Chapter 133
(Kyle
Calendar Year 509: Age 16)
The Second Arrow: The Spy's Covert Operations
Translator : PolterGlast
Around the time the
unsettling rumors in the Royal Capital subsided, Teigun, despite having no
special events, saw a sudden surge in people coming and going, causing
headaches for the administrative office and those in charge of intelligence.
A certain tavern in
the post town was bustling as usual in the evening. As laborers finished their
work and returned to town, the tavern quickly became packed with people. Amidst
the clamor, some suspicious men watched the jovial, drinking crowd with sharp
eyes.
"Hey, did you
hear? The rumors about this town's Lord. I hear it's what everyone in the Royal
Capital is talking about."
Blended in with the
drunken patrons, suspicious men approached other customers, engaging in
so-called whispered conversations over drinks.
"Huh? What is it?
Do you have something interesting to tell me?"
For them, gossip and
stories about women were perfect companions for drinks. They readily responded
to the stranger's words.
"I heard it too,
but they say this Lord is up to no good, suspected of rebellion. They say he'll
be put on trial soon. That rumor's spreading in the Royal Capital, you see.
Things are looking pretty grim here in this territory."
"That's... quite
a story! But I don't believe it so easily."
"Well, listen,
just between us. My comrade serves a master who's an inquisitor. And that
person is apparently preparing to apprehend the Lord!"
"Really?! Damn
it, I liked it here; the food's good and the pay's great!"
"Yeah, me too.
But we need to start thinking about the future. We can't afford to lose our
pay."
"...Yeah, you're
right. The pay, and I don't want to get caught up in trouble. I guess I'll have
to start thinking about going back home soon..."
Conversations over
drinks naturally grew louder. Of course, the man spreading the rumors intended
this; it was one of his goals to involve the surrounding customers further.
A young waitress
carrying extra ale passed by them. She briefly listened to their gossip but
quickly moved on to another table with drinks.
"Master, those
customers are a bit suspicious. I overheard a little bit, but they're going
around badmouthing the Lord to other customers. As if they're deliberately spreading
rumors."
"...I see. Just
in case. Sorry, but could you bring the highest-grade sake from the back?"
The waitress,
instructed thus, quietly entered the back of the shop. Instead of sake, she
emerged with an oddly colored lamp in her hand, stepped outside, and quietly
hung it in front of the shop.
※
In a corner at the
very back of the post town, the brothel district stretched out, and at night,
many men eagerly disappeared into it.
A woman working there
was renowned for her beauty. In addition, she was very amiable, and many
regular customers frequently visited her, drawn by their admiration.
"Heh heh heh,
quite a beauty, aren't you? Let's have a good time today." In front of
her, who was completely unfazed and treated every man as just a customer, was a
man with a sinister face and a vulgar laugh.
"You'd best treat
me well. I'm about to become a big shot in this town, someone no one can go
against."
"Oh? Is that so?
Are you an important customer? I just fall for strong men~" she said,
taking his hand.
"Do you know that
the brothels in this town have no backing now? The Lord who's been exploiting
this town is about to be kicked out soon. Well, he brought it on himself. Our
organization has decided to take over behind the scenes. And I've come here as
one of its executives."
"Is that so! I
had no idea~ Customer, you're amazing, aren't you? Did you come from another
territory?"
"Yeah, that
rumor's already all over the Royal Capital. We're backed by a certain
individual and sent here. It wouldn't hurt to get on my good side while you
can."
"Oh, really? Then
I guess I'll do my best today. Please continue to patronize me. As a memento
from me, please let me treat you to tonight's drinks."
Saying that, she rang
a bell. And to the man's shadow that appeared, she gave a single instruction.
"The
highest-grade sake, please. Put it on my tab. And please turn away the next
customer."
Saying that, she
turned back to the man and, using the skills she had acquired in her
profession, gave him her best smile and flirted.
"Please relax and
enjoy your time today. I want to hear more stories while we drink delicious
sake~"
"That's right. I
like clever women who understand. Today, heh heh heh, we'll take our
time..." The man's face relaxed into a grin, and he sat down beside her.
The man who had been
summoned by the bell quickly went outside and quietly hung an oddly colored
lamp beside the shop's entrance.
※
In a corner of the
security outpost, even though it was late at night, two individuals, a man and
a woman, were having a meeting.
"Excuse me, I
have an urgent report! A report has come in from the self-defense force's night
patrol: a red light has been lit at the town's tavern and the brothel
respectively! We will split into two teams and deploy to investigate!" A
report, seemingly urgent, was brought to them.
"Tch! At a time
like this? Just when I happen to be here. And two places simultaneously. I
guess I'll go out too...
Sister, I'm sorry.
I'll be back in a bit."
"Oh, it seems
it's going to be busy. Since we're at it, perhaps I should accompany the
brothel team?"
"No, Sister!
That's dangerous... isn't it? Please, go easy on them."
"Yes, leave it to
me," she replied, smiling.
After that exchange,
they each took soldiers and quickly left the security outpost.
※
At the tavern in
question, the men continued their whispered conversations over drinks,
addressing the drunken patrons.
"Hey, brother! I
heard you're telling some interesting stories. Let me buy you a drink
too." The man who suddenly joined in, carrying his own drink, had the aura
of a rough laborer.
"Oh, brother, you
understand? I'll gladly accept." Saying that, the man resumed the story he
had been telling.
Was the rough laborer
so discontent with this territory? With perfectly timed interjections, he drew
out more of the man's story.
"Brother! You
seem to have your own troubles, huh? I think we'd get along well enough that
I'd want you as a comrade."
"Oh yeah,
brother, I actually have a lot of thoughts about this territory myself."
To the defiantly
smiling rough laborer, the man happily continued his story, and the rough
laborer, listening, further fanned the flames of the conversation.
"Well, it's about
time... isn't it? He's definitely guilty."
Whispering that, the
rough laborer, with a very natural motion, raised one hand.
At that signal,
soldiers immediately rushed in, apprehending the man and his comrades.
"Brother, we'll
continue this conversation somewhere else, and I'll listen thoroughly. At
the... security outpost ahead." The rough laborer said with a laugh to the
man, who was gaping in surprise at the sudden turn of events.
"Sorry for the
disturbance. I look forward to working with you in the future." Saying
that to the tavern owner, the rough laborer, no, Raphael, left money for the
drinks and his share of the labor, and bid the owner farewell.
"I'll come for a
drink soon. See you then." As he passed the waitress, Raphael spoke kindly
with a gentle smile, then left the shop.
Inside the shop he had
just left, the owner silently continued his work, and the young woman stood
frozen, her face flushed red.
※
At the brothel, beside
the room of the woman who was entertaining the sinister-looking man, a small
but clear bell rang.
"Oh, it seems the
bath is ready. The special rooms in this brothel also have big, beautiful
baths. Drinking sake together in the bath is the best!" Saying that, the
woman took the grinning man's hand and led him to the bathing area.
"I'll go prepare
the sake, so wait here for a moment, okay? Don't go anywhere while I'm
gone." Leaving the grinning man in the bath, the woman disappeared into
another room.
"Phew, that
suspicious man tired me out... Oh! Isn't that Yoru-chan? You're here! It's been
a while, hasn't it? How have you been?"
Noticing Yoltia
waiting in the other room, the woman rushed over and hugged her.
"Yes, sister. I'm
being treated very well. I'm so happy and surprised to see you too! Oh, and
thank you for the report this time."
Yoltia also responded
with a full smile. It was a very happy smile, something the Yoru she knew from
a few years ago didn't have.
"Yoru-chan, I'm
so glad you're truly happy. And I like this town as much as you do, you know.
And it's the town your precious husband governs. This much cooperation is only
natural."
"Sister, this is
payment from the administrative office. I've already given the shop's share, so
this is for you."
"You really
didn't have to go to such trouble. By the way, that guy is definitely guilty.
He seems to be doing all sorts of dangerous things elsewhere too. He was
bragging incessantly after drinking expensive sake..."
"Thank you. I'll
ask you for more details later. Well, I'll be going now."
"Okay, be
careful!"
In the bathroom, a man
waited impatiently for the woman and the sake.
"Hey, you're
late! Huh? Oh! You're a stunning beauty! Are you joining us too? That woman is
quite something, no, exceptionally capable..."
Seeing Yoltia enter
the bathroom, the man's face twisted into a lewd grin of delight, and he
beckoned from the bathtub.
"I'll take good
care of you too... Come! Get over here quickly!"
Saying that, the man,
unable to wait any longer, leaned out of the bathtub and tried to approach
Yoltia. At that moment...
"Don't show me
something disgusting!"
"Bleargh!"
Concurrently with
Yoltia's words, the man let out a pathetic shriek and suddenly plastered
himself to the floor as if pinned down. The sturdy man was utterly immobile, in
an abnormal posture like a frog run over by a carriage.
"Alright,
everyone, let's escort this man to the outpost. He seems to have many other
offenses too, so no need to hold back."
Thus, the man,
pitifully bound with only a single cloth wrapped around his naked body, was led
away by the soldiers.
Afterward, at the
security outpost, both the men from the tavern and the man from the brothel
were rigorously interrogated. And later, their hideouts and accomplices were
also apprehended.
The communication
network, primarily built by Yoltia, and the patrol unit under Raphael's command
worked seamlessly together, protecting the city's security and preventing the
insidious movements of spies.
Among those
apprehended were various individuals, from common bandits to spies who had
infiltrated from other territories. Of course, these arrests also included the
conspiratorial units sent by the faction calling itself the Restorationist
Faction.
Thanks to their
efforts and the cooperation of the residents, Teigun's peace would continue to
be maintained.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
Geral Aponso
MaxKne
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Good or Hype
Matthew Fraser
Anton Lim
Ctdela
Curious Panda
SD Fox
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
