FVN Chapter 169: Chenarus (3)
Chapter 169: Chenarus (3)
Chapter 169: Chenarus (3)
“Rina.”
I handed the magic flashlight to Rina, telling her to check as well.
Taking the flashlight, Rina went under the dark cloth and came back out, nodding at me.
“It’s them.”
“Yes.”
Rina had also recognized the symbol at a glance. I had shared all the information about the devil worshippers with the group as we came here.
This was in case we unexpectedly encountered them like this.
“Hmm.”
However, there was something to consider here. What was Blancheot merchant group’s purpose in assigning us this job?
Two possibilities immediately came to mind.
The first was that it was truly a product of luck and coincidence, and the job fortunately came to us.
This case then splits into two directions.
Either they were planning something, or it was truly a chance encounter. Personally, I thought it was the latter.
The merchant group leader was likely just a pawn of the devil worshippers.
With the coming-of-age ceremony approaching, if they were targeting Erendil, there would be no need to involve a rookie mercenary group.
‘The second possibility is a bit more dangerous.’
There’s certainly a chance the devil worshippers deliberately approached us. It’s not tracking.
From the west to the east, from the southeast to Chenarus, I didn’t feel anyone following us.
If it was someone skilled enough to evade my Winds’ senses, they would have attacked directly rather than doing this.
Mondegreen joined in the middle, but there were plenty of opportunities.
In other words, it means our group may have been specifically identified. Just before going east, I encountered a devil through a magic item.
I was alone then, but it was enough to deduce my movements from killing Pelia.
‘What if they sent followers to investigate?’
At that time, it was just me, Aron, Mary, Osten, and Jofor.
But I brought Aron and Mary from the north of the west, the area where those guys were running rampant.
It’s not highly likely, but it means they could have identified our group through detailed inquiries.
Especially the combination of Aron, Osten, and Mary. It’s not something you see easily.
‘The group growing as we moved would also be within expectations.’
If they were suspicious, there’s enough plausibility to keep an eye on such a group.
Even if they lost power in the capital due to the empire’s surveillance, there would still be internal traitors observing the situation.
‘Perhaps assigning us the request was to confirm that I am Carl Schurtafen.’
Of course, as I thought earlier, the possibility is slim. To be honest, I think it’s a coincidence.
It would have been difficult to grasp my whereabouts and movements while engaged in an intense battle of nerves with the empire.
Anyway, the fact that I can track the devil worshippers through Blancheot remains unchanged.
It means we can learn about them starting with Blancheot.
If they’re targeting Erendil, I should be able to uncover their plot before the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony.
Of course, I’m not certain. There’s still a possibility it could be the second option.
‘If it’s the second option...’
Our current group and this mission might be more dangerous than we thought. Because the group is split in half.
However, I have no intention of backing down. It’s not certain, and the possibility is low.
Even if the group is split in half, the attack would likely be on the side that joined the merchant group.
Surveillance is strict because of the coming-of-age ceremony. Causing trouble in the capital in that situation? That would be insane.
If they’re really plotting something, it makes more sense to target Erendil rather than us.
If so, there’s nothing to worry about.
‘At most, it’s probably just confirmation.’
With Erendil’s coming-of-age ceremony approaching, there’s little chance they’d cause problems in Requiza, a week’s distance from the capital.
If a problem does arise, we can buy some time and escape by climbing a mountain and using wing suits.
Still, I should warn Denif. Even if the danger is low, the non-combat personnel are the ones left behind.
Well, I’ll have to check up to Blancheot for now. We might find some clues. I stood up.
“Let’s move.”
We restored the documents we had rummaged through, put the hair back in the door crack where it was originally, and left.
We descended to the alley through the window we had entered.
I’m not too worried about investigating Blancheot. Directly capturing and interrogating him would be the worst option.
At the time he should be sleeping, we can lightly drug him and then search his room. That should do it.
‘Let’s handle this quickly and rest.’
Late dawn.
Though we had gone to sleep early in the evening for the dawn infiltration mission, my eyelids were starting to feel heavy.
***
We searched Blancheot’s quarters but didn’t find anything. I didn’t sense any ominousness either.
“Not in Chenarus.”
But not now. Denif frowned.
“Ah, why? You promised.”
“There are too many eyes here.”
Both Denif and I have the potential to become Sword Masters.
Although there’s an ridiculous gap between a Sword Master and candidates, we’re at a level where we could win against most candidates.
If a duel of that level comes out of a newly started mercenary group, it’s likely to catch the eyes of passersby.
There’s no reason to spar while controlling our skills, and even if we did, it was obvious that we’d get heated once our swords clash.
“...”
Denif glared at me silently.
“Didn’t you say you don’t want to ruin the fun forever by trying to have a little fun?”
“How about keeping it light?”
“Do you think that’s possible? It would be meaningless. You’d get serious again.”
Denif was at a loss for words. I had hit the nail on the head. But a promise is a promise.
“Let’s do it after the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Coming-of-age ceremony?”
“Yes. I’m planning to catch an elf Archmage after that. How about a skill check before that?”
“No, what’s this about an elf Archmage?”
Denif tilted his head. Come to think of it, I hadn’t told him. I hadn’t spoken in detail about my actions after the empress’s assassination either.
Denif’s eyes sparkled at the mention of an Archmage.
“Something like that happened. I can lure her out. If things go wrong, we might end up fighting devil worshippers too. Wouldn’t that be better than now?”
“Well, of course. But what’s this about devil worshippers? What have you been up to before meeting me?”
“You know elves hate humans. I approached her pretending to be a devil worshipper, and some time has passed since then.”
“Hooh-” Denif let out an exclamation with his mouth open. Thinking he might be expecting too much, I continued.
“Nothing’s confirmed yet. But if we do end up fighting, I’m thinking of calling Phiri too. Since the opponent is an Archmage.”
“That makes sense. I’ve never seen one, but they’re Sword Master level, right?”
Of course, in a battle between a Sword Master and an Archmage, the Sword Master wins 99% of the time.
But it would be a tough fight for us. That’s why I thought of killing two birds with one stone with the devil worshippers when I brought it up to Shahri.
“So look forward to it. Focus on your sword instead of doing unnecessary things.”
“Was that why you went out yesterday afternoon?”
As expected of an intelligence agent, he’s quick on the uptake. I just smiled silently. Denif lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Namir! Bring your sword out right now!”
Namir, who was packing, nodded immediately. He liked sparring too because he learned a lot.
Aron and Jofor also showed interest quickly.
“Brother! What about us?”
“Hmm...”
Denif hesitates. He probably doesn’t want to deal with the kids’ mess if he’s thinking about the battle with the Archmage.
But soon he nodded.
“You guys fight each other for now. I’ll face you after Namir!”
***
The remaining 2 days passed quickly. I kept watching Blancheot just in case. He might meet someone.
But for 2 days, Blancheot showed no unusual movements.
A small merchant group. This trade seemed to be everything, as he didn’t exchange letters with anyone or meet anyone.
He just received and organized the fabrics to be sold in Requiza.
I also checked the members of the merchant group. I confirmed 8 out of 10. For some reason, 2 weren’t visible.
The three guards I saw during the infiltration weren’t very skilled.
‘They could be handled at Aron’s level.’
It was becoming more likely that this was truly a coincidence. It didn’t even seem necessary for me to move.
It felt like the merchant group leader Blancheot just fell into a strange ideology, nothing more.
I was starting to think I might be wasting time. If so, it would be better for me to stay in the capital.
But on the day of the mission, I had to change my mind.
Because the two guards who weren’t visible appeared.
Their auras were extraordinary. And one of them was a devil worshipper I knew.
This job.
It might not be ordinary after all.
Translator Note:
Hello everyone, I’ll be changing the schedule for this series from 2chapters/week to 3chapters/week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) strating from this month.
Author's Thoughts
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