16. Liberal League and Ian (3)
After returning, I asked a member of the military police to call the Wolf Gang, and the first thing I did was find a room with the party.
I was worried that something might have happened in the short time that Kati and I were away.
It was late at night, so I thought I might have fallen asleep, but I didn’t.
“Didn’t everything happen?”
Mercy, who opened the door, was the first to greet me.
“Yes. Nothing happened.”
Vivian and Helena were sitting at their desks and came out to meet them.
“Ian?”
“Oh, Mr. Ian.”
Looking at the desk, there was a book of magic and a combat manual that I bought.
“It’s nice to see you’re excited.”
Lucia was sleeping.
In order to maximize the elixir’s recovery ability, a good night’s sleep was the best Lucia could do right now.
“You cannot be lazy to do better… .”
Perhaps conscious of Lucia sleeping, Helena spoke softly.
“Hmm. Can we expect to see you grow more next time?”
“No, that’s right… ! oh… .”
Helena hurriedly covered her mouth, perhaps thinking that she had made a loud noise without even realizing it.
Fortunately, Lucia didn’t seem to wake up.
I didn’t even say that out loud.
“There is no need to overdo it until too late.”
“yep… !”
“How about Lucia? Do you think it will be worth it?”
The two immediately nodded.
“Be kind, and speak well. Are you a noble? . Oh, you asked me to forget your last name. It would be rude to say this, right? ugh… .”
“What is that… . Just in case you don’t know, you just have to be careful in front of yourself.”
“yes… .”
Helena said too.
“He’s kind and easy-going, but he also has a side that makes people feel comfortable.”
Mercy nodded beside him as if agreeing.
Fortunately, Lucia’s first impression seemed good.
“Yeah, but… .”
Vivian cautiously opened her mouth.
“What is going on… ?”
I went out saying I had business and switched with Kati.
It is natural to be curious.
Perhaps, you may feel left out.
I wasn’t sure earlier, so I covered it up because I didn’t want to cause unnecessary concern.
There are a lot of things that have become more or less certain now, so it would be okay if you let me know.
“They came to me… To be precise, it must be said that there was someone who followed.”
Starting with the stares I’ve been feeling ever since I came here, I told everyone about the person who had just ambushed me from outside.
When they said they were attacked from behind, both of them looked pretty serious.
However, thinking of Mercy, he did not mention anything about the ‘Liberal League’ or criminal organizations.
There is no need to bring up bad memories.
“… So, I sent Kati to find out what he really is. It also seems to have some connection with the Anti-Imperial Alliance. It’s just a guess.”
“… … .”
Vivian and Helena nodded awkwardly.
It sounds like something from another world.
A rather complicated emotion lingered in the eyes of the two.
A difficult, unfamiliar feeling of awe.
This is why I’m reluctant to reveal that I’m Philip… .
You can’t keep it a secret though.
In the future, whenever this situation is repeated, if you hide it, you will definitely feel more alienated and there may be a wall in your relationship.
I’d rather just keep talking and adapting to get used to it.
When I was raising the 1st party, I never had to get caught up in something this big in the beginning.
After they grew up, their hair grew too big, so they didn’t pay much attention to me.
I’m starting a new party and this happens… .
“… It’s not such a big deal. That doesn’t mean assassination is trivial, but you don’t have to take me so seriously. As I said, I am who I am. In the first place, it was Ian, not Philip.”
“Ah, yes… . uh, that’s right… .”
“I know… .”
Being difficult for me would never be a comfortable feeling for these two.
Eventually, we will have to adapt to each other.
-smart.
It seems that Wolfgang has come.
Feeling the gaze of the party, I replied.
“You are my guest, would you mind if I come in for a moment?”
“yes. sure.”
“Yes. of course.”
After accepting it as if it were natural, the two of them were at a loss when they heard that a guest was coming.
Mercy smiled at the two of them.
“You can stay comfortably.”
I told them and opened the door.
As expected, it was Wolfgang.
He came in and said playfully.
“Gee, it’s too bright a place for someone like me to be excused.”
“I am anxious to leave the seat completely. Please understand.”
“You still love it so much when it comes to your party.”
He and I stood near the door and had a conversation.
It was a very low probability, but Edgar’s forces remained here, so I couldn’t ignore the number of times they would attack me when I left the room.
“It’s been quite a while since we had a conversation like this. Oh, by the way, I handled the case of Arke village well last time.”
“… Oh, that’s it.”
It happened.
“And there was one person who visited Felix.”
“Has anyone been looking for him?”
“that… . This is a woman named Penny, who is now the first party manager. He said he was also the master of the Managers Guild.”
“… Uhm.”
“I came and brought up the name Philip, and the soldier who was in charge of the guide at the time heard it… .”
Did that guy finally get there?
“Well, that’s fine. It’s not like there’s no one who will know where to go and say it.”
Maybe if you checked the clues yourself like Vivian and Helena did.
It’s hard for most people to believe that ‘Ian is Phillip’.
After a brief hello, I asked.
“How is the investigation progressing?”
“I am more cooperative than I was concerned.”
From the expression cooperative, I could tell who was worried.
… After all, they’re both things to worry about, but Kylie is especially a person of interest.
“Henry’s arms are cut off, but it’s manageable.”
“Is your arm cut off?”
“Kylie went berserk when she heard Henry testified. He told me to tell Henry that he would be grateful because he was going to kill me and put up with it.”
“her. It seems that there is a lot of patience in his personality. What is it?”
“I was surprised, but not without success. Henry’s mouth was open. He will be in the middle of a statement right now.”
A simple greeting was enough.
It’s time to slowly bring out the main topic.
My business is twofold.
I glanced at the sleeping Lucia and asked.
“Is Andrea by any chance in this castle?”
Andrea di Fiorene.
The eldest son of Lorenzo and the first Superman.
I’m guessing he played some trick on Lucia.
It’s a probability, but it’s a pretty high probability.
“They are coming from out of town. I’ll have to investigate, but I don’t think it would be difficult to link them to the same charges as Lorenzo.”
“It’s not because of that. I have personal business to do, so please let me know first when you arrive.”
“I see.”
“And I was ambushed by a guy earlier… .”
I checked Mercy and expressed it with gestures instead of words.
I drew a circle with my finger on my wrist and drew an X.
“I met their representative.”
Wolfgang nodded slowly.
“After sending it back to find out the base, I ordered Kati to track it down… . If the scale of the facility is large, I don’t think I can handle it alone. Could you please support me?”
“It’s a military police job, shouldn’t Ian-sama be the one to support it, not us?”
Wolfgang laughed.
“Sometimes you look great. In many ways. That sense of duty, or the ability to execute. Shouldn’t we, the military police, rather watch and learn?”
I smiled bitterly and looked at Mercy sideways.
She was sitting next to Lucia and quietly looking down at her.
Lucia won’t wake up or get sick, but she’s taking care of her just in case.
I don’t know why, but I feel a special responsibility to Mercy.
“I’m kind of great.”
I got rid of that bitterness with a joke.
“Once you confirm the location, you can start right away. As I said, the first two warriors’ parties are unexpectedly cooperative, so the manpower is somewhat relaxed. It’s also because he’s dealing with Fiorene’s insiders with ease.”
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Just when I heard the answer from Wolfgang, a telepathic message came from Kati.
[master. Found.]
I immediately grabbed a piece of paper and a writing utensil nearby and was ready to write down.
‘I’m listening.’
[From the eastern entrance to Fiorene City… .]
Kati gave us an easy-to-find path, not the route she had followed.
I suddenly feel that memory and spatial perception are amazing.
Watching me draw the map and write down the explanation, Wolfgang nodded as if he was trustworthy.
[…] That is all.]
‘I’ll go right away.’
[and… . I haven’t been able to figure out the opponent’s head count yet… .]
Kati rarely hesitated to report.
[…] A number of elves are imprisoned.]
‘… Elf?’
I reflexively looked at Mercy, who was still sitting next to Lucia.
Liberal League, Elf.
It’s this combination… .
Sensing my gaze, Mercy 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 laughed at the prank pretending to be pretty.
… Yes, is it finally possible to completely clear up what happened to Mercy?
*
It’s been a while since I rode a horse for a run.
Several horses gallop on a dirt road.
The early summer night breeze blows pleasantly, but it was not a situation to enjoy it.
[There are a total of two entrances, all disguised as abandoned buildings. One is a bit bigger, the other is smaller. Additionally, there is one back road for emergency exit. It leads to the valley facing the north, but it is narrow enough for one or two people to pass… .]
It was because I had to keep relaying the information I received from Katy to the Wolf Gang next to me.
After hearing the story, Wolfgang passed it on to the two platoon commanders next to him.
The League of Liberals, whose representative was hiding, mobilized two platoons of the military police to attack the stronghold.
Add me, Wolfgang, and Katy to that.
[There are quite a few people who are good at fighting. However, there is no stronger person than that Edgar. Considering that supplies and capital seem to come and go in fairly large units and there are many people, it seems to be an important place.]
Wolfgang explained the operation.
“The 1st and 2nd platoons each enter through two entrances! Ian-sama can block the back road!”
I had to shout loudly because I was running fast.
“All right! Which platoon will Wolfgang follow?!”
“I’m going with the 1st platoon to the larger of the two entrances!”
“Then I will attach Kati to the 2nd Platoon! We need to know each other’s situation!”
‘Kati. The 2nd platoon of the military police will enter through the small entrance. I’m with you.’
[All right.]
‘What about Edgar?’
[I haven’t come up since I went down to the depths. There is a possibility of being discovered to enter there, so I did not spy.]
‘Well done. that’s enough.’
[…] thank you.]
“What a coveted ability! You say you’re strong, what the hell are you doing as a maid?!”
Even among those who know that I am Philip, very few people even know that Kati is a Mine.
“Doesn’t he intend to become a hero?!”
It’s not like I didn’t think of that.
But to a demon, to become a hero who will kill the demon king… .
I don’t know what Mine is either, but it didn’t seem like much.
It’s Kati, who already lives a life against Mine’s instincts for me.
“Just my me… .”
I almost called myself a maid without even realizing it.
“… No, I don’t think so anyway!”
“What a waste of talent! You blocked Kylie’s attack!”
that surprised me too
Carty’s claim that it’s because of the diet is valid.
Still, compared to the skills I used to know, you’ve become much stronger… .
What are you doing alone behind my back?
“But weren’t you a maid before?! Definitely a different outfit… .”
“There, over there!”
I cut off Wolfgang.
I couldn’t help it because the destination was getting closer.
From now on, you must dismount and approach quietly.
Even if it is, it will be difficult if the opponent notices in advance and runs away.
The gendarmerie, dismounted, communicated with Kati as they formed their ranks.
‘We’re almost there. What do you think?’
[A few more people have come, but none of them are worth noting.]
‘Okay. I’m in charge of the back roads, so know it.’
[Yes.]
After checking their armament and personnel, the military police advanced cautiously stepping on the grass.
Sabaksabak, a very small sound rang out.
The black armor of the military police naturally melted into the darkness.
The silent march of the heavily armed military police seemed like darkness was flowing.
“See you later.”
I left the group and headed in the direction that led to the back road for evacuation.
[…] Be careful.]
‘you also.’
The last time I fought Edgar, I was in a hurry and I accidentally took out my sword, but I guess I’ll have to use the real sword today.
***
Edgar was being treated deep underground in the base.
‘You pitiful bastard… .’
Ian’s skills were too much for him to handle.
However, the opponent’s temper was too immature.
I had a chance to kill you, but I did something stupid and missed it.
That immaturity saved him, so he was rather grateful.
‘damn… . Rather, I think we should cut ties with the Anti-Imperial Alliance altogether.’
It wasn’t that easy.
It was because one of the remnants, Gustav von Brehem, was hiding in this stronghold.
Even now, I am next to Edgar who is being treated.
“Apart from Henry and Lorenzo, even the first party was arrested… . I didn’t know it would come out this tough… .”
He, who accompanied Kylie, sensed a crisis when he saw that Henry had already been arrested.
When Kylie went crazy and threw her sword, she immediately ran away.
It was this Edgar’s stronghold that he had chosen as the place to escape.
Edgar looked at him and felt complicated.
Rather, it might be fortunate that Gustav is here.
Henry doesn’t know this base, but Gustav knows this place.
If this human had been caught, the location of this place would have been blown.
Although it is the Liberal League that is difficult to track due to its point-organized activities, there is always a place that controls all of its activities.
This stronghold was also one of those controlling places.
This place is full of important documents that record the history of the Liberal League’s activities and the location of its base.
In terms of ranking, it is an important place to the point that it is right next to the home base.
‘Henry must have already said about the alliance with the Anti-Imperial Alliance… . Fuck, why did things get so twisted… ? Ian What the hell is that guy… .’
By the time Edgar continues his frustrating thoughts.
-bang!
The door hurriedly opened and a subordinate entered.
“Dae, CEO… !”
“what?”
“The gendarmerie has come in… !”
“… What?”
“And on the back road for evacuation… .”