CH 246

Episode 246 – Investigation About the Attacks

I didn’t expect Juno to tell me about the attacks as well… A little bit ago, Tobias also talked to me about it, so perhaps the Laudungeon Company was gathering information to write an article or something.

“Ahh. As I recall, there were attacks by the Demon King’s Army happening all over the place― is that right?” (Lewin)

“Yes. I thought you might not have known due to being holed up in the Dungeon all the time. But if you’re already aware, then that makes things quicker.” (Juno)

“Tobias-san had briefly mentioned it to me. But… I don’t know any details, you know?” (Lewin)

Just in case, I prefaced the conversation with this, since I wouldn’t know how to respond if she wanted information from me. The extent of what I knew about the attacks was related to the Venom Troll, and I wasn’t even sure if the incident in Seykoll was related to these attacks.

“That’s not what I was expecting from you so it’s fine. As I’d said just now, I was bringing up the topic under the assumption that you knew nothing about it.” (Juno)

“Then that’s good… So what were you saying about the attacks?” (Lewin)

If it wasn’t a request for information, then could it be a request to help deal with the attacks? Clearing the Dungeon was my main focus, but I was an adventurer too, more or less.

“I need you to get me some information. From Tobias.” (Juno)

“From Tobias-san? You two are coworkers, so couldn’t you just get it from him directly, Juno-san?” (Lewin)

“If I could, then I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to ask you. As for your recompensation… how does 5 gold coins sound?” (Juno)

She had asked me for something so unexpected that I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I thought that they would share information since they worked at the same company, but perhaps there was a ranking or hierarchy system in the company based on the quality of the information gathered or the articles they wrote.

“Sorry. That’s difficult for me because I don’t want to do anything that would break the trust between me and Tobias-san.” (Lewin)

“Well, I guess that makes sense. I figured you’d say something like that, Lewin-kun.” (Juno)

Just after I had flatly refused her, Juno brought the cup of coffee to her lips. When I saw the melancholic look on her face, I began to feel like I had done something wrong.

“…But I’m not going to give up so easily either.” (Juno)

“According to an analysis on the information that I’ve managed to get my hands on, the Demon King’s Army has surrounded Landaust and is planning an attack. The estimated dates are all over the place so it’s hard to predict, but this much seems to be true.” (Juno)

“Surrounding Landaust? Is their final goal to attack Landaust?” (Lewin)

“Yes. But… I predict that it’s not their final goal, but just the start.” (Juno)

“……? What do you mean by that?” (Lewin)

“Of the villages and towns that were attacked, there wasn’t a single one that was taken over by monsters. Including the ones that didn’t manage to defend against them.” (Juno)

Come to think of it, Tobias had mentioned that the monsters that attacked had suddenly disappeared. If their final goal was to take over Landaust, it was certainly strange that they simply let go of the villages and towns that they had managed to attack successfully.

“So in other words, the Demon King’s Army attacked all of those villages and towns in order to get close to Landaust?” (Lewin)

“You’re about half-right. The Demon King’s Army will want to attack when they have as much military strength as possible and when Landaust won’t be able to receive any reinforcements. After all, in this town, there are adventurers who are even more monstrously powerful than monsters themselves.” (Juno)

“So you’re thinking that the attacks at various places in the news are just stepping stones to the attack on Landaust― is my understanding correct?” (Lewin)

“That’s right. Again, this is just based on my own investigation, but I think the probability is quite high. I think that all the attacks that have occurred up to this point were merely camouflage for some hidden aim. So, in order to confirm the accuracy of my investigation, I need Tobias’ information.” (Juno)

“I understand that something very serious is about to occur, but I think it would be better to ask Tobias-san directly. Besides, if it’s a crisis that’s about to happen in this town, other newspaper companies, informants, and the higher-ups of Landaust should be infor―” (Lewin)

“Huhuhu. You know our company, don’t you? With our company headquarters set up in a dirty building in the middle of an out-of-date shopping district, do you think anyone would even listen to a single reporter like me?” (Juno)

Juno smiled in a self-deprecating way. Certainly… It might be rude, but she’s right. Even I am still half in doubt.

“……That’s true. But if it’s Tobias-san, he might.” (Lewin)

The Tobias that I knew was the kind of person who would immediately give me information if I told him about this, but based on what she said, I could really see him acting that way.

…So that’s why she asked me.

As I had already said many times before, I really didn’t want to do anything that would cause me to sell out Tobias. But if there was a real crisis facing Landaust, I didn’t have much choice. Even still, I didn’t fully trust Juno’s story myself.

Plus, I don’t want to think about too many unnecessary things when I’m going to start aiming for the 30th layer tomorrow… However, it didn’t seem like Juno was lying to me just for the sake of information.

“………………..I understand. But Juno-san, I can’t just tell Tobias nothing, extract information from him, and give it to you. How about I convey to Tobias exactly what you’ve just told me and then see if he’s still willing to hand over the information?” (Lewin)

“Sigh. If you do that, then the chances that he’ll provide information are low… But it’s better than nothing. Then, in order to get a big scoop, could I ask you to pry into the matter and get some information for me, Lewin-kun?” (Juno)

“Yes. If you are okay with these conditions, I’ll do it.” (Lewin)