Kays Translations

Chapter 155: “The Demon Lord’s Territory & ‘Town of Nosa’ Joint Investigation Team, Moves in the Shadows (2)”

──Several days earlier, in a forest near the border──

“Form a tight formation! Protect the person in the center!”

Sensing the presence of magical beasts, the unit responded immediately. They rearranged their formation with Prince Ricardo at the center, preparing for attacks from all sides.

The front line was equipped with daggers, and the rear line with shortbows. They assumed a defensive formation suitable for an area filled with obstacles.

“…………Gruuuu”

A faint growl reached the ears of the soldiers in the scouting unit. It came from downwind. And it was quite far away.

A soldier with excellent eyesight strained his eyes. He saw red eyes in the shadows of the trees. Looking more closely, he could make out a black coat glistening under the moonlight.

What stood there was a magical beast with jet-black fur: a Dark Wolf. They were not yet within range of engagement. Detecting it from this distance was only possible because they were the Empire’s top scouting unit.

The Dark Wolf is known as the assassin of the forest. Territorial and solitary by nature, it normally doesn’t form packs. Yet here they were, moving in coordinated formation and tailing the scouting unit. The number was roughly around ten.

“As expected of the scouting unit’s detection abilities.”

“Only we could have sensed a magical beast at this distance.”

Prince Ricardo exchanged words with the unit commander.

The Dark Wolf pack was still far away. They could drive them off with arrows or magic. But the scouting unit didn’t take action—because they had spotted a human figure behind the pack.

Even in hiding, it was clear. With Prince Ricardo’s permission, the unit commander shouted:

“Who’s there!?”

“…………”

No response.

“Are you the one controlling these beasts!? What do you want from us!? If you have no business with us, call them off immediately!”

“────Are you from the Imperial Capital?”

The figure spoke.

“I’ve sent magical beasts after several groups of travelers before. But you’re the first to notice them from this distance. With such detection ability, you must be from a high-ranking unit dispatched from the capital.”

He spoke as if he had been using magical beasts to search for imperial soldiers.

Prince Ricardo gritted his teeth. If what the other said was true, it meant Ricardo and his men had been outwitted using their own detection prowess. In other words, the enemy may have anticipated that a scouting unit from the capital would be sent.

“I want an answer. Are you soldiers from the capital?”

“There’s no need to answer that.”

The scouting unit’s commander replied.

“──The ‘box in question’.”

Moments later, a voice echoed from deep within the forest, belonging to a faceless figure.

“I want to negotiate about the ‘box in question’ we’ve obtained.”

“──I don’t know of it.”

“Weren’t you here to find it? Otherwise, there’s no reason for soldiers with such detection ability to come to this remote place.”

“I said I don’t know.”

“Are you sure? There are others I could negotiate with.”

“How could we negotiate with someone who won’t even show their face?”

The commander gave responses as prearranged. Meanwhile, those with sharp eyesight began studying the figure’s appearance.

The person had cloth wrapped around their face. But from their hair color and build, they could make an educated guess. He was one of the temporary soldiers stationed at the fort where the magical beast summoning occurred—one of those who stole the box.

With that conclusion, Prince Ricardo gave an immediate order.

“I’ve heard rumors about what happened at the fort. Seems there was a strange box involved.”

The commander responded according to the prince’s signal.

“But that item was taken from the Empire. We have no intention of negotiating over it.”

As he spoke, the commander signaled with hand signs.

The swiftest scouts rushed forward. They darted toward the Dark Wolves—and before the enemy could react, they threw their daggers.

A cry of pain erupted from the beasts. The Dark Wolves let out enraged howls and lunged at the soldiers. The soldiers evaded and sprinted toward the figure deeper in the forest.

“““Guaaaaahhh!!”””

The enraged Dark Wolves gave chase, blinded by fury. But in doing so, they turned their backs on the imperial unit in formation.

“────Fire!”

The scouts seized the opportunity. Bowstrings sang, and shortbow arrows pierced the Dark Wolves. Several beasts were struck down and collapsed to the ground.

Prince Ricardo had no intention of negotiating. The “box in question” originally belonged to the Empire. The rightful owner was clear. All they had to do was take it back.

“To think negotiation is impossible. Typical of brute-force imperial soldiers.”

The hidden figure spoke with a tone of exasperation.

More Dark Wolves emerged from the forest depths. But several soldiers had already closed in on the figure. They would likely be able to restrain him before the reinforcements arrived.

(He shouldn’t have revealed himself. But now we can produce results. Capture him and make him reveal the location of the box…)

Just as Prince Ricardo was sure of success──

“──Come any closer, and I’ll burn this document summoned along with the ‘box in question.’”

The hidden man stepped forward. He held a bundle of old papers in his hand.

The scouts focused their eyes on it, trying to read what was written. But they couldn’t decipher it.

“…What language is that?”

These elite soldiers serving the imperial family had mastered many languages. Yet the letters on the document in the masked man’s hand—were incomprehensible.

“Are you just scribbling meaningless symbols?”

“Is that what you think?”

When asked back, they fell silent.

The script on the papers was strangely uniform. The spacing between letters and between lines was perfectly consistent. No human could write with such precision.

“This bundle of papers was stuck to the bottom of the ‘box in question.’ Most likely, these too are from another world. Those panicking over the giant scorpion must have failed to notice it.”

The masked man spoke mockingly.

“There’s a possibility this bundle contains instructions on how to open the box. Lose this, and the Empire may never have another chance. Are you willing to risk that?”

“So you propose negotiation?”

“We can’t open the box either. That’s why we’re offering to trade it for something else.”

“And why should we agree to that?”

Ricardo’s words were echoed by the commander of the scouting unit.

“Where’s the proof that stack of papers is genuine? Isn’t it something you people fabricated?”

“You’re free to think that if you like.”

The masked man replied.

“But we’re prepared. Burning this stack of papers with fire magic would be easy.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. If we can get information out of you—”

“There’s no guarantee I know where the ‘box’ is, is there? Maybe one of my companions knows. If I’m captured, they might start negotiating with other factions. Since the Empire refuses to negotiate, we have no other options.”

“…Ggh.”

Prince Ricardo exchanged glances with the captain.

With the investigation unit’s skills, they could likely seize the papers from the masked man.

The problem was—would they be faster than him burning the stack?

(If I can get my hands on that… I can return to the capital and report. Ricardo’s reputation would rise. Some strange box can be left to the other princes and princesses. My job here will be done.)

Prince Ricardo waved his hand, signaling the investigation unit.

The soldiers dashed forward silently.

Their target: the stack of papers in the masked man’s hand. That alone.

However—

“Just so you know, this stack is only the latter half. The first half is stored along with the ‘box.’ If I don’t return as scheduled, the first half will also be burned.”

The masked man held up a portion of the stack.

There was a drawing of what appeared to be the “box.”

However, it was only the right half. The left half was missing.

“See how it opens across two pages? When combined, the two pages form the full picture of the box. This is just the second half. Even if you forcibly obtain it, you’ll only have half the information. Are you fine with that, soldiers of the Empire?”

Upon hearing the masked man’s words, the investigation unit halted.

Getting nowhere—thinking that, Prince Ricardo stepped forward.

He stared directly at the masked man and said:

“You’ve thought this through. For a mere thief.”

“And you must be the commander.”

“I am. But I have no intention of giving my name to a thief. Not at all.”

“No problem. All we want is to exchange this paper and the box for money.”

The masked man stated clearly.

Then he named the price for the box and the papers.

It was a considerable amount—enough to support 100 soldiers for an entire year.

He demanded the payment in gold coins or precious metals.

“If you refuse—then we’ll hand it to another country, or maybe sink it into the sea.”

“What’s the deadline for negotiations?”

“Ten days. After that, we’ll be moving.”

“Who are you people…”

It was obvious that the opponents were experienced in negotiation.

Their intelligence gathering skills to locate Ricardo’s group. Their skill at using the box’s related items as leverage.

These were seasoned thieves—and professional negotiators.

“We’re… just a band of thieves.”

The masked man said.

“With the funds we get in exchange for the ‘box,’ we’ll obtain a new kind of ‘strength.’ That’s all there is to it. The next negotiation is in ten days. We’ll wait here again. If you don’t show up, the negotiations are over. If you try to capture us—same result: the talks end.”

“Vwooooooooooooo—!”

A pack of Dark Wolves charged toward Ricardo’s group.

The investigation unit reflexively moved to guard Ricardo. Ricardo himself attacked the Dark Wolves with magic.

Several of the beasts fell, and in just a few minutes, the pack had passed through.

—And in that short time, the masked figure had vanished.

—From Thor’s Perspective—

“There were eyewitness accounts. Daryl Zanno and his companions were apparently in this town until a few days ago.”

Dorothy said after returning.

She and Erte-san had been gathering information in town.

As a result, it seemed they found clues about people listed in the registry.

“They apparently lived in a hut on the outskirts of town.”

“It was in a kind of warehouse district. They used the cheapest place available.”

Erte-san picked up where Dorothy left off.

“But we couldn’t find out what they were doing there. However… during their stay, people constantly heard animals howling. Because of that, everyone was too afraid to go near.”

“We went to check, just in case… but there was no one there.”

“It was like an abandoned building.”

“There were traces of something having scattered food… and tufts of animal hair were left behind. I brought some of the fur back just in case—it might be a clue.”

Saying that, Dorothy took out a bundle of black fur wrapped in cloth.

It looked like animal fur.

“This is likely from a large dog or a wolf-type magical beast. If it’s the latter, they must have been keeping a magical beast within the town. That would mean there’s a beast tamer involved.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Dorothy-sama, Erte-sama.”

Sophia offered her appreciation.

Dorothy and Erte-san sat down on the bed, visibly exhausted.

Investigating in an unfamiliar town must have been tough.

Especially for Erte-san—this was probably her first time even visiting a human town. No wonder she was worn out.

“Well then, I’ll take over the rest of the investigation.”

I said.

I had rested during the day, so I was feeling refreshed.

From here on, it was my turn to act.

“Would it be alright if I borrowed this magical beast’s fur?”

“Y-Yes, of course, Alchemist-sama.”

Erte-san handed me the dog-like fur.

I’d do what I could with this today.

Next—

“Excuse me, Dorothy-san. May I borrow Misana-san as an escort? I’d like to go check that warehouse with Mabel.”

“I don’t mind, but… what exactly are you planning to do?”

“I want to find out where this magical beast went during the night.”

If they were still in town, we could pinpoint their location. If they’d left, we could figure out the direction.

Knowing that would make tomorrow’s investigation much easier.

“If that’s your aim… Misana.”

“Y-Yes, Captain.”

“You’ll escort Canaan-sama and Mabel-sama.”

“Understood.”

Misana of the “Lady Omawarisan Unit” bowed toward me.

Then Sophia raised her head and said:

“Then, Canaan-sama, I too—”

“Sophia-sama, please remain here and discuss the investigation plans with Dorothy-san and Erte-san.”

I said that to Sophia as she started to rise.

There was no way I could bring a princess into the night streets.

Even Dorothy was reaching out to stop her.

“I won’t be barging into enemy territory. I’ll return right away, so please wait for me.”

“…Yes, Canaan-sama.”

Sophia nodded. She was obedient.

Then I prepared for the investigation together with Mabel.

Lastly, I checked in with Lune, who was inside my hood.

“Well then, I’ll be relying on you, Misana-san.”

“Please take care of us.”

“Y-Yes… I will now escort Alchemist-sama and Mabel-sama.”

And so, with Mabel and Misana in tow, I headed to the town’s warehouse district.

“Then let’s use the spider-type Cleaning Robot.”

“For magical beast investigations, it has to be the Cleaning Robot, after all.”

“Huh? Huh? Ehhhh?”

I arrived at the warehouse and took out the Spider-Type Cleaning Robot from the Ultra-Compact Simple Warehouse.

When I placed the magical beast (tentative) fur inside and activated it—

Rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle!

The spider-type Cleaning Robot faced south and began moving its legs energetically—

…But before that, there was something I needed to do.

For just this kind of situation, I had made a Noise-Cancelling Cloak, pixie-sized. I’ll drape this over the Cleaning Robot… and then, have Lune sit on top of it.

“Alright, launching again.”

Rustle.

“Nya nya nyan nyan~ it is,”

This time for sure, the spider-type Cleaning Robot took off running.

Wearing a black cloak. Moving its legs very quietly.

“Eh, eeeeeeeeeeeeh!?”

“Misana-san, you can’t just stand there with your mouth open, you know?”

I spoke to Misana, whose mouth was agape in astonishment.

“I’ve dressed the Cleaning Robot in a black cloak to keep it out of sight. I’ve also minimized the noise it makes. So we’re relying on your ears, Misana-san. We’ll run in the direction where we hear Lune’s— I mean, the black cat’s voice.”

“U-Um… Alchemist-sama…”

“What is it, Misana-san?”

“That rustling thing… what exactly is it?”

“It’s a Cleaning Robot for magical beast investigations.”

“A Cleaning Robot, you say!?”

“It’s a golem that exterminates magical beasts and cleans the house.”

“T-That black cloth covering the Cleaning Robot?”

“It’s a small Noise-Cancelling Cloak. It blends the Cleaning Robot into the darkness and muffles its footsteps.”

“And the cat sitting on top of the cloak!?”

“That’s in case someone sees it. No one bats an eye at a fast-moving cat.”

The investigation procedure is as follows:

(1) Go to the warehouse district.

(2) Insert the beast fur picked up by Dorothy-san and the others into the spider-type Cleaning Robot.

(4) Drape a small Noise-Cancelling Cloak over the Cleaning Robot.

(5) Have Lune, wearing a Cat Transformation Pajama, sit on top of it.

(6) The Cleaning Robot will track the beast’s magic and identify its movement route.

(7) We’ll follow the Cleaning Robot by listening for the transformed-cat Lune’s voice.

And so—

“Nyaa nyaa nyaa”

Lune (already transformed into a black cat using the Cat Transformation Pajama) cried out while riding the Cleaning Robot. She was calling for us.

“Let’s follow her. Mabel, Misana-san.”

“Yes. Thor— I mean, um… Canaan.”

“Y-Yes. I have no idea what’s going on anymore…”

The Cleaning Robot can trace the tracks of living beings or magical beasts.

It should tell us which direction the creature in the warehouse district went.

“Nyaa nyaa. Nyannya nyan~”

In the night town, the cries of black cat Lune echoed.

Even at this hour, there were still a few people walking around. But no one was paying attention. I guess a cat isn’t that unusual.

In reality, black cat Lune was floating slightly off the ground, riding the Cleaning Robot, and gliding smoothly.

We followed the Cleaning Robot, guided by Lune’s voice.

The Noise-Cancelling Cloak on the spider-type Cleaning Robot blended perfectly into the darkness.

Yet Misana-san’s ears didn’t miss a single meow from Lune.

We kept running through the town.

And after about ten minutes, we arrived at—

“The southern gate.”

“Indeed.”

“Y-Yes…”

Which means the creature that had been in the warehouse district must have exited the town through here.

The gate was closed. We could get it opened with permission, but that would require an explanation and attract attention. Not ideal. That concludes today’s investigation.

“Alright, let’s go home, have a snack, and get some sleep.”

“Please make sure you actually sleep, Canaan-sama.”

“…I-Is this really how investigation work is done in the Demon Lord’s Domain…?”

“Nyannya nyan~ You’ll get used to it in time,”

And with that, we decided to take a break at the inn.

The next day. We waited until evening, then exited the town through the southern gate.

To continue tracking the magical beast.

Today we decided to use both the spider-type and sphere-type Cleaning Robots.

Using two units improves accuracy. If possible, we’d like to identify the target’s location today.

And so—

Rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle!

Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble—!

We activated the “Cleaning Robot” and began the pursuit.

“Sophia-sama, Alchemist-sama! The ‘Cleaning Robot’ is heading toward the southeastern hilly area!”

“What’s over that way?”

“There should be a large forest.”

“That seems like a perfect place to hide. Then let’s go after it.”

We continued our pursuit.

“Sophia-sama. Alchemist-sama. The ‘Cleaning Robot’ has split into two groups!”

“Which direction is each heading?”

“The spider-type is heading toward the forest, and the sphere-type is heading toward ‘Nosa Town.’”

“…I see.”

Hearing Dorothy-san’s report, Sophia and I looked at each other.

Then—

“Sorry, Soleil. Can you run a message to Agnis and the others?”

I called out to Soleil, who was inside Sophia’s hood.

Soleil gave a firm thumbs-up and said,

“Understood, indeed. What shall I tell them?”

“Just tell them to pursue the sphere-type ‘Cleaning Robot.’ They’ll understand.”

Agnis is standing by with the escort unit some distance from us.

We’ll leave the investigation of the ‘Nosa Town’ direction to them.

We head toward the southeastern hilly area. There’s a forest that way. It seems like a good place for people to hide. If that’s the destination, we’ll reach it soon enough.

If it turns out to be wrong, we can just turn around and head toward ‘Nosa Town.’

“Let’s head to the hills for investigation.”

“Yes. And… it’s possible that the beast tamers have split into two groups.”

Sophia said,

“If that’s the case, then even with a small group, we should be able to handle it. In fact, a smaller group would draw less attention.”

“Agreed.”

I nodded, and Dorothy-san and Erte-san agreed.

We once again began to move.

Under the moonlight, we approached the forest in the hilly region. From here on, we slowed the ‘Cleaning Robot’s speed and moved carefully.

Looking from the outside, there’s a small path within the forest.

We decided to let the ‘Cleaning Robot’ go ahead.

If there are any traps, the ‘Cleaning Robot’ should be the one to trigger them first.

But there didn’t seem to be any traps in the forest.

We made it deep into the woods without trouble.

“This place… I’ve heard it used to be a hunting ground.”

Suddenly, Sophia spoke.

Mabel and I tilted our heads in confusion.

“But there’s no noble territory around here, is there? The Galua Marquisate is pretty far…”

“No, it wasn’t a hunting ground for imperial nobles.”

“Then… maybe it belonged to the old kingdom?”

“Yes. This was said to be the hunting ground of the Marquis Tilik family.”

The Tilik Marquisate was one of the noble houses destroyed by the Empire.

They were said to have cooperated in the founding of the Empire and apparently possessed the ‘Beast Tamer’ skill.

If the ones who stole the ‘box’ are their remnants—then it makes sense they have magic beasts with them.

Though… that’s still just a theory.

“There’s a cabin up ahead.”

Suddenly, Dorothy muttered.

We stopped and hid behind the trees.

Squinting our eyes… we saw a small cabin in the woods. Light spilled from the windows. Someone seemed to be inside.

“There are black beasts around the cabin… Are those ‘Dark Wolves’?”

“I hear footsteps, too. Maybe… five of them.”

Dorothy-san and Misana-san from the ‘Lady Omawarisan Unit’ shared this info using their ‘Presence Detection.’

Rustle rustle rustle

In my hands, the spider-type ‘Cleaning Robot’ moved its legs. The ‘Cleaning Robot’ was reacting. The magical beasts we’d been pursuing were those ‘Dark Wolves.’

Which means… is the person who took the ‘box’ in that cabin?

“We need to investigate that cabin. What should we do?”

We used ‘Noise Canceling’ and huddled our hoods together to discuss.

“We are Her Highness’ subordinates. First, we should hear Her Highness’ opinion.”

Dorothy looked to Sophia for guidance.

Sophia placed a hand on her chin, as if in thought, and then said,

“Understood. However, I would also like to hear the opinions of those from the Demon Lord’s Domain.”

She looked at me, Mabel, and Erte-san as she spoke.

“How about having both the town of Nosa and the Demon Lord’s Domain each present one opinion? That way, we can cover each other’s weaknesses. An unexpected solution might come up.”

“I have no objections. What about you, Erte-san and Alchemist-sama?”

“I think it’s a good idea.”

“I don’t object either.”

And so, Mabel, Erte-san, and I began discussing.

The goal was to investigate whether the “box in question” was inside that cabin. Also, to capture the person who stole the box and determine their objective.

Let’s think of the best means to achieve that.

— Five minutes later —

“Then, I will present my proposal.”

We brought our hoods together again and resumed the meeting. Sophia, with a serious expression, was the first to speak.

“First, I’ll use my light attack magic to eliminate the magic beasts surrounding the cabin. With Canaan-sama’s Noise-Cancelling Coat, we should be able to approach without being noticed. Then, concealing our presence, Dorothy-sama and Misana-sama will storm inside and restrain the enemies.”

“…The responsibility for losing the ‘box in question’ lies with the Empire.”

“…It is only natural that the ‘Lady Omawarisan Unit’ takes on the risk.”

Dorothy-san and Misana-san picked up where Sophia left off.

I see. It’s a well-reasoned plan.

As expected of Sophia. It’s a flawless strategy.

“Now, may we hear the opinions from the Demon Lord’s side?”

“Yes.”

I raised my hand.

“As for the Demon Lord’s side of the plan… in short, we’ll seal everything off.”

“Seal them off?”

“Yes. Specifically—”

I explained the strategy and the magical items that would be used.

As a result—

“…Let’s go with the Alchemist-sama’s plan. After hearing the effects of your magical items, there’s no other choice…”

Holding her head in her hands, Dorothy-san made the declaration. Sophia clapped lightly, while Misana-san pressed her forehead.

Looks like they understood.

Alright then, let me explain the procedure again.

“The magic beasts haven’t noticed us thanks to the Noise-Cancelling Coat we’re wearing. We’ll take advantage of that.”

I said.

“We’ll seal them off, and in that opening, we’ll restrain the people inside the cabin. I’ll hand out the necessary items, so come and get them in order. Make sure to move them while hidden under the Noise-Cancelling Coat to avoid making any noise.”

“Understood, Thor-sama.”

“Affirmative, Canaan-sama.”

“…Is this kind of strategy common in the Demon Lord’s territory, Erte-san?”

“…No, the Demon Lord’s territory has only recently become like this… um…”

“…What even is common sense anymore…”

As everyone murmured, I handed out the necessary items.

The surroundings were dark, and the pitch-black coats concealed us. The Noise-Cancelling Coat also eliminated sound and scent. We should be able to execute the plan without being noticed by the magic beasts.

“Alright, everyone has a traffic cone, right?”

“Yes!” “…………Yes.”

“Then, let’s begin the operation.”

And thus, we began our mission to raid the cabin in the forest.

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