744 742 Their aim

The captured Aberb must have realized that me and Ursi couldn't get away with it. He's looking up at me with his giving up face.

"What about your employer?

It's a unit called the Black Skeleton Corps of the Reids Kingdom.

I also answered the question really lightly. Well, you don't seem to have enough brother-in-law to shut your mouth until you're tortured.

"That's them!

"Do you know?

"Sort of. There's a lot to it."

"... that, not a word..."

Apparently Aberb wasn't informed. Did they throw you out?

"What were you going to do with Fran?

"I don't know that. They just told me to grab it."

"Right...... I guess you're up to something else anyway, huh? What are you gonna do?

"They say their goal is to expand their power."

"Is that a scout? No, considering you've been after Fran, make him a slave? Or, like, make it undead?

To my whining, Aberb opened his eyes as if surprised.

"You seem to know a lot. That's right. It grabs a powerful adventurer, undead and rule by secret art. Hihihihihihi! That's interesting!

"... Are there any more victims?

"Yeah, yeah! About 20 of the martial arts contestants are already undead, right?

It's not strange that a person who loses a tournament leaves town, and people come and go intensely. Where a few adventurers disappeared, it wouldn't be a fuss.

Also, my buddy just tried to find me, and I'm not manned enough in Urmut at this time of year. It was almost impossible for a large search party to be formed.

Wolmut during the militant tournament period is probably the perfect place to plan a kidnapping.

A little more secure in normal years, but I've been putting in a lot of things this year.

To the undead outbreak, the stupid aristocrats of the Kingdom of Charles. I have also heard that there are more small incidents in the town where chimps make noise than usual.

"Yeah? Could it be the undead noise outside of town..."

"It was set up by the Black Skeleton Corps. The goal is to loosen up the security around town a little bit!

"What else did you do?

"That's right -"

As Aberb talked about their plans, I couldn't hold my sigh.

"Ha... So you're hiring chimps, you're sending assassins to leading players, it's all Reids' plan."

"One at a time is naive, but if you make a scene in multiple directions, the manpower will be broken even if you don't like it."

What are we aiming for until we prepare for all this and keep our security handy? Just kidnapping a promising adventurer is too much, I think.

"Hihihi. Secure the stature of the powerful. That's what I'm here for."

"The powerful...?

Now this guy didn't call himself an adventurer, he said he was a powerful man. I mean...

"You mean you're targeting dignitaries in this town!

"That's right. Orrell, an evolutionary beast man, combines combat and political power. And Demitris, the corner of the most powerful adventurer. These two are the main targets."

That was an unexpected word. 'Cause these two are so messy, huh? I have my own escort, and just because my security is somewhat loose, is it possible to kidnap or something?

Especially Demitris. Whether it's an ambush or an assassination, I don't see how it can be done. That is the level at which there are more than one Française presence and it will finally be a battle.

"Already, there should be more than one noise going on outside of town, not just all over town. A lot of guards and adventurers will be out there resolving it. Inevitably, the security of the closing ceremony will be diminished"

"Did you go out of your way to aim during the closing ceremony?

"Once the event is over, the rest of us will stand out, so hey. Besides, it's like mud being painted on a sign in the Kranzel kingdom if you get caught in front of emissaries and nobles from all over the country. That must be one of the goals."

"I see. But there's a hole. Guards don't make sense in the first place. 'Cause they're against Demitris."

"Hihihi. Reducing the number of guards is only to make it easier to break in and escape and lurk. There are separate ways to secure Demitris and Orrell. You can do whatever you want."

Even from Aberb's confident look, he seriously seems to think it's possible to capture Demitris and Orrell.

"What way is that?

"Demitris and Orrell will have a lovely granddaughter, won't they? Hihihihihi!"

"A hostage!

Nilfe, grandson of Demitris. Orrell's grandson, Caitley. Indeed, it seemed effective to take them hostage. They have escorts too, but it's much easier than targeting their grandfathers directly.

You want me to run for Ursi? You can never let me leave here more than Fran won't wake up...

"... Caitley, are you in danger?

"Fran! Are you awake!

"Master"

When I was worried, Fran opened his eyes slightly. He kept doing healing magic, which awakened his consciousness.

But I'm also having a hard time waking up my body.

"To help, go"

"Don't be stupid! I still can't!

"No. Go."

"... eh"

If Fran sees you like that, dismiss him!

"What's going on with the Caitleys now?

"I helped you until I secured it, but I don't know where you're going to be incarcerated after that."

"Ursi, do you know where it is?

"Off"

Exactly, don't you see from here?

"Let's just go to these guys' azitos. Where is it?

From Aberb, ask where Azit is. Closer to the arena, they seem to be using private houses. Does Fran have to get on Ursi's back and move?

There are a lot of other things I'd like to ask you, but this won't be the case now. Just hand it over to the guild and make sure you're in shape.

As I was preparing to leave as I tied Aberb up, there were shadows jumping into the room again.

"Fran! Are you okay!

"Corbelt?

"Something's going on with the weirdos. I was wondering if Fran was okay. - Ooh? Yeah? Ka, Master Curry. Ooh!