Volume 2 - CH 386

9-20. Rescue Mission Begins

The sun is setting.

Everything around us is dark, but today’s moon is bright.

I could see the surrounding scenery clearly even at night.

As Maria had expected, Houen and the others were apparently training at some distance away.

Lize’s lack of combat experience seemed to have been a concern for Houen.

After giving her a chance to use all of her skills, she was assigned to the combat squad.

The rescue squad was expected to fight in a confined space, so there was a possibility that Lize, who has many area attacks, would cause damage to the surroundings.

Everyone nodded at Houen’s suggestion, believing it to be a reasonable decision.

“Well then……. Is everyone ready?”

Everyone nodded at my words.

The preparation is already complete, and now the operation will begin the moment we arrive at the simple base using the Shadow Wolf bypass.

We can only hope that the devils behind the scenes and the people of the institute will not be …… hostile, although I’m worried about how many of them will be out there.

Okay, let’s reconfirm.

First, the rescue squad.

The three Shadow Eye members, Alena, and Uchikage.

The combat squad.

Me, Houen, Lize, Maria, and Thunder Bow.

Uchikage will switch to the combat squad the moment we encounter the robed woman.

As for Maria, she will accompany Alena basically.

Once they come into contact with the enemy, she will be in full charge of the battle.

I guess you can think of her as the escort for the rescue squad.

Then, I and Uchikage, who can detect enemy attacks, will run at the front line, with the rescue squad in the front line and the combat squad in the rear line.

Whether this would really work or not, I don’t know, but since we’ve come this far, we have no choice but to proceed.

Since there are only four shadow wolves, we have to divide into two groups and transport everyone to the other side.

Tiara’s going to help us with that.

Transportation itself is instantaneous, so we’re able to make it to the temporary base in no time at all.

Everybody was checking their weapons.

These are important.

If they are unusable in an emergency, they are useless.

First, we must head for the city wall of the Vulpan Kingdom from here.

I already have the haze deployed there, so I’ll aim for the least guarded area.

I took the lead and led everyone to a place that was easy to infiltrate.

After a short drive, we soon arrived at our destination.

This is where Alena comes in.

“[Gravity Manipulation] ……”

She whispered her skill in a low voice.

Everyone’s body floated.

The only one who can easily climb over the wall by himself is Uchikage, so I have him go ahead of us to ensure our safety.

After easily crossing the wall, we headed in a straight line to the place where I found Prince Kreis.

Constantly deploying the haze, I vigilantly watch our surroundings.

Uchikage is equally on guard as well.

“”!””

We sensed a presence ahead of us, which we believe to be a soldier of the Vulpan Kingdom.

I stopped once and signalled with my hand to the following group to stop.

Apparently, they did not notice us, but we would prefer to take this road if possible.

Also, there seems to be a bit more security on the roads other than this one.

Then Uchikage put his hand on the ground.

A sloppy, mucousy black mass creeps out of his shadow, crawls up his arm, and finally curls up and falls to the ground in a clump.

It rolled toward the soldiers and stopped when it hit his leg.

“Oh? What the.-“

Blughp.

The black ball suddenly opened its big mouth and swallowed the two soldiers whole.

Just like when fish catch their prey in the sea along with the sea water, the speed of the devouring process was extremely fast.

They didn’t even have time to scream, apparently.

Is it the [Dark Medium] ……?

So it can be used like that?

It has been a long time since I’ve seen it.

After returning the black ball back into his shadow, Uchikage gave a small nod and stood up.

He signalled with his hand that there was no problem and started moving again.

Then we followed suit.

……It’s so quiet. ……

I’m checking the haze manipulation, but the people are inside the mansion.

That would be normal at night, but …… there is something very strange about it.

Because Prince Kreis is being held just down the hall, isn’t he?

And yet there are no soldiers on this path at all.

No, …… it’s too suspicious, isn’t it?

“……Uchikage.”

“Yes.”

“Is something …… wrong?”

“Yes, there is. Actually there aren’t any-….. let’s just say it’s odd.”.

While whispering, I again looked around the area.

There isn’t any guard there….. but that’s what makes me anxious.

I don’t know …..what to do about this.

Should we keep going?

I can’t help but feel like we’re being led on.

Kon.

Kon.

Kon.

I heard some strange noises.

Everybody put their hands on their weapons’ hilts and took a fighting stance.

But only me and Uchikage were searching for the enemy.

…… but none were to be found.

And what was that sound?

That wasn’t the sound of bells,…….

But it sounded like something close to it, but I couldn’t explain it specifically.

“……! Ouren-sama, this could be a signal of some kind.”

“A signal ……! Then ……”

“We were already in the enemy’s grasp. Let’s complete our mission before they act.”

“Understood.”

I don’t think they know we’re here yet, but there might be someone with skills like haze manipulation.

Given that, it’s no wonder there’s no sign of them, and no wonder I can’t find them.

I don’t trust any of this anymore, but I have to go …….

We nod to each other and start running.

The following people noticed it and tried to run off as well, but Houen at the rear of the line shot something at them.

GINNNNN!

Some high-pitched sound of steel colliding with steel often echoes.

When I looked back to see what was going on, I saw Houen holding his spear and glaring at the enemy.

From here, I could not see the enemy.

However, Houen was shouting something.

“……Devil……!!”

……I knew you’d come as planned~”!

The dark-skinned female devil that seemed to merge in the dark night let out a languid and troublesome sigh.