Wolf Hunt #1

 

“Oh, really—so that’s how it turned out.”

When I explained the whole story, the adjutant nodded in understanding.

“Well, there’s no way Estelle’s colleague is a vigilante. The captain trusts you so much.”

“You’ll keep the secret, right?”

“Of course. We don’t care what happens to those vigilantes. In fact, it’s refreshing to know they’ve taken the fall for us.”

In principle, adventurers killing each other and stealing each other’s equipment should be punished.

However, considering the circumstances, our counterattack was closer to self-defense.

And, reflecting the deep-seated animosity between the guards and the vigilantes, we were not held accountable.

“But it would be best to erase the Vigilante emblem from the armor. It could cause misunderstandings, as it did now.”

The adjutant advised.

“Especially in an atmosphere like today… Ah, please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“Are you saying that I shouldn’t get caught up in the middle of a fight between the security forces and the vigilantes and get in trouble?”

“How did you know?”

The adjutant’s mouth fell open.

“We’ve also been getting some information. There’s probably going to be a large-scale conflict soon.”

“You really know everything. You know everything, so there’s no need to beat around the bush. Estelle, you’re right.”

The expressions on the adjutants and guardsmen were quite solemn. They were the faces of those prepared for a decisive battle.

The main quest of Garden, the rebellion of the vigilantes is imminent.

It won’t be long before a bloody storm sweeps through Garden.

“I have something to say about that. I want to see the captain.”

“The captain?”

“Maybe we can help.”

The adjutant thought for a moment, then nodded readily.

The vigilantes are by no means easy.

From the guard’s standpoint, there’s no reason for them to refuse if we step forward and help.

Will the final winner be the Guard or the Vigilantes?

The key to that victory was entirely in my hands.

***

Inside the guard barracks.

My request was accepted, and a secret emergency meeting was held.

“You found their secret hideout?”

The captain’s eyes lit up.

The fact that they built a hideout underground in the Garden to avoid the Empire’s eyes is in itself evidence of an attempted rebellion.

The vigilantes have finally crossed the line of no return.

Now, only the execution remains.

“I can’t just sit back and watch. Tell me where they are. I need to mobilize all my forces and subdue them, even now.”

“Captain, wait a minute. That’s not as easy as it sounds.”

“Estelle, is there a problem?”

“Think about it. If the soldiers rush in, they’ll be discovered in no time. And their hideout is a labyrinthine underground cavern with winding paths. If they hole up, grit their teeth, and focus on defense, it’s obvious that the guards will suffer more losses.”

“You’re absolutely right. This is tricky….”

The captain of the guard let out a sigh. The adjutant also looked embarrassed.

If it were an open field, the outcome would be decided by an honest fight, but now the situation is different.

A terrain where one vigilante can easily take on two or three guards.

The guards’ strength was not enough to breach the hideout, which was optimized for defense.

The captain’s worries deepened. The guards seemed to have no clear solution to the situation.

At this point, I guess I should come up with a clever idea.

“There’s only one answer. A small force must infiltrate covertly. If we sneak inside and poke around, they won’t come to their senses.”

“Is that possible?”

“I have no choice but to try.”

I walked up to the large map hanging on the wall.

This is an operational map depicting the citadel, barracks, and streets of Garden.

“They are hiding under the ground in Garden now.”

I drew an arrow down to the Garden Colony.

Then he drew a large circle and wrote the name ‘vigilante group’ in it.

“They’re building up their strength in the underground caves. This is their secret weapon: the Dwarf Vision Cannon.”

“A cannon? Are you saying those guys have such a weapon prepared?”

“We haven’t heard anything.”

The conference room was in an uproar.

The captain, adjutant, and squad leader looked visibly flustered.

It can’t be helped.

This information is top secret and cannot be obtained by the guards in advance.

It’s natural not to know.

If the player does not help, Garden will become a sea of fire under Dawson’s cannon.

Neither the guards nor the adventurers could survive in that fierce fire.

“There’s no way to bring a weapon like a cannon into Garden… Are you saying you missed that big lump of iron at the guard post?”

“No. The cannons weren’t brought in from outside. They were assembled underground, gathering materials. Dawson has kidnapped several dwarven craftsmen and is now working under his command.”

“Kidnapping, my goodness! I never imagined you’d do something like that. That bastard Dawson…”

The captain wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Even at this very moment, Dawson’s secret weapon is being smoothly manufactured underground.

It seems that the fact that the port could turn against him at any time is starting to come true.

I drew a few small cannons on the vigilante hideout on the map.

And then he drew an X on it.

“Our party will thwart Dawson’s plan. He doesn’t yet know we’ve figured it out. If we’re good, we can even use the cannons against him.”

“Certainly, if what Estelle says is true, we have a chance.”

The adjutant nodded repeatedly. But the captain frowned.

“Hmm… This will undoubtedly be a dangerous mission. You don’t need to take such risks. If we have to carry out this operation, I’ll select someone from our guard.”

“Thank you for the kind words, but it’s okay. Leave it to us. You have other things to do.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Disturbance them from outside. This will make it easier for us to infiltrate. And if there’s chaos inside, that’s when the guards will make their full-scale assault.”

I drew a thick cloud of dust over the vigilante hideout.

Cannons and people are all mixed up, causing chaos.

And, the arrow with the guard sign pointed towards the underground cave.

Namely, Operation ‘Wolf Hunt’.

If the operation proceeds smoothly, the vigilantes will be helplessly defeated by surprise attacks from both inside and outside.

‘This is the strategy with the highest probability of success.’

There is also another reason why I proposed this operation.

‘It’s also the strategy with the most rewards.’

In this operation, a small infiltration team plays a key role that determines the success or failure of the operation.

It’s a big risk, but the stakes are high.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

The captain of the guard still had a hesitant look on his face.

“I told you it’s okay. I’m not doing this for nothing. Just give me a generous reward when you’re done.”

“Don’t worry about that. Once the expedition is successfully concluded, I will report every single one of your accomplishments to my superiors. If you do well, you may even receive a medal.”

“The medal goes to the captain. I need something that actually helps me, not something like that piece of metal.”

The meeting ended like that.

The guard adjutants and squad leaders began the task of putting into practice the operation I had devised.

Troop deployment, formation, order of entering the hideout, and the signal⋯.

As it was an urgent matter, everyone hurried quickly.

“When you’re ready, tell me.”

The captain of the guard also put on his armor and took up his weapon.

As I looked at that face, a vague image from my past memories began to come to mind.

Captain, I think I’ve seen you somewhere.

I squinted my eyes and observed the captain.

Why does that face look familiar?

‘ah.’

Suddenly, I realized.

At the same time, a shock struck Jeongsu-ri as if lightning had struck him.

‘Your face looks exactly like Yuria’s.’

As I was leaving Richie’s mansion and heading towards Garden.

A young woman’s body was found in the thieves’ hut.

The unfortunate maiden’s name is Yuria.

In her arms was a carefully handwritten letter.

A tragic letter that was never delivered to my brother.

That letter is still kept safely in my cloak.

“I searched every soldier in Garden, but Yuria’s brother wasn’t there. It was dark under the lamp.”

I realized my mistake too late.

Yuria’s older brother wasn’t a soldier. He was a captain of the guard.

I couldn’t find it no matter how long I looked for it.

I’m glad I can tell you now.

He put his hands into his cloak pockets.

I really wanted to convey this letter.

Leaving aside the talk of quests and rewards, I thought that would make me feel better.

“Estelle, do you have something to say to me?”

The captain of the guard noticed my gaze and looked at me curiously.

My hand, which was in my arms, stopped.

I picked up the letter and thought about it for a moment.

‘The timing is bad.’

The letter must be delivered, but now is not the right time.

At this juncture, with an important operation imminent, it would be unwise to deliver the bad news to the captain.

“I have something to say to the captain.”

“Speak as much as you want. I’m always ready to listen to what you have to say.”

“But that’s not the time to talk about it now. I’ll tell you when the vigilante suppression is over. Is that okay?”

“I don’t know what it is, but it must be something important.”

The captain shrugged.

Although he had grown a thick mustache and beard, his kind face was just like his younger sister’s.

“Let’s do that, Estelle. Let’s talk after we’re done.”

“okay.”

The captain of the guard patted my shoulder and walked past me.

I stood there and stared blankly at his back for a moment.