Chapter 138: Captured

　Unfortunately, the first day of the decoy operation came up empty. Were they wary of the rumors that had been circulating in the territory, or was it just bad luck?

　But this time, Lionel in my form went around Mt. Claire, proving the rumors to be true. It’s only a matter of time before they get caught in the trap.

　When I returned to the mansion, Mira and Rosalia were waiting for me. I had told them firmly that I was going to Mt. Claire, hoping that they would not look for me this time. At that point, Mira wanted to go with me, but I managed to convince her by promising that “I’ll take you as much as you want one of these days.”

“Welcome back, brother, how was Mount Claire?”

“Kyu?”

“I didn’t see anything unusual. The trees were growing well, so I don’t think we will have trouble with firewood this winter.”

“That’s good to hear.”

　The “Bald Mountain Incident” at the end of last year had been communicated to everyone in the Margrave Heine family. Therefore, Rosalia seems to think that my going to Mt. Claire was about that. This is lucky because I no longer have to deceive Rosalia on this. The Bald Mountain Incident was not in vain.

　Mira, who probably knew some of what was going on, was attached to me, probably worried about me going to Mt. Claire. Am I that unreliable?　I think I’m strong in my own way. …… Maybe I’ll show Mira how I’m fighting next time.　That should put her at ease.

　The decoy operation continued the next day. Finally, five days after the decoy operation began, the spy was caught in the trap.

　While I was pretending to be a child worker and helping out with the woodcutting work as usual, I noticed that there was a stranger on Mt. Claire.

　He was not alone either. There were several.

“Three suspicious people are here. Tell them to be on the lookout. They are in this area.”

　I quickly unfold the map I had and tell the knight next to me. There was a male and a female knight near me, pretending to be my family. The female knight is one of the ones I encountered in the indoor training area.

“Understood. I will go tell him right away. Take care of Julius-sama.”

“Of course, of course. Then, Julius-sama, let’s hold hands so we don’t get separated.”

“No, that’s a bit…”

　Why are you looking at me like that?  I had heard rumors that there was a dispute over who would be my escort every time I went out, but could it be true?　I feel a bit unsafe.

　While I was thinking this, the knight ran off into the forest.

“let’s move on too. That move will definitely be aimed at Lionel and the others. If the three of Them are going to do this, they must be pretty good at it.”

“I understand. Then get on my back. ……”

“No, I can run on my own.”

　Why do you look at me like that? Could it be that many of our female knights are a bit strange?

　While moving so as not to be noticed by the other party, I used my “Search” skill to examine the surroundings and found that the encirclement was shrinking, as if contact had been made.

　The distance between the suspicious figures and Lionel and the others is also getting closer.

　It would have been nice to have an item that could warn people of danger from afar at a time like this. This might be a good time to hurry up the development of the “communication magic tool” that Rosalia is trying to make.

“Julius-sama”

“Yeah, it looks like they’re all here.”

“Yes.”

　The knights gathered around me. I unfolded the map once again and pointed out our current location and where the suspicious figure was hiding.

“I found them. It’s those three guys. They’re wearing hooded cloaks.”

“That’s them.”

　The knight with binoculars said as he looked in the direction I indicated. As long as we could see them, we wouldn’t miss. All that’s left now is to catch them attacking Lionel.

　The distance from Lionel and the others is getting quite close. It was Lionel. He must have already noticed their movement.

　At that moment, the suspicious people made a move. Immediately, we started to move as well.

　Lionel quickly dodged the person who attacked him. Immediately after that, the person collapsed.

　The other two seemed to realize that this was a trap. They immediately got ready to run away. However, they realized too late. The three were captured by the knights who had already surrounded them.

　I didn’t get my turn. I was thinking of using hold magic, but it wasn’t even necessary

　The captured spied were immediately taken away by the knights. From here on out, it’s  father’s job, not mine. Hopefully these three are the only spies.

“You did it, Julius-sama.”

　Lionel, with my face, smiled at me, relaxing his eyes. Yeah, it’s a good-looking smile, if I do say so myself. Did I always smile like this at women? If I’m not careful, I could be misunderstood.

“ guess so. But we can’t let our guard down yet. There might be some of their people left.”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be a bad idea to have Julius-sama here?”

“No, that’s all right. There are no more suspicious people around. If there are any of their friends left, wouldn’t they probably be at the base?”

“I see.”

　Lionel looked at me and pondered silently. was I being tested by him?　What’s the use of testing an adorable ten-year-old boy?

“Then we will have to get the story straight from whoever we caught. We will also find out where their bases are, including what they were planning to do.”

　After saying these words, he walked briskly down the mountain. I’m going back to the mansion, too. I hope this will give me a break.

　What I learned from this decoy operation is that it is safe to go to Mount Claire. Even if there is a suspicious person, I can find him with my “Search” skill. Very few people come to the mountain. I can easily recognize them.

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