Chapter 34: Escort (4)

-16 years old, Intrigue Level 5

-[Death Evasion] [Wind] [Ironman] [Obsessive-Compulsive] [Worst Condition] [Devil's Blood] [Eccentric]

– [Flashing Imitator] [Skilled Assassin] [Tough Shadow] [Witty Rescuer]

I've made quite a bit of progress over the past three years.

Even if all I can see are traits, it's clear that I've grown compared to before.

The clumsy trickster has become a flashing imitator, and the inexperienced but calm novice assassin has turned into a skilled assassin.

Through infiltration missions, I became a tough shadow, and this time, I even gained a new trait.

To be honest, when I first saw the Witty Rescuer trait, I thought it was a bit ambiguous.

Unlike other traits, there was no explanation that it would give even a little bit of intrigue experience.

‘It just said that my mental and physical abilities would be enhanced when rescuing someone.’

At first glance, it seemed like a trait that didn't quite fit with the values of intrigue. Rescue missions are rare, after all.

It might be useful in a protection mission.

But it's not a bad thing. Once the main story starts, there will be many opportunities to rescue someone.

Also, it's been a while since my intrigue level increased.

As I became more familiar with the missions given by the duke, it was rare to see visible growth, so it was quite a welcome change.

Even if it's the same practical experience, it feels a bit different.

Anyway, despite this growth, my mind wasn't at ease.

It's been ten days since we escaped from the Kibelun Mountains. Things were handled quickly.

As soon as we arrived in Kahalin, I had a conversation with the branch manager and Nadmo, and we quickly wrapped up the branch.

We couldn't go straight to the imperial capital, so we decided to hide in a nearby hideout.

‘It was hectic.’

We had to dismantle an entire caravan in a day. Some losses were inevitable.

In any case, some of us stayed in Kahalin, waiting for Phiri and the agents who might return.

But by the seventh day, all the agents had retreated here.

There was no news of Phiri or the agents anywhere.

When I saw the rescuer trait, I thought someone must have survived, so it was strange.

I only had one contact with the captain. Security was important.

Because there were many people, some were transferred to other branches.

Mohen was one of them, and perhaps because he had betrayed me once, he didn't even look at me here.

But the branch manager, myself, and a few others were waiting here.

If we heard from Phiri, it would mean we would either go to support or join here.

But after ten days, my hopes weren't high.

‘Should I have risked it and helped Phiri?’

A small regret crept into my heart, but it was a futile thought.

If I had, I might have died too.

I haven't mentioned the story about the devil worshippers yet.

Talking about it without Phiri would be dangerous. If Phiri really doesn't come...

I'll have to bring it up when I meet the duke later. I sighed and closed the book.

It was an ancient text about devils and their worshippers.

I brought it from the duke's mansion and was looking for the symbols I had seen.

I had found what I needed and couldn't concentrate anymore.

‘I should train.’

Deep in the mountains, far from Kahalin.

The artificially dug cave was quite large and had a training area.

Just as I was about to grab my sword and go out, I sensed something unusual through my wind sense.

Three people at the cave entrance.

‘Who are they?’

Just passersby? Or agents from the intelligence unit in the imperial capital?

The deputy captain was missing, after all.

It was natural for someone higher than the branch manager to come and investigate the situation.

In any case, I wasn't too worried.

Even if they entered the cave, they would need to activate a hidden mechanism to get inside.

I sharpened my senses.

One of the three walked into the cave and skillfully activated the mechanism.

Rumble. The entrance opened with the sound of rolling stones. I couldn't help but widen my eyes when I saw who entered.

"Deputy Captain?"

Phiri lifted one corner of her mouth.

"Did you wait long?"

I was genuinely happy to see her. She was a good person, and my life here depended on her.

Phiri smiled weakly, looking quite tired.

"Call me sister."

Phiri then whispered outside the cave.

"I've confirmed. Come in."

Soon, a middle-aged man and a man in his mid-twenties quickly descended.

I quickly assessed the situation.

Three people. It meant two of the original four agents were dead.

But the middle-aged man's gaze kept lingering on me. He walked up to me.

"Are you Kallin?"

"Yes."

"You caused the avalanche?"

"Yes."

The man nodded solemnly.

"Thank you. I owe you one. Tuhn Jahad. Thanks to you, I survived."

His words were brief but sincere.

So that was Tuhn Jahad.

I didn't expect it to be true. Even though we were meeting for the first time, I felt a sense of connection.

"It was my duty."

Just as Tuhn Jahad was about to say something, Phiri interjected.

"Let's go inside and talk."

Phiri moved inside and turned to me.

"I heard a rough summary. You did well, better than I thought."

"Why did you take so long? I thought you were dead."

"There's nothing I can't say."

Phiri pretended to be angry, glaring at me, then shrugged.

"The day the captain contacted you, we received the message. After that, we didn't contact you for security reasons. We were told to come here."

It seemed our communications had crossed by a day.

If the message had arrived a day later, Phiri and the agents would have been told to wait here.

Phiri looked around the cave and asked.

"Let's catch up later. Where's the branch manager?"

"I'll show you."

* * *

I was able to hear about what Phiri and the agents had been through with the branch manager.

Normally, I wouldn't have been included, but as Phiri's deputy, I received some consideration.

Anyway, the situation was as I had expected.

On a day of heavy snowfall, the agents attempted to escape.

Operation name: Kahalin 1-3.

The plan was for the strong group to draw attention while the rest escaped and relayed the information.

‘Tuhn Jahad drew attention alone.’

In any case, only half of the agents who used Tuhn Jahad as a decoy survived.

Even then, it was thanks to Phiri, and Tuhn Jahad would have died if it weren't for me.

That was the whole story.

Unfortunately, the agents didn't bring much information. They were chased before they could do anything.

The only thing they learned was that the enemies were collecting human bones in one place.

They felt they were being pursued and hid.

It was a bit of useful information for me, as I intended to talk about the devil worshippers with Phiri.

Phiri and the branch manager were cautious about the devil worshippers.

They suspected it might be a new organization created by the empire but didn't seem to be certain.

When the conversation was winding down, the branch manager asked carefully.

"What about us?"

"Most of you will be reassigned. Since you had a conflict with a group suspected to be from the empire, the faces of those who operated in Kahalin are compromised."

"Where will we go?"

"Not yet. You'll receive instructions soon."

The branch manager nodded heavily.

It was almost a natural disaster, but as someone responsible for a branch, he must have felt a lot of regret.

It was bad news for me too. Most of them being reassigned meant I had to stay in the empire.

But now wasn't the time to say it.

"Let's end the conversation here. I'm tired."

"Yes. Thank you for the long journey. Kallin, please show Deputy Captain to her room. The rest, let's talk for a moment."

"Yes."

The people originally from Kahalin needed to have their own conversation.

I led Phiri, who had stood up, to her room.

I had prepared a space for Phiri in case she returned.

Phiri put her hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go."

* * *

"You did well, really."

Phiri said as she flopped onto the bed. Dust rose despite the old place being well-maintained.

I used wind to clear the dust.

"You said that before."

"Shh. When an adult speaks, you should say 'thank you.'"

"Thank you."

Phiri turned to me while lying on the bed.

When her long hair fell across her cheek, she gently tucked it behind her ear.

"To be honest, I was really worried."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're smart, but you're a new recruit. And you suggested helping Tuhn Jahad and returning to the branch?"

"Nadmo made a good judgment."

"Anyway. The important thing is that you agreed. You did a good job."

"Thank you."

Phiri narrowed her eyes while lying down.

"Sigh. Why is this so boring? Never mind. I'm going to sleep."

I hesitated slightly. Should I talk about the devil worshippers now?

Phiri's late arrival had slightly complicated things.

"Why? Do you have something to say?"

When I didn't leave, Phiri smiled mischievously.

"Is it because it's been a while since you saw your sister? Do you want to stay a bit longer?"

"Actually, I have something to tell you."

Phiri, sensing something was off from my serious tone, slowly sat up.

"What is it?"

"I found a clue that might reveal who they are."

"What?"

I carefully mentioned the tattoos I had seen and that they were related to the devil.

It was a hard-to-believe story, so I had to show her the book.

Of course, even with the book, it was a hard-to-believe story, and Phiri looked continuously puzzled.

"Could it just be a coincidence? You didn't take human skin, did you?"

"I have a good memory."

Devil worshippers. It was an unbelievable story, so I deliberately spoke with confidence.

Phiri, looking doubtful, asked sharply.

"Wait. Why didn't you report this earlier?"

After the escape, our movements were already reported to the captain, so she was asking this.

I had anticipated this question.

"The situation was urgent during the escape, and there was no time to talk about the tattoos. I didn't know they were related to the devil at that time."

"After that?"

"Only you and I were outsiders here."

Phiri's expression suddenly darkened.

"Are you suspecting an internal enemy?"

Her tone was clearly displeased. It might have been a hasty statement.

They had a long-standing bond with Phiri, after all. But it was inevitable.

I hadn't reported it yet.

Because the captain was a devil worshipper. That's why I needed a reason to report only to Phiri.

Saying I confirmed it just before Phiri arrived lacked credibility.

I should have gone to the branch manager for training instead of heading straight to the entrance.

‘It might cause Phiri to dislike me, but it has its advantages.’

After much thought, I had two reasons.

I had to talk about it, and it could instill a sense of caution in Phiri.

An internal enemy.

Even if it was just a throwaway comment, it was important to plant that seed in Phiri's heart.

When dealing with the captain later, it would be easier to accept than hearing it for the first time.

And as a deputy captain, Phiri might notice something strange in the captain's behavior.

"The branch manager will be displeased."

"I'm prepared for that."

The omission of information. The branch manager would naturally think I didn't trust them.

Phiri sighed deeply at my words.

"Phew, okay. Let's think about this later."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's a valid suspicion. We were dealing with a group of over a hundred. Just be careful. Don't say it lightly without solid evidence."

"Yes."

Phiri's words contained both displeasure and concern. I took them as sincere advice.

And now it was time to bring up the story I had prepared.