Editor: Tseirp
We were told to co to Wingston, but doesnt it feel a bit tense?
Yeah there are a lot of patrolling soldiers right?
Those are probably knights.
There are regular city guards too.
Swordsman Hector, spear-wielder Isaiah, scout Oriana, and priest Tarlow exchanged their impressions while surveying the city.
Kenzie, the earth-attribute magician, nodded silently after hearing their words.
They are all mbers of the forr royal capital-based C-rank party Morning Star.
Currently, they are active as adventurers based in Acre, the capital of the Heinlein Marquisate.
Although officially a C-rank party, they often take on jobs from Marquis Heinlein and his eldest son Phelps A. Heinlein, who oversees almost all the affairs of the marquisate.
These jobs are not counted in the guilds completion count since they bypass the Adventurers Guild, so they remain at the C-rank level.
However, being C-rank adventurers ans they are still top-tier and not to be underestimated.
The jobs from the Heinlein Marquisate co with exorbitantly high rewards
But they are often dangerous
And mostly involve traveling abroad
But the money is good!
Well then, lets get ready.
Yeah.
Swordsman Hector said, and scout Oriana responded.
The other three nodded as well.
This request is also extrely dangerous
So they needed to prepare thoroughly.
Hey, Scotty. Do you really think it was a good idea for both of us to co out?
Well, even if you say that. Only Zack can make the ID, but I suppose Im here as a sort of escort. Besides, its an order from Knight Captain Dontan himself, and even the Battalion Commander personally ca and took charge of our squad. We dont have a choice but to go, right?
Royal Knight Company Commander Zack Cooler and his counterpart, Company Commander Scotty Cobook, are now within sight of Wingstons city gate.
It was too late to turn back now.
Indeed, it was too late, but Zack had been repeating similar questions since leaving Hafrena City.
It was quite unusual for Zack, who is generally seen as carefree, to repeat the sa question so many tis.
But Scotty, who has a long-standing relationship with him, knew.
Zack doesnt fuss much about himself, but he cares a lot about his subordinates and juniors.
Not exactly a big brother figure, but sowhat similar
One shouldnt judge people based solely on appearances.
While they were talking, the two passed through the gates of Wingston.
The guards were standing, but they didnt particularly check the belongings or identities of those entering and exiting.
It was the ducal capital and also the largest city in the eastern part of the Kingdom.
Moreover, it was still in the process of recovery from the Kingdom Liberation War, so the pedestrian traffic was unusually high.
It wouldnt be practical to check everyone and everything.
Were in luck, Zack. Were disguised as rchants, but if they had investigated a bit, they would have seen through our lies imdiately.
Well, theres no helping it. It wouldve been risky to enter as Royal Knights. Thats why entering as adventurers makes the most sense, but we cant forge those guild cards. It might look real at first glance, but if they check, theyll know its fake right away.
The adventurer guild cards of the Central Countries are said to be impossible to forge.
They are created through highly advanced alchemy, and theres even a legend that it was created by King Richard, the founder of the Kingdom.
Well, when it cos to highly advanced alchemy, its often said to be created by King Richard, so whether its true or not is unknown at this point.
However, because its true that they cannot be forged, Zack and Scotty disguised themselves as rchants.
There is indeed a rchant guild for rchants, and those who belong to it have rchant guild cards, but in reality, most rchants are not affiliated with the rchant guild.
The rchant guild can foster mutual support, but they are often required to pay mbership fees and cooperate in ways other than financially
Therefore, younger rchants often do business without belonging to the rchant guild.
Even among the lords, many believe that encouraging competition leads to economic developnt, so whether one belongs to the rchant guild or not, there are no restrictions on doing business in the city.
For these reasons, Zack and Scotty entered the city of Wingston as independent rchants.
Their mission was to confirm whether the Shrewsbury Duchy had any connections to the Djinn.
Specifically, Zack, who faced a high-ranking follower, was tasked with confirming if they were entering and exiting the Dukes residence
Thats why the order was directly given to Zack, who actually knew the face of that high-ranking follower.
The two, combining lunch and a strategy eting, entered a diner in the city and engaged in conversation.
To get to the Wingston Governnt Office, well, anyone can go there. But even though the Dukes residence is adjacent to the office, its not easy to enter the premises. Moreover, theres a restricted area within the Dukes residence called the annex, and they might be entering and exiting from there, right? Zack, you ntioned you had a good idea. Whats the plan?
To Scottys question, Zack solemnly nodded and replied.
Its risky to approach during the day. Well sneak into the Dukes residence at night to confirm.
Yeah, that wont work.
Scotty imdiately rejected Zacks plan without hesitation.
The speed of his rejection was almost as if he had anticipated it.
The ability to anticipate from years of association is not to be underestimated.
Why not! Then what? Are you saying we should sneak in during the day?
No, its not about it being night or day, its the idea of sneaking in itself. Thats what Im trying to say.
Zack retorted in frustration.
Scotty criticized his plan.
Say we sneak in, and we get caught no, if there really are Djinn minions around, well definitely get caught. Theres no way we can go in there and co back safely.
Then what do you suggest!
Zack retorted against Scottys calm observation.
It was written in the instructions. Knights in red armor are entering and exiting a nobles residence a hundred ters away from the Dukes residence. Its connected to the ducal residences annex through an underground passage. Keeping watch over that noble mansion seems logical.
Ugh
Scottys logical explanation left Zack speechless.
Zack you probably just skimd over the orders, didnt you?
T-T-Thats not true. What are you talking about, Scotty-kun?
Scottys exasperated remark clearly unsettled Zack.
Confirming his suspicion by watching Zacks reaction.
Scotty shook his head slightly and said;
I was probably asked to co along because they anticipated sothing like this
Grrrh
The two of them made quite a good team.
The mansion, while not large, had an elegant exterior that could be described as luxurious.
As evening fell, lights ca on inside the house, and occasionally, figures could be seen passing by the curtains from outside.
It seed like soone was indeed inside.
Hey, Scotty. Are you sure that mansion is connected to the Dukes residence?
Dont ask The instructions that ca from Captain Dontan didnt specify the source of the information.
If thats true, then they must have done quite a thorough investigation
Yeah. Its probably from the Pri Ministers intelligence network.
The forr Knight Captain, huh
Scotty speculated about the source of information, and Zack nodded in agreent.
Pri Minister Heinlein was the forr Knight Captain of the Kingdom and acted as a ntor to the current Knight Captain, Dontan.
His information-gathering abilities were considered among the best in the Central Countries, and it was said that his intelligence gathering had led the Kingdom to a great victory during the Great War.
He was strict as hell, wasnt he?
His nickna is the demon after all.
Zack whispered for so reason, and Scotty responded in a hushed tone as well.
Perhaps they thought that speaking in normal voices might reach the the demon
The two were sitting by the window of a tavern where they could oversee the back entrance of the surveilled mansion.
It was a perfect spot to monitor while having a drink!
Company Commander Zack Cooler was the one who spotted it.
When it ca to detecting these kinds of things, Scotty was no match for Zack.
Its amazing how good you are at stuff like this.
Whats with that condescending tone? Thanks to that, we can monitor comfortably.
Scotty said in exasperation, and Zack retorted as if he felt offended.
In big cities like this, taverns often stayed open until dawn.
Perhaps due to stiff competition
Or because many custors wanted to keep drinking until morning
Either way, it was convenient for the two of them.
Late into the night, after a considerable amount of ti monitoring, four figures erged from the surveilled mansion.
Even in the late hour, the lamppost alchemy tools were lit, allowing for a decent view.
However, all four of them wore cloaks and hoods, so their faces couldnt be seen.
Zack, what do you think?
The one in front I feel like their height is similar. Build too. But I cant be sure.
Scotty asked, and Zack grimaced while answering.
They had a feeling they were the suspected minions of the djinn, but they couldnt be certain.
Nevertheless, the two of them had been dispatched to gain certainty.
We have no choice. Lets follow those four.
Well, it cant be helped The mansion is just the entrance to the underground passage leading to the Dukes mansion, as stated in the instructions. There should be another place where the Djinns minions gather. Finding that would be a jackpot.
Is that so?
Yeah Zack, read the instructions thoroughly next ti.
Ugh
Zack couldnt say anything in response to Scottys words.
He knew it too.
He knew better and made sure to go through them thoroughly when leading his subordinates
I just glanced through them
Yeah, youve never been fond of reading.
Zack muttered quietly as he stood up.
Scotty sighed and stood up as well while speaking.
I admired Abel in that aspect.
Well, he was a prince in disguise. He skipped classes sotis, but Abel often read books
Both Zack and Scotty rembered Abels love for reading.
In any world, it seems reading is important.
As the two left the tavern, they imdiately noticed sothing.
Hey, is that
Yeah. Apart from us, there are others following those four from earlier.
Three people were shadowing the four from a short distance ahead of them.
Three people, huh?
Yeah, three.
Scotty confird Zacks observation with a nod.
The four who ca out of the mansion.
The three following them.
And further behind, Zack and Scotty in pursuit.
The chase continued for a while.
As the largest city in the east, Wingstons size was considerable.
One could even say it was vast.
Near the center of the city were the governnt office, the Dukes residence, and the Wingston temple, with the city spreading out radially from there.
This ti, the mansion was on the north side of the Dukes residence, and the group that ca out was quickly moving northeast.
Indeed, its the largest city in the east but I think were getting close to the city walls, arent we?
Yeah. Theres hardly any big houses left.
When Zack asked, Scotty answered.
Suddenly, without a word, the two of them leaped backward.
Two swords swept down where their heads had been.
It was as if swords had co out from the shadows on both sides of the road
Damn it. They must have noticed our tailing.
Looks like were not the only ones.
Zack cursed, and Scotty looked ahead.
In front of them, the three who had been following them were quickly defeated.
This is bad.
Lets run.
Scotty said, and Zack made the decision.
Too late.
Clang.
Zack caught the sword that ca down.
He had seen the man who swung the sword before.
They had co to confirm if that man was here
We et again. Captain of Hafrenas squad.
It was Oranj.
Zack was able to confirm that high-ranking minions of the Djinn were indeed coming and going.
However, whether he could deliver that information to the right people was another issue altogether.
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