem to show any particular aversion to contact with the same element, but when I approached it, it seemed to become anxious and pulled the element next to it toward itself.

“Looking at the reaction, there is room for suspicion.”

“I know it’s not a good situation to have to do an examination like this, but could you please put both arms up there? Yes. And put your hair up too. Oh yeah. Ah-.”

I obediently followed the instructions to open my mouth.

Check every nook and cranny like that.

Inside the ear. Armpit. Back of the neck. Roof of the mouth.

I even checked the soles of my feet just in case.

“There doesn’t seem to be any magical symbols, and it doesn’t seem particularly dangerous.”

There are some scars here and there, but that’s all.

“I see. Thank you for your help.”

From the moment of arrival, he intentionally did not call him a warrior. It meant that he was on guard until he was sure of Aordo.

I didn’t call Aor that either.

His ability to understand the situation isn’t bad either. If you look at his determination and consideration, he’s quite capable.

That’s why Aor’s mistake is so strange. It’s even more surprising because he doesn’t ignore other races, but rather knows how to bow his head.

“Now feed the recovery potion.”

After verification that it is harmless, the waiting element cures the blue element.

“Cherpin. Please send a spirit to send a recovery team.”

A messenger went directly to Ollie to ensure smooth communication, but in reality, the spirit is the fastest. This is also ordinary.

A meeting that continues far from the blue element. No magical work has been discovered, but we still do not let down our guard.

“Key White.”

“Yes!”

“Can you take your people to the city?”

“I will do my best!”

Distribute the material to other elements as if giving a crisp answer.

“It’s not that far from the boundary, so when we get there, we’ll be able to see if they’re really our kind. If not… .”

In a more certain way than my magical opinion.

What they believed was a barrier protecting the country of Yeo, which even Millet could not enter and asked me to enter.

“I will definitely take care of it then.”

I thought he was loyal, but for a moment his eyes became serious.

“Follow me.”

“Ugh-.”

At Aor’s command, he immediately takes the blue element. He thought he was being dragged along a bit too forcefully, but he puts down his supplies and carries him bare-handed.

“Then shall we move too?”

I take a moment to check the way back and pick up my backpack, which has become heavier due to the increased luggage.

“That’s right.”

I feel the Demon King’s army, which I thought had retreated, surrounding me again. It seems like they are in a hurry, as if they have entered the detection range of the elements as well as me.

“Oh, wait a minute.”

Just as I was packing my bags and about to leave, I got a call and touched the jewel, and only then did it start to vibrate and make a ‘humming’ sound.

“You.”

This is quite coincidental, as soon as the blue element leaves.

“I am the real woman.”

I was contacted by Mille, a fellow magician with a wealth of magical knowledge and known as a wise man.

If I had known this would happen, I should have waited a little longer.

If it was Mille, she would have pointed out the magical part that I had missed. I felt like chasing after it and catching it, but I held back.

“I’m in a hurry, so let me get to the point.”

Before any small talk could begin, he summarized the situation.

“Did you say blue element?”

“Yeah.”

“I met with the leader of the Chujaras last night. I heard that a blue-skinned element calling itself Kuhora came and made a deal.”

It seems that Millet went around here and there and gathered information in his own way.

But why did I receive this call right after I sent away the suspect who was presumed to be the mastermind behind the incident?

I wanted to hurry and restrain the blue element, but I felt that the enemy forces were advancing. If I escaped alone, I could easily escape, but then I couldn’t guarantee the safety of others, so it was difficult to move recklessly.

“Well, somehow.”

But this makes it certain.

The fact that the blue element just now is Kuhora, who is directly under Critique and the mastermind behind this incident.

“That’s right. As you may have guessed, Kuhora is a test subject of Critrick.”

Me… Dato?

“The experimental subject that gave birth to the offspring using the female element as the mother is probably Kuhora. I don’t know what kind of monster it is, but it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.”

Not behind the scenes?

He casually talks about the following content of the deduction as if what I inferred was obvious information. It was not unexpected that it was definitely a factor in the Demon Tribe’s experiment that led to such a disgrace, but since I had already secured evidence here and there that it was a mastermind, I was slightly bewildered by the conclusion that both this and that were correct.

“Just like the advice you gave me before, the saying that if you want to deceive your enemies, you must first deceive your own is true to Critrick. That’s why even I, the person who reorganized Critrick’s organization, found it difficult to find out.”

“… Right.”

Because he is quiet and doesn’t show any signs of anger, I keep explaining things to him.

So is this why they say that if you stay still, the middle ground will pass?

Thanks to that, I was about to ask if Kuhora was also a victim.

“Still, since he is definitely a brigade commander, if we capture the demon named Kuhora, it will be an opportunity to deal with one of Krilik’s followers whose whereabouts have been unknown for some time.”

He then goes on to tell us the details: that bastard Kritrick was the Nazi and Hitler of this world.

That fucking son of a bitch. And a great son of a bitch.

It was convenient because Millet explained it to me without me having to guess.

“Thanks for the info. Let’s talk more later.”

But the story about the true nature of the Critic, which we are waiting for while holding back our growing curiosity. We do not have the time to hear this at present.

“We’re surrounded by the Demon King’s army right now. It’ll probably be hard to escape.”

Even as we talk, the area around us is slowly closing in.

If they had set off without receiving any contact, they might have narrowly escaped, but it is better to face the present and prepare for it than to speculate about what has already happened. In that sense, Aor and the elements that laid down supplies and temporarily set up camp were experts who knew how to make immediate judgments and act.

“So, can you help me find out where the Demon King’s Army is, other than here?”

If only I hadn’t told them to wait, this wouldn’t have happened, because no one blamed me and I just did it silently.

I have a duty to repay this kind of attitude with faith.

“Of course, it’s like that even if it’s not like that.”

“As expected, Mille. She’s so wise.”

“Kuhuhu. You can praise me even more.”

“I’d like to, but I’m busy, so I’ll hang up now.”

“Good luck.”

“Millet too.”

A jewel that blocks magical powers and is stored in a pocket inside the chest.

“Can you tell me right now that the blue element is very suspicious?”

Immediately to Aor, who was commanding the scene.

“I have already sent the spirit.”

He used to give orders with hand gestures.

The spirit sent earlier had been to request a recovery team, and now it was a message confirming that the blue element was beyond caution and was a target of alert.

Unlike messengers, spirits have difficulty communicating, but they are fast and would have confirmed it immediately after sending it.

There will be no more tragedies if we let our guard down because of this.

If you have the skills of a brigade commander, you’ll be slightly better than the Aor next to you, but if you’re a quick elemental, you’ll be able to run away easily.