Chapter 78

◈ Chapter 78: Seridan's Ironfit (2)

Seridan still had ten minutes to spare until she finished repairing the arm guard and the wire launcher.

Of course, she wouldn't just bring them back after fixing them.

Considering her personality... she probably came up with another brilliant idea and started making additional modifications.

Though she said it would take ten minutes, considering the process, it might take at least thirty minutes.

'Thirty minutes. I still have some time.'

Thinking that he could take a break and then return to Seorin, he looked down from the window on the third floor.

'What’s this?'

Three dark shadows were moving busily in an alley where people rarely walked.

Not only were their movements coordinated, but their footsteps were also unusual.

'They're fast and light. Their center of gravity is well-balanced, and their bodies don't wobble.'

Discovering them was just a coincidence.

If he hadn't happened to look down from the window, he might not have noticed them at all, as their movements were so stealthy.

Though they were wearing dark robes that obscured their appearance, he immediately recognized who they were.

'Knights. Highly trained regular knights, at that.'

They were of a different caliber from the two squires who had assisted Dootree.

At least regular knights.

Three such knights were passing through this alley?

Ordinary knights wouldn't even be interested in such back alleys.

Moreover, the direction they were heading was where he and Viola had fought the criminal society just a while ago.

He narrowed his eyes and carefully observed them.

'If these are knights who move around such places without hesitation... there’s one place that comes to mind.'

Could it be...?

Just as he was about to draw a conclusion, the knight leading the group stopped and looked in his direction.

Oh no.

He hid his body next to the window.

'Were they noticed?'

He thought he had been careful, but they had an unexpectedly good sense.

Even from a distance of over 100 meters, they had noticed him.

Fortunately, it didn't seem like he was completely exposed, as the gaze that had fixed on him quickly withdrew.

'...It must be the Security Bureau.'

More specifically, the Knight Crawler unit, which belongs to the Security Bureau's Intelligence Department.

These are unusual individuals who move covertly, regardless of time and place, unlike the knights who stand on the bright stage in the spotlight, performing honorable deeds.

The Knight Crawler unit operates in the shadows, eliminating threats to the state where no one can see.

They are humans who willingly choose and accept the path of blood and mud for the sake of the state.

Therefore, they are a symbol of fear and a target of caution to those who know them.

They are the most dangerous when encountered in dark, narrow alleys like this, rather than on the broad streets in broad daylight.

'When they glanced this way a little while ago... I thought I saw a glimpse of silver hair.'

If it's a knight with silver hair from the Exilium Empire's Security Bureau, one person comes to mind.

'Could it be... her?'

The commander of the Security Bureau and the leader of the elite Knight Crawler unit.

The guardian lioness who protects the empire.

The Lord Protector, Tereina Lionheart.

'Why is she here? Could it be because of the werewolf incident?'

I have a vague idea.

The reason is probably the appearance of the Cryptid in Redvelk and the death of the nobleman Belbot Rikson.

The Security Bureau's intelligence network must have obtained information that Belbot Rikson was collaborating with someone to conduct some kind of experiment.

Their eyes are spread throughout the empire.

'Even so, for the commander of the Knight Crawler unit to come in person...'

After all, they were conducting human experiments on ordinary citizens.

Moreover, there was even a black mage involved, so it would be strange for the Security Bureau not to get involved.

The important thing is this.

'They must have investigated Belbot Rikson's mansion, and if so, they would know that the secret safe was stolen.'

Not only that, they must have noticed the intense fire that burned the surrounding area in the abandoned factory's basement.

Although everything inside was completely destroyed, the problem is that the trace of 'something being there' cannot be erased, no matter how much it is burned.

'They might have started the investigation based on that. This is a bit of a problem. For a Security Bureau knight, especially the commander, to be in Redvelk...'

Especially, Tereina Lionheart is not a pleasant opponent for me.

That monster of a woman is one of the few people I never want to deal with again in my life.

It's fortunate that I hid my body.

If our eyes had met, and if she had felt something suspicious and come looking for me...

'It would have been a big problem. That woman has an unusually good sense.'

I can only move carefully until the Security Bureau decides that further search is impossible and leaves Redvelk.

'At least, it's fortunate that I won't be caught off guard.'

They probably won't completely conclude the investigation.

However, it's unlikely that Tereina Lionheart will stay in Redvelk indefinitely.

She holds one of the top positions in the empire.

If she were to waste time on an unresolved case, it would be a significant hole in the empire's security.

'She will probably leave, but she might leave a few knights behind.'

That would be fine.

Without Tereina, the other knights, no matter how skilled, are manageable.

Just as I was thinking this, I heard a thumping sound from below, and the door shook.

Soon, Seridan appeared, holding the arm guard in her arms.

"Sir! I'm done!"

"It's finished. That was faster than expected."

I thought it would take thirty minutes, but it only took twenty.

Whether it's because there was less to change or because her skills have improved, I'll see when I look at it.

"Yeah! It was supposed to take ten minutes, but as I was repairing it, I came up with a few ideas. I decided to give it a complete overhaul while I was at it!"

"Hmm."

I examined the arm guard Seridan handed me.

The one I used to use was quite large, reaching from the wrist to the forearm, but this time, she made a drastic change, reducing its size to less than half.

"It's smaller. Thinner."

"And more comfortable!"

Seridan's two white ponytails swayed up and down as she spoke.

My gaze was momentarily drawn to them, but then returned to the arm guard in my hand.

"Did you remove all the unnecessary parts?"

The arm guard I used to wear covered the entire forearm because it also served to protect it.

This time, the one Seridan modified only covered from the wrist to about a third of the forearm.

"Yeah. After all, you're not a hunter anymore, right? So I focused more on convenience than performance."

"You're right. I'm a magic teacher now, not a hunter."

"Oh. Then what should I call you? Van Helsing? Moriarty? Lupin?"

"Call me Rudger Chellis."

"Mm. Sir Rudger. It sounds good. More than that, I'm amazed. A magic teacher, and even a teacher at Seorin! That's impressive!"

"I had some business."

"I know, I know. As expected of you. Infiltrating the most famous Seorin in the great empire of Exilium? That's a piece of cake, right? Hmm. As expected of you."

It seems I appear to her as a terrifying figure with some great ability.

She seems to think that I became a teacher at Seorin through some incredible ability.

The truth is different, of course.

But I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I became a magic teacher by getting caught up in a train terrorist attack, so I decided to let it slide.

"Anyway, as you said, I removed all the cumbersome parts and only kept what was necessary. The wire launcher should work properly, so check it out."

"Hmm."

I put on the arm guard on my left arm.

Perhaps because the material was changed, it felt soft and flexible, wrapping around my arm, rather than thick and hard.

Even over a dress shirt, it felt the same.

The wearing experience was definitely upgraded.

Let's see what the next goal is.

'I'll try it over there.'

I aimed the wire launcher at a blank wall.

Ziiing! Thud!

The wire launcher shot out at an incredible speed and penetrated the wall.

This is quite surprising.

"The power has increased significantly."

"Yeah. I almost doubled the output compared to the original! I also increased the wire's strength and replaced the hook with a new one! Now it can even carry an additional person!"

"Is that so? Is there any other new feature?"

After retracting the wire, I pointed to a small groove on the back of my hand.

Seridan smiled, showing her white teeth.

"Oh, that? As expected, Sir. You have a keen eye. This is a new feature I added this time."

"What is it?"

"Sir, imagine making a tight fist and applying force to your wrist."

"Like this?"

Swoosh.

At that moment, a white blade suddenly popped out from the thin groove in the arm guard.

"This is..."

"A hidden weapon I made just in case. What do you think? Isn't it cool? It's made of the same material as the blade of the swordstick you use, so it's very light and sturdy. You told me before, right? That some assassins use something like this."

"That's right."

"I thought of it and decided to apply it. What do you think?"

"Hmm."

Swoosh