Chapter 18
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Infiltrating the Mansion
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"What? So what if you glare at me like that?"
"Eek?!"
"What can you even do? Follow Father's will and become the count—what else is there?"
At my taunt, she ground her teeth as if she might explode any second.
"Ah... Aah!! My nape!"
"Never mind that. Let's wrap up the Tibel Cascadia issue first. Once we deal with him, most problems will be solved."
I don't know much about other kingdoms, but in our Bata Kingdom, there are officially recognized realms acknowledged by the royal family.
To inherit the Cascadia Border Count title, one must at least reach the Expert level in those recognized realms.
Of course, Melissa was a Sword Expert, so there was no issue there, but due to the hassle of official certification, she was still registered as an Aura User by the royal records.
That was exactly why Tibel Cascadia could push her aside and aim for the count's position.
"What a truly useless system."
"Right? A dogshit system."
On this point, Melissa and I were in complete agreement.
Of course, becoming officially certified as an Expert would secure definite advantages, but Tibel was lobbying the central nobles to block that.
So, only one option remained.
Tibel's death.
"With Bishiri Cascadia dead, there's a good chance Tibel will flee."
She knew Tibel Cascadia well.
"Probably."
"He'll realize we have unexpected forces here and that dragging things out favors him."
Just as she said, Tibel was the type to do exactly that.
He might trust his own strength and launch a full assault, but if he did, it would actually make things easier for us.
"No word yet that he's left his mansion, but it's only a matter of time. To settle this properly, we need to move fast."
The problem was that we needed preparations too.
She hadn't expected things to escalate to all-out war so suddenly.
"How much time do we have?"
"We need to move now. He's sharp—he could slip out of the county tonight."
"Alright. Then I'll rally the troops and knights..."
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
"Young Lady!! Young Lady!! This is bad!!"
It was then.
A knight burst in with a frantic expression, breathing heavily.
"Sir Hapon? What's so urgent that..."
"We've found traces of the monster suspected to have escaped from the Demon Realm and hidden in the county! If we don't act fast, there'll be casualties..."
"What?!"
Color drained from her face.
"What's this I hear?"
"Well..."
I narrowed my eyes at her.
A monster from the Demon Realm. I knew about it.
A few weeks ago, reports came in of a monster slipping through surveillance from the Demon Realm into the county. An investigation team had been dispatched in haste.
Monsters from the Demon Realm were extremely dangerous, capable of causing massive casualties.
"Didn't you say that monster was found and eliminated?"
"Well... that is..."
"You didn't catch it, did you?"
At my question, she bit her lip and averted her gaze.
"Oh, man."
It was obvious.
They'd found traces of it hiding but hadn't caught it, so they'd announced it eliminated to prevent panic in the territory.
If the truth got out, it would be irreversible.
"...You're in no position to worry about Tibel right now."
"..."
Tibel wouldn't kill openly, but a monster was different.
Especially one that had slipped into their territory undetected by the knights—its threat level was sky-high.
It would require a significant portion of the county's forces.
"Let's split up, Melissa."
"No!"
"I'll handle Tibel, you deal with the monster..."
"Don't be ridiculous!!"
She screamed like she was possessed.
"You... You're joking, right?! Storming Tibel's mansion alone?!"
"Yeah."
"What if you get hurt!!"
Her shout made me pause, then chuckle.
"Hurt? You're overreacting."
"No! Absolutely not! Until dirt's in my eyes... Argh! Put that down!"
I grabbed a handful of soil from a nearby flowerpot and pretended to throw it, making her freak out and back away.
"Just scout! Scout only! Got it?! Tibel’s lost a lot of forces too! If he tries to flee, I'll split the knights and send them, so don't go alone. Got it?! That's an order!"
She yelled desperately, but I ignored her nagging and slipped out of her office.
Though Melissa told me to just scout, I had no intention of obeying.
If my instincts were right, Tibel would definitely flee or attack the county tonight.
Though the latter was unlikely.
In a way, the monster escaping from the Demon Realm had impeccable timing.
I donned a black coat perfect for blending into the darkness.
It looked defenseless, but it was made from high-grade monster hide.
Better than nothing, and above all, bloodstains wiped off easily—a top perk.
"Young Master."
I was preparing to leave the count's estate when a familiar voice called. Turning, I saw a stocky dwarf approaching with something in both hands.
"Berus? Didn't you leave?"
I smirked, and he clicked his tongue in annoyance, looking away.
"Well, the reason to leave vanished, so no need."
"That's all?"
"Such a nasty-tempered fellow. You saved my son, so I owe you."
I laughed and patted his back.
"Good thinking, Berus. You won't regret it. Take care of my little sister."
"Ugh... Not just me. Everyone whose family or loved ones you saved owes you both."
With that, he handed me what he carried.
"What's this?"
"A sword. Made it while you slept. Heard your swords shatter from aura every time."
"Ah, right."
"Made with mithril added. Won't fully endure, but it'll last a good while."
Unwrapping the cloth in mild surprise revealed a silvery straight sword.
Sharp blade, perfect balance.
High-end stuff, and with mithril, no cheap item.
"Where'd you get this? Not ordinary."
"Had spare mithril. Forged it myself while you slept. Didn't have much time, so not the toughest—bring it back broken, I'll remelt and refit."
The silver blade showed clear craftsmanship.
"Thanks. Needed a weapon."
"And this is from the magic tool shop geezer."
Clearly an artifact with inscribed magic.
"He gave this?"
"Surprisingly generous, that miser. And this is stamina potion from the apothecary."
They acted like they knew what I was up to.
"Like they know my plans."
"Told you, age hones instincts."
Repayment from those I'd saved. Needing items anyway, I accepted.
"I'll put 'em to good use."
"Young Master."
As I mounted without refusal, Berus called.
"What now."
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you... truly for saving my son. And, awkward as it is..."
"I'm just on recon."
"Looks like destruction to me."
"Haha!"
I didn't bother correcting. It was true anyway.
As twilight faded and dusk settled, someone silently entered the massive mansion.
"See? Knew it'd be like this."
The mansion buzzed even under the night sky with moon risen.
Tibel Cascadia's choice: flight.
Tonight, no less.
Expected, really.
With most forces slaughtered and son dead.
Misjudging what aid Melissa and I had, he'd prioritize safety over risk.
Of course, no plans to let him leave alive.
Melissa said scout, but since when did I listen well?
I drew the mithril-infused sword from Berus.
"From now on, you're Black Night Sword No. 1."
Its debut under dark sky—fitting name.
Weapon names? Who cares.
Does it cut well? Hold up? That's it.
In Labyrinthos, swords broke, new ones appeared—I swung without attachment.
Sword Hall had endless supply.
Thankfully, dwarf skill shone; Black Night Sword No. 1 performed excellently.
Shing...
"Huh?"
Splat!
A guard collapsed, blood spraying, with a sickening slice.
Guards meant for county duty privately protecting the mansion.
I knew some stuck with Tibel when Bishiri kidnapped me, but the scale was disappointingly large.
"Father was too soft on people."
Too kind, poor at weeding out trash.
I gazed quietly at the silently slain guards amid the bustling mansion.
Compared to prior visit with Father, mansion unchanged but far wealthier vibe.
Ornate decorations everywhere, many servants.
Tibel's branch originally handled a couple small businesses.
Enough for maintenance, not this luxury.
So where'd Tibel get the cash?
No need to ponder long.
Didn't matter anyway.
[Intrusion detected.]
[One Aura User, remainder estimated as regular soldiers.]
At least the scribe's detection beat mine.
"Level?"
"Let's start."
By the time Tibel noticed my intrusion, it'd be too late.
I spun Black Night Sword No. 1 and gripped it firmly, head low.
Then launched forward.
"Good thing I took out some insurance."
Tibel Cascadia muttered through a stiff face.
He felt years older in mere hours.