CH 149

Notice: the latest advanced chapter has reached the end of the novel.

And the author skipped over chapter 148

[Proposal from Vigo]

“Noelia!” (Frick)

“Noelia-sama!” (Al)

“Mmpphh!” (Noelia)

A gag is already put in Noelia’s mouth, probably to prevent her from chanting magic.

“Vigooooooo! I’ll erase you until not a single piece of your flesh remains in this world! (Cinzia)

“Don’t move, or do you not care about the life of the silver-haired lady?” (Vigo)

Vigo suddenly appeared out of nowhere, but looking closely, he seems to be wearing the same figure-concealing cloak as that of the Genocider’s.

He cleverly struck when our guard down after defeating the second Genocider, and just like in the royal capital, took someone hostage, with Noelia being the victim this time.

“Cinzia-sama, Al, everyone, please don’t move.” (Frick)

Most of the white-robed people attacking Youg Hannotes have been defeated, and quite a few Abyss Walkers are already injured.

Until Vigo suddenly appeared, we, who had defeated the second Genocider, were on the verge of winning.

Yet, the tables turned in an instant…

Could it be, Vigo had been lurking around, looking for a chance to take Noelia hostage?

“I am glad that there are a lot of people who listen to reason here. That alone proves that everyone recognizes the value of the hostage.” (Vigo)

The remaining white-robed people and Abyss Walkers gather around to protect Vigo without attacking the knights who have stopped resisting.

“Vigo, what do you want by taking Noelia hostage!” (Frick)

Vigo smiles to my question.

“What if I say the capitulation of Youg Hannotes, as well as the total surrender of the Frontier Count’s knights?” (Vigo)

Meiss, who has been entrusted with the command of defense, is not someone who will make the decision of forsaking a hostage.

As long as Noelia is held hostage, denying Vigo is not an option.

Noelia, who has been taken hostage, shakes her head without worrying about the nozzle pushed against her temple.

“What a lively young lady. What I mentioned earlier is just a joke. Our side only has a small number of forces, see. We don’t have enough manpower to take control of such a big city.” (Vigo)

Whether it is a joke or a true story can’t be discerned from his expression.

As Vigo says, if his organization has only a small force, we can immediately annihilate them once we regain Noelia.

“Just what is your real aim?” (Frick)

“Wasting time, or killing time, you might say. Creating a diversion is also a possibility. It shouldn’t be weird if I have had a Genocider invade the city from the other side in the meanwhile, after all.” (Vigo)

“The other side!?” (Frick)

I promptly turn my gaze toward the city and check its condition.

But I don’t see anything wrong with the city.

“I wish I have more troops to attack at hand. Unfortunately, all the Genociders we prepared have been defeated by you. They were not equipped with destruction device from the beginning, but in the end, they did create a chance to get an important hostage like this.” (Vigo)

They weren’t equipped with self-destruction device!?

So that means, the two Genociders were just decoys to drag us out!?

But he said himself that he had no intention to occupy the city earlier.

Does that mean he want only Noelia herself?

I don’t understand the purpose of Vigo, who led his troops by himself and even showed up in Youg Hannotes.

“You seem to be confused, but what I really want is just to make a deal with you, the soon-to-be son-in-law of the Frontier Count Lloyd, the Crimson Magic Swordsman Frick-dono.” (Vigo)

Vigo wants to, make deal with me!?

Al, who is next to me, nudges my side and whispers to me,

[Don’t listen to Vigo’s words. He’s a villain who’s been making various secret maneuvers behind the scenes. Now you only need to think about rescuing Noelia-sama.] (Al)

“It seems that Alfine-sama have learnt to doubt others, it was worth it serving you as a butler.” (Vigo)

“I’m not Alfine. I’m Al, an adventurer. I hope you don’t mistake me for someone else.” (Al)

“Pardon me. I forgot that you’re Al-dono, the adventurer, now. Originally, I was planning to make you disappear together with Gile-sama, but the plan went completely awry. However, thanks to that, I stumbled upon an unexpected additional gain, so all’s well that ends well.” (Vigo)

“Additional gain?” (Al)

“Well, it has nothing to do with you. No, it does, huh. If God really exists, I can only say He has a very bad personality.” (Vigo)

I have no idea what Vigo’s words mean.

But it probably meant that due to his plan in regard to Alfine had gone awry, he made a different plan, and it went well, I guess.

I get further confused listening to the story of Vigo, the enemy that I have to defeat.

“Well, there are a lot of things that are difficult to be discussed regarding the deal here, so I am afraid I would have to trouble Frick-dono and co to go to the facility in the Abyss Hole. Of course, I will have Noelia as hostage until then, and I would like you to keep in mind that if the knights get close to the Abyss Hole, the adventurers who were guarding would lose their lives.” (Vigo)

Vigo smiles again.

As long as Noelia is held hostage, we have no other choice but to go even if we know we’re going to be killed, huh…

Even if we try to rescue her here, with that impregnable protection, Vigo will definitely be able to fire his weapon first.

“I understand…” (Frick)

“Frick-san!” (Al)

“Frick!” (Cinzia)

“I am glad to hear that. I guarantee you that Noelia-dono will be completely unharmed.” (Vigo)

“You think we can trust your guarantee! Give Noelia back!” (Cinzia)

“Cinzia-dono, you seem to be vigorous, however, don’t forget that I also know the three’s secrets. If the secrets leak, not only you will be troubled, the three will also be involved.” (Vigo)

Cinzia bites her lips and looks down.

“Now then, it seems that are convinced, so I will head back to the Abyss Hole to make preparation to receive you.” (Vigo)

When Vigo wears his cloak so as to cover Noelia, they become assimilated into the surroundings and vanish.

“Ahh, I will leave the rest of the people and Abyss Walkers as a parting gift, so please treat them appropriately. One of them is equipped with the self-destruction device, so if you miss it, the city of Youg Hannotes may disappear.” (Vigo)

Vigo, whose figure vanished, utters words as if to confuse us again.

Is what he said true!? Or is it just a lie so that we don’t pursue him?

It may be the latter, but…

“Frick-san, an Abyss Walker is letting out pale light from its body!” (Al)

Al found one of the Abyss Walkers that was guarding Vigo emitting a pale light from its body and reported it to me.

“Dammit! Prioritize the defense of the city! Take down all of the Abyss Walkers!” (Frick)

Forgive me, Noelia. It may be just another bluff, but I can’t leave the city alone.

I will definitely save you, so please be safe.

After taking a glance at the spot where Noelia disappeared, I, with Dayle in hand, decide to give priority to the subjugation of the Abyss Walkers.