Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: 16. The Liberal Alliance and Ian (3)
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Returning to the inn, I asked one of the military police members to fetch Wolfgang, then headed straight to the room where the others were staying.
I was worried that something might have happened during the short time Kati and I were away.
I figured they might have gone to sleep since it was late, but that wasn't the case.
"Nothing happened, right?"
Mercy greeted me first as she opened the door.
"Nope. Nothing at all."
Vivian and Helena, who had been sitting at the desk, came over to welcome me.
"Ian?"
"Oh, Mr. Ian."
On the desk, I saw the magic textbooks and combat manuals I'd bought for them.
"It's great to see you all working so hard."
Lucia was asleep.
To maximize the recovery effects of the elixir, a deep sleep was the best thing she could do right now.
"To get better, we can't afford to be lazy..."
Helena spoke softly, mindful of the sleeping Lucia.
"Hm. Can I expect to see even more growth next time?"
"Y-yes...! Ah..."
Realizing she'd spoken too loudly without thinking, Helena hurriedly covered her mouth.
Fortunately, it didn't seem like it would wake Lucia.
It wasn't that loud anyway.
"You don't need to push yourselves until it's too late at night."
"Yes, sir...!"
"How's Lucia doing? Think she'll be okay?"
Both nodded immediately.
"She's so kind, and great with words. Must be the noble upbringing... Ah, she asked us to forget about her title, so saying that might be rude too? Ugh..."
"It's fine. Just be careful around her, in case."
"Okay..."
Helena chimed in as well.
"She's kind but down-to-earth too, in a way that puts people at ease."
Mercy nodded in agreement from the side.
Fortunately, Lucia's first impression seemed positive.
"Um, but..."
Vivian cautiously spoke up.
"What's going on...?"
I'd left saying I had business, then switched with Kati.
It was natural for them to be curious.
They might even feel left out.
Earlier, things weren't clear, so I hadn't wanted to worry them unnecessarily with vague excuses.
Now that more was certain, it was okay to tell them.
"Someone came looking for me... or rather, chasing me."
I started from the gaze I'd felt ever since arriving here and told them everything up to the man who'd ambushed me outside just now.
When I mentioned being attacked from behind, both their faces grew serious.
However, thinking of Mercy, I avoided any mention of the Liberal Alliance or criminal organizations.
No need to stir up bad memories.
"...So, I sent Kati to confirm the guy's identity. He might have ties to the Anti-Imperial Alliance too. Just speculation."
"......"
Vivian and Helena nodded awkwardly.
It must sound like a story from another world to them.
Complex emotions flickered in their eyes.
A mix of awe and unfamiliarity.
This was exactly why I hesitated to reveal I was Philip...
But I couldn't keep it secret forever.
If I hid things every time something like this happened, they'd feel even more alienated, and walls would form in our relationships.
Better to keep sharing openly so they could get used to it.
When building the 1st Hero Party, we didn't get tangled in such big-scale stuff early on.
And once they grew up, they were too focused to pay much attention to me.
Starting a new party brings issues like this...
"It's not that big a deal. Though I can't call an assassination attempt trivial, you don't need to see me as some intimidating figure. Like I said, I'm just me. Philip was the mask—I'm Ian at my core."
"Ah, okay... R-right."
"We know..."
Being intimidated by me probably wasn't comfortable for them either.
We'd just have to adjust to each other over time.
-Knock knock.
Wolfgang must have arrived.
Sensing the group's eyes on me, I replied.
"It's my guest. Mind if I let him in?"
"Sure."
"Of course."
They agreed readily, but got flustered at the mention of a guest.
Mercy chuckled at them.
"Just relax."
I told them that and opened the door.
As expected, it was Wolfgang.
He stepped in and joked lightly.
"My, this is far too bright a place for the likes of me."
"I was uneasy leaving the room empty. Bear with me."
"You still dote on your party members terribly."
He and I stood near the door and talked.
There was a slim chance Edgar's forces were still around, so I couldn't ignore the possibility of them storming the room while I was out.
"It's been quite a while since we talked like this. Oh, right—the Arke Village incident from last time? Handled it smoothly."
"...Ah, that."
Yeah, that happened.
"Also, one person visited Felix in custody."
"Someone looking for that guy?"
"A woman named Penny, currently the 1st Hero Party Manager. She's also the Managers' Guild Master, apparently."
"...Hm."
"She mentioned the name Philip, and a soldier on guide duty overheard..."
She finally reached that far, huh.
"Eh, it's fine. Not like anyone's going to believe her if she spreads it."
Unless they'd confirmed clues directly like Vivian and Helena.
Most people wouldn't buy "Ian is Philip."
After exchanging simple updates, I asked.
"How's the investigation progressing?"
"More cooperative than I feared."
I could tell who he meant by "feared" from that phrasing.
...Both were concerns, but Kaily was especially one to watch.
"Henry lost both arms, but it's manageable."
"His arms were cut off?"
"Kaily went berserk when she heard he'd testified. Said to tell Henry he's lucky she held back from killing him."
"Heh. That's restraint for her personality. What's gotten into her?"
"Shocked us too, but it's not without results. Henry's talking now. In the middle of his statement."
That was enough for casual check-ins.
Time for the main topic.
I had two things.
I glanced at the sleeping Lucia and asked.
"Is Andrea in the castle by any chance?"
Andrea di Fiore ne.
Lorenzo's eldest son and the first superhuman.
I suspected he'd pulled some trick on Lucia.
Just a hunch, but a strong one.
"He's approaching from outside the city. Investigation needed, but probably hard to tie him to the same charges as Lorenzo."
"Not about that. Personal business. Let me know first when he arrives."
"Got it."
"Also, I was ambushed by some guy earlier..."
I glanced at Mercy and gestured instead of speaking.
I drew a circle and an X over my wrist with my finger.
"Met their representative."
Wolfgang nodded slowly.
"Sent him back to find the base, had Kati tail him. If the facility's large, she can't handle it alone. Can you provide backup?"
"It's military police business. Shouldn't you be the one supporting us, Ian?"
Wolfgang smirked.
"Sometimes you're amazing. In every way—your sense of duty, your execution. Makes me think the military police should learn from you."
I gave a wry smile and glanced sideways at Mercy.
She sat by Lucia, quietly watching over her.
Lucia wouldn't wake or get sick, but Mercy was nursing just in case.
I didn't know why, but she felt a special sense of responsibility toward her.
"I'm pretty great, yeah."
I brushed off the bitterness with a joke.
"Once location's confirmed, we can move out immediately. As I said, the 1st Hero Party duo's cooperating unexpectedly, so manpower's flexible. Plus, Fiore ne insiders are being processed smoothly."
Right then, telepathy came from Kati.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Master. Found it.] I quickly grabbed nearby paper and a pen to jot it down.
'Listening.'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [From the east gate of Fiore ne City...] Kati gave directions via an easy route to follow, not the path she'd taken.
Her memory and spatial awareness were impressive as always.
Wolfgang nodded approvingly as he watched me sketch the map and notes.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [That's it.] 'On my way.'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Haven't fully counted heads yet, but...] [A number of elves are imprisoned there.] '...Elves?'
I reflexively looked at Mercy, still sitting by Lucia.
Liberal Alliance, elves.
Of all combinations...
Sensing my gaze, Mercy looked back.
Unaware of the situation, she held my eyes for a few seconds, then smiled and tapped her cheek with her index finger.
I couldn't help smirking at her playful pose.
...Looks like this is finally my chance to fully settle that incident with Mercy.
*
Riding horseback again after so long.
Several horses thundered down the dirt path.
The early summer night breeze felt nice brushing past, but there was no time to enjoy it.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Two entrances, both disguised as abandoned buildings. One larger, one smaller. Plus an emergency rear escape route. Leads to a narrow valley facing north—barely wide enough for one or two people...] I had to relay Kati's info nonstop to Wolfgang beside me.
He passed it to the two platoon leaders next to him.
To raid the Liberal Alliance base where their leader hid, we'd mobilized two military police platoons.
Plus me, Wolfgang, and Kati.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Plenty of combat-capable personnel. None stronger than that Edgar, though. Large-scale supplies and funds moving through, lots of people—seems like an important spot.] Wolfgang outlined the plan.
"1st and 2nd Platoons, take the two entrances! Ian, block the rear escape!"
We had to shout over the galloping.
"Got it! Which platoon are you joining, Wolfgang?!"
"The larger entrance with 1st Platoon!"
"Then Kati goes with 2nd at the smaller one! We need to share intel!"
'Kati. 2nd Platoon entering small entrance. Stay with them.'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Understood.] 'Edgar?'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Went deep inside, hasn't come up. Risk of detection kept me from scouting further.] 'Good job. That's enough.'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [...Thank you.] "What an enviable ability! And she's strong too—what kind of maid is she?!"
Even among those who knew I was Philip, few knew Kati was a demonkin.
"Ever thought of making her a hero?!"
I'd considered it.
But asking a demonkin to become a hero and slay the Demon King...
I didn't know much about demonkin, but it felt wrong.
Kati already lived against her demonkin instincts for me.
"She's just my ma..."
Almost said maid out of habit.
"...Anyway, no plans like that!"
"Such a waste of talent! She blocked Kaily's attack, no less!"
That surprised me too.
Her claim about diet made sense.
Still, she'd grown far beyond what I knew...
Training in secret without me?
"Wasn't she a maid before? Different outfit, I swear..."
"There! That's the place!"
I cut Wolfgang off.
Destination close—no choice.
Time to dismount and approach quietly.
Couldn't let them spot us and flee.
While the platoon formed up after dismounting, I commed Kati.
'Almost there. Status?'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [A few more arrived, but no notable strong ones.] 'Got it. I'm on rear escape—heads up.'
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [Yes.] After arming and headcount checks, the platoon advanced cautiously through the grass.
A faint rustle echoed.
The military police's black armor blended seamlessly into the darkness.
Their silent heavy march looked like shadows flowing.
"See you soon."
I split from the group toward the rear escape path.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 [...Be careful.] 'You too.'
Last time with Edgar, I'd drawn my sword in haste, but today I'd use the real one properly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep in the base's underground, Edgar was receiving treatment.
'Pathetic fool...'
Ian's skill overwhelmed him.
But his temperament was so naive.
He'd had a chance to kill but botched it with needless actions.
That naivety saved him—grateful, even.
'Damn... More than that, maybe cut ties with the Anti-Imperial Alliance entirely.'
Easier said than done.
Gustav von Bremen, one of their remnants, was hiding right here in this base.
Right beside Edgar as he got treated.
"Henry and Lorenzo aside, even the 1st Party arrested... Didn't expect them to go this hard..."
He'd sensed danger seeing Henry captured with Kaily.
When she unleashed sword aura in rage, he bolted.
This Edgar's base was his escape choice.
Edgar eyed him with mixed feelings.
Maybe fortunate Gustav was here.
Henry didn't know this place, but Gustav did.
If this guy got caught, he'd spill the location.
The Liberal Alliance evaded pursuit through decentralized ops, but hubs for coordination existed.
This base was one—stuffed with records of activities and other sites.
Second only to HQ in importance.
'Alliance with Anti-Imperial's probably outed by Henry already... Fuck, how'd it tangle like this? That Ian guy's..."
As Edgar stewed frustratedly—
-Bang!
The door burst open as a subordinate rushed in.
"L-leader...!"
"What?"
"Military police raiding us...!"
"...What?"
"And the rear escape..."