第１４４３堀：闇の情報戦 (Part1)
Chapter 1443: The Shadow Intelligence War
Side: Kirika
"Report, everyone."
"Understood."
The word hung in the air, echoing through the void.
In the darkness—no, in the absolute, lightless abyss—we began our briefing without a single lamp lit.
"I will go first. There are fourteen members of the dark guild who have infiltrated Irinau. These are the individuals whose status explicitly lists them as 'Dark Guild.' I am unsure if they should be classified as collaborators, but there are adventurers and individuals from the slums assisting them. Without filtering, the number of adventurers I have made contact with, including receptionists, is sixty-three, and twenty-two from the slums."
"Then, next is me. The individuals marked as 'Dark Guild' are staying at separate inns, making it impossible to pinpoint a single headquarters. Our best targets would be the inns where the executives are based or the taverns they frequent."
"Regarding the supplies they have brought in, most are items that wouldn't raise suspicion for an adventurer. However, some possess hidden daggers or toxins."
"As for the adventurers belonging to the dark guild, I would like to request a decision on whether to ask for information disclosure from headquarters via Milly-sama."
As the conversation suggests, we are currently hiding in Irinau, gathering every scrap of information we can find regarding the dark guild.
Ordinarily, I would be the one issuing orders from headquarters, but because the executives have surfaced and begun gathering subordinates, I have deployed as the field commander.
If this were merely a matter of combat, Steve’s special forces would suffice, but a direct assault is a last resort.
People of this sort are conditioned to commit suicide the moment they are cornered.
I doubt we would gain any information even if we captured them.
That is simply the way of life for those who dwell in the shadows.
Well, that aside, I must issue orders based on these reports.
"Conduct a thorough screening of the individuals contacted. All eighty-five of them. As for identifying their bases, investigate every lodging facility housing the fourteen dark guild members. I will notify you of the start time for the investigation, so have your personnel assembled by then. Send the data on their weapons to headquarters for a precise analysis of their specs. Inquire with headquarters regarding the toxins as well; confirm their effects and report back. We will seek the cooperation of the Adventurer Guild to investigate the backgrounds of those dark guild members posing as adventurers. Contact Milly-sama immediately. I want a progress report on everything in three hours."
"Understood."
The response came, and instantly, the presence of everyone vanished.
They hadn't even bothered to gather in person.
This was communication via transmission.
Yet, it sounded as if they were standing right beside me.
This was the result of me requesting high-performance gear, specifically so I wouldn't miss the slightest shift in their emotional states.
Since I detected no wavering in any of them, I suppose the investment was justified.
All that remained was...
"Steve. Can you hear me?"
"I hear you loud and clear."
"Your voice... it sounds a bit mechanical."
I couldn't help but complain, comparing it to the previous transmission.
"This is science-based, you know. Yours is magic, right? Can't help the difference in performance. Eavesdropping is a scary thing, after all."
"We have countermeasures for that, but relying on a single means of communication is dangerous."
"That’s the truth."
We divide our communication methods into two main categories: magic-based communication and science-based communication.
Well, if we were to subdivide them, there would be many more, but since these two utilize different approaches, the likelihood of both being intercepted simultaneously is low.
The drawback is that it requires different talents and equipment.
"There is no issue with eavesdropping on this end. How about yours?"
"Doesn't feel like we've been compromised over here, either."
"That is a relief. Now, how are things on the outside?"
I cut to the main topic.
Steve and his unit—a group of monsters that stand out far too much to be suitable for investigation within Irinau—are primarily tasked with surveillance on the outskirts.
In fact, it was Steve’s team that first reported the discovery of the dark guild members.
"It's night right now, so there's no movement. The dark guild folks seem to understand that much, don't they?"
"They aren't making any obvious moves, then."
If they were coming and going in the dead of night, it would be simple enough to pin them down, but it seems it won't be that easy.
Not that I expected it to be.
They seem to have gathered in Irinau under the guise of adventurers, so if they are going to move, it will be in the morning.
"So, did you call me just for that?"
"Of course not. If any dark guild associates or suspicious characters arrived, you were supposed to contact me. Our policy has been decided, so I need your cooperation and support."
"Did something happen on your end?"
"Yes. I’ve ordered my team to infiltrate the locations where the targets are resting to gather information. If they are discovered, there may be movement, so I need you to provide support. If they attempt to escape outside, you are to detain them."
I told Steve bluntly that things would get noisy soon and requested his cooperation.
"Moving already? Searching bases in the middle of the night, right where the enemy is... that's a pretty hectic schedule."
"It’s not particularly strange. There is no doubt the enemy is on guard during the night. However, it should still be better than dealing with traps in an empty room. Those are difficult to notice, and nearly impossible to reset without a hair's breadth of error. There is also the possibility that the enemy might notice even from a distance. Given that we don't know the enemy's technical level, investigating while they are absent is the only way to avoid unnecessary risks."
"I see. You're planning to gauge their technical capabilities, too?"
As Steve said, I intend to determine whether they are aware of our presence and ignoring us, or if they are completely oblivious.
That will serve as a benchmark for their level of expertise.
"Exactly. Besides, the individuals themselves likely hold the most important information."
"True enough. So, if they are discovered and things start moving, it’ll turn into a commotion."
"Yes. Leave the town interior to us, but if they head outside, detain them. Or pursue them."
"Do you have criteria for when to pursue?"
"Not at the moment. Actually, it might be better to let the executive-class members escape."
"Sounds easier to chase them off than to try and capture them clumsily."
"However, if we do it too obviously, they will realize we let them go. So, we will drive the executives away with double or triple the pressure."
If we pursue them with such persistence, the message that we were desperate to stop them will surely reach the enemy.
"Wait, isn't that just a choice between capturing them or chasing them off?"
"If we aren't discovered during the base search, we won't move at all. If we are, we switch to that plan. It would be a nuisance if they caused harm to the ladies or the envoys of our allies."
"I’d think you'd get caught during the base search regardless, though..."