35 – Chapter 35. Sharing a Bed with the Enemy? (3)
“Ninja disguise technique.”
I immediately stood up.
According to my biological clock, it’s currently 2 a.m.
It’s the perfect time to be active.
[Are you going outside?]
Damn, surprised me. Triborg was sitting cross-legged in the corner.
Come to think of it, I remember it saying that it doesn’t sleep because it’s a robot.
“Ninja deserters are active at night.”
Unless there’s a disaster where Yakuzaya Oyabun’s wide-area skill breaks, that is.
[I see.]
After a simple dinner, Triborg casually moved on without saying a word about my mission and beliefs.
[Are you just going to scout?]
“For now.”
I quickly put on my ninja suit using the ninja disassembly method.
The ninja didn’t bring any bulky equipment either.
I have to consider the possibility that Yugeomyeong’s hearing is better than mine.
There’s no need to wear a ninja suit and move clumsily when I’m not going to fight. I’ll be a laughingstock if I get caught.
“I’ll keep an eye on the house. I’ll be back.”
It feels like I’ve become a salaryman struggling to protect my family.
Did even the Powered-Mountain Gorilla go to work with such feelings?
Honestly, I don’t know anything about the thoughts of a thug like that.
[Understood.]
Drrr.
As always, a ninja travels through windows. Using the door is for third-rate and below.
As soon as I opened the inn, I used the Shadow Step and walked.
Unlike the standard territories like Martolan in the Irugal Kingdom or the fortress city of Goldon, this place is a village.
Since the buildings are too low, riding on the roofs is prohibited.
After finding a suitable spot, I used the Ninja Radar.
Wooong-
There are green lights lying in the shape of people. They are the villagers.
In this rural corner, the only pastime the people have at night is mixed-gender wrestling.
It’s normal to scratch your stomach for a bit and lie down on the bed to sleep after the sun sets.
Only the people who were playing jin outside the village were moving, and they seemed like the Hongyeom Dragon Knights with their dignified steps.
There were also a few people lying near them.
There shouldn’t be any kids sleeping outside the village, so they’re probably knights waiting in makeshift lodgings.
There are samurai standing guard to protect the people from external threats?!
This is ridiculous.
To make a definite judgment, I need to confirm with my own two eyes.
Sasak-
Risking danger, he approached the samurai, no, the knights.
“…”
The women who silently stood guard all had short hair, perhaps due to the knights’ code.
From a distance, they looked like clone soldiers with similar builds but different hair colors.
Truly, a group of unique, unmarried knights.
Was the Iron Crab Knights a gathering place for exceptional women to freely grow their hair?
Anyway, judging by the color of their armor, it was confirmed to be the Crimson Flame Dragon Knights.
As he got closer, he intended to check if they had a black sword.
“Let’s go.”
Other knights came out from nearby makeshift lodgings.
Did they notice my presence? Not a black sword, just a regular knight?
He drew a dagger from his bosom for now.
“It’s time.”
“Yeah.”
The short-haired knight moved aside, and another short-haired knight took their place.
What’s this? Just a shift change, I guess.
If you become complacent because of your strength, even simple problems become difficult.
Is this a difference in mindset? It’s not necessarily good to be serious.
“Any special instructions?”
“No problem.”
“Good job.”
“You too.”
The eyes of the knights, who appeared slightly tired, were filled with a sense of duty and responsibility.
From Noble mtl dot com
A beauty that couldn’t be seen in the samurai who were filled with a sense of superiority.
Small doubts turned into strong convictions.
They are not samurai.
“But… I don’t see Yukumgyeong.”
“He went out for reconnaissance. He said he wanted to do it alone, so I just let him go.”
“But still, someone should have followed him. He… you know.”
“…He can be a bit reckless. But with his combat skills, well, I think it’ll be fine.”
Reconnaissance. That’s why he wasn’t visible. He must be outside the village.
Sash-
He slowly withdrew his body and returned to the village.
There’s no need to go looking when you don’t even know the direction.
It’s impossible for people to patrol all night without getting tired.
If I wait patiently here, he’ll come.
To maintain the perfect shadow, he entered the alley.
Oo-oo-ooong-
He fired the ninja radar again.
It’s really nice not having to wander around to observe the situation.
Actually, could it be a honey skill?
Oooh-
I launched the radar every 3 minutes to check.
The radar lasts for 1 minute, so there’s a 2-minute gap.
If that guy doesn’t come running like a cheetah, it’s enough time to figure it out.
I flexed my muscles for about 2 hours like that.
“…”
He showed up.
The knights bowed their heads to the guy who confidently entered through the village gate.
Although it’s only marked in green, the outline is clear.
Step by step.
The sound of footsteps is precisely directed towards me, so I took a firm stance.
After a while, she passed by the alley.
Green eyes, platinum short hair, straight eyebrows that seem naive, and a height of around 170.
She must be in her mid to late 20s.
I felt the presence of untapped power that she had not yet harvested, as she patrolled using mana.
If all this energy belongs to her, the black swordsmen are clearly a force beyond the standard.
After confirming that the black swordsmen were getting further away, I moved my feet to follow.
But then.
Who’s there?
Yugumgyeong turned her head towards the direction I was in.
She figured it out? From this distance?
This is insane, really.
Reveal yourself. If you don’t come out, I’ll come find you.
I can hear Yugumgyeong approaching.
If this guy is a samurai, we’ll clash swords and all, but his true identity is still uncertain.
It’s what they commonly call a f*cked-up situation.
But a runaway ninja always finds a way.
“Good evening. hahahahaha. This is embarrassing.”
Using the highest ninja escape technique, I confidently revealed myself in front of Yugumgyeong, throwing off everything except for my undershirt and panties into a corner.
I spoke loudly while undressing, so the sound of things being thrown would be drowned out.
“Well, what is it?”
From the tail of my sash, I’ve hidden my skills for seven months.
I trust my quick thinking ability.
“What’s this? Since no one was around, I casually dressed up and came out. The knights are outside the village, after all.”
“Do you know how you look right now?”
“I’m in my underwear. I wanted to do some exercise and reconnaissance, so I came outside and it was too hot.”
“…First, raise both hands above your head.”
“Yes.”
The master of lies skillfully hides 1% of truth within 99% of lies.
And that truth is ‘scouting’.
The approaching Yugeomgyeong examined every corner of my body.
“You don’t have any weapons.”
Using the ninja’s technique, I quickly stripped, so he wouldn’t think I had hidden clothes.
“Even if there are no people around, it’s still the case. Is there anyone in the world who would go outside dressed like that just because they’re uncomfortable?”
“I can sense when someone is approaching very well. When someone approaches, I was just thinking of hiding like I did just now. Even though I look like this, I am a skilled adventurer.”
“An adventurer, huh? Are you the adventurer who came from Gol Don? Tell me only the truth.”
Yes, he took the bait.
“If you wish, I can show you my adventurer’s emblem by going into the inn. I also have a letter of guarantee from Lord Gol Don.”
“I’ll check later. Why did you go to Gol Don?”
“I went there to protect the people from villains. I fought hard and even got pinned down on the city walls, but thanks to my sturdy armor, I survived. All the comrades who fought alongside Lord Gol Don know this.”
The fact that he attempted a conversation means he’s not a psychopath who kills people for pleasure.
For now, I focused on the fact that Yugeomgyeong is known to be just.
Externally, there are samurais who secretly kill people while acting just, so I can’t let my guard down.
“I couldn’t sense your presence until you moved. What kind of technique did you use?”
He’s asking so bluntly. To hide my frustration, I smiled as kindly as possible.
“It’s a technique I learned from my master. I can’t reveal it casually.”
“Why were you hiding in a place like that?”
“For reconnaissance.”
Yoo Geomgyeong slowly stepped forward and met my gaze.
“Reconnaissance? What does that mean?”
“The safety of the people is my utmost priority. Even though the Knights are protecting them, there are bound to be vulnerabilities. I wanted to fill those gaps.”
“There are no vulnerabilities under the surveillance of the Hongyeomryong Knights.”
“That’s what I heard. Just as I was about to be satisfied and head back, you appeared. As you know, this is not the best look to show, right?”
“Hmm.”
I sought agreement, and Yoo Geomgyeong nodded slightly. It was clear that she fell for my perfect eloquence.
“There is one thing that bothers me.”
“Yes?”
Don’t you have any damn sense?
Why do you keep asking when it’s obvious that my runny nose is because of the cold?
“The claim that you fight for the people. Is it sincere?”
Yoo Geomgyeong’s words were filled with mana. Was she threatening me, saying that she won’t let it go if it’s a lie?
“I exist to protect the people from all sorts of evil beings. Even if my life is cut short, I will never change my mind.”
I met her wide-open eyes head-on.
This time, there was no trace of falsehood.
Because this is my true intention.
“…”
After a long stare-down, Yoo Geomgyeong closed her eyes first.
I’ve hardly ever lost a snowball fight.
“…Anyone can talk big. It’s actions that prove it. If you truly believe that, come to the temporary base of the Knight Order around lunchtime tomorrow. You have no right to refuse.”
“Understood.”
It’s actually a sweet deal now that I have a chance to observe up close.
Yugyeom, if you were a samurai, my grave would be sold. Do you know that?
“A runaway ninja.”
“Nin?! Why? Why?”
Quick thinking, quick thinking, ah, seriously.
“Have you ever seen a runaway ninja in Goldon?”
Damn, that was close.
“Many soldiers have witnessed him. But I haven’t seen him myself.”
“…Do you know the identity of the runaway ninja? Or is there someone who knows?”
“No. As far as I know, there is no one. He appeared during the siege and then disappeared. I’m not even sure if he was inside Goldon.”
“Understood. You may go. Make sure to come out wearing proper attire tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
“I understand what you mean.”
With that, Yugyeom left.
“…Phew.”
I’ve avoided the worst-case scenario.
If my brain hadn’t been sharp, I wouldn’t have been able to escape.
In terms of brainpower, I am equal to or even surpassing him.
Yugyeomgyeong. He is definitely a formidable opponent.