Chapter 47

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no connection to any real entities.

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045 - Headcutter Nest Search

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A cold wind blew through the buildings, making me shiver.

"It looks like it's going to snow soon."

Annelise wrapped a scarf around my neck.

In this world, there are clothes that resemble wool, but no scarves.

"Thank you, Annelise."

Sitting on a bench in front of the guardhouse with Annelise and Rosalina, we waited for the knights to finish preparing when Locke came to call me.

"Lord Toi, everyone is ready."

I entered the guardhouse and looked at Locke's subordinates. As I had said, most of them were dressed sloppily, though a few were in armor.

"Are they not on patrol?"

I asked about the two in armor. They must be staying here for communication purposes, as someone needs to stay at the guardhouse.

"No... well, those guys are..."

He seemed reluctant to say. What's the matter?

"We are honorable knights! We can't dress like this!"

"That's right, we are honorable knights. We demand proper treatment as knights!"

I had a feeling I knew. They must be the sons of nobles, probably from high-ranking families.

Locke, being the son of Balcan, is also a noble, but he didn't live a pampered life. If he could train me, his son must have been trained even more strictly.

But to disobey a superior's orders is the height of negligence.

"Captain Locke, they are in the way. Please have them patrol another area."

"Being in the way is a grave insult!"

"Just a viscount, and you're being so insolent."

I didn't choose to be a viscount, you know.

"Do they not have the sense to think for themselves?"

I ignored the two and asked Locke.

"Uh, no... they do have sense."

"Did you explain the purpose of this mission?"

"Yes."

"Then they are just being stupid."

"‘You!?’"

I and Locke's conversation was interrupted by the two.

"Be quiet! I'm talking to Captain Locke!"

I punched them both in an instant. Though my main job is a swordsman, my secondary job is an assassin, so my movements were too fast for them to see. They flew away, but they weren't dead, so no problem.

I am not friends with these two. At least for now, they are my subordinates. In the military, which is similar to the knights (probably), it's acceptable to use physical punishment on subordinates who talk without permission, especially when superiors are having a conversation.

Compared to me, who became a viscount almost by force from a duke, you chose to be knights, right? Did your parents make you become knights?

Either way, since you talk about the honor of knights, you should fulfill your duties as a knight, even at the cost of your life. If you don't want to work under me, that's your choice, but isn't that the job of a knight?

Moreover, if you can't even understand this, you are really a hindrance to the investigation.

I want to finish this fake detective game quickly and level up in the dungeon.

"Captain Locke, does the duke's knight order give subordinates the right to disobey a superior's orders?"

"…No, a superior's orders are absolute."

"Then, these guys are violating orders, right? In the military I know, those who violate orders are severely punished. Is it different in this knight order?"

His face was twitching. Are you okay?

"No, as Lord Toi said, they will be severely punished."

"Then, please put these two in solitary confinement immediately. Follow military regulations for their punishment."

"Understood. Hey, put these two in solitary confinement."

The two were taken to solitary confinement, and I continued my conversation with Locke. Yes, all is well.

"Let me explain today's patrol."

Annelise and Rosalina were putting up a map on the wall. This is the map I drew, showing the areas where the headcutter nest is likely to appear.

I got permission from Zeigen for this area.

The map is drawn in black ink, and the crime scenes of the headcutter nest are marked in red ink.

"From here to here is Team 1, from here to here is Team 2—"

Locke's company has six squads. The areas each squad is responsible for are marked on the map. This way, everyone knows their area.

The squad that those two were leading had a temporary squad leader and was assigned to a slightly outer area.

"Finally, before you go on patrol, pour this alcohol on your clothes."

I had bought a barrel of ale from a tavern.

"Are you not going to drink it?"

To Locke's question, I gave a wry smile.

"Why would we drink before going on patrol? This is just to make everyone smell like alcohol. If you don't get drunk from the smell, you don't need to put it on, but if you soak your clothes, you can pretend to be drunk."

"I see. If we pretend to be drunk, it won't be strange to be on the street near the downtown area."

"Exactly. We need to make the headcutter nest feel at ease, or they won't come out, like a turtle hiding in its shell."

The team members, understanding my explanation, poured ale on their clothes and left the guardhouse.

It might be cold with wet clothes in the cold wind, but they'll have to bear with it.

"Captain Locke, let's go."

"Yes."

I poured ale on Locke. I did it vigorously, almost throwing it.

"Ow, that hurts!"

"That's not possible. It's just your imagination."

I'm not taking out my grudge against Balcan on his son!

Our squad's area is about 150 meters, including a back alley a little away from the downtown area. I, Annelise, Rosalina, Gandalban, and four soldiers. The soldiers are dressed in simple clothes from when they were explorers and are pretending to be couples.

It would be counterproductive to do illegal things to catch criminals, but decoy operations are not illegal. They don't seem to be as particular about details as in Japan.

Annelise is disguised as a prostitute. When Annelise, who usually doesn't wear makeup, puts on serious makeup, she becomes even more beautiful. But I prefer her simple, makeup-free look.

Annelise is wearing a very provocative blue dress. The scarf to hide the slave collar might look out of place, but it's not too strange because it's cold.

The headcutter nest will surely be attracted by Annelise's beauty.

On the other hand, Rosalina is cute, but lacks the allure. She also lacks the acting skills to play a prostitute. So, she and Gandalban are hiding in the shadows, watching Annelise.

As for me, I am monitoring Annelise from close by. My main job is an assassin, and my secondary job is a swordsman. This combination gives the highest AGI value, so I can respond quickly if necessary.

Of course, I am hidden.

At first, I was going to play the prostitute, but Annelise insisted on doing it. She can be very persistent when she sets her mind to something. It's a bit of a problem.

So, I am guarding Annelise nearby.

About three hours have passed since we started the decoy operation.

"Ugh, it's getting cold..."

I'm losing feeling in my toes. I want to finish this quickly and take a warm bath. I might catch a cold.

Even with a cloak, I am this cold, so Annelise, who is dressed lightly, must be even colder. I hope this ends soon, but it's up to the headcutter nest...

A few men have approached, but when Annelise said one platinum coin, they left, spouting insults. A noble or a rich person could afford a platinum coin, but it's a lot of money for a commoner.

I sensed someone approaching with my Perception skill.

A woman appeared from the darkness, dressed as a prostitute in a deep red dress with a low neckline.

The red dress suits her red hair, but her face is a bit plain. Even with heavy makeup, she can't match Annelise's natural beauty. Yes, Annelise is incredibly beautiful!

"Hey, I don't recognize you. This is my territory."

It sounds like a line from a drama.

"Sorry... I'll leave..."

The woman stopped Annelise as she was about to leave.

"It's fine. You'll get a customer soon. There are plenty of perverted men around."

I can't deny that. If Annelise weren't a slave, I would have asked her long ago.

But I think the headcutter nest won't come out if she's around. I wish she would go somewhere else.

"What's your name?"

"...Annie."

"I'm Linensa."

Linensa looked Annelise up and down as if evaluating her.

"Annie, you're beautiful. You could become popular if you joined a brothel. You don't have to do this on the street."

"I only do it occasionally."

"Hmm. Beautiful women can set their own prices, so it's easy for them. I'm not so lucky..."

Linensa looked down and her shoulders trembled. Is she crying? She seems emotionally unstable. Is she okay?

"Are you okay?"

Annelise put her hand on Linensa's shoulder.

Linensa covered her eyes with her left hand and sobbed.

"I'm fine. I should be killed by the headcutter nest anyway."

"You shouldn't say that. You shouldn't die."

"You're so kind."

Linensa's right hand touched Annelise's shoulder.

"I'm fine, I won't die!"

"!?!"

A thigh appeared from the slit in the dress, and there was a knife.

Sensing danger, I instinctively reached out.

Thud.

Linensa's knife stopped just short of Annelise's neck. I had grabbed the blade.

It hurt, but I was glad the blade didn't reach Annelise.

"Who are you!?"

"That's my line!"

I punched Linensa in the face.

I tried to hold back, but breaking her nose was acceptable.

"Master!?"

Annelise's hands covered my hand holding the knife.

Her soft hands spread my fingers one by one.

"I'm fine."

As an assassin, I wear armor, so my DEF is decent. The good thing about the HP system is that you don't die as long as your HP isn't zero.

The HP I lost from grabbing the knife was only 5 points. Fortunately, the knife wasn't poisoned, so that was all.

"Lord Toi!"

"Gandalban, don't let her escape."

"Understood!"

Gandalban restrained Linensa. With his level 28 strength, the small Linensa had no chance of escaping.

Rosalina ran to me and hugged me.

"Master!"

"I'm fine."

"Yes, sir."

Rosalina, with tears in her eyes, clung to me tightly. It hurts, so please loosen your grip a bit.

"Master, drink this potion!"

"It's just a scratch."

"Drink it!"

"O-Okay..."

Intimidated by Annelise's insistence, I drank the potion.

It's a bit wasteful to use a relatively expensive potion for just 5 HP, but if it makes Annelise feel better, it's worth it.

Locke and the others rushed over when they heard the commotion.

The rest can be left to Locke. I want to take a warm bath as soon as possible.

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