第１４掘：協力者 (Part3)
"I see, I understand the guild's story."
"I've heard that from my father before. Adventurers aside, guilds absolutely don't interfere in national conflicts."
Raiya and Curse were convinced by the information I brought. With Curse, who was a lord's son, backing it up, it's pretty much confirmed.
"How about over there? The castle must be in a panic since the princess was kidnapped."
"Well, yes. But I have an interesting piece of news."
"What is it?"
"Oriel escaped, and it's been about half a day. Yet, this kingdom is already gathering soldiers."
"That's not strange, is it? The princess was kidnapped, regardless of the truth."
"But all the soldiers gathered are elite units, formidable warriors who would normally be sent to the front lines with the Gartz Kingdom."
"Isn't it a coincidence? They'd gather for a strategy meeting, wouldn't they?"
"Alright, let's agree it's a coincidence they gathered. But what would you think if I told you they're already preparing for an expedition?"
"...Their actions are too fast."
"Yes, I don't know where they intended to go. But it's just too much. So, where do you think this army is going?"
"Well, right now, wouldn't it be a problem if they didn't chase the princess?"
"Right. For now, let's head back to the inn and contact Yuki. I don't think he'd be defeated so easily, but it's an army he's up against, so things will be different."
With that, we returned to the inn to make contact.
"Hmm, things are getting complicated."
"Yeah."
"Information is still insufficient, so it's hard to make a definitive statement. Also, let me know when the army moves, and count the approximate numbers."
"Understood, I'll contact you then."
"And about that army, who's leading it... no, check if there are any suspicious people mixed in."
"Suspicious people? What do you mean?"
"Well, people who wouldn't normally participate in the army. Like ministers, merchants, or envoys from other countries. If there are such people, it's probably to create a pretext."
"A pretext? To move the army?"
"No, no, it's a pretext to take over the country later. A just cause, perhaps?"
"Sorry, I don't understand. Explain it to me."
Curse, who had been listening beside me, nodded in understanding.
"Mauve, this is what Yuki means: 'Stop the assassination of the royal family if you can.'"
"Exactly."
"If that suspicious person joins this advance, and the royal family is assassinated during that time, the suspicious person who went with the advance will naturally be acquitted."
"Well, they wouldn't be at the scene. In fact, they wouldn't even be suspected, right?"
"Yes, that's the aim. They can just hire someone for the assassination. Then, upon receiving news of the assassination, if they immediately return with some soldiers, that person's reputation will soar. They'll be hailed as a distinguished minister, the kingdom's finest, devoted to His Majesty."
"Right."
"Moreover, those who return with them are the Royal Guards and elites of this country. These Royal Guards and elites will inevitably face some criticism for needlessly leaving the capital undefended and allowing the King to die. If that suspicious person protects them, the Royal Guards and elites will naturally side with that suspicious person. In such a situation, the royal family would be completely absent. While there might be some blood relatives, their influence would be virtually nonexistent, as they did nothing this time. So, inevitably..."
"That suspicious person will seize power?"
"Yes, and with the military elites under their control. Is that about right?"
Curse asked Yuki on the monitor for confirmation.
"Yeah, pretty much my thoughts exactly. Excellent. Want to switch places as Dungeon Master?"
"I refuse. Being unable to go outside carelessly would be like reverting to being a lord's son from the old days."
"That's a shame. But if that's the case, to thwart the opponent's move, we have to prevent the assassination..."
"...That's a tough one."
I didn't understand why they were troubled. Because...
"It's easy, isn't it? Just meet the King and tell him, 'You're going to be assassinated!'"
"..."
"..."
Yuki and Curse looked at me with incredulous looks. Why? Did I say something strange?
As I thought that, Raiya placed a hand on my shoulder and said,
"Think carefully. We have no acquaintance or connection with the King whatsoever. If we were to speak of assassination, we'd be imprisoned for lèse-majesté. Worse, those secretly plotting might frame us for killing royalty and have us executed."
So that's how it is. Ugh, why do they use such troublesome methods?
"Then, couldn't we just sneak in at night and act as guards?"
"That's the worst-case scenario, but the chances of protecting him are quite low."
"Let's gather a map of the castle beforehand if possible."
"Well, the assassination won't happen immediately after the advance begins. There's some time, but it'll still be difficult."
"Even if we tried to rely on royal connections, that action itself would be seen as an assassination attempt."
"So that's how it is, Mauve, don't snoop around carelessly. For a while, just buy slaves or go shopping. Oh, and don't forget to report if the army moves, as I said before."
With that, the discussion for the day ended, and everyone went about their business. The next day, the army began its advance. Just as Yuki said, a suspicious person had joined the march.
"Minister Loire... he's almost certainly the mastermind behind this plan. If there's someone further behind him, it's beyond our current ability to deal with. That said, if we can stop Loire, even if there's someone behind him, they'll have no choice but to withdraw."
"Well, that's the information from our side. There are about 2,000 of them, so make sure you survive."
"Yeah, I'm considering escaping. Though I'll use them for dungeon testing since they seem suitable. Also, let me know if enemy reinforcements appear."
"Alright, leave it to me."
With the report finished, I resumed my shopping.
By the way, Raiya and Curse had other things to do, so they wouldn't accompany me shopping... Ugh, at this rate, my hobby will become buying slaves.
As I wandered around town, I stumbled upon a typical scene involving young people.
"Ah, um, I have an important engagement. I, I cannot accompany you!"
"Huh? What's the big deal?"
"Yeah, yeah, let's have some fun with us?"
"Those big breasts are there to be used, you know?"
...Hmm, I was young once too, but I don't think I was ever that stupid. Well, I was messed up until recently, in a strange way.
Indeed, her breasts were large. Melons, no, watermelons? Truly befitting the description "extra-large"! But even though my wife has passed away, I had a wife. Perhaps that love still remains, as I didn't feel particularly pleased.
"Alright, alright, young ones, that's enough. It's disgraceful."
"Huh?"
"What are you talking about, old man?"
"We're rank 4 adventurers, you know? Do you know what that means?"
"Ah, ah... help..."
She must have looked at my appearance and thought I had no strength. Well, I do look like an old man.
But what is it? I feel like I've seen her somewhere before.
She resembles Princess Elju? No, her hair is blue, and her chest is overwhelmingly larger... Is it just her aura?
"Hey, are you listening, old man!!"
"He's ignoring us!!"
"Let's get him!!"
The young men lunged at me. But, just a little more.
"Now then, excuse me, young lady, have we met somewhere before?"
The three men were already on the ground.
side: ???
"I see, so that's how you met... and she's the collaborator."
As the man's eyes turned to me, the gazes of the others also gathered on me.
"Yes, then I will speak from here."
I stepped forward.
"Before that, an introduction. I have come from the Litea Holy Nation. My name is Rurua. My previous name was Rurua Litea... I was known as the Saintess of Litea."
With that, I removed my hood and glasses.