Chapter 44 : Chapter 44
Chapter 44. Number 1 (1)
Returning to the empire, Iris immediately dispatched spies in all directions.
It was to find clues related to Primus.
A few days later.
A message came from Number 3, who had been sent to the northern part of the continent.
“The Lombard Kingdom is strange, you say?”
“That’s right. The King seems dazed, only guarding his throne, and the military has been greatly increased.”
“Hmm.”
Iris, who was well-versed in the geography and history of this world even before becoming the master of the Unseen Ones, asked back with a nonchalant expression.
“The Lombard Kingdom, like the Durani Empire, is famous as a conquering nation. Isn't strengthening their army a routine matter for them?”
But Number 3 shook his head, saying that wasn’t the case.
“It has increased by a whopping five times compared to before. Increasing the soldiers to this extent is no ordinary matter. Also, a strict martial law has been declared throughout the kingdom. This is too aggressive a move to be seen as a simple defensive measure. Above all.”
“Above all?”
“As I mentioned earlier, the king of Lombard, Alboin, is not his usual self.”
“What do you mean, not his usual self?”
“With a dazed expression and drooling, it seems as if he might have been brainwashed.”
“Brainwashed?”
Alboin was a conquering monarch called the king of kings.
He was not a man who could be easily brainwashed.
“Tell me in more detail.”
“The most suspicious one is Chancellor Clapo, who guards his side. He only recently returned to the royal palace, but he has locked it up tight, not allowing anyone to approach.”
“If he only recently returned to the royal palace, where did he go before that?”
“That much is uncertain. I surmise that he might have visited the marquisate in the eastern part of the Benedict Kingdom.”
“The marquisate, you mean Marquis Moltke?”
“That’s right. I don't know the reason, but that side has also greatly increased its number of soldiers recently. There are many suspicious points in various ways.”
Iris swallowed dryly and firmly shut her mouth.
Marquis Moltke was a noble of the Benedict Kingdom whom she herself had once tried to use.
He was greedy and had a strong obsession with power, a man who could betray the kingdom at any time depending on the situation.
Number 3 ended the communication with the following words.
“I think we need to watch a little longer. I'll contact you again when new information is discovered.”
Iris bit her nails and muttered to herself.
“I should have sent someone there earlier.”
After Number 11 was killed by Anticus.
Iris had moved all the Unseen Ones dispatched to the northern part of the continent to the south.
It was because she couldn't force unnecessary sacrifices.
But because of that, information about the northern region was now missing.
The reason she sent Number 3, a single-digit member, was to gather information more quickly again.
“What is happening in the north? Are they not attacking with the Demon King at the forefront, but hiding among humans?”
For generations, the Demon Tribe had launched all-out attacks centered around the Demon King.
As far as Iris knew, there had never been a time when they engaged in such behind-the-scenes machinations, mingling with humans like this.
Perhaps the situation had changed due to the variable named Primus.
Iris recalled the story Daniel had told her.
“He said three pillars are needed to stop Primus.”
The Unseen Ones and the Goddess Cult.
And the former Hero, Frank.
He had said that if even one of them was missing, they could never stop Primus.
“Tsk. To think I have to cooperate with Frank. I’d rather die.”
But this was no longer just her and Frank's business.
The lives of all humanity were at stake.
A single small mistake was highly likely to bring about ruin.
Just then.
Appearing out of nowhere, Number 1 suddenly spoke to her.
“I will go to his mansion myself.”
“What did you say?”
“As Number 7 said, Frank holds a very important position in this mission. So it would be best for a person of appropriate standing to go as the envoy.”
Iris jumped up and shook her head.
“You have to protect me! Where do you think you’re going?”
“The empire is strong. It will be difficult for Primus to reach this far right away.”
“You can just send someone else! You stay here!”
However, Number 1 was firm.
“Anticus is there. No one but me can stop her.”
“Even you can’t face Anticus!”“At least I can escape.”
“What’s the point of that?”
At Iris' dissatisfied words, Number 1 let out a chuckle and continued.
“I also heard a separate story from Number 7. Frank is an important person. It will be beneficial for everyone to continue exchanging information with him.”
“It’s just an overestimation.”
“That’s just your opinion. We cannot underestimate the power of the man who killed the Demon King.”
Iris sensed that she could no longer dissuade Number 1.
But she couldn't go there in his place either.
She bit her lip and slowly nodded.
“Alright. But promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Seek cooperation, but don't get too friendly.”
“Hmph. It’s wrong from the start to demand intimacy from the Unseen Ones.”
“Anyway! You understand what I mean, right?”
Iris hoped that Number 1 would not get too close to Frank.
She was afraid that the man she had believed to be her real father would be tainted by the unfamiliar existence named Frank.
‘Be careful, Number 1. He is a very dangerous man.’
Iris prayed earnestly for his safe return.
Because the most important person to her right now was none other than Number 1.
***
Creeak.
Someone opened the door without knocking.
Looking closely, Noemi was peeking her head in, surveying the room.
“Isn’t that Noemi. Don’t just stand there outside, come on in.”
Noemi immediately entered the room.
But her expression wasn't very bright.
“Why are you making that face?”
“It’s nothing.”
“That doesn't look like a 'nothing' face.”
“Just because.”
“Just because?”
Noemi glanced around and brought up the following.
“Where is Master Anonymous?”
“I sent her to the dragon's paradise for a moment on an errand.”
“That’s a relief.”
What was a relief?
While I was tilting my head.
She came close and whispered in my ear.
“Did you put a soundproof barrier in Dad's room?”
“Yes. I asked Adel to put up a barrier. Why do you ask?”
“Just a moment. I’ll cast it one more time.”
Without my permission, Noemi immediately cast a spell.
Her body faintly shimmered, and then a halo of light spread around the room.
Only then did Noemi’s face brighten a little.
“Now I feel a bit more at ease.”
“Why the soundproof barrier?”
“Master has sharp ears.”
“It seems you have something to tell me separately.”
Noemi slowly nodded.
Her appearance was so cute that I couldn't help but pat her head.
“There’s no need to be so wary of Anonymous. She's on our side now.”
But Noemi made a sullen face.
“I’m worried that you two have gotten too close lately.”
“I don’t see why that’s a worry.”
“You're not really saying you don't know, are you?”
“I'm not so sure?”
“Haa.”
Noemi let out a long sigh and brought up another topic.
“The leader of the Unseen Ones will be coming in a few days.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I saw it with Future Foresight. So you must not be hostile to him. He is Sister Iris' envoy who came to negotiate with us.”
With those words, Noemi left my room.
It seemed like she had more she wanted to say, but she deliberately didn't let it out.
Anyway, to think that Number 1 was planning to visit here.
‘This never happened even in the game.’
In Princess Produce, the Unseen Ones were either the game's biggest masterminds or helpers.
They gave off a strong impression of being something special, but they never appeared directly in the forefront.
‘He wants to negotiate with me, huh.’
Is he suggesting we form a common front to stop Primus?
That would mean Primus is that strong, but I don't know how far I can trust them.
One of them has a history of being killed by Anonymous, and they were the ones who spied on our house, including Adel.
‘I really hope nothing out of the ordinary happens.’
It would be best to make a good impression here.
I stayed up all night, thinking and thinking about what I should say when he arrived.
***
For many long years, the Unseen Ones had devoted all their efforts to pioneering their own travel routes.
This was one of the reasons they could obtain information from all over the world in real-time.
Thanks to this, Number 1 was able to quickly arrive at Rarc Village in the northern part of the continent.
But strangely, the village was shrouded in silence.
‘Strange. According to the report, this wasn't originally such a quiet neighborhood.’
Number 1 belatedly followed a woman who was leaving her house.
A woman crossing the mountain, carrying dozens of dresses.
A short while later.
Number 1 had to be overwhelmed with great shock.
Because he had witnessed the scene of humans and dragons interacting.
“Sorry I’m late. Can you believe there were some flaws in a few places? I was a little late re-stitching them.”
At the woman's words, a dragon who was clearly in human form opened her mouth, saying it was fine.
“If there were flaws, we could have fixed them ourselves. You've worked hard.”
“Oh my. I couldn't do that. This is a gift of friendship from us. Well then, shall we try them on right now?”
“Alright. I'll call my friends.”
What was happening?
A new village had been constructed near the Elburz Mountains.
Moreover, humanized dragons were living in wooden houses like humans, and since the construction wasn't finished yet, they were still busy building here and there.
“Hey, Harold. Is the thing we talked about yesterday still far from done?”
“Look who it is. It's Paul, isn't it? Haha. Sorry. I was worried something might go wrong if I touched it unnecessarily, so I waited for you to come. You brought the tools, right?”
“Of course. If you were a dragon, you could have just smashed it in with brute force, you timid thing.”
“Hehe. How many houses have I destroyed that way? I have at least that much sense.”
The exchange between dragons and humans.
Leaving aside the humanized dragons, all the residents of Rarc Village were here.
Intimately calling each other's names.
Greatly shocked, Number 1 hurriedly came down from the mountain and headed back to Rarc Village.
‘What did I just see? How is such a thing possible.’
Like the Demon Tribe, dragons need a lot of magical power to humanize.
But to think that they were all voluntarily taking human forms, laughing and chatting with humans.
‘Aren't dragons the kind of creatures who look down on humans like insects?’
This was also the reason why the Durani Empire hated dragons.
They would often attack villages and hunt humans whenever they were bored.
But the dragons here were mingling with humans and building a village.
What did that signify?
After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Number 1 released his camouflage at the entrance of Frank's mansion.
From now on, he had to meet Frank in person and talk.
If he suddenly appeared, he would most likely be suspected of his intentions.
He knocked on the door with a blank expression.
Knock, knock.
How long had it been since he had knocked on a door like this? Usually, he would infiltrate the premises without permission, eliminate the enemy, or just get information and leave.
It was an action that felt very awkward even to himself.
But what was this?
A girl in a maid's uniform opened the door with a terrifyingly murderous aura.
She had a human appearance, but, ‘She is definitely a dragon. This magical power, could it be?’
For the first time in his life, Number 1 experienced a flashback.
To think that the person he met as soon as he revealed himself was Anticus.
Her gaze seemed to pierce right through Number 1's body.
The pressure that his life would be cut off the moment he moved even slightly enveloped his entire body.
Nevertheless, he never showed a flustered appearance.
No matter what anyone said, he was the leader of the Unseen Ones.
He was Number 1.