Chapter 112 : Chapter 112
112 Poruo (1)
“This doesn’t move me anymore either.”
Ael, who passed through the Magic Gate, said.
“I didn’t feel anything from the start.”
“Brother is Mectera.”
“You are too, sister.”
“I’m different from brother.”
Every time like this, tendencies show.
Is Ael like this because she has thick Dujeu blood?
‘It must be a simple personality difference.’
Simurtr smirked.
Ael resembles Arnea. Not Dujeu.
Although she was born with a Strong Body, Arnea is very different from the Dujeu Simurtr knew in the first place.
‘Dujeu isn’t this type.’
The former Sword Tower Master. And the current Sword Tower Master, Lete Dujeu.
Both are the exact opposite of the flexible Arnea.
They were stubborn as mules, and never just admitted anything. They were the type to agree only after facing and experiencing it themselves.
From the first meeting, it was like that. Both the former Sword Tower Master and Lete Dujeu admitted Exa only after fighting.
“Come to think of it, is it Simyun’s first time? Working with the Information Bureau.”
Ael, walking ahead, said.
Mission. And the execution area. Simurtr doesn’t know the detailed information about this job yet. The siblings are the same. They said it was the Information Bureau’s policy.
“Why is the policy like this. Annoying.”
“It’s the Information Bureau, right? Doesn’t it seem like they have to move secretly? Isn’t that why?”
Ael, who is now 18 years old, still had a strange romance about secret things like espionage.
“If it were outside the Empire, maybe. Isn’t it too useless?”
It means they are conscious of Bahab and Basor.
Simurtr didn’t show it and said.
“Still. Actually, it’s boring if it’s plain.”
We have to find out information about this mission from now on.
The siblings, who have carried out joint operations with the Information Bureau several times, knew the method.
“Simyun, while you were at Bahab, we did it a few times.”
“It wasn’t much. Rather, it was easy. The Information Bureau takes charge of trivial yet complicated things.”
“The Information Bureau’s work looked fun to me though.”
“Sister. It is because you are still young.”
“Whatever.”
It must mean it was enough to just swing the sword.
Certainly, there is no reason for Jahar or other swordsmen to dislike it.
“Ah. Found it.”
What Ael’s eyes stopped on was a corner of a building.
There was nothing particularly special. If one had to point it out, it was built with yellow bricks that were out of fashion, and looked about 20 years old.
“I see.”
“Don’t pretend to know. Brother didn’t find it.”
“Ahem.”
Simurtr couldn't follow the siblings’ conversation.
“What do you see?”
“You know when you see it.”
Ael approached with long strides and fiddled with the corner of the building. The reaction came from a brick at knee height.
Even though she didn’t operate magic, Ael’s finger went in deep. Magic. Looking closely, Simurtr could confirm that a formula was engraved only on that one brick.
“They say there are points where the Information Bureau can receive information in every corner of the Empire’s major cities.”
End of war.
When restoring cities destroyed by the Doom War, the Information Bureau left many traces all over the Empire, she said.
“Construction companies wouldn’t be unaware.”
“Of course, the Information Bureau did it secretly.”
“Is that possible with Information Bureau manpower?”
“Wouldn’t they have done it because it’s possible? Since they didn’t restore it immediately. There must have been time to recover.”
It is the Imperial Family’s institution, after all.
The siblings do not doubt Melken.
The war of nerves between the Imperial Family and Hero Families is a world the siblings haven’t experienced yet.
“I think you guessed wrong.”
Jahar, who peeked at the note Ael unfolded from behind, said.
“You’re right. Strange.”
Ael also tilted her head.
Simurtr approached the siblings and asked.
“What does it say?”
“Southern Empire. It says go to Count Harkinwagen’s territory?”
“What?”
Simurtr frowned without realizing.
“This is the eastern end?”
***
The feeling is a bit ominous.
How ominous, it feels just like someone is trying to climb over me.
‘No.’
It is different from the position in my past life.
I mean, it feels just like picking a fight.
“Who are the Information Bureau guys running the operation together this time.”
“We’ll know when we get there.”
“Deban went first.”
“He left yesterday. It’s not time for contact yet.”
Probably Deban couldn't do it even if he wanted to.
Reaching contact is the same as rendering the secrecy installed throughout the Empire with difficulty useless.
“Anyway. I don’t know what bastard it is, but it means that bastard is screwing with us right now.”
From Mectera, we came to the eastern end of the Empire.
Naturally, it was the Information Bureau’s guide. But when we arrived, they suddenly told us to go to the southern end.
So we went to the southern end, and the note there told us to go to the western end again.
‘But what? Outside the Empire?’
In the note hidden at the western end, Count Kainan’s territory, it was written that the contact point is outside the Empire.
‘Dare to give us the run-around?’
From East to South, from South to West, from West to outside the Empire.
Simurtr and the siblings could only go out of the Empire after circling the Empire halfway.
“I’ll kill them when we meet.”
“There might be circumstances. It might be directed directly by the Director.”
“Have you ever seen the Director?”
“…No.”
Although they haven't seen him, the Director is not a person to do such petty things.
Judging from the help so far, he would be an extremely rational and flexible human.
“If there is no justifiable reason, I will kill them.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m sorry. My brother is excited.”
Ael smiled at the frightened guard, waved both hands, and exited the Magic Gate.
“Certainly. It is true that there must be a justifiable reason.”
Jahar nodded beside Simurtr.
Judging by the circumstances so far, it is not just a simple swordsman but mocking the children of Mectera.
“Was it like this before?”
“No. Usually, reception ended with one time. This is the first time we’ve wandered around like this.”
“And you really don’t know who it is?”
“Yeah. We have to meet to know. Finding them is part of the operation.”
Ael took over the question.
“Before too?”
“…There was one accompanying agent who helped with reception.”
“So only today there isn’t one?”
“…Yeah.”
Part of the operation means it’s the Information Bureau’s circumstance.
Something Mectera originally doesn't need to care about.
“The run-around too?”
“…Maybe it’s part of this operation……?”
“Today is the first time, right?”
Cold sweat formed slightly on Ael’s hands.
A reason arose for the run-around to be meaningful for this mission.
Simurtr really hates wasting time. This younger brother she has seen so far cherished time more than anything else in the world.
‘Especially his routine.’
Simurtr’s regular routine proves him.
Unless there is a special schedule, he spends a schedule without a single hour of error.
‘He even openly threw a scabbard at the 1st Head of the Sword.’
A regular routine comes from an unchanging daily life.
Simurtr got genuinely angry at Bahel who tried to drive out Meram.
It might be because Meram is precious too but…… Simurtr truly loathed touching his surroundings.
‘He does that to anyone if the guest isn’t us or Beden.’
Perhaps Haryun Bahab could be included as an exception. Since they say he is the same age as us.
“We’ll know if we go and ask.”
Simurtr walked with long strides.
The contact place wasn’t that far from the Magic Gate. The place they arrived was an inn for mercenaries.
“Night of Wings.”
A common name.
Probably a facility influenced by the Information Bureau.
Although their main area of activity is inside the Empire, they cannot be indifferent to affairs outside the Empire.
An inn is a space very easy to disguise and contact.
Cling. Simurtr opened the door. The siblings followed.
Jahar’s mood also looked quite bad, but in her view, there would be no chance for her brother to be active.
Naturally, there were no general customers. A sign saying business is closed hung at the entrance. It must be for the contact now.
“Young master.”
The vast first floor. Three people were sitting at the center table.
One of them stood up and welcomed Simurtr’s group.
“It’s not you, right?”
Simurtr saw Deban standing up abruptly, and clenched his fist.
***
Deban performed his role reasonably well.
It was only leaving a day early, but it wasn't that he found out nothing.
However, he submitted the means to contact the main family. Although it was called submission, it was the same as confiscation.
‘The Information Bureau wasn’t such a coercive place.’
Mectera is not a place to receive this kind of treatment.
Although I’ve worked with the Information Bureau several times, this is the first time receiving this kind of treatment.
Aran’s suspicion was correct. Information Bureau. No, the Deputy Director wants to judge Simurtr through this operation.
“It better not be.”
I was glad because I found out.
The information I found out in my own way will become something worthwhile for Simurtr, who has been exposed to the Deputy Director, to refer to.
“Deban.”
But Simurtr’s voice when we met is familiar. It was similar to when handling Juyce at Huit.
Why?
“Explain.”
Before swinging first.
Simurtr asked the reason first.
It is a joint operation with the Information Bureau. If everything experienced so far is part of the mission…… he will accept it.
Although he doesn't like it, hasn't he received a lot of help from the Information Bureau? If it is their method, he is willing enough to respect it.
‘If it is not part of the operation…… Deputy Director.’
I don’t know what the run-around has to do with judging authenticity.
If it is the Deputy Director’s doing…… he must show a response befitting it. Simurtr had something in mind.
“We came around half the Empire. Is it part of this operation?”
“Pardon? Ah.”
Deban noticed immediately.
He turned the angle of his face so it wouldn't be visible to people’s eyes. De, pu. He showed the shape of his mouth to Simurtr.
“Please maintain your dignity. I think introduction should come first.”
When he understood Deban’s words, the man sitting opposite spoke. Simurtr looked at him once and sat next to Deban.
“Try it. Introduction.”
There were three people.
Deban. The man who just opened his mouth and the woman next to him.
“I am Investigator Peres Art.”
Investigator.
A title that can organize a team with agents separately. Right below the executive position.
‘Not a magician.’
Warrior.
Looking at the magic caught in the Sword Net and the degree of body training…… he would be similar to Deban.
‘Level of a formal swordsman of the main family. No. Deban is on the outstanding side even among formal ones.’
Mectera’s average power level exceeds Bahab.
The Information Bureau couldn't have grown to that extent already. They said they focused on military force, but not yet.
‘Figure of the Deputy Director.’
The investigators seen in the past life all were quite old.
Peres Art is much younger than that.
Probably he is evaluated as a competent talent even within the Information Bureau. Or a parachute.
“I’m 1st Class Agent Heide. It is an honor to be in charge of observing the direct descendants.”
Unlike Peres, Heide bowed her head and greeted.
“Heide! Seeing you again.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Please take care of us this time too.”
The siblings looked at Heide and smiled at each other.
“We were together in the last operation.”
She’s kind. Ael said quietly from the side.
Even in Simurtr’s view, Heide’s personality looked quite good.
Simurtr, who was examining Heide, turned his head. His face stung.
“What?”
Since a while ago.
Peres was staring at this side intently.
“Are you Simurtr-nim?”
“So.”
“I heard there is an adopted son who doesn’t fit Mectera in this generation.”
“So?”
Simurtr’s eyebrows twitched.
Tone, eyes, gestures. Everything is irritating.
‘Strangely cocky. Is it a misunderstanding?’
If he came to examine this side by the Deputy Director’s order, there would be no reason to behave like that.
“You said you are an Investigator? Is one agent all?”
“Yes. Only I was specially dispatched. Agent Heide is not my agent.”
“Then why are you together?”
“I said only I alone was specially dispatched.”
“I mean. Why bother? Leaving your limb-like agents behind?”
Doesn't it smell fishy.
Beside him, Deban nodded slightly. Peres Art was openly the Deputy Director’s person.
“The age young Mecteras are selected is seventeen. I heard Simurtr-nim was selected when you were younger than that.”
For a moment, Peres’s eyes directed at the siblings relaxed lightly.
“But you must have been selected because you have ability. Since you already carried out two missions in the 6th Sword Order.”
Soon returning to Simurtr, Peres’s eyes narrowed thinly.
‘Look at this bastard?’
Just like the run-around just before.
Peres Art is testing this side.
He is provoking openly, and expecting how I will come out.
‘Too blatant. Is he doing this on purpose?’
No. No matter how I think, there is no reason to be blatant.
The Deputy Director wants to confirm the rumor of the Black Tower and the authenticity of the information recorded in the Information Bureau.
The surest method here is to find out this side’s skill directly.
‘But the provocation is too amateur.’
If I realize the intention and start guarding, there is no fear of being caught.
In that aspect, Peres Art is disqualified from the start.
‘Because he’s stupid? Or because he lacks experience yet?’
Wouldn't the latter be more plausible?
No matter how much of a parachute he is, there is a degree.
‘At least he shouldn’t have been torn to be picked.’
Judgment is efficient the more secretly it is done.
That is why the Information Bureau of the past judged together with the experience accumulated during Investigator promotion.
An Investigator is a position that must know how to hide or distort one’s intention.
“But it’s your first time in a joint operation with the Information Bureau. Even though it’s been a year since you were selected.”
“Do I have to do it? Mectera? It’s the opposite. The Information Bureau should be begging me to do it together once.”
“Did you avoid it until now? Assuming from the fact that you became a guest of Bahab when you should be carrying out missions in full swing.”
When Peres’s closed mouth drew an arc.
Deban was certain.
‘This will explode.’
It’s not just discomfort. That is anger.
Deban lifted his chair slightly and moved it slowly to the left.
He put distance between him and Simurtr without being noticeable.
***
I wondered why he was beating around the bush.
Blatant quarrel. At the creeping anxiety, Ael looked at Simurtr.
‘Ah.’
Ael let out an exclamation inwardly.
The face that was frowned upon in displeasure had smoothed out before she knew it. The corners of his mouth went up high.
Result of observation so far. The cases where Simurtr smiles like that are fixed.
“The run-around. You did it, right?”
“If you are asking about circling the Empire halfway, it is correct that I directed it.”
When fighting. Or when he wants to fight.
And when he is about to fight.
Simurtr laughs like that only at such times.
“Why did you do that?”
A bright smile is being maintained.
A smile flows on the facing Peres’s face too.
‘Brother?’
The clueless brother felt better already.
He is just nodding gratifyingly. He probably thought the situation improved just because Simurtr started laughing.
Even Heide, who saw Simurtr for the first time today, froze like that.
‘Heide wasn’t it.’
Seeing that appearance, Ael knew the current situation was Peres’s arbitrary decision.
It means the reason for Simurtr to accept Peres’s attitude disappeared.
“The pilgrimage to Magic Gates is a tradition of the Information Bureau. If it’s a new agent, everyone experiences it. However, since the target is Mectera this time, I reduced it to half a circle.”
What ridiculous excuse.
Ael wanted to know the reason Peres came out aggressively like that.
“Since when did a mere Investigator become able to screw Mectera? Did the higher-ups permit it?”
“In the case of carrying out a joint operation, Mectera’s swordsman and Information Bureau’s agent are equal.”
“Even direct descendants?”
“Aren’t you an adopted son?”
“You aren’t speaking seriously, right? To Mectera. Surely. Are you confident?”
“I heard adopted sons vary too. Actually, didn’t Mectera’s hero also have a past of being expelled?”
“Ah. I’m soon too?”
“I didn’t say that openly.”
If that was really his thought, the siblings should have experienced a tradition like today last year.
‘Only now?’
An external tradition that the main family would never permit in the first place?
I don’t know the intention but…… Peres is openly insulting Simurtr.
‘It explodes.’
Ael’s expression rotted as the soon-to-unfold future came to mind.
“That. Can you say the same in front of our Sword Master?”
“Simurtr-nim isn’t the Sword Master yet, right. Are you that strong? Then I want to see directly. I was curious if the evaluation as Mectera’s rising star is true.”
“Rising star?”
“Did you not know? Must have been a false rumor.”
Ael turned her gaze to Deban.
Indeed. Ael was somewhat relieved. Deban had finished preparation from the beginning.
‘As expected of Deban.’
Although she did missions with Heide too, Ael knows more things connect with Deban.
It was something she felt from when they were together first at Huit.
Plus now Deban is following Simurtr.
People that close and knowing well are rare.
‘If it’s Deban, he will know what Simyun is thinking right now.’
When Ael nodded, Deban nodded accordingly.
Both pulled their chairs back slightly at the same time.
Heide, who peeked at him, followed suit. Following Ael and Deban, she finished preparation to pull her body out.
“You. Are you perhaps terminally ill?”
Soon.
Now soon.
Ael pulled the chair a bit more.
Without making a sound. Very slowly.
Deban was the same. Squeak. Heide’s chair leg swept the floor.
“What does that mean?”
“I asked if you’re gonna die soon. Like an incurable disease. Or a curse.”
“Could that be possible.”
“But why are you behaving like that?”
Simurtr, sweeping up his hair, put his hand on the table. Thud. Even though palms collided, the sound was heavy.
“About what?”
When Peres asked.
‘No. Since a while ago he keeps seeming like he wants to die early.’
Ael thought inwardly.
If it’s Simurtr…… he will definitely answer like that.
‘Now.’
So she pulled the chair back sharply.
Deban too.
“No. Just. Because I’m worried.”
The table was fine.
Instead, only the 3 people who stood up in front of it became strange.
Jahar looked at the three who stood up with strange eyes.
“If not, it’s fortunate.”
He’s not flipping this?
Ael and Deban looked at Simurtr with strange eyes.
Why?