Chapter 62: Decoy and Hostage
"...I apologize. Thank you for accompanying me until our return."
"No, it's a relief that everyone is safe."
Returning to the front of the labyrinth entrance's stone monument.
All members of the exploration team, including Mercedia, are unharmed. Since I'm also concerned about whether Ilmhillt is shaken, we're withdrawing.
The door still won't open, whether you push or pull. Besides, I don't know how to open that door in the first place.
I considered using advanced magic to break it... but even if I could easily destroy the door, I can't be reckless if that girl is on the other side.
"There are trees swaying everywhere in the pitch darkness... Seriously, it's tough."
"I don't want to eat mushrooms for a while either..."
The soldiers sit down and sigh with relief.
"You all, I'll allow a break, but remember that we're in public, so don't slouch."
Mercedia gently scolds them, and the soldiers hastily straighten up.
...It seems the soldiers from the exploration team have gained trust. Since she suggested using my own pocket money as the fee for our request, they probably won't be too proud.
I proposed accompanying them until their return and suggested a reward of 100 Kirig.
Well... I think it's an unusually low price for an escort request. Even though people might say it's too cheap, it's about the labyrinth, after all.
I don't like looking down in a situation where our lives are at stake. However, I can't just work for free, so that's the price.
"I apologize once again. I'll make sure to bring the fee to you, maybe tomorrow."
"It's not like you need to rush."
"I can't help it. But... I must go to the royal castle to report today. I'll definitely mention Lord Theodore's name as the discoverer."
We found the door at the same time.
Finding the sealed door is just a basic condition, and there are various things that come after that, so I don't think there's any credit involved.
"If you're going to report, can you wait a little longer?"
"...What's the matter?"
"It would be more convenient if you did."
With a puzzled expression, Mercedia follows me to the Adventurer's Guild's lobby.
As usual, Heather, who sits behind the counter, greets us with a smile.
"Hello, Theodore-san. Everyone too."
"Hello, Heather-san. I'd like to buy a sheet of paper if you have one."
"Paper, you say? Any kind will do?"
"Yes."
Heather tilts her head, but she still takes out a bundle of paper from under the counter.
"If scraps for notes are fine. Of course, I won't charge you for something like this."
"I appreciate it. If you could lend me some ink as well, I'd be grateful."
"Sure."
I take the paper and ink from Heather, go to a corner, and let Caduceus imprint a mirror image of the relief, applying ink and pressing it like a seal. When I turn it over, a clear replica of the relief on that door remains.
I come out of the corner and hand the copy of the relief to Mercedia, who had been waiting for me.
"For now, please take this."
"What is this..."
Mercedia accepts the paper and bows deeply before leaving the guild.
"Being in the Order of Knights must be tough too."
Heather smiles wryly and goes back to her work, arranging the documents in front of her. She probably understands that it's better not to inquire too much, especially after Mercedia's incident, since the Order of Knights probably wouldn't want the matter to be looked into.
"It's strange, isn't it? If you've met me before, I should have grown bigger, right?"
After returning home and taking a short break, I ask for opinions about what I saw today. Ilmhillt tilts her head.
"...I don't think you could call her a child just by her appearance."
If she's a resident of the labyrinth, then she could have the appearance of a human child... to be honest, anything is possible.
"Either way, if she can escape like that, catching her would be difficult."
"She didn't seem like an enemy either. Although there's the question of what we would do if we did catch her."
"She might not be an ally either."
In the first place, we can't make judgments because we don't know her intentions.
It could appear that she led us to that door, or maybe she sensed Shiela and Ilmhillt's detection abilities and escaped, fearing being discovered.
"In any case, we have no choice but to hold off for now."
Sheila says.
"Well... that's true. Ilm, are you okay?"
"Me? Yes, I'm fine. I'm naturally not the type to worry about small details."
Ilmhillt responds with her usual smile when asked.
"...Thank you, Theodore-kun."
"I don't think I've really done anything to deserve thanks."
"No, there are more clues now, and I feel like we're making progress."
She shakes her head.
"So, really, don't worry about me."
She says and tilts the teacup filled with the tea Grace brewed.
"...That being said."
Listening to the conversation beside her, Shiela speaks up.
"This house is cool, it's nice. It's getting annoying to go outside before going back."
What's she talking about?
If I had to guess...
Beside a bucket, there's something Shiela made – ice pillars – and that seems to be her new favorite spot.
Since she's using wind magic to circulate the air inside the room, being near the ice offers quite a bit of relief.
Seeing Shiela so relaxed and casual around the ice, Ilmhillt quietly laughs.
"Would you two like to have dinner together?"
With a smile, Ashley, who is standing in the kitchen, asks.
"Mmm... I owe the Thieves' Guild some payment."
Shiela's ears droop along with her words. Her expression remains the same as usual, but she seems quite disappointed. Well, yeah. Ashley's cooking is delicious too.
Regular payments to the Thief's Guild, huh?
When you hear "payments to the guild," it might not sound great, but in reality, it's more like membership fees. Dealing with late payments or leaving the guild can be tough, though.
So, after spending some time at home, Sheela and Ilmhirut returned to the Western District as the sun set and the air cooled.
However...
Just as I started preparing dinner, someone knocked on the door. When I went out, Sheela and Ilmhirut had returned.
"Something happened?"
I thought maybe they forgot something, but their expressions were tense. I invited them inside before asking about the situation.
"We're being followed."
After closing the door, Sheela apologized and said...
"I don't think we're in any danger."
"Thank you."
Since it seems to bother her, I'll be clear.
It's foolish to assume that someone with ill intentions towards them might be favorably disposed toward me. Even if that were the case, if they were to harm my comrades, I'd consider them enemies and act accordingly. I can take my time and listen to their reasons once the threat is eliminated.
So, well, it's a good decision to return quickly.
Sheela probably thought it might be difficult to fight back if they were attacked when there were fewer people around, even though she and Ilmhirut were capable. From Sheela's perspective, having Ilmhirut causing a scene while in her Lamia form in the middle of the city would be best avoided.
"Caduceus."
Caduceus, who had been lying down as a cat, turned into an amorphous shape and went out through the window. I linked my vision with Caduceus's to observe the situation around the house. Ah, there they were.
They had stationed individuals at the corners, and they were waiting in positions where they could follow in either direction as we walked out from our front street.
"What should we do?"
"Let the two of them stay here for now. It's a good idea to follow them once they give up or switch."
As much as I want to catch them quickly and interrogate them, there's no guarantee they won't feed me false information. Besides, merely tailing someone doesn't constitute a crime. It's a bit of a hassle to be on the receiving end of their actions, but it's what it is.
"Shall I... be the decoy?"
Sheela placed her hand on her chest and spoke.
"A decoy?"
"I'll go out alone and observe their reaction."
"Sheela, that's dangerous."
"But it's faster that way. I can figure out if they're after me or Ilmhirut."
"Then, I'll go."
Sheela shook her head at Ilmhirut's suggestion.
"I'm more specialized in this kind of thing. Concealing that I've noticed them tailing us, that's not something Ilmhirut can do."
Saying that, she looked at me. She had asked for my opinion.
Certainly, Sheela's suggestion has some merit. However, risking our comrades' safety is a concern.
"... There are a few conditions."
If Sheela agrees to those conditions, I'm fine with giving permission.
"... Don't make any noise. I'll come with you."
The man said as he held a knife against Sheela's back.
Once we entered the Western District and the foot traffic had diminished, the pursuers sprang into action.
Part of it was due to Sheela intentionally choosing a quieter path, as if dropping something and deliberately pausing. Sheela had likely gauged the enemy's response, but they saw an opportunity and immediately tried to abduct her.
...Quite eager. It could almost be called recklessness. I wonder if there's a specific reason for their haste.
Sheela raised her hands and obediently followed the men. The dagger at her waist was cheap, intended to be taken away. The dagger made from a boa's fang is kept with me.
Eventually, they took her to a house in the same Western District.
I... am in the night sky. Tracking from high above. Wearing dark clothes, it would be extremely difficult to spot me from below.
Grace is free and waiting at home. Ashley is fully armed, and Ilmhirut has returned to her human form, prepared for combat. However, since they likely assume I'm at home, they might not resort to direct action against the house due to the small number of pursuers.
As for Sheela... Since Caduceus sticks to her like clothing, she's in a constant defensive stance. With our sensory connection, I can perceive things like Sheela's body shape as information... But I shouldn't dwell on that too much.
They've entered the building, so I closed my eyes and shifted my senses to Caduceus. Sheela was led by the men into a basement.
"We've got her."
"Hmm, it was surprisingly easy. This means we can make that brat come here too."
Saying that, Jasper smiled triumphantly. I see. Holding me hostage, huh? Their urgency makes more sense now.
I'd gladly crush them if they have business with me... but I'll make sure to assess the situation inside the room before barging in.
As for the culprits... there are several men, including Jasper, who seemed rather pleased with himself. Fernando appears to be absent... and who else is there, bound to a chair? Chester?
Putting aside the others, why is Chester here too?