Chapter 94

At the inn, Noem and I slept in the same room.

If we were a man and a woman, it would be more gentlemanly to take separate rooms, but Noem, like Reslizer, is in the position of being my wife.

Long live polygamy.

Therefore, there was no problem with us sharing a bed again, and it was judged that it would be unwise to be alone at bedtime when we were about to enter enemy territory.

...No, perhaps it was precisely because it was bedtime.

It's one of the most vulnerable moments.

Thus, this precaution proved effective.

Ironically.

◆

Creak.

The floorboards creaked underfoot.

Then came a sharp intake of breath.

Someone was stealthily approaching the bed where I was sleeping.

"...You idiot, be more careful. If you wake the target now, there won't be any surprise attack...!"

"Sorry, boss. ...But it's fine, he's still sleeping soundly despite that loud noise. He's a dull guy, hahaha...!"

No, I'm fully awake.

Still, these guys managed to sneak into the room despite the door being locked. I decided to pretend to be asleep to observe the situation.

"Alright, be careful. The target is a fierce warrior who wiped out all the 'scouts' who infiltrated another country. We can't face him head-on. We'll be killed, you know?"

"It's fine, boss. That's why we're attacking him in his sleep. ...Hahaha, those fools still think they're safe because they're outside Bluebalm. Our influence extends much further...!"

"Enough chatter. We'll bind him with chains while he's sleeping and transport him back to the country. Once we brand him with the 'slave mark,' he'll be under our control."

"Since he wiped out the 'scouts,' he must have some good skills...! We need to make a good profit to compensate for the loss of a branch...!"

These guys talk a lot for people trying to be stealthy.

However, thanks to my feigned sleep, I gathered some interesting information.

- They already know about the tragic end of the Centakilian slave traders.

- Their activities extend beyond their base in the slave state of Bluebalm.

- 'Slave mark'... what is that?

It seems their response capabilities are a step ahead of my expectations.

Though the assassin sneaking up to my pillow looks pretty incompetent.

However, there's no point in continuing to pretend to be a harmless sleeper.

It's time to get up and knock these intruders down.

"Ugh!?"

"Argh!?"

I held back from killing them, as I still had some questions.

No, I could have them turned into ghosts by Abinion to extract all the information.

But relying on them all the time feels a bit hollow, doesn't it?

So, since I have the time, I'll try to interrogate them myself.

By the way, Noem was still asleep.

She must have been very tired from the day's travel to sleep through all this noise.

"I won't allow you to disturb her peaceful sleep. I'll make sure her heartbeats stop neatly to avoid disturbing the night's silence."

"Ah! Why are you awake!? We aimed for midnight!?"

So noisy.

Whether it's midnight or not, it's my choice whether to sleep or be awake.

"Anyway, I have a few questions for you. Since you've come all this way at night, it would be a shame to leave without getting anything, right?"

Being attacked from outside the country was within my expectations, but it was surprising that our actions in the distant Centakilian Kingdom were known to them.

Considering the distance, I didn't think our movements could be detected at this time.

The fastest method of communication I could think of would be homing pigeons, perhaps?

But I thought I had come here faster than any hawk.

If they still managed to detect us faster, it must be some kind of skill.

"First, tell me how you found out about us. Then, why you were able to ambush us here. What did you plan to do by attacking us in our sleep? ...It seems you intended to capture us alive, right?"

"Ugh...!?"

"Also, while we're at it, tell me about your country. The size, military strength, and the names and physical characteristics of your leaders of the Republic of Bluebalm."

I should have gathered information on the leaders to attack and destroy their country, but I couldn't find anything while in the Centakilian Kingdom.

I couldn't even get any information from the slave traders Abinion turned into ghosts.

It seems that from the perspective of other countries, the slave state is seen as a criminal organization.

Their leaders must be very cautious.

"I don't expect a low-level lackey to know much, but I welcome any information you can provide. Just spill everything you know."

"...Haha, don't get cocky, you fool!!"

A fierce smile appeared on the man's face, which had been filled with fear.

What, are you getting cocky now?

"Don't get cocky just because you noticed the surprise attack! You don't understand anything! You're making the Republic of Bluebalm your enemy! It's a whole country, and you can't fight it alone!!"

"Your country is a weak, dependent state that can't even stand on its own without the church's support, right?"

"Huh? The church?"

So it's a secret relationship that hasn't reached the lower ranks.

"Anyway, whether it's a weak state or not, it's still a country! You underestimate the power of a group! Did you think only two of us came to attack you in your sleep!?"

Now that he mentions it, it does seem odd that a well-organized enemy would send only as many assassins as there are targets.

Especially if they're relying on a one-man army, but these guys in front of me don't look like that at all.

"...So, what are you saying...?"

"Still don't get it!? The inn is already surrounded! Join us! No, not just the inn, we have the military power to control this entire village at any time!"

The next moment, the assassin pulled a small, thin tube from his pocket.

A flute?

He put the end of the flute in his mouth and tried to blow it with all his lung capacity...

"Hey!"

"A...!?"

I snatched it away before he could.

...

...No.

With my reaction speed, I can stop anything they do after the fact.

...

...

The atmosphere became awkward.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

I returned the flute to the man, who took a deep breath and blew into it again.

A piercing sound echoed through the room.

At the same time, light pierced through the window.

In the middle of the night.

A bonfire?

"Oh? There are so many...!?"

The burning bonfires were not just one or two. Numerous rough men held them high.

The inn was indeed surrounded by a group of thugs.

Among them, a particularly imposing man spat out his words.

"...Damn, those idiots failed again."

The "idiots" must refer to the two intruders I'm holding by the neck.

"That's why I opposed sending those slowpokes...! If you had gone quickly, it would have been fine!"

"But, boss, you didn't want to go either! If it came down to it, the lowest-ranking members would naturally be sent!"

They seem to be arguing with each other.

"But don't get cocky just because the surprise attack failed! Look at this!"

...At the feet of the thugs, young children were cowering in fear.

And not just one or two.

...Five, six?

"All the people in this village are under our control! We'll take them back to our country and make them all slaves as a bonus for you!"

"If you value the lives of the children, come down without resistance! If you resist even a little, we'll tear them apart one by one!!"

"You can't resist, can you!? The righteous hero who opposes slavery must protect the innocent children, right? Hahaha!!"

To involve innocent people in their confrontation with me.

To use them as hostages to threaten.

Truly despicable cowards.

"...Fine, I won't resist."

"Good decision! We'll teach you the obedient attitude of a slave! And your little girl companion too!!"

"I won't resist, I mean."

"Huh?"

Yes, they missed a crucial point.

They thought the targets were only Noem and I.

By then, they were already bound by Abinion's spirit, unable to move a finger.

"What!? I can't move!? My body...!?"

'To make children tremble before my eyes. You will thoroughly regret this deed.'

Abinion has developed a fondness for children since visiting the orphanage.

Thus, their actions have angered the demon spirit.

They won't die easily.