Chapter 72: Duel in the Underground Mall
It is said that Lady Rizelotte, suspecting irregular tax revenues in this town, is conducting an independent undercover investigation.
Why would the young lady herself do such a thing? But I hear it's the educational policy of the Border Count's family to have everything done by themselves.
(Well... I can at least confirm that proper guards are in place)
Nevertheless, as expected of the Frontier Count's daughter, her distant presence can be verified.
"Lady Rizelotte, a carriage will arrive shortly. Please come this way."
"What do you intend to do? Crush them head-on?"
"No, we won't do such a thing. Sonia, please."
"Yes, my lord."
Sonia deploys a soundproof barrier.
"With this soundproof barrier, our sounds and voices won't reach the enemy. However, we can still hear each other's voices and conversations inside the barrier."
"Wow, that's convenient! But that magic, it's not elemental magic, right? I've never heard of it before."
Dark magic is the inherent magic of the demon race, after all.
"Furthermore... cognitive interference... with this, the enemy won't be able to perceive our presence."
"I see, so you'll follow them and uncover their secrets! That sounds interesting."
Indeed, Lady Rizelotte, you catch on quickly. It's helpful, but why are you linking arms with me?
"Hehe, it's not just that much. You're my knight, after all. You can't protect me if you're not by my side."
No, I'm not a knight, I'm an adventurer...
To enjoy the subtle sensation of Lady Rizelotte's modest touch, I concentrate all my senses in my arm.
"Fool... that I would be outwitted like this!"
Setting aside Chloe's astonishment, this person is undoubtedly quite skilled.
"Your Grace, come closer here. We might end up outside the barrier."
"I might slip out of the barrier too, so I need to get closer."
"My lord, I will meld with you just to be safe."
"Master, to strengthen the barrier, I'll be pressing against your back."
Everyone, are we really infiltrating the enemy's headquarters now? Let's maintain the tension!
"O King, they've just entered the town."
"Understood, Tsubasa, please continue surveillance from above."
From the entrance of the town, a large horse-drawn carriage proceeds down the street.
"Everyone, that's the carriage. Let's follow them."
The carriage enters the grounds of the largest building in town.
"... What's going on? Isn't that the mayor's mansion over there?"
Rizelotte is dumbfounded. So it seems the mayor is involved too.
"For now, tracking is our priority. Let's go."
The carriage enters a large warehouse-like building on the estate. Inside, several men are waiting for the carriage.
Once the entrance is securely closed, the members exit the carriage and begin unloading items from the back. Of course, these "items" refer to the kidnapped people.
"This is terrible... even such young children..."
Rizelotte's grip tightens. If it weren't for me, her arm might have broken from the force.
It must be her unique skill, monstrous strength. I wonder if the reason there are no guards around her is because of this monstrous strength.
"Dear Lord Brother, I sense danger. Just to be safe, I'll integrate."
"My lord, to enhance the barrier's strength, I'll stay close to your back."
Everyone, we're about to infiltrate the enemy's base, right? Let's keep our guard up!!
"O King, they've just entered the underground."
"Understood, Tsubasa, please continue surveillance from above."
From a hidden door, a staircase leading underground becomes visible.
Surely they wouldn't imagine that they're being watched. As the kidnapped people are carried underground one by one, we follow closely behind.
Upon descending into the underground, everyone is left speechless by the scene before them.
In addition to numerous people being imprisoned in cells, there are also facilities resembling taverns and arenas, making it resemble an underground city.
"This is... perhaps an underground auction venue."
In one corner of the vast underground space, there's a platform for showcasing items, surrounded by seats for the audience. There are around 300 seats in the audience, indicating a considerable scale.
"My beloved Barbaros... how dare they...!!"
Rizelotte's anger is about to explode.
"Lady Rizelotte, I understand your feelings, but let's gather evidence first. Mizuha, can you freeze and preserve all documents in the mansion? Also, please keep those who attempt to escape in check."
"Your humble servant is at your service, Lord Brother. With that, I'll be off."
Saying so, Mizuha disappears.
"With this, they won't be able to destroy evidence or escape. Oops, looks like someone important has arrived."
From a staircase different from the one we came from, two figures appear—one radiates an air of authority, while the other has the cold, menacing gaze typical of someone from the underworld. The latter is likely the leader's bodyguard.
"This is Marlowe. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. We have a bountiful offering this time, so please, feel free to take your pick."
"I'm always causing trouble, Sushio. I heard good merchandise had arrived, and I couldn't resist coming. Bwahahaha!"
Apparently, this Sushio is the leader of the kidnappers, and the mayor is clearly in cahoots.
"... Scum..."
Rizelotte mutters quietly.
That's enough. We'll finish them here.
"Lady Rizelotte, everyone, let's go soon! To ensure no harm comes to the kidnapped, we'll deal with them swiftly."
There are around 100 enemies, and particularly the mayor's guards and the leader Sushio are formidable opponents on the level of B-ranked adventurers.
However...
Chloe, Silphy, Sarah, Eva, Sonia, and Lady Rizelotte—all of us are at the pinnacle of strength. With Mizuha keeping the outside in check, reinforcements won't arrive.
The battle ended almost instantly. Besides the initial difference in strength, the enemies were frozen by my intimidation, leaving them vulnerable to the surprise attacks of our well-coordinated team. To be honest, it wasn't even a fight.
"Marlowe, how dare you deceive my Barbaros family and act so insolently! Even if the goddess forgives you, I, Rizelotte, will not!!!"
"..."
Oops! I forgot to deactivate the soundproof and cognitive interference barriers.
"I apologize, Lady Rizelotte. Please go ahead again. Here, please!"
"There's no way I'm doing it again! Idiot~!"
Exactly!