Chapter 86

We returned to the dining room of the inn where we stayed, and as expected, light snacks were being served. In the morning, it seems that street vendors are more common, but for other meals, it doesn't seem to differ much from Iraline, as they are also served at the inn. However, considering that the settlement village had only two meals a day, it felt more like a city here.

"Still feels like a desert area...?"

As I tilted my head, eating a dish that seemed to be a pork meat sauce with eggs, Tera looked at me with a curious expression.

"Was something wrong?"

"No, it's just that the food here is completely different from what we eat in Iraline."

Overall, the food is heavily spiced. Rather than the Western-style dishes I saw in Iraline, which are similar to what we call Western cuisine on Earth, the spicy dishes served here are more like those from hotter regions. This has been the case since yesterday. Is this a characteristic of the city's cuisine? When I asked, Tera smiled as if she had just realized something.

"Oh, right. I've been eating this since I was a child, so it might be."

"Then, are the spices imported from Muzikal?"

"Maybe. There were a lot of people from Muzikal, so it could be because of that."

In Muzikal, it seems that spices are used as frequently as in this city. Perhaps because it borders the lava sea of the Holy Territory Eirif, it must be a hot region. I'd like to visit someday.

"So, why did you come here?"

Tera said this while scraping the minced meat on her plate with a spoon. She seemed to be looking down slightly, and I felt she was blushing.

I don't know what she's thinking, but I had already said it.

"There doesn't seem to be anyone from the mayor's office around here now, but they might come."

Yesterday, the man and woman who reported our presence to somewhere. They will probably come back here.

Actually, we should have tailed them yesterday. The failure only became apparent later.

I wondered if Leiton hadn't noticed this, but I immediately rejected that thought. I think he just didn't say anything. He's probably that kind of person.

"…Well, I guess so."

When I answered, Tera's tone dropped. There's no need to lower her voice, but she still did.

"So, do you know what kind of people they are?"

"Yes. They might be wearing different clothes, but they are a man and a woman. I remember their faces."

"Are you sure they won't come back?"

"It's possible, but it doesn't matter if they don't."

"What do you mean?"

Tera tilted her head again. I looked around the dining room again. The man and woman are still not here, so there's time to explain.

Yesterday, when we were having dinner here, the man and woman were watching us.

I don't know why they were here, but there are a few possibilities. They could be informants placed in the inn to monitor suspicious people entering and leaving the city, especially those who might harm the city. Another possibility is that they are placed in a location where Tera would likely stop if she returned with someone. Of course, it could just be a coincidence, but they were definitely paying attention to us. They understood our position and acted accordingly.

If they realize we noticed them, they might not come back. However, the mayor and his people are underestimating us. They think that a lone assassin who came here last night could take care of us. Despite being repelled by Tera multiple times, they haven't considered this.

They must be confident they can win in the end, or they are just lazy. Either way, it's not unusual for the man and woman to come back here as monitors.

It's lunchtime. People gather at this time, so they will probably come here. Whether they are scouts for us or monitors for the general public, they will appear. Even if yesterday was a coincidence, they will come back for the reward. We will talk to them.

If they don't show up, that's fine too.

If we can think this far, they won't stop monitoring us. There will be a monitor nearby. We just need to find them. If they are gathering forces to eliminate us, it will be easier to deal with. If they are so foolish as to not monitor us, then they are no longer a threat. It will be a simple elimination, but we need to start by locating them.

In any case, we will have a clear direction. So, we will wait here until everyone finishes lunch.

"…That's the idea. Of course, there's a possibility that the man and woman we saw yesterday were decoys and the real monitors are elsewhere… but even in that case, our approach won't change."

When I finished explaining, Tera was looking at me with a strained smile.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, you and him seem to be overlapping…"

Leiton? I inwardly chuckled.

"We grew up in the same place, so it's not unusual to be similar… but I can't be like that."

The ability to see through things instantly with minimal information. I'm probably not as good at that.

His personality is likely different from mine. Plus, I've been warned by Nixky.

"I've been warned by my senior not to be like Leiton."

I said this with a smile.

"That's good."

Tera, hearing my answer, propped her cheek on her hand and responded with a grim face.

After spending some time chatting with Tera, the familiar man and woman entered from the entrance.

"Well, are they underestimating us, or do they have a different intention? I don't know, but since they're here, let's talk to them."

I said this without looking at the man and woman, and Tera nodded silently.

"By the way, Tera, can you tail someone?"

"…I've never done it before…"

"Then, it's better not to try."

Even if we talk to them, it will be complicated if we are both there. They might not talk or might lie to each other.

Should we eliminate one? No, let's use them instead.

The man and woman received their food and sat at an empty table a little away from us. They started talking happily again.

It's nice that they are enjoying themselves, but let's get them to do some work.

I spoke to Tera in a slightly louder voice, as I did yesterday.

"Tera, can you clean up these dishes?"

"Sure, I'll do it."

To draw their attention and confirm their reaction. As expected, the moment I mentioned Tera's name, they turned to look at us with a startled expression.

Their reaction suggested they didn't know we were in the room. So, their scouting ability is low.

When Tera returned, I spoke to her again.

"Thank you. So, Tera, what are you going to do next? The monster will die soon, and the interference is lower than expected. Are you going back?"

"No, there's still something to do. I'll stay at the inn for a while and see what happens."

The content of our conversation was pre-arranged.

We will stay at the inn to solve the incident. And we will add that the monster will be defeated soon.

This should be information they can't ignore. Will they act on it?

"Sorry, Raitchi! I just remembered something I have to do. I'll be back soon!"

"Okay, hurry back."

They moved exactly as expected.

The man, leaving Raitchi, a woman in her thirties, went out of the dining room. He probably went to report somewhere.

If he gathers forces, it will be easier.

Tera and I nodded to each other and approached the remaining Raitchi.

"Miss, can I talk to you for a moment?"

When I spoke, Raitchi flinched and then forced a smile.

"Oh, sure, sure. What is it? I don't recognize you two."

"Um, can you tell me where your companion went?"

When I asked, Raitchi's expression stiffened and she answered.

"Well, I don't know. Did he have some business to attend to?"

They were a couple.

"No, I just want to know simply."

I placed my hand on Raitchi's shoulder and infused it with magic, using telekinesis to immobilize her body.

"You know everything about the mayor's soldiers, right?"

I started the interrogation. Soundproofing is already in place.

"…What are you talking about… ugh!?"

I stopped her attempt to deny it with pain.

"If you tell the truth, we might let you and your companion go. We particularly want to eliminate the core of their forces. You, who can't fight, are not a concern to us."

I continued to speak while constricting the nerves in her left arm. There is no pain now, but her left arm should be numb and without sensation.

Gradually, her limbs are getting cold from the sudden immobility. I'm trying to create a sense of fear.

This is questionable as an interrogation, but it's my first time, so I can't help it. I don't really want to get used to it, though.

"You can't say anything more important than your life! We're doing this for a job. You amateurs wouldn't understand!"

Her shout revealed that they are involved. They are being shaken up. It's working.

"Is your job more important than your life?"

I gradually paralyzed her limbs. There is no visible change because of the telekinesis, but her body below the neck should be numb.

She can't say anything because it's a job. It's a commendable attitude. If she can stick to it, she is a reliable worker. I have to reconsider my evaluation of these people.

But.

"Please, I'll tell you, just put me back to normal…"

Her pleading face, on the verge of tears, doesn't need a re-evaluation.

"Then, let's start with the number of the mayor's subordinates."

From there, she started to talk honestly.

It seems the first interrogation went well.

After hearing her out and releasing Raitchi, she collapsed into a chair like a puppet with its strings cut.

"We got the information without hurting you. Peaceful negotiations are nice, aren't they?"

"You're a real enigma, aren't you?"

Tera, with a slightly strained face, greeted me after I completed the task. I ignored it, basking in the satisfaction.

The information we obtained was the location of the tavern where they usually gather and the number of people. They call themselves the Adtest Mercenary Group. Initially, there were twenty-three of them, but now, after being reduced by Tera, Leiton, and me, there are sixteen. The man, Saul, and Raitchi, who are scouts, and the accountant aside, there are ten combatants left.

Saul ran to the tavern dedicated to the mercenary group just now. This is convenient.

"Let's go, then."

"Ha… Well, we have to do it, I guess."

Tera doesn't seem enthusiastic, but she seems willing. We started walking with determination.