NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37
After thoroughly scanning the surroundings to confirm there were no people around, we entered the stone staircase.
As soon as we stepped onto the stairs, I used magic to restore the wall I had dismantled.
Since I filled it in without leaving any debris, there shouldn’t be any issues later on.
“I’ve managed to identify quite a few betrayers inside, but it seems some remain.”
“It’s difficult to pinpoint those who have devoted themselves to the family for decades.”
“When suspicion starts to spiral, it becomes an endless loop…”
If there’s a mind-reading magic to identify betrayers, then there must be a magic to disguise one’s heart as well.
Complete identification was impossible from the start, so I had to consider all situations and always make the best choices.
Assuming there were more betrayers left inside, I headed straight to the office with the Agail Duke as soon as I returned to the mansion.
Then, without hesitation, I used space magic to move to the utility room, found the secret passage, and wrapped up the cleanup.
By the time the betrayers realized our stealth, it would be far too late.
“We don’t have time to waste, so I’ll talk while I move. Rynelle will be rescued just by the Duke and me. The Shadow Knight isn’t trustworthy right now, and recklessly moving could provoke the enemy.”
The fact that Rynelle was kidnapped without being killed strongly hinted that the Agail Duke was being lured.
They were likely watching the Duke’s reaction while keeping Rynelle as a hostage.
Taking advantage of that gap, we planned to infiltrate the location where Rynelle was being held without being detected by the enemy.
“It won’t be easy, but you agree that this is the only method we have for now, right?”
“I understand there are no other options.”
“Great. Then there’s something the Duke needs to do first.”
Space movement is convenient, but there’s an important limitation: you need to know the coordinates to use it.
Right now, I had no idea where Rynelle was, so I couldn’t utilize it.
If I tried to check with detection, the more I expanded the range, the exponentially more mana consumption involved.
I couldn’t waste mana before a fight. So, I needed to keep the distance to Rynelle as short as possible.
“I know what you want me to do without needing an explanation. It’s to create distractions and deceive the enemy without being detected.”
“Good to know you don’t mind talking less. But can you also erase my presence?”
“You tend to underestimate me. If you’re prepared, I can envelop the world in shadow.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Does he want to act tough even though his daughter has been kidnapped?
I was itching to let out some harsh words, but I closed my lips at the sound of footsteps coming this way.
It was too late to hide.
As I silently reached out to handle the situation, the Agail Duke grabbed my arm and shook his head.
“Hmm? I think I just heard something…”
A man with a white hood was looking up at us from below the stairs.
Even though he was standing right in the middle of the stairs, he didn’t seem to notice us.
After repeatedly looking around the stairs and picking at his ear, he returned to his spot.
“I’ve surrounded us with shadows that erase our very existence. They won’t be able to see us, nor will any sound or voice reach them.”
“That’s reassuring but also strange. I can’t see us being surrounded by shadows with my own eyes.”
“It’s possible to visualize the shadow, but it’s an unnecessary action. It would only make everything dark in front of us.”
“Staying like this is preferable. Are there any points of caution or exceptions?”
“As long as you don’t stray too far from me, there shouldn’t be any issues.”
“Understood.”
The passage seemed to be covered with members of the White Fang gang.
Even while darting around them, no one noticed us at all.
The fact that the Duke remained composed even when the enemy was so close was amazing.
That just showed how confident he was in his abilities.
“Looks like that’s the exit over there.”
“Unfortunately, the passage doesn’t lead directly to the enemy’s stronghold.”
Once we safely exited the secret passage, dark woods came into view.
Just a short walk in the forest would reveal a slope leading to the back mountain.
The position was perfect for observing the movements at the Agail Mansion.
“Indeed, it would have been a serious issue if we had moved the knights.”
“The path to get to the back mountain is open, and the mansion is clearly visible… It’s almost like an escape route prepared in case the Agail family came under attack.”
A shadow fell over the Duke’s face.
It seemed there was something troubling him as he closed his eyes and pondered deeply.
I had no intention of interrupting his meditation, but this was not the time for leisurely moments.
I patted his back, encouraging him to hurry up.
The Agail Duke nodded and took the lead.
Some patrols were also on the hiking trail.
We had made smooth progress without being detected; however, the problem was that the day was gradually getting darker.
As the surroundings darkened, searching would become more difficult.
Even with night vision, it takes longer to perceive things than during the day.
“How far do you think we should go?”
“I don’t think Rynelle would be hidden near the base of the mountain. Let’s try to get to the mid-slope.”
“Understood.”
The patrols of the White Fang gang were also taking the hiking route, and the number of patrolling members increased as we climbed higher.
The vigilance was becoming tighter, indicating that the stronghold wasn’t far off.
“Wait a moment, I’ll try using it here.”
“Ah.”
I set the coordinates using space magic.
The elevation from our current location to the mountain peak, and the range covered the entire mountain.
As the detection began, an image of the mountain floated in my mind like a hologram.
At that moment, as I was reading the presence of Rynelle somewhere in the mountain…
“Ugh!”
I clutched my head due to a pain that felt like needles piercing my brain.
Simultaneously, shouts rang out from all directions on the mountain.
“The Magic Jammer has been activated!”
“There’s an enemy nearby!”
“Find them with the detector!”
Magic Jammer.
It was a magic tool that hinders the use of magic.
It’s rare and expensive, but it’s worth every penny for what it does.
It blocks any magic detected within its range and sends a special brainwave to the user.
A magician exposed to this brainwave would be unable to use magic for a while.
“Are you alright?”
“Ugh…! I’m fine, but more importantly, I found the cave where Rynelle is being held, so let’s go!”
I couldn’t use space movement since we were experiencing a jamming effect.
We had to run there ourselves.
“The enemy has caught on to our presence. Given that they prepared magic detectors, my shadows will likely be useless.”
“We have no choice but to sprint at full strength.”
“Let’s go.”
We began to run toward our destination while maintaining the shadows.
Before long, we were detected by the crew using the detection magic tool, but we ignored it and kept running.
“I found them!”
“They’re heading to the cave! Follow them!”
“Everyone, gather at the cave!”
The enemies were quickly converging on our position.
Our perfect infiltration had failed.
If we entered the cave first like this, the enemy would follow us inside.
The inside of the cave was a one-way street, so we would soon be cornered from both sides.
One of us would have to stay at the cave entrance to hold off the enemy, and seeing the Duke’s gaze land on me, it seemed he had the same thought.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“…Understood.”
In the situation where we were running forward, we finished splitting our roles.
After running to the point that my thigh muscles felt like they were about to tear, the cave, our destination, finally appeared.
Some members were blocking the entrance to the cave, but that was no problem.
The shadows that had been behind them had already risen and slit their throats.
“Well then…”
“I’ll guard here. You keep going.”
I placed my hand on the Agail Duke’s back and shoved him inside the cave.
At that moment, as if echoing his surprise, a stunned voice came out.
“W-what is the meaning of this?”
“I thought you were going to rescue Rynelle?”
“What I meant was that I would…”
“Shut up and get going! Are you going to let your only daughter die?”
“…No.”
“Then hurry up. While you rescue your daughter, you can show off and spill your true feelings, too. If you want to enjoy a comfortable retirement later thanks to your daughter’s money, that is.”
The expression of the Agail Duke was still clearly showing signs of surprise.
Yet, before I finished speaking, he stepped into the cave, which gave me some relief.
That meant he had already made up his mind.
Now, Rynelle’s safe return depended on him.
“Both the daughter and the father sure are a handful.”
I chuckled and turned away.
As everyone in the mountain rushed in, it filled my line of sight.
And among them was a familiar face.
“Wow, this is creepy. I never would’ve guessed that the butler I shook hands with this morning was a betrayer.”
“Nice to see you again, Daniel Professor. I didn’t expect to run into you in a place like this either.”
“Life really is unpredictable, isn’t it?”
“I agree. Who would have thought you’d make it this far with the Duke?”
“I came to personally help out since my student was worried about having an awkward relationship with his father.”
“Is that so? But I’m sorry; the place you’re in now is private property, so you’ll need to leave.”
“If we’re on the Duke’s back mountain, isn’t that his property? I’ve got permission, so maybe it’s you who should leave?”
Judas and I exchanged friendly banter.
But the more we talked, the more his expression hardened and his gaze sharpened.
“I won’t be killing you gently.”
“Do you have the skill to kill me?”
“Of course!”
“Then come on in. I’ll let you.”
The pain piercing my brain had subsided.
The mana restrained by the Magic Jammer began to overflow.
The battle situation was roughly 1 against 300.
Despite that, I couldn’t imagine losing, so as a starting move, I blew up Judas’s head.
“First off, you’re an F.”