Chapter 592-2 (2) Safety Checks
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Editor: Tseirp
The two parted ways with the five of ‘Spring View’.
They’d been told, “Let us know if you learn anything”, and even gave the location of their inn.
“We’re getting beaten to the punch over and over.”
“About what?”
“Adventurers. It means there was an imperial prince who carried out what we thought of—before us, right?”
“Well, that’s true. But which of the three princes…?”
“The princes’ residences… they were called ‘royal residence’, weren’t they? If we go there, will we learn something?”
“We’d find out… but at the same time we’d be noticed. That Ryo—meaning Duke Rondo—has begun acting on the side of the Sixth Prince, Ryun.”“True.”
At Abel’s point, Ryo grimaced and nodded.
It would be found out eventually, but the later the better.
The Sixth Prince Ryun’s camp seemed to be getting various preparations in order…
“Hm?”
While walking, Ryo tilted his head.
“What is it?”
Naturally, Abel asked.
“Shh! Abel, just keep walking.”
“What?”
Ryo said it with a serious expression—so serious that Abel, for some reason, found it a bit theatrical—and, not really understanding, he obeyed.
“It’s possible, but…we might be under surveillance.”
“With this many people around, how can you tell?”
“No, I’m not too confident either…so let’s run a few safety checks.”
“Safety checks?”
“Actions to check whether we’re being tailed. Specifically, we’ll stop by various places and probe the other side’s movements.”
Saying that, Ryo headed for the stalls set up in the center of Holy Emperor Square.
“You just didn’t get your fill during lunch and want to hit the food stalls…”
Abel’s mutter reached no one’s ears.
Munching—albeit on a not-very-large— skewer of grilled chicken, Ryo whispered to Abel.
“I don’t know how long we’ve been watched, but maybe…”
“The guys watching the ‘Spring View’ lot split, and some started watching us too?”
“Ah, you think so too, Abel?”
“There’s no proof, though.”
Ryo and Abel’s thinking matched.
“If they were keeping track of Duke Rondo, they’d have watched from the mansion. But in that case, not only you, Ryo—even I would have noticed.”
“That’s true.”
Ryo fell into a brief thought.
Then he murmured,
“Duke Rondo…”
“What is it?”
Abel asked.
“How about we go to the Mutual Aid Association once more now?”
“I don’t mind… ss that part of those safety checks? Or to get information on the Advanced Hall or the Special-Eank Hall?”
“Both.”
“But we can’t get into the Advanced Hall or the Special-Rank Hall, can we?”
“Right—Ryo and Abel as Sixth-Rank adventurers can’t… ”
“I see, you mean to visit as Duke Rondo.”
“Yes. As a formal client.”
Ryo nodded broadly as he said it.
“Sometimes a C-rank adventurer. Sometimes a Sixth-Rank adventurer. At other times, a wandering man on the road. But in truth…the Duke of Rondo! That kind of thing.”
“Mm, I don’t really get it, but you look like you’re having fun, Ryo.”
Ryo spoke cheerfully, and Abel gave a small shake of his head.
Imperial Capital Adventurers’ Mutual Aid Association.
The stone-paved square out front.
As usual, a guide was over in a corner.
If Ryo and Abel’s memory was right, it was the same guide who had guided them inside the Standard Hall yesterday.
Today, he was apparently assigned to the square.
“Sixth-Rank adventurers Ryo-dono and Abel-dono, correct?”
The guide seemed to remember them, and he approached and offered a bow to the pair.
“Thank you for your help yesterday.”
Ryo bowed his head politely.
Then, removing the identification plate from his neck, he said,
“In fact, I hold the position of Premier Duke in the Kingdom of Knightley of the Central Countries—my name is Ryo Mihara, Duke Rondo. Here is my identification plate.”
“Eh…”
Hearing Ryo’s explanation, the guide froze.
Exactly twenty seconds later—
“E-excuse me…may I confirm? Did you say you are Duke Rondo of the Kingdom of Knightley?”
“Yes, I did.”
Ryo smiled sweetly.
In that instant, they heard the guide gulp.
He seemed to know the name ‘Duke Rondo’.
“Ah… yes… um…we can verify the plate with the same device we used yesterday to confirm your Association cards… so, this way…”
Though his words were halting, the guide managed to finish, and, just as yesterday, led the two into the Standard Hall.
Then he held the main ID plate over the crystal sphere used yesterday.
The result came at once; he returned it with great deference and…
“Confirmed, Your Grace, Duke Rondo. I beg pardon for my discourtesy yesterday.”
He placed both hands folded at his chest in salute, then bowed deeply.
“Oh, no, no, it was no problem—I came yesterday as a Sixth-Rank adventurer. But today, I’ve come as Duke Rondo staying in the capital, as a client.”
“A request? Understood. Would that be for this Standard Hall…for adventurers of Fourth Rank and below?”
“No, for the very top… I’d like to request for a Special-Rank adventurer.”
The two were at last shown into the Special-Rank Hall.
What awaited there was absolute stillness.
Not a single cough, not a single rustle of paper could be heard.
Naturally so.
At the Special-Rank Hall’s reception, the only people present were the three of them.
The interior was extremely luxurious.
Even a single door proclaimed itself a high-end item.
However, there was nothing like the ‘reception counter’ feel of the Standard Hall; there were only three entrances to private rooms.
The guide opened one of them and ushered the two inside.
Hardly had they sat before tea was served without the slightest delay.
From the aroma alone, one could tell it was top-grade tea, brewed at the perfect timing.
Perhaps, while his identification plate was being checked in the Standard Hall, someone was informed to make preparations…
“Though I’ve shown you into the Special-Rank Hall, I believe it will be difficult to meet Your Grace’s wishes.”
“Is that so?”
At the guide’s words, Ryo took a sip of tea with a slightly surprised expression.
Just as delicious as expected.
“It’s not a difficult request. His Majesty the Emperor granted me a residence. I simply came because I’d like to hire adventurers to guard it. And if I’m going to hire, I wanted to ask the very best—Special-Rank adventurers.”
“I see. I understand the contents of your request.”
“And even so, it’s difficult?”
“Yes. The thing is, all Special-Rank adventurers are currently out on assignment.”
“All of them are carrying out requests?”
“Yes.”
To Ryo’s confirmation, the guide nodded.
“This Special-Rank Hall is very quiet… could it be that not only Special-Rank but also all First-Rank adventurers are out, and there’s no one here?”
“Yes, I’m terribly sorry.”
Neither Ryo’s expression nor tone changed.
They remained as at the start.
But the guide began to sweat.
An unpleasant sweat down his back.
Because he felt a strange pressure in this situation where he could only reply with negatives.
Of course, the fact that everyone was out was in no way the guide’s fault.
Yet telling Duke Rondo that they could not accept his request… who would have thought it would make him sweat this badly.
Naturally, the guide had also heard the bards’ songs.
He knew that the person before him was the very duke who had become the stuff of legends.
Moreover, word had reached them that in the imperial palace, he stood in high favor with His Majesty the Emperor.
The Adventurers’ Mutual Aid Association, in Darwei, is an organization that receives financial support from the state.
In particular, many of these guides were originally palace officials.
Quite a few also return to being palace officials after a few years.
Because of that, they have many friends within the palace, and information flows to them in considerable detail.
Which is precisely why… he was sweating unpleasantly.
It blurs the boundary of information one should not answer…
“How many adventurers belong to this Special-Rank Hall?”
“Yes… about a hundred.”
“That’s a fair number. If one were to hire all of them, it would take quite a lot of money.”
“Yes…”
Ryo continued to ask with a faint smile, and the sweat that had been on the guide’s back finally started to appear on his face.
Ryo wasn’t exerting pressure.
He was just his usual self.
Abel, seated in the chair right beside him, listening, understood that better than anyone.
But still…
(Having to answer ‘no’ to a celebrity’s request… that would give anyone a stomachache.)
Abel, too, felt sorry for the guide…
“However… if I can’t hire anyone at all, that’s a problem.”
“I am… terribly sorry.”
Ryo tilted his head just a little and murmured, and the guide, sweating more than before, apologized.
“Is this… a matter that could be resolved if I asked His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Eh?”
The guide didn’t understand what Ryo meant.
“If I petition His Majesty, asking for Special-Rank adventurers as bodyguards, would it be possible to have some number of Special-Rank adventurers diverted here?”
“T-that would…”
“If someone has borrowed every last First- and Special-Rank adventurer—who are so expensive—then even in a nation as huge as Darwei, there are only so many who could do that, correct? Either His Majesty the Emperor or one of the Imperial Princes. In that case, asking His Majesty would be best, no?”
“If His Majesty… were petitioned, most likely… the Imperial Guard would be…”
The Imperial Guard are the Emperor’s direct troops.
In the terms of the Central Countries, they would be called the palace guards.
Under His Majesty the Emperor there are no Special-Rank adventurers.
If one appeals to the Emperor, the Imperial Guard would be assigned—
Put another way, that’s what the conversation amounted to.
Ryo decided to shift the point of attack.
“When we visited yesterday, we saw at least some clients going into the Advanced Hall. You are accepting those people’s requests, aren’t you?”
“Yes, as of yesterday…”
“But today there’s already no one.”
“Yes…”
“Then, when the Third- and Second-Rank adventurers who accepted requests yesterday finish and return, would it be possible for me to hire them?”
“T-the thing is…”
Ryo gave the appearance of giving up on hiring Special- and First-Rank adventurers and proposed hiring Second- and Third-Class adventurers instead.
The sweat running down the guide’s face increased even more…
The sweat running down the guide’s face increased even more…
“Those who return… are to be… sent straight on… as they are…”
“So there are already reservations on them?”
“Y-yes, reservations—yes… I think ‘reservations’ would be the closest word.”
“That such a thing is even possible.”
“Normally it would be impossible, but…”
“Well, if it’s Their Highnesses the Imperial Princes, then it becomes possible.”
“…My apologies.”
The guide did not deny it.
It was now confirmed that one of the Imperial Princes had hired them.
Ryo and Abel left the Adventurers’ Mutual Aid Association.
“I felt bad for the guide. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“I agree completely… but that waterfall of sweat was because of your pressure, wasn’t it, Ryo?”
“There you go again, Abel—trying to make me the bad guy! Terrible.”
“I assure you I had no such intent.”
Ryo countered, and Abel spoke with a laugh.
“It’s confirmed that the Imperial Princes hired adventurers.”
“Yeah. It’d be nice if we knew which imperial prince, though…”
“If you ask me, I think the Fourth Prince did. And with the intent to use them up and throw them away.”
“That’s… your prejudice talking, Ryo.”
“Yeah, I won’t deny it.”
In Ryo’s mind, the Fourth Prince sat one rung lower.
“But Shau, the Censorate’s Chief, had the same opinion as me.”
“…Unlucky man, the Fourth Prince.”
Ryo hauled out the energetic elder, Chief Shau, to shore up his view, and Abel gave a small shake of his head.
“There’s only one sure method we can choose here.”
“Hm? A sure method? Sure about what?”
“A sure method to solve the adventurer disappearance case!”
“Since when did it become a disappearance case?”
Abel sighed at Ryo’s usual leap in logic.
Yes, it was the familiar pattern.
Yes, the usual pattern.
Yes, and what would be proposed next was also…
“Abel will launch a solo charge on the Fourth Prince’s royal residence!”
“Knew you’d say that!”
Abel snapped back to Ryo’s perfectly predictable proposal.
“A force-reconnaissance. We provoke them hard and draw out their reaction.”
“I always think this, but… I’m the one who rushes in and has terrible things happen to me, right?”
“Getting out of that cleanly is where a former A-rank adventurer shows his skill! Oh, though you’re just a Sixth-Rank now…”
“Yeah, and because I’m a Sixth-Rank adventurer, I’m not doing anything that dangerous.”
“In every era, the grunts get sent to the front line. Grunts like a Sixth-Rank!”
“You’re a grunt Sixth-Rank adventurer too, Ryo.”
“I’m a magician. I leave manual labor to Abel the swordsman.”
“I refuse.”
In the end, Ryo’s proposal was not accepted by Abel.
But that back-and-forth was all part of their playful banter.
After they’d walked for a while since leaving the Mutual Aid Association, Ryo tilted his head.
“What is it?”
Naturally, Abel walking beside him noticed.
“We’re being watched after all.”
“They’ve stayed on us. Come to think of it, in the Imperial Capital—or rather, since we entered Darwei—we haven’t been under surveillance, have we?”
The dangerous duo, Ryo and Abel, might give the impression they’re always being watched wherever they go, but in truth, not so.
In fact, since entering Darwei, they hadn’t been surveilled.
At most, when heading to Fenmu, the imperial mausoleum, the White Flame Army surveilled—and even surrounded—them.
“You still haven’t noticed the watchers, Abel?”
“Yeah, no clue. With this many people, it might be impossible for me.”
“That ‘presence’! You still have a long way to go.”
“In a crowd this big, it’s your magic that’s abnormal for being able to pick it out, Ryo.”
Ryo thrust out his chest a little as he spoke, and Abel straightforwardly praised Ryo’s magic.
Indeed, the capital’s population was abnormal.
Wherever you walked, there were people.
In such conditions, being told to notice the gaze of surveillance aimed at you was asking the impossible.
“Now then… who’s doing the watching, I wonder?”
“Abel, the corners of your mouth are slightly up.”
“No, I’m not smiling.”
Abel denied Ryo’s point… but to Ryo, who knew Abel’s face well, it was obvious.
“Honestly… a king who seeks to stir up trouble on the ground is a nuisance to the people.”
“I have no such intention at all.”
“A king who unwittingly torments his people…”
“Even if that were so, the Premier Duke would remonstrate me, wouldn’t he?”
“Of course!”
“Then he removes such a bad king, and the Premier Duke governs peacefully.”
“Naturally!”
“And as a result, the Premier Duke ends up buried in paperwork—can’t be helped.”
“Th-that is…”
Ryo flustered at Abel’s counterattack.
But then he seemed to have thought of a good way.
“We’ll just turn that bad King Abel into a good king.”
“How?”
“Eh? W-well, by having you study a lot…”
“And the Premier Duke will teach me, right? I hope you don’t end up buried in paperwork making textbooks.”
“What a sand trap from which there is no escape…”
Ryo despaired.
“So, how’s the surveillance?”
“They’re still on us.”
Abel asked as if nothing had happened.
Ryo answered as if nothing had happened.
Because it was just their banter—that’s how it was.
“The Emperor trusts us to a fair extent, so it’s not that side, right?”
“Probably not. But Darwei is a big organization, so an intelligence agency may be moving apart from His Majesty’s intentions!”
In answer to Abel’s question, Ryo laid out possibilities.
Back on Earth, in the movies and dramas he’d seen, it was a standard plotline that agencies like the CIA or NSA moved on their own without the U.S. President’s knowledge!
Of course, all fiction, but still.
“How many, specifically?”
“Two, two, and two—six total.”
“So… it’s not one team tailing us, but three?”
“Yeah.”
“Three teams starting surveillance at once. What’s that about?”
Abel also tilted his head.
“Okay, I’ve decided!”
“Mm?”
“Let’s pop over to the imperial palace.”
“Huh?”
“Eh? Then shall we just lop off all their heads on the spot and pretend nothing happened?”
“Why are you limiting us to those two options?”
In the end, the two chose the very gentle proposal of a trip to the imperial palace.
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