NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45: - Head-Cutting Nest Search
A cold wind swept through the gaps between buildings, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
“It looks like it’s going to snow soon.”
Anneliese wrapped a scarf around my neck.
In this world, there are wool-like clothes, but it seems there are no scarves.
“Thank you, Anneliese.”
While waiting with Anneliese and Rosalina on a bench in front of the Security Squad station for the knights to finish their preparations, Roke came to call me.
“Lord Troy, everyone is assembled.”
Entering the station, I looked at Roke’s subordinates. As I suggested, many of them were dressed in a slightly dirty manner. There were still some in armor.
“Don’t they patrol?”
I inquired about the two in armor. Since this station serves as a communication center, they might be necessary personnel.
“Well… those individuals…”
He seemed hesitant. What’s the matter?
“Do they lack the capacity for independent thought?”
Ignoring the two, I asked Roke.
“Uh, no… It’s not like that.”
“I explained the purpose this time, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Then they’re just foolish.”
“What!?”
The two interrupted our conversation.
“Quiet. I’m talking with Captain Roke.”
I swiftly knocked both of them away. Although my main job is a swordsman, my sub-job is an assassin, and my movements were apparently unnoticed by the two. Since they’re not dead, there’s no problem.
I’m not friends with these two. At least not now; they’re my subordinates. In the Knight Order, just like the military, individuals who interrupt superiors talking to each other deserve a solid punch. If you can’t follow orders from your superiors, you’re neglecting your duties.
“Captain Roke, do the Duke’s Knight Order personnel have the authority to oppose orders from their superiors?”
“No, superiors’ orders are absolute.”
“Then these two are violating orders. In the military I know, those who violate orders are severely punished. Is it different in this Knight Order?”
His face twitched. Is he okay?
“No, we will punish them severely, as Lord Troy suggests.”
“Alright, immediately throw these two into the cell. Then, according to military regulations, please proceed with the disciplinary measures.”
“Understood. Hey, throw these two into the cell.”
The two were sent to the cell, and I talked with Roke. Well, all’s well that ends well.
“Now, let me explain today’s patrol.”
Anneliese and Rosalina posted a paper on the wall. It’s a map of places where I thought the Beheader Nest is likely to appear.
I got proper permission from Zaigen to focus on this area.
The map is drawn in black ink. The locations of the Beheader Nest’s crime scenes are marked in red ink.
“From here to here is Squad 1, and from here to here is Squad 2…”
Roke’s squad consists of six squads. Each squad is responsible for a specific area, as indicated on the map. This way, everyone knows their positions.
The squad that the two were leading has been moved slightly to the outskirts, with their subordinates acting as temporary leaders.
“Finally, before going on patrol, please sprinkle the ale there on your clothes.”
I bought a barrel of ale from the brewery for this purpose.
“Aren’t you going to drink it?”
To Roke’s question, I returned a wry smile.
“Why would I drink it before going on patrol? This is just to give everyone the scent of alcohol. If someone gets drunk from the smell, they don’t need to use it, but by soaking it in their clothes, they can pretend to be drunk.”
“I see. Pretending to be drunk won’t look suspicious even if you’re on the streets near the entertainment district.”
“Exactly. First, we need to put the Beheader Nest at ease. They won’t come out like a turtle hiding in its shell unless we do that.”
Satisfied with my explanation, the squad members, having sprinkled ale on their clothes, left the station.
Wet clothes might be cold in the exposed cold wind, but they’ll have to endure it.
“Captain Roke, we’ll go too.”
“Yes.”
I sprinkled ale on Roke. I did it spectacularly, as if throwing it.
“Hey, it kind of hurts!”
“It’s nothing. It’s just your imagination.”
It’s not like I’m venting my frustration on Balcan’s son!
My squad’s assigned area includes a small alleyway a bit away from the entertainment district. It consists of me, Anneliese, Rosalina, Gandalfan, and four soldiers. The soldiers are dressed modestly in the plain clothes they wore when they were still explorers, forming two couples.
While doing something illegal to catch criminals would be counterproductive, it seems that undercover investigations are not considered illegal. They don’t bother with details like in Japan, it seems.
Anneliese is disguised as a prostitute. Anneliese, who usually doesn’t wear makeup, becomes even more beautiful when she does. However, I prefer the simple, makeup-free Anneliese.
In that enticing blue dress, Anneliese is disguised as a prostitute. There’s a scarf to hide the slave collar, but it shouldn’t look too odd because it’s cold.
The Beheader Nest will probably be drawn out by Anneliese’s beauty.
On the other hand, Rosalina is cute, but unfortunately, she lacks sensuality. She doesn’t have the acting skills to play the role of a prostitute. Therefore, she’s hiding with Gandalfan, keeping an eye on Anneliese.
As for me, I’m monitoring Anneliese closely. I have the main job of an assassin and the sub-job of a swordsman. This combination gives me the highest AGI value, so I should be able to respond quickly if needed.
Naturally, I’m concealed, completely disappearing from sight.
Initially, I planned to pretend to be a prostitute, but Anneliese insisted on doing it herself. When Anneliese sets her mind on something, she can be quite stubborn. It’s troublesome.
So, I’m guarding her closely.
About three hours have passed since we started the decoy operation.
“Ugh, it’s getting cold…”
I’m starting to lose sensation in my toes. I want to wrap this up quickly and get into a warm bath. I might catch a cold.
Even with a cloak on, I’m feeling cold. Anneliese, who is lightly dressed, must be even colder. I hope this ends soon, but it depends on the Beheader Nest…
Several men have approached so far, but when Anneliese mentioned a platinum coin, they would curse and leave. A platinum coin is a large sum for commoners, although nobles and the wealthy can afford it.
I sense someone approaching, and my skill, Perception, confirms it.
A woman emerges from the shadows. She also seems to be a prostitute, wearing a low-cut bright red dress.
The red dress suits her red hair well, but she has a somewhat plain face. Even with makeup, she doesn’t compare to Anneliese without any. Yeah, Anneliese is exceptionally beautiful!
“Oh, a new face. This is my turf.”
“Is that so… I’m sorry.”
The woman stops Anneliese, who is trying to leave.
“It’s okay, you’ll get a customer soon anyway. There are plenty of desperate men around.”
I can’t deny those words. If Anneliese weren’t a slave, I would have already requested her services.
However, I don’t think the Beheader Nest will show up with her around. I hope she goes somewhere else.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
“…Annie.”
“I see. I’m Linensa.”
Linensa looks Annie up and down as if appraising her.
“Annie is beautiful. Even without attracting customers in a place like this, if you join a brothel, you’ll become popular.”
“I only take clients occasionally.”
“I see. Beauties can demand higher prices without negotiation, so it’s easy. As for me…”
Linensa’s shoulders shake, and she seems to be crying. Is she crying? Is she emotionally unstable?
“Are you okay?”
Anneliese places a hand on Linensa’s shoulder.
Linensa covers both eyes with her left hand and sniffles.
“It’s okay; I’d be fine if the Beheader Nest killed me.”
“That’s not true. You shouldn’t die.”
“You’re so kind.”
Linensa’s right hand rests on Anneliese’s shoulder.
“It’s okay; I won’t die. Not me!”
“Huh!?”
From the slit in the dress, a thigh emerges, and there’s a knife.
I felt a sense of danger and instinctively reached out.
Crack.
Linensa’s knife stopped just before Anneliese’s neck. I grabbed the blade.
It hurts, but at least the blade didn’t reach Anneliese. That’s fortunate.
“W-Who are you!?”
“That’s my line.”
I punch Linensa in the face. I intended to go easy, but breaking her nose shouldn’t be a problem.
“Master!?”
Anneliese’s hands wrap around my hand holding the knife. The soft touch of her hands spreads my fingers apart.
“I’m okay.”
As an assassin, I wear armor, so my DEF is reasonable. The good thing about HP-based systems is that you don’t die as long as your HP doesn’t reach zero.
My HP only decreased by 5 points from grabbing the knife. Fortunately, the knife wasn’t poisoned, so that’s all it took.
“Lord Troy!”
“Gandalfan, don’t let her escape.”
“Yes!”
Gandalfan restrains Linensa. Pinned down by a level 28 strong-arm knight, there’s no way for the petite Linensa to escape.
Rosalina rushes to my side and clings to me.
“Master!”
“I’m okay.”
“That’s a relief.”
Teary-eyed Rosalina embraces me tightly. It hurts; it hurts, so loosen your grip a bit.
“Master, please drink a potion!”
“It’s just a scratch.”
“Please drink it!”
“Alright, alright…”
Feeling pressured by Anneliese, I drink the potion.
It’s a bit extravagant to drink a relatively expensive potion for just 5 HP, but if it satisfies Anneliese, it’s fine.
Roke and the others, alerted by the commotion, rush over.
Now it’s up to Roke to handle this. I want to take a bath soon; it’s cold.