6-3 Part 1
Rescue Operation
— Divine Punishment and Dig the
Underground Tunnel —
Translator : PolterGlast
Heading south from the Imperial Capital of Bergelmir,
there is a small resort area. According to Jii,
Auntie's Detached Palace is located by the lake there. In terms of
distance, it's half a day by shared carriage. We arrived at the site just past
evening that day.
Now that I'm actually here, it's not bad at all. Being a
somewhat prosperous tourist destination, it was a neat town with a large lake.
The Detached Palace built on the lakeside was red and beautiful; setting
aside the owner's personality, it was the town's perfect landmark.
There is a wetland on the opposite shore from the town.
Perhaps because of that, if you look closely, this land is somewhat misty. However, the moist breeze from the lake was pleasant, and
my imagination strayed, wondering if it would be comfortable here outside of
summer.
Satisfied with the sightseeing, I approached the Detached
Palace to check the security situation. Let me state only the result: it
was hard to say they were entertaining a guest. The security was that strict.
Patrols and guard soldiers were visible all over the palace grounds. It seemed
as if they were rudely disturbing this peaceful resort area.
"Whew, whew... Shinza-sama, there is a limit to how rough you can be with people...
Breaking into a warehouse is already a felony, yet now aiding a jailbreak—ah,
Your Majesty, I am so sorry..."
This is the outskirts of town, inside the forest facing the
lake. From here, we can monitor their movements while hiding from the palace
guards.
"I intend to do something about His Majesty's sister's little
prank. I'd almost want Father to thank me."
"T-That might be so... but!"
"Shut up, old people shouldn't grumble forever."
"Old people are creatures that grumble! Or rather, this
time—absolutely this time—I will not help you!"
"You've come this far with me, don't say that now. Jii,
did you find a spot?"
Before coming here, I bought skewered Massun Fish at
a stall in town. I crunched into it loudly in front of Jii. I debated getting Ayoon Fish, but for fattiness, this
is probably the one. Delicious.
"That's unfair, when did you get such a thing..."
"Then I'll give you half. Don't force yourself and get
a small bone stuck in your throat."
"Do not make a fool of me. I have lived longer than
you."
"That's why I'm worried. Stubborn old man..."
After putting about 40% into my stomach, I handed the Massun
to Jii and observed the lake. This
lake apparently connects to the sea, and when the season comes, Samone Fish
return from the ocean.
I heard the smoked version is also delicious, but
unfortunately, this wasn't the situation for that.
"So, back to the topic. Did you find a spot?"
"Fwai... Ngh, ngh. I rented a fishing hut for the
night."
"That helps. Lead the way."
I left the miscellaneous tasks to Jii. I read in a book from the other world that a crime is closer
to a perfect crime if there is an accomplice. With Jii gathering information and making arrangements like this, the
threads leading to me, the perpetrator, cannot be easily traced.
"Jii...?"
"Kh... T-Throat,
bone... Cough, cough... A blunder..."
"I have a little dried meat. Eat this and push the bone
down."
"My apologies... Ngu, s-salty..."
After some trial and error until the small bone was removed
from Jii's throat, we started
walking toward the fishing hut for tourists.
We arrived at the fishing hut. It can't be called spacious,
but it's enough for two people to sleep. Though I didn't intend to sleep here.
From now on, I will use this building as a base and dig underground.
"Then, I leave the lookout to you. It's nothing, just
make sure people don't get close to the hole. Also, when I get absorbed in digging,
I tend to lose sight of my surroundings. Sorry if I don't notice you."
"I cannot think you are sane... What do you intend to
do if it collapses?!"
"I'll be careful. Well then, Jii."
Thus, I began the tunnel construction. This is the great
escape route connecting this fishing hut and my Aunt's Detached Palace.
First, I will build the path and rescue the imprisoned Dulin from
underground.
However, the circumstances are different from breaking into
the Hyamar Company warehouse. This is right by the lake. If I mess up,
I'll hit groundwater. Trying to go under the lake bottom would be truly
reckless.
Therefore, detouring the tunnel toward the land route
leading to the mansion, I worked diligently in silence. Even after the sun set
and night arrived, relying on the light of the lantern hanging at my waist, I
continued digging underground through the night. While picturing the kidnapped Dulin.
I switched the gold with fakes. That fact cannot be changed.
As the idiom from the other world goes, 『When the wind blows, the barrel
maker prospers.』
I had trouble grasping the meaning for a long time, but now
I understand. It probably means that a small trigger goes around and leads to
an unexpected result.
"Is that you, Jii? You don't have to push yourself, you can sleep."
"Haa, finally words get through to you... You should
rest too, Ashley-sama..."
"Not Ashley. Here, I am just Shinza."
"I do not like that name. It feels as if... you might
go far away..."
Jii said it so somberly that my hands stopped working. If
Father dies, I will have no choice but to leave this Imperial Capital,
no, the Empire. Even Jii must know
that.
"It can't be helped. Is it about time? ...By the way,
did you hear about Father?"
Stopping my work, I turned back to Jii. Good work, even if I say so myself. I made it this far without
collapsing the crumbling river sand ground.
"Yes... His health doesn't seem very good, and I tried
to visit—n-no! His Majesty must actually want to see you, Ashley-sama!?"
"If so, he wouldn't have pushed me onto you, his
confidant."
Assigning
such a capable old man to the likes of a deformed seventh son, was that Father's idea of atonement? Jii is a loyal retainer. A man Father places his trust in. Did he
think that if it were Jii, he would
watch over me without leaking my existence to the outside, without betraying
me?
"That is wrong! Because he is worried about you, His
Majesty entrusted you to me!"
"It's fine. Knowing the outside world, I've come to see
many things. Father's path and mine will not cross. It is happier for both of
us not to meet anymore."
"Please stop! If you say such sad things, I will,
I—"
"Wait."
Stopping Jii's
objection, I turned back to the tunnel's path once more. Looking closely at the
underground, which had been mostly river sand, wood was mixed in. Scraping off
the slightly damp sand using the side of the Shovel, it revealed a stake
driven deep into the ground.
"Seems we've arrived. I might have nearly gone too far
and connected the lake to here."
"Please don't say scary things so casually!"
This is probably to stabilize the foundation of the Detached
Palace. After all, it's a lakeside palace. Originally, it wasn't land
suitable for construction.
"However, are you really going to do it...?"
"Yeah. It's fine, I prepared disguise tools too. Unless
I get caught, my identity won't be revealed. ...We'll execute the plan when Sister
arrives."
Sister Atomina is necessary for the plan after
retrieving Dulin. I thought about asking Carral's Hez Company to let her
escape to the coastal provinces, but it's not so easy to contact them.
Besides, more than anything, I wanted to reunite Dulin
and Sister quickly.
- Table of Contents –
[Name] Ashley
[Lv] 16
[Exp] 1855 →
1870
[STR] 41
[VIT] 110
[DEX] 99
[AGI] 82
[Skill] Shovel
LV 3.5, Scoop LV 1
The stage is set. Come now, save her quickly. Considering
that little girl's personality, by now she is surely crying and begging
Princess Atomina for salvation.
I know without being told. Don't rush me, Zirant.
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