Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Reconnaissance
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The group arrived in the royal capital of Lureid Kingdom after 30 days. Originally, if it were a straight-line distance, it would take about 20 days on horseback to reach. However, due to the current high tension between the two countries, the group had to take a considerable detour.
Given the urgency of rescuing the arrested couple, the time lost was quite painful, but in the end, they were able to enter the royal capital without revealing their true identities, so it was considered a success.
“Senpai. We’ve been waiting for you.” (Kanna)
The four of them met up with the three members who had already infiltrated the Lureid Kingdom at a tavern.
Even though it was still noon, the tavern was packed with adventurers drinking and making noise. A noisy tavern was perfect camouflage, but they wouldn’t stay long. If seven unfamiliar people occupied a table, it would stand out. In case they got involved in any trouble, it would be serious. Since most of the group were women, there was a danger of drunk male adventurers getting too close.
“…These are members of the Order, Kanna, Lumin, and Bal.” (Yuna)
“Let’s introduce ourselves and explain in the hideout. If we go all together, we’ll stand out, so we’ll split into pairs and go separately.” (Kanna)
When Yuna tried to introduce them, Kanna, the leader of the infiltrators, hurriedly interjected.
She was a very responsible girl, voicing her opinions even to her senior, Yuna. Then, the seven split into pairs, Yulia and Kanna, Yuna and Lumin, Alma and Martina and Bal, and they all left the tavern. The three pairs took quite a detour, each going along separate routes, and arrived at the hideout used by the Sheeb Order members who were hiding in the Lureid Kingdom.
“Dirty. I can’t understand how people can live in a place like this. I wonder if they’re even human.” (Martina)
The 5th unit, Martina, said with a disgusted expression.
This hideout was located in the center of the slums, at the edge of the royal capital. Bugs would enter from outside, and there was such a foul odor in the air that it seemed like the very atmosphere was tainted.
“Places like this, crowded and messy, are actually the safest for hiding.” (Kanna)
The members of the Order seemed calm, but the royal guards and Yulia felt nauseous.
After a brief introduction, the seven of them immediately headed to the prison where the Tadont couple was reportedly imprisoned. To avoid standing out, they once again split into pairs; Yulia and Kanna, Yuna and Lumin, Alma and Martina and Bal.
Yulia walked through the royal capital’s center while receiving an explanation from Kanna. Unlike Yuna, Kanna didn’t seem like a member of the Sheeb Order at all. She looked like an ordinary, cute girl you could find anywhere.
“Why did you come to Lureid Kingdom, Yulia-san?” (Kanna)
Kanna hesitantly struck up a casual conversation.
Since they were going to be partners in the rescue operation, it was important to build communication.
“I didn’t think I was suitable, but Arc-sama insisted strongly. I’m here to offer my support, however little it may be.” (Yulia)
“That’s not true. I’ve heard from Yuna-senpai. She says you are a very reliable person.” (Kanna)
“Yuna said that?” (Yulia)
Yulia instinctively asked for confirmation.
She couldn’t imagine Yuna talking about someone. Especially, she couldn’t picture her praising anyone. As fellow servants of Arc, Yulia was aware that they were closer to each other than most people. However, she hadn’t imagined that the usually silent Yuna held such high regard for her.
“Yuna-senpai is someone I deeply respect.” (Kanna)
“It’s the first time I’ve heard about Yuna’s evaluation, so it’s a bit refreshing.” (Yulia)
Kanna placed her hand over her chest and spoke with a dreamy expression, as if imagining her admired senior.
It was clear from her sincerity that she truly respected Yuna.
“Those who serve the Warden Household are chosen for their exceptional abilities. Many within the Order look up to Yuna-senpai as their goal.” (Kanna)
“I see. Yuna was an elite after all.” (Yulia)
Since Yulia was always with her, she hadn’t noticed, but it seemed Yuna was quite popular. Indeed, Yuna, who had Arc’s absolute trust, could certainly be considered very capable. Yulia was enjoying hearing about a side of Yuna that she hadn’t known before. When she would chat with Arc or Marie, the overwhelming hierarchy always made her feel tense. But with Kanna, she could talk and relax.
While they were talking, Kanna suddenly stopped walking.
“We’ve arrived. That’s the royal palace in the center of the capital.” (Kanna)
“Huh? The royal palace?” (Yulia)
Yulia asked again.
She had assumed that the Tadont couple would be imprisoned somewhere in a remote prison.
“Yes. That’s the royal palace. There’s a dungeon beneath it. According to the information, the couple is said to be imprisoned there.” (Kanna)
“Is that information reliable?” (Yulia)
“I can’t say it’s 100% certain. However, we’ve had multiple officials, whom we bribed separately, all say the same thing, so the possibility is quite high.” (Kanna)
Kanna said it so nonchalantly, but bribing multiple officials…
She must have already spent a considerable amount of money.
“Let’s get a little closer. We shouldn’t stare too much.” (Kanna)
The two of them approached the wall separating them from the royal palace and walked along it. From the outside, they would look like two young women just casually strolling.
“As you can see, the security is strict, as expected of the royal palace. There are five guards at each of the four gates. They also patrol along the walls. From what’s visible, there are ten guards in the palace grounds, and I estimate there are about twenty guards inside the royal palace.” (Kanna)
As they glanced at the guards, Kanna leaned in closer and spoke in a low voice.
“Indeed. The security is quite tight. But of course, it’s the royal palace.” (Yulia)
Kanna’s breath brushed against Yulia’s ear, making her feel ticklish.
With Kanna getting so close, Yulia began to worry if the smell from the hideout had transferred onto her clothes. But Kanna continued her explanation seriously, so Yulia listened attentively without letting her expression change.
“Moreover, the one leading all of them is the captain of the royal guards, a man named Kario. It seems that Kario rose from the commoners and was promoted to captain of the royal guards. He’s said to be highly respected by his soldiers and is a very capable man.” (Kanna)
“The captain of the royal guards? I would have thought he got the position through noble connections.” (Yulia)
“Yes. Therefore, there’s no neglect in leadership. Every day, every hour, the security is thorough. Even at midnight, it’s the same. There are no guards dozing off, and no one is slacking or chatting.” (Kanna)
“I see. It really shows that the palace guards are high-quality.” (Yulia)
Indeed, the guards they passed by were all muscular and marched briskly. Even though they were just regular guards, their high morale was apparent.
“I wonder how we’re going to rescue the couple…” (Yulia)
Yulia muttered, as if it were someone else’s problem.
As a member of the rescue team, she shouldn’t be thinking of it as someone else’s problem, but as a beginner, she had no idea how the rescue would take place, so it couldn’t be helped.
“But maybe Yuna will figure something out.” (Yulia)
She muttered optimistically, and the two returned to the hideout.
—
That night, after everyone had inspected the royal palace, Yuna, with a serious expression that Yulia had never seen before, spoke.
“…The rescue of the couple is almost impossible.” (Yuna)
“What?” (Yulia)
Yulia instinctively raised her voice, not expecting the word ‘impossible’ to come from Yuna.
“…The dungeon beneath the royal palace is heavily guarded. The security is thorough. To rescue the couple, we would have to fight our way in head-on.” (Yuna)
“Fighting head-on is impossible with our numbers.” (Yulia)
“Then, what should we do?!” (Yulia)
In contrast to her earlier optimism, Yulia now felt panic rising within her. Arc’s serious face, and the voice asking for help, flashed in her mind like a revolving lantern. She couldn’t just say they couldn’t rescue them and leave.
“…If there’s no gap.” (Yuna)
Yuna muttered quietly.
“Huh?” (Yulia)
“…If there’s no gap, we’ll make one.” (Yuna)
Yuna’s face remained expressionless as usual as she said this.
However, Yulia, who was always with her, thought she saw the corners of her mouth slightly lift.
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