152 What about running away next?

"Well, they got Cheneyas, too. He's doing a good job, isn't he?

After hearing the report that Chenillas's old lady was captured by Quama's soldiers following Lobito's baldness, Brother Jestaff grinned as if to say that he was right.

He did not tell Lobito or Cheneyas about the existence of the man who was probing their advisor.

On the contrary, he tried to create an opening so that the man could easily deal with Lobito and Cheneyas.

He scattered information in places where it would be easy for people from outside the country to gather information, and he increased their workload by subtly interfering with the work around Lobito and Cheneyas that ostensibly existed.

As a result, the two were forced to go out more often and work in various facilities.

That's my brother, he managed to trap them without even stepping out of the house!

But, brother, if Lhovit and Chenillas drop out, won't it make it harder for us when we take the country?

"Remember, Hark-dog. Humans work hand in hand as long as they have a common enemy, but they will easily let go when they see that they are not harmed. If you try to take three countries at the same time, other countries will also move. Once you deal with one country, you'll get reinforcements from there. But you know, if only one country is about to be taken while the Scarlet Witch King is invading, the other countries will all say, 'Take care of your own country.

I'm not sure that's how it works.

I've heard that bandits were rioting in Taze a while ago, but the neighboring country of Ghanae showed no signs of cooperation. Even when the Blue Demon King destroyed the wall. The clergy of the Yugra religion showed up at the arrangement of Archbishop Serraes, who is on good terms with King Kuama, but the neighboring countries that should have heard the rumors kept quiet.

"If you ask me, .......

I'm not sure what to make of this. It is unlikely that another country would take the initiative to intervene in an internal conflict within a country unless it is in the best interest of that country. In addition, the people who provide the means will be focused on us.

Oh, I see. I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure I understand it very well.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

"From what I've heard, Lobito was insulted by his companion, so he hooked up with a drunk. But the drunkard and his companion are no longer in this country. It's probably a monkey show with everyone around him acting as the instigator.

But how is it possible that a companion who gets angry at being insulted is a trickster ......?

I'm sure he got lucky and got in well after he slipped into Lobito's pocket. Then he switched to this method. Looks like he's not only good at acting, he's lucky too.

Wow, what kind of sycophant does that bald guy have to be to be so supportive of a third party?

If the man was involved, wouldn't he have been able to analyze Lobito's preferences?

"Brother, that man seemed to be skilled at analyzing others. Maybe it wasn't luck that made Lobito like him, but his ability.

"The man only recently came to Quama. Even if he had contacted her in disguise, it is difficult to be liked intentionally by someone you have just met. Especially, Lowbites don't like people who are humble. They would have been wary of me if I had been cautious in my approach.

It's also true. ...... No, but ......

Your gut feeling? Is that your gut feeling?

Yeah, well, ......

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm convinced that even if it was the first time I saw him, I wouldn't be surprised if he was able to come up with exactly the right words to make Lobito like him.

"So he's a monster who's really good at controlling people. Fine. I trust your instincts. I'll be on the lookout for a guy like that.

Yes, sir!

The only thing we need to be wary of right now is if he's got some kind of story that'll get us caught, just like Cheneyas.

Of course!

Lobito had gotten himself into trouble on the road. But my brother has avoided going out of the house since that day.

If you're going the same way, you're going the same way as Cheneyas' old lady.

But that's okay!

You've been keeping an eye on the people coming in and out of the house, haven't you?

"Yes!　I'm always trying to get a rough read on who's coming in and out of this house.

Everyone who comes and goes in this house will be under my detection spell.

From the familiar merchant carrying food to the old lady delivering a letter, no one who has hostile intentions toward you will be missed.

If you see anyone strange, call me right away.

Yes, sir!　In addition to that, we'll be using detection magic ten to a hundred times an hour throughout the house to prevent intruders!

I'll deploy detection magic whenever I feel like it while I'm in the house. I'm already very persistent.

My detection magic doesn't just perceive who I touch. It can sense the pattern of my magic.

If I spread my detection spells throughout the house, I can see where the furniture is.

If something strange happens, such as an increase in the number of objects or the movement of something, my instincts will tell me that something is wrong.

That's why I won't miss even a piece of laundry if it moves without my permission!

Well, it's hard to feel sad when you find your laundry on the floor when you use a detection spell.

Oh, my underwear's on the floor. I have to re-dry it.

And this is a little skill I can boast of, but I can activate detection spells unconsciously while sleeping.

This requires me to perform a few laborious actions before going to sleep, but it allows me to be on watch while I sleep.

You've been using it a lot? I hardly felt it.

I've left my brother's study out of detection range. Mine may be hard to detect, but it'll only be a nuisance if it happens too often.

Stop worrying about me. Go ahead as if you were taking care of my physical condition.

Oh, yes. Excuse me!

Well then, let's go to ....... Hmm?

Brother, Quama's soldiers are gathering outside the door.

What?　Do you know what they want?

It looks like they've received some kind of instructions or orders and are going to search the house.

Are they trying to plant something?

No, I don't get any indication from Quama's soldiers that they're trying to trap us or anything like that.

I'm not sure what to make of that.　I'm not sure what to make of this. We'll just drive them back head on.

When my brother was about to put his hand on the door of the study, instinct showed a certain reaction.

This reaction is ...... another familiar one.

I immediately grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother, please wait. My instincts just told me.

"Taught you what?

My brother's in danger.

Your instincts told you I'm in danger?

Yes. It's not often, but sometimes it works this way. Just like that day.

...... Well, then you'll have to obey it.

The day my brother picked me up. The day you decided to pick me up. Instinct gave me this reaction.

I was an orphan, living off the trash. Just thinking about that life makes me sick.

But that's beside the point. I was scavenging behind a tavern when I met my brother, who was throwing up from drinking too much.

'Come on, kid, watching me vomit will only kill your appetite. ......

I had to get to the garbage underneath the vomit. It's not like I'm going to be able to do anything about it.

'Sorry, my vomit took your food today. That's the money I was going to spend on drinks today. I'm getting old and I'm getting weak and I can't spend any more. And while you're at it, get rid of that money.

I picked up the bag and just looked at my brother without saying a word of thanks.

My instincts told me that he was not dangerous, but I was unnecessarily cautious because I had never felt this way before.

Thinking back on it now, I was a pretty little kid, wasn't I?

My brother sniffed with a relaxed expression and turned to leave.

But that's when instinct told me.

--She's going to die.

It would have been so much easier if you had just told me.

But in reality, it's like he's just telling me his instincts, and it's not about you, so do what you want.

But with such a warning from my instincts, I unconsciously grabbed my brother's sleeve and pulled.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

My brother looked troubled, but I didn't let go of his hand.

I couldn't let him go, that's all I knew.

My brother and I looked at each other for a little while.

At first, my brother thought my eyes were saying something to him, but when he saw that I didn't say anything, he sighed and tried to shake me off.

I can't wait to get back. I'd like to go back now, but can you let me go? Hey...

At that time, there was a loud noise from the bar.

As a result of the rampage of the drunks who had been drinking upstairs, the floor collapsed and the debris landed on one of the seats on the first floor.

One of the pillars supporting the second floor was stuck on a chair.

That was the seat where my brother was sitting.

It was on this day that he picked me up. I went from a shitty life where everyone shunned me to a life where there were people who needed me.

◇.

Not long after, in Jestaff's study, one of his followers was dealing with Quama's chief and a number of soldiers.

Mr. Jestaff is unavailable at the moment. He asked me to take over for him.

"Lord Heliodora is here at the residence, is he not?

I've heard no plans to leave. But he's a busy man. I don't know where he is.

Oh well. I'm here today to investigate a report that Lord Heliodora is suspected of illegally selling weapons to the Quama Nation.

Weapons, sir. Master Jestaff has many men who use weapons. I'm sure it's only natural that there's a certain amount of weapons in this house to supply those people. ......

I'm aware of that, of course. But the weapons that were diverted were weapons that were provided for the soldiers of the Quama nation. According to the testimony of those who checked the armory, a considerable number of weapons were stolen.

Are you implying that we stole it?

"I don't mean to be judgmental, but that's the kind of information I was given. I'm not going to assume anything, but that's what I've been told. Let's take you to the armory.

The squire and the soldiers moved to the armory in the house.

There were a good number of weapons in the armory, and the soldiers divided up to examine them.

They all seem to be ordinary weapons.

"Of course. There's no reason to take weapons from the national arsenal.

Not that there is no reason, since they are of good quality. Let's have a quick look around the other rooms.

The soldiers looked around the various rooms with the squire.

They entered each room and carefully examined the chests and under the beds.

This is the ...... pantry. Inside these crates are ...... fresh vegetables.

"The food was brought in this morning. Don't mess with it too much.

I know. But I'm looking all over the house and I don't see Lord Heliodora. Are you sure he's in the house?

Sir, when I was assigned to you, I was ordered to do so by Lord Jestaff himself. If he was out, wouldn't your friends at the door have seen him?

"That's true. You can also check the crates underneath here at ......?

The soldier-in-chief was about to unload a stack of crates of food, when his movements stopped abruptly.

His gaze is fixed on the crate he is holding.

"Is something wrong?

No, I was just wondering why this crate is so heavy. The vegetables in it are not that heavy. ...... Hey, you guys!　Take out the vegetables in this crate.

The soldiers took out the vegetables inside and moved them to the floor beside them.

The box was empty, and the bottom of the crate peeked out.

There's nothing there, sir.

...... No, this is...

The chief soldier draws his sword and swings it at the crate.

The crate shatters, sending shards flying into the air.

And from inside the broken crate, multiple swords emerged.

"Hey ......, this is .......

It looks like the bottom was double-layered. It seems that the weapons were hidden at the bottom of the crates that were used to carry goods. The mark of the Quama nation is also there. Check the other crates!

The soldiers took out the items in the crates and examined the bottom of the crates.

Unlike the previous case, this time they were roughly examining the bottom of the crates, scattering things around.

One by one, weapons bearing the mark of the Quama nation were discovered.

The chief soldier's gaze turned to the squire, who shook his head as if he did not understand.

I don't know, sir!　These were brought in by a reputable merchant!

I'll have to keep that merchant in check. But more than that, we need to speak to Lord Heliodora. Everyone find Lord Heliodora!

◇

I had activated the system in my study and was in the basement with my brother, looking around.

I wonder if he could hear the other rooms in this basement.

No, that's not the point.

What's going on?　That food was brought by a familiar merchant, Mr. Sto.　I don't think he's trying to trap us.　But the detection magic...

No, that's impossible. I used detection magic on Mr. Stor when he brought us food this morning.

I didn't sense any hostility or malice from him at that time.

He's not the kind of guy who can sell weapons!

"Relax, Hark-dog. The detection spell you used on Stow did not produce any response, did it?

Yes, sir!

...... So, that's it.

What do you mean?

Stow had nothing to do with it. He tampered with the crate that Stow was using. Stow used to use magic to lighten the weight of his cargo when he carried it. A dozen more swords in the crate is the equivalent of a medium-sized dog. Error, error.

So, Mr. Stow is a merchant who makes deliveries. He's the kind of guy who'll even bring them into the house as part of his service.

Mr. Stor isn't just a man who works out, he always uses magic to reduce the weight of large items so that he can carry them with ease.

So the man who had found out about it had already prepared Mr. Stow's luggage and brought it to him, who knew nothing about it!

Even my detective magic can't find out all there is to know about it if it's sealed in the bottom of a crate, and there's no such thing as a double-bottomed crate that can be detected!

I don't know what to do.　He was so happy to see his grandson recently!　He's too much of a bastard!

What are you going to do, brother?　You'll get caught if you don't!　Yeah, but they just brought it in, and I can explain it to them at ......!

Don't panic. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm not sure what to do with it.

What are you going to do then?

I told you not to be in a hurry. Let's get out of here. It's not going to look good in the eyes of the public, but as long as we can move, we'll be fine.

Yeah, that's right!　Then we should run. ...... No!　The house is surrounded by soldiers!

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure what to do.

Calm down. Briefly explain the situation.

Uh, well... There are 20 men inside the mansion, 10 at the entrance, and 120 outside the mansion. There's Exoik and Gillista amongst them. Also, is this a Yugra cleric ......?　There's one woman who looks like that.

It's not clear.

I'm not sure what to say, but I think it's a strange mixture of magic and ...... something similar to ecdysiac?　Maybe stronger.

Well, is that all of them?

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it. The only thing is, from the little bit of magic I could detect, ...... it was probably the female knight who was by that man's side.

I'm not sure what to do. Can any of our people fight?

No. They'll all be killed in seconds. Oh, but I can last a minute!

I'll probably be cut down in tears in the second half!

Well, that guy's not here. I'd better use the detection spell again, just in case.

I'm pretty sure she had a magic seal on her sword. If the scabbard is located there, then the place to put it out of range is around there. ...... Good.

Activate detection spell, it's the knight. It's like she's watching the Quama soldiers as they try to avalanche into the interior.

Next to her is ...... that guy. I knew it was him, I knew it.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.　I'll follow.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

What's the matter, Harkdock?

"Uh, yeah. It's all right. It's .......

That's not okay. Did you hook up with that guy?

He was there, but if you don't look directly at him, he's fine. But there's a ...... Yugra behind the ...... lady knight.

Have you ...... gone mad?

No, I'm not!　It's a female subhuman. It's just that the quality of the magic is overwhelmingly the same as that of the Yugra seen in the ...... "Index of the Brave"!

I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

Anyone who learns to fight will at least once touch that stone monument and be reminded of the height of the peak.

There was a time when I wanted to be the strongest man in the world. I failed long ago.

I never thought there would be such a person living in the present day. ...... The end of the world!

I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that.

I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure if you have.

I know that woman. You're Mikus Tarz, an adventurer from Morgana.

...... Oh, no.

I know that name. It's hard to find someone who doesn't know the name of Mikus-Thayes of Morgana, although Gillista in Rio de Janeiro is famous in his own right.

After all, he was involved in that incident. .......

There are forty-five of us in the house right now, not including me. If Quama's soldiers move, they'll start resisting on their own. ....... There are some people by the entrance to this place, go get them first.

"What are we going to do with them in the basement?　What are you going to do with them in the basement?

Idiot, I told you to run! --There are other tricks in this house.

It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web.

You can't do that, you'll break the candlestick!

But then the candlestick fell like a lever, and at the same time part of the basement wall opened to the left and right.

In the back, there is a corridor, and in response to the opening of the wall, the magic stones in the corridor began to shine one after another, illuminating the way.

"......, that's cool!

I'm sure it is, I used to get beaten up by my dad when I was a kid. It leads to the basement of one of the abandoned houses I deal with. Let's get out of here.

If it weren't for emergencies, this would be an exciting secret escape, but now is not the time.

Send in the magic of detection to the open underground passage.

It's quite a distance, and it's also quite wide.

That should be enough to get us out. You're the man, you can handle a desperate situation like this!