Chapter 141
After confirming that the victimized women were safely taken into custody by the knights of the Holy Principality, I returned once more to the underground jail beneath the Alheus Estate.
I was a bit tired. Not physically -my heart was tired of this immature self.
With night fully upon us, I dashed across rooftops in a single breath, heading back home.
—————–
When I knocked on the door, a familiar killing intent immediately surged from within.
Hm, good. Lemia-jou was properly on guard.
“Lemia-jou, it’s me-ja yo. I’ve returned.” (Rue)
‘Do you have any way to prove that?’ (Lemia)
“Mm…ah! Blast! I never even introduced myself to you, did I!? Forgive me. My name is Rue-ja. I’m the leader of the Brigade, and I came here at Seimu’s request.” (Rue)
‘Now that you mention it…you never did introduce yourself. If you know that, then you’re the real one.’ (Lemia) The door opened, and she greeted me with her mask removed.
…It’s easy to forget with that assassin-like appearance, but this girl is quite the beauty…
“You really saved me. This is probably Melt-chan’s first real experience getting properly drunk, so I was worried about leaving her alone-ja yo.” (Rue)
“I see, so that’s why. She’s sleeping soundly in her room right now.” (Lemia)
“I see, I see. I’m truly grateful, Lemia-jou.” (Rue)
“…Um, if you know my name, then did you hear it from Shilent-sama?” (Lemia)
“Mm. Anything the Brigade members hear inside or outside gets reported to my ears.” (Rue)
…Or so I’ll claim. As the leader, it wouldn’t be strange for me to be informed.
“I see… How is Shilent-sama’s condition?” (Lemia)
“Hm? Shilent is almost fully recovered-ja yo. Seimu brought some excellent medicinal ingredients, and that finished the job. He’s completely fine now. He’ll have to remain over there as fighting force since I’ve left the Brigade for the time being.” (Rue)
“I’m glad… Just knowing he’s safe is enough for me. Well then… could you tell me what happened in the Underside?” (Lemia)
“Mm, right. It’s not that complicated a story, but…” (Rue)
I briefly explained everything that happened from when I was drinking at the Adventurers’ Den up until my return, and…
“They must secure the lowest level of the Underside immediately…either the kingdom or the guild. At the same time, they must protect and treat the victims, and investigate whether similar crimes occurred in the past, whether there were suspicious transactions or unnaturally large cargo shipments. There should have been a place with many large warehouses gathered together, yes?” (Rue)
In the past, Hash should have gone to such a warehouse district for a banquet hosted by the Pigeon Company.
Better to check just in case.
“…I will arrange it at once. There are still many things I’d like to discuss, but I judge the situation too urgent.” (Lemia)
“Mm. I’m counting on you.” (Rue)
The possibility of human trafficking or kidnapped refugees…such crimes can never be allowed to occur in this country, a victorious nation.
The reputation abroad would be too disastrous. Even if untrue, if people said “the war was waged to kidnap people,” the nation’s reputation would plummet.
…Perhaps someone behind the scenes is pulling strings to create that very outcome?
Seeing Lemia-jou promptly head out to respond, I too decided to rest.
If things go quickly, it will happen tomorrow…no, it’s already today now…someone from the castle may come.
—————–
“Ugh… it’s better than before but…my head is seriously killing me… I might not be able to return to my original form for a while.”
At the round table in the darkness, seated at the head, I was sharing and observing parts of Rue’s actions with everyone.
But I was desperately fighting this headache and the whirlpool of immense knowledge even while doing that, struggling to sort through the information.
“Shizuma, you should let go of the knowledge for now. The amount of information Rue possesses is far too massive. A normal human can’t memorize this much in such a short time.” (Shilent)
“Even if you say that… I don’t know how to let go…” (Shizuma)
“Stop recalling it. Think of something else. My Lord, try switching what you recall to Shilent-san’s knowledge. Shift your focus onto someone else.” (Still)
Following the advice from Still across the table and Shilent beside me, I clenched my eyes shut and tried to shift my awareness.
Then…it did feel a bit easier.
“…Shilent, is it true your hobby is searching for nut-based sweets?” (Shizuma)
“What!? You can see that far, Shizuma!? Forget it, got it!?” (Shilent)
“Oh my? Shilent-san, it seems you and I might share similar tastes in tea? At the cafe I used to frequent, they served a fine peanut nougat. It was exquisite.” (Still)
“…grh, I’ll remember that.” (Shilent)
Ah…this is getting easier. When I think about everyone, I understand them more deeply.
A little bit at a time, Rue’s overwhelming knowledge seems to drift away from my consciousness.
“…It’s getting easier.” (Shizuma)
“Ooh… good! Nice one, Still!” (Lent)
“Yes, I am not just an old-timer by name like the second character.” (Still)
“You said it!? Someday I’m gonna blast you! With my magic!” (Lent)
“Fufufufufu… I look forward to it.” (Still)
It seems Still has already blended in well with everyone.
“…But actually having to use that knowledge with your own will and actual body… Rue really is in a league of his own. Defeating him is impossible unless you kill him from afar with a wide-area strike.” (Shilent)
“Shilent, why are you immediately thinking about how to defeat him?” (Shizuma)
“Well, it just came to mind… Knowledge of martial arts and combat is a powerful weapon, but if Shizuma can’t withstand it…that’s a problem.” (Shilent)
“That is true. I must reflect on this.” (Still)
“I also underestimated the issue. Shizuma has collapsed several times in the past due to the massive knowledge contained in the characters… I didn’t account for that properly.” (Shire)
Still and Shire apologized, but to me, this was a valuable test.
There’s no need for them to apologize.
“No, being exposed to it even once is meaningful. You two don’t need to apologize. It’ll at least fix my basic movements, posture, weapon handling, and so on.” (Shizuma)
“Heh… But it is surprising, isn’t it? He’s not just a silly old man… Does my knowledge help? Compared to him I feel a bit insecure.” (Seira)
“No, Seira’s knowledge helps a ton. Choosing shops or ingredients, I can even make some fairly complicated dishes now… Seriously, it adds a lot of color to daily life.” (Shizuma)
“Really? Hearing that…makes me really happy.” (Seira)
Seira’s knowledge helps me far more than she thinks.
Conversation topics, daily life, food knowledge…there’s never too much of it.
As I tried to focus on everyone and distance myself from combat knowledge, a new visitor emerged from the darkness…Rue.
“Rue! So that means you’re asleep right now?” (Shizuma)
“Mm, I just fell asleep. I wished to come here because I had something to discuss with you, Shizuma.” (Rue)
Considering Rue lived such a chaotic day, I braced myself wondering what he would bring up.
“…Hypothetically-ja. If the Dungeon Core could release its limit on the number of people summoned at once…but the wills still couldn’t manifest outward, then it would be meaningless. Have you learned anything new about that?” (Rue)
It was about Order Summon.