Chapter 137: Decoy Operation Begins

　The female knights were waiting for us, looking both disappointed and pleased, when we returned in our original forms.

“It really was Mira-sama, wasn’t it? The magic potions that Julius-sama makes are truly amazing.”

“Oh, no, I made it, but it was my grandmother and her master who figured out how to make it, okay?”

　I’ve said it many times, I’m sorry, Grandma. Also, I’ve never seen you before, Master. I am so sorry I used you to keep my secret.

“If it works this well,  I can understand why it was a secret until now.”

“Of course, I’m going to keep the method of making it a secret. It can be used for any number of crimes, depending on how it’s used.”

“That would be good.”

　Lionel and the others seemed to agree. Now the knights won’t leak this story.

　We cleaned up the indoor training area and returned to the knights’ quarters.

“Lionel, when are you going to start the operation.　I’d like to accompany you then.”

“Wouldn’t it be pointless if you accompanied me?”

“I’ll move with some knights tailing me, so I’ll be fine. Maybe.”

　Worried, Lionel crossed his arms and thought about it, but after some time, he gave me permission.

“I understand. It’s much better than saying no and having you follow me on your own. The preparations are in place. We will immediately start the decoy operation tomorrow.”

　You’re right, Lionel, you know me very well. You’ve saved me the trouble of hiding and following you.

“”Okay, we have to catch them as soon as possible and solve this problem. I’m sure father is getting tired, and it would be a pity to keep Mira locked up in the mansion forever.”

“Kyu!”

　Mira seemed to agree. After a quick meeting about tomorrow, I returned to the house. The details will probably be discussed between father, Lionel, and the knights. There was no point in me getting involved in that.  

“Dear brother, Mira!　Where have you been all this time? I’ve been looking for you!”

　When I returned to the mansion, Rosalia was standing there waiting for me with her cheeks puffed up like balloons. Judging from her anger, she had been looking for me for a long time.*

　But I couldn’t tell Rosalia about my magic potion experiments, and I couldn’t show her what I was doing.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I’ve just been training with the Knights.”

“That’s funny. I asked the knights and they said they didn’t know.”

　Rosalia started to think, hmmm. Apparently, she went to the knights. That was a close call. It was a good thing we had used the indoor training area without telling anyone. If a concerned knight had told her where we were, we might have been in trouble.

　Naturally, the fact that I can make a transformation potion is a secret to everyone but a few people. If people knew that I could make such a magic potion, there would be people who would try to target me or order a transformation potion. But I don’t want that. I don’t want to live every day watching my back because I don’t feel at ease.

“Did we cross paths?　It happens. So, what can I do for you?”

“Oh, that’s right. I’ve come up with a new magical tool, so please listen!”

　It seems that Rosalia is pushing forward as a magical tool maker smoothly. I listened to her talk over tea in the salon.

“Oh, my God!　Mira is sleeping.”

“It’s true. Was she tired?”

　Maybe she is tired because she moved her body in an unfamiliar human form. Then again, maybe Lionel is more tired than he thinks he is, too. I wrote a letter to Lionel  asking him to “drink the elementary strength recovery potion”, and asked a servant to give it to him immediately.

　As expected, it was not possible to say that there were no side effects. It was only natural. There is no way there is such a convenient magic potion. Even recovery potions, if used too much, can cause fatigue and make it impossible to move. Incidentally, if you take too much physical strength recovery potions, you won’t be able to sleep at night.

　The next day, as planned, a decoy operation was to be launched at Mt. Claire. The main parties involved were now gathered in a conference hall in the Knights’ quarters.

“Lionel, how’s your fatigue?”

 “I took the  elementary physical strength recovery potion, just as Julius-sama told me to do. Thanks to that, I have not had any problems.”

I see. I think it’s better to use the transformation potion and the elementary physical recovery potion as a set. After that, Mira slept soundly until this morning.”

　In the end, Mira didn’t even wake up for dinner. Well, I guess it’s okay because it looks like she doesn’t need to eat, but Rosalia was quite worried about Mira who kept sleeping.

　It would be better to use the transformation potion on Mira at night before going to bed.

　While we were talking, everyone seemed to have gathered. Father let out a cough. The place fell silent.

 “Starting today, we will be conducting a “decoy operation” to capture a suspicious person in the territory. It would be nice if they would fall into the trap right away, but there is a possibility that it will be a long-term battle. Please take turns and always be on your toes.”

“Ha!”

　The knights raised their sharp voices. Among them is a female knight from the other day. She is to accompany Lionel when he patrols Mount Claire.

　…… This doesn’t mean I’m a womanizer, right?　I’m just going to do it to catch them off guard, right?　I’m afraid that it will start a strange rumor.

“All observers should dress up as workers and stay close to the decoy Lionel and his surroundings.”

　If the spy gets close to the decoy Lionel, he will be in position to be caught immediately. Even if the spy tries to take Lionel hostage in my guise, he will only be met with a return fire.

　The decoy strategy cannot be used more than once. Once they find out that there is a fake, they will be wary and won’t bite. If we fail, it will be difficult to catch the spy. I would like to settle this somehow.

　Of course, I’ll pretend to be a worker’s kid and join in.

　I have the Tiger Cub’s 『Search』 skill. With it, I can spot a suspicious person in no time. Sharing that information with the knights would make the siege more complete.*

　When I told my father about this, he agreed to let me participate, albeit reluctantly.

　If I can find a suspicious person with my skills, I may be able to catch him before he commits a crime. For the sake of Mira’s freedom and my own anxiety, let’s settle this here.

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