Episode 53

Lee Jae-yi (以夷制夷).

This four-character idiom, which uses enemies to defeat other enemies, is surprisingly difficult to apply compared to how often it is quoted.

“How do we believe in the sutra?”

First of all, the opponent must not think of me as an enemy. Makes me believe that I am not the enemy.

I smiled brightly and floated my luck.

“Wouldn’t the fact that you’re here right now be enough proof?”

“why?”

“There are only 36 people staying at this inn. It is known as the Five Forces.”

“… … I will not deny it.”

“There are people who have been chasing after me since I left Summer Turge. I was able to quietly leave the inn and reveal this to Meiji Kanin.”

“What if?”

“He’s hot-tempered when it comes to getting things done, so he doesn’t bother to hold on to you and ask questions.”

I can assure you that there will be no results other than that all 36 people will be buried alive in an instant.

“What if I killed you right here and now?”

“Would you like to try it?”

I laughed lightly once.

There is, of course, no corner to believe in.

The two men briefly exchanged glances. These days, I think I benefit a lot from my ‘extraordinary’ personality.

“I’d like to hear the story.”

This is the start.

“That’s fortunate.”

“Sir, don’t you want Summer Turge to retrieve the magic core?”

“I do not know. Exactly, it’s none of my business.”

it’s not my knowledge

There is no need to forcefully stand against it. Yo is a bit out of the way. That’s far more convincing.

“To put it bluntly, why should the empire collapse if it doesn’t fall into Riden’s hands? You’re not going to destroy the empire just because you took it right away, right?”

“Yeah, but… … .”

“So, the magic core is not my business. The problem is the professors.”

After that, it clearly emphasizes the justification that they are dealing with the same enemy.

“Leaking the theft of the magic core is clearly a serious crime that threatens the security of the Empire, and there is no guarantee that they will not pose another threat to the Empire in the future.”

as many as five people.

In other words, six people, including Berthol, a mid-level professor, sold the empire’s security.

“But dealing with them officially from within doesn’t save Summerturgy or Rongrte’s face.”

The status of Summer Turge will plummet into an abyss at once, and it will be a situation where there is nothing to say even if Riden and other kingdoms laugh at it.

“Is that your discretion?”

“The idea came from my head, but for the Empire. It’s hard for me to be single. Rather, do you know that the imperial family is following you?”

“The imperial family? No way… … .”

“I haven’t been able to pinpoint the direction yet.”

Suddenly, they bring in completely unrelated stories. Fitting together is now as natural as breathing.

“It’s a long way until Credia, so if you don’t believe me, ask someone to look behind you. A guardian wizard must be searching the area.”

In fact, he was just chasing Daisy without even dreaming that the magic core had been stolen, but what would it be like?

It is true that the imperial family’s guardian mage roams the empire, with a golden decoration fluttering a dazzling flag.

detailed purpose? If you carelessly ask such a thing, you will end up in big trouble. Only that much can be known.

“The fact that the magic core was recaptured was noticed by the imperial family. If you become a guardian mage, you’ll catch up quickly. Of course, it’s not an official move for the reasons I mentioned earlier.”

And it is well known that the imperial family is keeping Summer Turge in check.

“Summer Turge is planning to retrieve and seize the magic core first before the imperial family steps forward. Then there is no other way to ask.”

“… … It must have been us who actually posed the threat, but there is no guarantee that we will be safe.”

Now, they are worried about their safety, not whether it is true or not.

When you get here, you’re almost done. I drew a small circle on the bed with my index finger.

“The magic core, the national treasure of the empire, was carried out in the hands of one 18-year-old boy. Anyone who heard the news could be targeted. It doesn’t matter who you are.”

Shrug your shoulders.

Sometimes lowering the opponent can also be an effective way. As if there is a gap there.

seduce

“Of course you are doing harm to this empire, but no matter how riotous you are, it won’t have much of an impact.”

“There is a point.”

“When it comes to connections with professors, at most it’s a relationship where a few pennies come and go. Or do you have more than that?”

“None.”

“Well, I think you’ve come to understand by now.”

But the most important thing is also the asymmetry of information.

I know everything about them, and I can pass on information to them to my heart’s content.

Conversely, there is no way for them to know the intentions of all the professors, especially the most important Kanin Mage Artine.

“I will hand over the magic core.”

That is, such nonsense.

“Huh.”

“When we get into neutral ground, the professors will be split into two groups of 15 each.”

Depending on the time, it is possible enough to bring them into a situation where they can do nothing but believe.

This is the gist of the sixth episode, ‘The Theft of Mana Core’.

“I will put polite professors in one group. Disperse, but I’ll isolate only those five, so take care of it yourself.”

“… … It’s awful.”

“Even if they are professors, a surprise attack would be enough to make 15 of them back.”

It doesn’t matter how many more people die, I’ll add lightly.

“An unexpected attack aimed at the magic core. Could there be a more perfect opportunity than this? Oh, but what happened after that is something neither I nor the professors know.”

After securing the magic core, the only thing left is to cancel the temporary alliance.

It was said to be a player victory.

The forces of these two men will strike the rest of the enemy in the back first. Professors can save themselves the trouble of dealing with them directly.

“I’ll take care of that much.”

“It’s good.”

Finally, a definite answer came from the mouth of the man who exchanged stories with his colleague.

“I’ll look into this side as well, and if you’re right, I’ll go find you then.”

“You did well.”

My business must be over, I got up from the bed with my arms outstretched. I guess I should go to sleep.

The man leaning against the wall shook his head.

“It is said that geniuses are called geniuses for their own reasons, but the Lord seems to be a little different from what I have heard.”

“Okay, what does that mean?”

“Rather than being a genius… … . I’m afraid. Yes, just like a monster.”

“haha.”

that’s too much

I’m struggling to live on my own.

But, surprisingly, it didn’t feel too bad. The mouth moved on its own.

“… … You saw it correctly.”

I firmly gripped the man’s thick hand. Of course, it was a meaningless act.

* * *

“It’s a checkup.”

The southern gateway to Rongrte.

If there is no special communication, it is very simple to check only for individuals.

Because it is a channel for exchanges with the three countries of Areas, Credia, and Enpyrian at the same time, so many people come and go.

I took off my hood and stepped forward.

“This is Lockstrin Aindarok.”

“Ha, sorry for not knowing.”

“It’s because of the raincoat, what?”

And if you are an aristocrat whose face or characteristics are well known, there is no reason to be checked unless you do something suspicious.

“Well, the person behind you… … .”

“Yes? Are there any criminals of this age? Camellia, come here. I will release you.”

“Ooh, I hate it. I have to tie the knot again.”

“Stay still. Hey, what kind of knot did you tie so tightly… … .”

I was squatting on my knees and trying to unfasten the straps on the hood, but the guard hurriedly waved his hand.

“Oh, no. Simply tell us your identity!”

Making Aindarok, the hero of the Empire, kneel on the soil soaked with rainwater? As I watch it, my blood will dry up.

I brushed my knees and got up.

“Is that okay?”

“Sir, you are right. because it’s a child What is your name?”

“Camellia, I’m in the process of chasing down and dumping my older sister, who is a commoner and is attending Summer Turge. Since I’m on vacation, I’m trying to gain some knowledge.”

“Aha, this is a lot of trouble.”

“Come on, you can go.”

He pushed the back of Daisy, who was biting her finger with a very upset expression.

Even so, this guy’s acting skills are not average.

“By the way, the professors from Summer Turge passed the border in groups this morning, do you know anything?”

“I do not know. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“All right.”

The inspection is so easy to pass.

After crossing the gate, I mounted my horse again. Daisy was still chomping with her finger in her mouth.

“There is no one around.”

“Camellia is always like this. Something comforts me.”

“Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable if I fell off the horse?”

It took only half a day from the gateway to the united front.

Even if it was a magician, if a student or a child tried to pass without an escort, the soldiers would have stopped it, but heroic stories about Rockstrin spread well to the south.

“What is it, Lord Rockstrin?”

“Where, where?”

“Let me see you too!”

More than that, I just received cheers. If you keep flocking to somewhere.

“The ramen you invented, I’m eating well!”

“Because I have strength that I didn’t have!”

“Long live Aindarok!”

“hurray!”

“Ahaha, yes. thank you… … .”

Embarrassed to listen to them one by one, I quickly left the place.

Looking back, the wide plain, the roadblocks that stretched out to the end of the field of vision and the rising watchtowers were spectacular.

I wanted to take a closer look at this place, but will you have time when you return?

“Wow, that was a lot. Many people in armor, many weapons, many tents… … .”

“Because it is the place where the most monsters gather.”

The three countries of Longult, Areas, and Credia unite to share all information, and cooperate closely to block the monsters pouring in from the Central Neutral Zone.

There were bases of similar size on the Areas side and the Credia side.

“From now on, I will see monsters frequently. It’s following them, so there won’t be many of them, but you better be careful.”

“Yep!”

“Have you ever seen a monster?”

“I have seen many deaths. A hunter went around once a week.”

“That’s it.”

Neutral zone roads are rarely maintained or maintained separately.

Corpses and the like are usually just put away on the side of the road for carriages to pass through, and only those who patronize them burn them.

“I think I speak slowly today.”

“It’s better to slow down from here. It’s muddy, so you’ll get tired of talking quickly.”

“yes.”

At this time of year, Baeller and those who pursue him, the professors and the enemies who pursue them are all moving side by side in the neutral zone.

There was nothing good about speeding up and following closely.

“How come you don’t seem to have any energy. Tell me if you’re hungry.”

“no. I’m bored. Hehe.”

“The stomach is good too.”

Daisy has been living in this world all along, so she must be immune.

If it was a nearby roadside, it seemed to have been burned with magic, but if you looked a little farther away, you could find hideous corpses.

The sight of torn and bursting pieces of meat scattered all over the place. I already feel sick to my stomach thinking that this will continue for four days.

is there any star? I’ll see you countless times in the future, so I have no choice but to adapt.

“Huh. Can I sleep?”

“It doesn’t matter, can I sleep here?”

Daisy, perhaps tired, rested her forehead on my back and was silent. Fearing that it might fall off, I wrapped the sleeves on the arm side around my waist and tied them.

After that, the voice was heard when the sky was turning red.

“Etch!”

“Are you awake? It’s just fine.”

“Huh… … .”

He is yawning peacefully. Has your cold not gotten better yet?

I stopped talking and came down. Unlike the city, there are no lights at all, so when the sun goes down, it gets dark in an instant.

“What should I do at night?”

“It’s camp. You brought your luggage.”

“Hey, wouldn’t it be dangerous to fall asleep in a place like this?”

“I’ll take care of it, so go to sleep.”

“I just woke up.”

“Sleep again.”

“yes.”

listens well

While Daisy was feeding the horses, I came out to the side of the road and spread out my tent. Since it is not a waterproofing material, it was necessary to add leaves or something.

At least because the ground was wet, the pins were easily inserted and the installation was completed quickly.

“You can go in.”

“Already? Wow, you don’t have to be homeless.”

“So no.”

“oh… … .”

“It’s a joke. Aren’t you cold?”

“little bit?”

It was summer, so I didn’t bring a separate blanket.

I unfolded the cape under my raincoat and threw it over Daisy’s face.

“This is fine… … Ouch.”

“It gets annoying when the cold gets worse.”

The last time I stopped by the village, I spread the excrement of the high-ranking monster I bought around.

[ITEM]

[Excrement of the Mane Bridge]

In an instant, a stinky smell came up. not even fragrant

In the game, it was a good item that drastically reduces the probability of monsters appearing during camping, but in fact, it is much more expensive than camping equipment, so it is difficult to use it unless you have a lot of money.

Fortunately, I was able to afford it thanks to selling ramen. life is precious

‘Now half.’

It feels like an hour has passed.

Although the process of retrieving the magic core hidden by Baeller was left behind, it worked out much better than expected.

The unexpected variable called Daisy seems to have been resolved quite well. Still, I can’t get rid of the anxiety.

“… … Did this guy rain all of a sudden?”

Yeah, it’s all because of that gloomy sky. What is that.

The rain continued to rain and did not stop, and no stars could be seen in the overcast sky all week.

It was a mistake to unnecessarily include the rainy season as we tried to make the weather as similar as possible. I closed my eyes in the dreary rain.

I heard that the ominous premonition came true.

The problem arose the next morning.

“Your words were right.”

It was early in the morning when the tent had not been tidied up yet. The man I talked to a few days ago suddenly came to tell me the news.

“The imperial family’s guardian magician has already followed you nearby.”