50. The Master of Tecas
Since Hartol City is adjacent to the Tabor River, foggy days are quite frequent.
Deep in the night, hours after sunset.
Today again, the city was shrouded in thick night fog.
Citizens went home early, and only the occasional night watchman wandered the streets.
A group of people move silently through the deserted streets.
They were the Karnak party, all clad in black robes but heavily armed on the inside.
Lapiselle muttered softly as she looked around the night streets.
“There’s no sign of life around, as you all know.”
Aura users can perceive objects around them through their senses without seeing them with their eyes.
Lapiselle also awakened her aura and her senses were greatly activated, so if the fog was this thick, it was possible to walk around the streets without being detected by anyone.
Karnak and his party continued to walk down the street, avoiding people’s eyes.
Soon, a large three-story building came into view beyond the fog.
It was a dignified building made of luxurious granite, but since it was located in the middle of the city, it did not have a separate garden and was adjacent to the surrounding buildings. Except for that, it seemed like it could be considered the mansion of a nobleman.
The destination was a mansion at the top of Tecas.
The group hid in the alley on the other side and looked inside the mansion.
There are no gatekeepers or guards wandering about.
Levin muttered softly.
“It doesn’t seem like the alert level is that high.”
There was nothing particularly strange.
Why post guards every night when this isn’t a military fortress in the middle of a war? Just put up some magic barriers and let some dogs loose, and that’s enough for general security.
Moreover, since this building is located inside the city, there was no separate guard dog.
‘Okay, after getting Serati’s review, I’ve come up with a relatively humane plan… … .’
Karnak nodded and muttered softly.
“Operation commencement.”
***
The contents of Karnak’s ‘relatively human plan’ were as follows.
“I’m going to kidnap Vannell Ralph Stader.”
The plan was to sneak into the mansion at night, lure the opponent away, and then stick a needle in their head to determine their truth.
What if the banner is really Zedex?
“If we’re lucky enough to succeed in kidnapping them, it’ll be resolved cleanly, but if we fail to do so, we’ll be able to fight an unprepared Zedex, so we’ll be in a much more advantageous position.”
What if it has nothing to do with Jedex?
“Just erase the memories of last night and leave her on the street. She’s not a child, so she’ll probably go home when the sun rises, right?”
After nodding, Serati asked seriously.
“From Banel’s perspective, it would be a situation where he wakes up from a sound sleep and finds himself abandoned on the street with absolutely no memory of it.”
“yes.”
“You said you wouldn’t harm anyone who isn’t related to you?”
“Isn’t this enough consideration?”
She hesitated for a moment at Karnak’s confident response.
Honestly, this isn’t a big deal even by Serati’s standards. That is, by the standards of a mercenary.
But by the standards of ordinary people, it’s still a terrible thing.
Let me offer a different opinion.
“How about first making sure you know the other person’s identity?”
The first thing I was told was to stop thinking about climbing over someone else’s wall and just calmly gather some information.
This isn’t a bad story either, because you might discover unexpected problems along the way and be able to deal with them.
“That’s right.”
Karnak also surrendered without hesitation.
“So how are you going to figure that out?”
“Let’s ask the Adventurer’s Guild. Isn’t there a guild in this city?”
“Do you know anyone in the guild in this neighborhood?”
“There’s no way.”
She was only active in Delath City, far north of the continent, so it was impossible for her to have acquaintances in the southern part of the continent.
“On the other hand, the guy called Banel or something is probably a local from this neighborhood, right?”
“Yeah, right?”
“One side is a local who has seen the face often, and the other side is an unknown outsider. If the outsider asks the local to investigate, it will be done very secretly, right?”
“… … .”
As a second option, I also suggested undercover infiltration.
“You disguise yourself as a servant or maid and sneak into the mansion to gather reliable information?”
It’s a story that often appears in adventure stories I read.
This time Karnak nodded seriously.
“That’s a plausible idea.”
And then ask again.
“So, have you ever tried that kind of undercover infiltration?”
“Oh, there isn’t any.”
I’ve been living as a mercenary and just wielding a sword, so what is this undercover infiltration?
“Then who are you going to order?”
Surprisingly, Karnak and Baros have quite a bit of experience living in disguise. They had to hide and run away in the past when they were weak.
But that was only while I was on the run, and I didn’t do any spy work.
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“Or, there is a way to continuously probe the opponent while disguising yourself as a peddler and checking for suspicious aspects… … .”
Karnak clicked his tongue without saying a word.
“This is taking too long and there’s a risk of our identity being revealed, so I’m not sure if this is a good idea, but what about me?”
Serati kept her mouth shut. No other opinions came to mind.
‘Actually, isn’t this within the acceptable range?’
I feel compelled to mention the evil deeds, but kidnapping of a person is something that is usually committed easily.
‘It’s not like the opponent suffered any major damage.’
It’s not like my life is in danger or my body is damaged, I’m just sleeping soundly and something happens and that’s it.
Eventually, she nodded too.
“… … I’ll kidnap you.”
***
A head suddenly appears above the eastern wall of the Tekas mansion, illuminated by moonlight.
It was Baros, a rough blond man in his twenties.
‘Okay, there’s no one around.’
I already checked with the GP, but it still can’t hurt to be careful.
As soon as the signal was given, others also climbed over the wall one by one.
Serati, Levon, and Lapisel all land one after another. Finally, Karnak uses floating magic and flies in.
Even though so many people had entered the mansion, there was still no response.
It was thanks to Karnak having cast a perception-impairing spell on everyone in advance.
[This magic works well.]
Baros hesitated for a moment at Serati’s admiration.
[Of course. Do you think we’ve climbed over other people’s walls once or twice?]
There is no separate garden, so the upper building is right beyond the wall.
Karnak pointed to the window of the mansion.
[Let’s move.]
The group quickly moved to the mansion, hiding under the shadow of a high wall.
Still no one noticed their presence.
It would take a fairly powerful auror user, wizard, or cleric to be able to detect the perception-obstructing magic placed on them, but this mansion does not have anyone of that level of power residing there.
This is a fact that has already been confirmed during reconnaissance during the day.
It’s not that the Tekas are lax in their mansion security; this was normal for a provincial city like Hartol City.
In fact, even in Delath City, the largest city in the northern part of the Kingdom of Yustil, there is only one Aura user, Serati, and even the strongest magician, Liltane, is only at the beginning of the 6th circle.
Truly powerful wizards and auror users tend to play in large areas like the capital, so they don’t often come down to places like this.
Since it is a goddess cult, there are quite a few high-ranking priests in the provinces, but they usually stay in their own temples and do not live in mansions like this.
Using the power of magic, the group quickly approached the wall of the mansion.
Looking at the locked window, Sir Raven’s eyes lit up.
“Shall I open the window?”
***
The interior of the mansion was filled with darkness. Only the light of candles here and there dimly illuminated the interior.
Serati said in a message.
[No one is awake. I knew it.]
It is common sense to keep everyone asleep unless it is a wartime situation, and to keep watch in places like palaces or barracks, even in the middle of the night.
However, it was so ordinary that it was rather suspicious.
Baros muttered as he looked around.
[Is Mr. Jedex really here? There’s nothing there.]
It’s too shabby to be the hiding place of one of the main figures of the Dark Church.
[At least it would be a good idea to secretly set up a command barrier… … .]
There was no necromancy in this mansion. Karnak had already confirmed that much.
No amount of sorcery can escape his eyes.
[But don’t let your guard down. There are quite a few things I don’t know about Tesla.]
Then Lapiselle sent a signal. It meant that there was no one there, so they should go up to the second floor.
Suddenly, Serati felt sorry.
[I feel a little sorry.]
Even now, Lapiselle was gesturing seriously in the silent darkness.
[I feel like I’m being left out because we’re the only ones talking amongst ourselves…]
After going up to the second floor, Baros opened his eyes and looked left and right in the hallway.
I didn’t know in advance which room Banel was sleeping in, but in a mansion like this, the owner of the house usually has a designated place to stay.
It was not difficult to pinpoint the location.
[That’s the biggest bedroom.]
[What if it’s someone else’s bedroom?]
Karnak calmly answered Levin’s question.
[Then just stick a needle in his head and ask him where the barn is.]
[Oh, right.]
Convinced, Levin headed to the bedroom. Then, grabbing the doorknob, he said:
[Then open the door.]
As expected, there was nothing that Levin couldn’t do.
The bedroom door opened silently.
***
As I entered the bedroom, I saw a man in his 30s lying on the central bed, fast asleep.
Karnak gestured after setting up a sound barrier to prevent any sound from leaking outside.
“Baros, wake up.”
If you put a needle in while you’re asleep, it’s less effective. You’ll think you’re dreaming and start talking nonsense.
First of all, you need to be mentally alert.
Baros approached and shook the man.
“Okay, okay, wake up.”
The man opened his eyes and muttered.
“… … Hmm? The sun has already risen?”
And then he raised himself up with a scream of surprise.
“Tch, intruder!”
But Baros was much faster.
In an instant, he grabbed the opponent from behind, pinned them down, and subdued their entire body. He was truly skilled at capturing people.
The man, unable to move, rolled his eyes with a face filled with fear.
“Who, who are you?”
Karnak was impressed.
At first glance, it looked like he was really trembling with fear.
‘It doesn’t seem like Jedex.’
Is it because he’s a good actor, or is he really a different person?
‘You’ll know when you check.’
He lifts his index finger and pulls out the magic needle. Then he immediately inserts it into the man’s temple.
Phew!
The man rolled his eyes and frowned.
For a moment, Lapiselle was shocked.
“Lord Karnak? What is that?”
“Huh? Why? You’re interrogating me?”
“But, but… … .”
A bewildered Lapiselle looked at the others.
And then I panicked again.
Even Baros Oppa and Serati Unnie are looking at me as if asking why?
Only then did Serati click her tongue.
‘Oh my, this is usually a very ugly sight, isn’t it?’
I’ve seen it so often that I’ve become accustomed to it without even realizing it.
Actually, even though I’ve seen Revan a few times, doesn’t his expression still look stiff?
‘This is a big deal. It’s too dirty.’
He sighed and comforted Lapiselle.
“It’s okay. There aren’t many aftereffects. It only looks like that on the outside, but it’s actually safe.”
‘Is that so? I’m still young so I don’t know, but isn’t it really nothing?’
“Wouldn’t it be better than pulling out your fingernails and burning them with an iron?”
“……yes.”
When he heard it, it was true, so Lapiselle also calmed down.
Karnak turned his gaze back to the man on the bed.
Manipulate the needle and ask questions.
“What is your name?”
“This is Lorenzo Palland.”
“You’re in the wrong bedroom.”
Karnak smiled bitterly. It seemed as if this was going to happen.
“Then where is Banel sleeping?”
That was when.
Suddenly the bastard’s voice changed.
“… …Are you looking for Bannel Ralph Stader?”
“Huh?”
It was a terrible voice, like the scraping of iron, as if it were coming from the other side of hell.
“Here you come, our enemy!”
The evil spirit king Karnak
