第１４４３堀：闇の情報戦 (Part2)

第１４４３堀：闇の情報戦 (Part2)

"I would hope they possess at least that level of technical prowess. Or perhaps, I should hope they have anticipated our arrival."

"That would be terrifying, considering the sheer magnitude of the enemy's strength. Still, it is vital that we ascertain that fact beforehand."

"Precisely. It is infinitely better than failing to gauge the enemy's true capability while negotiating at the Irinau Royal Castle, only to suffer casualties later. Therefore, focus on the mission more than ever. The outcome will be decided in the dead of night."

"Understood. I will contact you if there are any changes to our positioning."

"Understood."

I cut the transmission and immediately reach out to the infiltration—or rather, the investigation unit—who should have finished their preparations by now.

"How is the status of the investigation preparations?"

"Yes. We can begin at any time. Shall we move to our positions?"

"Understood. Then, deploy to your positions within twenty minutes, followed by two hours of surveillance. After that, wait for the signal to initiate the investigation. Can you manage that?"

"No problem. We are moving to our positions immediately."

"If any information is gathered in the meantime, relay it to me."

"Acknowledged."

The connection ends. Now, it is merely a matter of how much intelligence we can harvest in the remaining time.

There is nothing for me to do personally. At most, I can only monitor the situation from above using my familiars and drones.

Just as I think this, a call comes through.

"Yes, Master."

It is my Master. He must be checking on the progress, given that I informed him I would be taking action.

"How is it going?"

"Without issue. We are ready to proceed at any time."

"That is good to hear. Now, I am reporting on behalf of Milly and Narjia."

"Thank you for going to the trouble."

As I offer my gratitude, the data is transmitted.

"First, regarding the members of the Dark Guild posing as adventurers: as far as Milly and Guild Master Rock have gathered, they are legitimate adventurers. There are no records of trouble whatsoever. If anything, they are the type to be held in high regard. Well, it is a common enough profile."

"Indeed. Those who cause trouble are ill-suited to be members of a Dark Guild."

Such tasks are better suited for town thugs, and that sort can be gathered easily enough with money. They would hardly be foolish enough to bring such liabilities into their inner circle.

"However, they share a common trait: they are wandering adventurers who do not stay in any one land for long."

"It seems so. Have you been able to track incidents in more distant territories?"

"We haven't caught up to those yet. But since they are veteran-level adventurers, their combat prowess is legitimate and substantial. That said, more than half of them only began operating as adventurers after the collapse of the Rumel headquarters."

"It is quite ironic that members of a Dark Guild are performing their duties so legitimately. They would have been better off just staying adventurers."

"The pay is likely good. Or perhaps it is a matter of loyalty. Even organizations like that have their own order. As for the executives, I have been able to track them through their status. One of them is, or was, a merchant who established a trading company in a small nation."

"We have obtained that information as well. To think that an executive would be nothing more than a merchant wielding a bit of influence in a small country."

"He was originally a regional coordinator for the Dark Guild, and was promoted after the headquarters and the core executives were captured. Before he was a merchant, he was an adventurer. It seems he was a well-known one back then—Mauve and the others recognized him—but he was apparently quite aggressive. They were surprised to hear he was a merchant now. Well, once they learned of his background, it made sense."

"I cannot imagine he has mellowed out with age. The fact that he is stepping into this territory is proof enough. Usually, one would wait in the rear. Considering that, even if he is an executive, he is likely nothing more than a glorified errand boy."

"I agree. Oh, and it seems he is visiting under the guise of business. As for their armaments, there is nothing particularly rare. They have some decent weapons, but that is all."

I review the weapon data as he speaks; there are a few pieces with minor enchantments, but nothing that couldn't be bought anywhere.

"It would be wise to investigate his business partners after the operation."

"Indeed. You are infiltrating them soon, aren't you? That should provide a reason to investigate further."

"Thank you. Well then, it is almost time."

"Right. Good luck with your work."

"Yes. Leave it to me."

Now, let the battle in the dead of night begin.

This is a battle on a field where both sides are well-versed. I shall see just how much resistance these pests, who dare to trouble my Master, can muster.

Kirika takes the lead.

Now, let us see how far the enemy will resist.

And as far as we know, the members are outwardly legitimate. It seems the idea of an obviously suspicious person doing obviously suspicious things is just too simplistic.