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Undercover Investigation
The premonition of imminent death makes my body shiver. But, it did not attack.
It was just looking at me with a puzzled look on its face.
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Kuzur (28)
・Material Raptor Form
(Rank 7, Male, 14 years old)
・Skill Claws and Fangs Combat Level 6
・Skill High Speed Flight Level 4
・Skill Stealth Level 3
・Skill Poison Judgement Level 3
・Skill Conversation Command Level 4
Empty (23)
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What the.....there was another one?
Moreover, this one clearly looked stronger than the bird I stole the body from. At first glance, there was not much difference in their body size. The color of this bird’s feathers was dark red on a black base, which makes it slightly unsuitable for stealthy movements, so there was probably little risk of being caught off guard. But in the end, he has high-level combat skills and also excels in mobility.
If I were to fight him, I would probably have no chance of winning unless I had a weapon and took a Physical Enhancement pill. Furthermore, it would be impossible to escape from him. Even if I use Yashir’s body, I’m sure he would catch up to me due to the difference in movement speed. And even if I took the Physical Enhancement pill, flying was faster than running. Once that happened, I would just end up getting one-sidedly crushed.
No. This was truly a serious problem.
Just think about it. Let us say I managed to get the young lady out successfully and ran away. If I used Physical Enhancement magic, even an adult human would not be able to catch up with me. It would be the same if you rode a horse. I could even run at quite a speed in the forest with poor visibility. Take fighting to the minimum......the prerequisite for this tactic was my superior movement ability. And it was now being overturned.
I wondered how many birds there were here? If there were around 10 of them here, then I would be completely unable to handle it. I would retreat unconditionally. But, if he was the only one. If I make a move, I have to either take him down or defeat the owner, otherwise I would not be able to escape. In any case, the danger level of this matter has shot up sharply.
Now then, what about the human’s strength?
Giving a rough look from the window, there were several men looking bored. Some were simply lying down and relaxing, while another group was amusing themselves with some kind of card game. There was only one woman among them. Although she gave off an atmosphere that was not that much different from the men around her. I guess you could call her a headstrong one among the thugs.
They had the numerical strength, but not all of them were that strong. Their combat skills were around level 2 or 3. I would be able to defeat them shortly if they were at that level.
But, were these all of them? There should be someone stronger. Otherwise, it would not match the ability of the magic beast watching over from above. Also, I don’t even know the whereabouts of the young lady.
What to do?
Calm down. I should still be considered an ally with this body. So, I probably would not be suspected of much even if I entered.
Making up my mind, I tucked my wings and entered.
The room was empty.
Naturally. No one had lived here for decades, even centuries.
Not only did the windows have no glass, but the floor also did not have wooden boards fitted to it. The floor was bare stone. Even the door was now just a square hole, perhaps there was a wooden door there before. And it was overall dusty.
I went out to the corridor. There was no lighting, and extremely dark. And it was cool. When I looked to the side, I could see a staircase only wide enough for one person. Meaning, there were still rooms with no windows upstairs. I couldn't fly here as expected, so I used my feet to continue jumping over the stairs.
Once I climbed to the top, I saw a winding passage to the left. Still as narrow as before. I couldn't spread my wings here. They would think it weird if I were loitering around here, huh?
It was the moment I thought that.
「Oh? So you were in a place like this all along」
I was startled and turned around.
A delicate-looking man in his mid-20s was standing there.
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Tuda Ohm トゥダ オーム (25)
・Material Human Form
(Rank 7, Male, 25 years old)
・Skill Fores Language Level 5
・Skill Ruin Language Level 4
・Skill Saharia Language Level 4
・Skill Staff Technique Level 5
・Skill Hand-to-hand Combat Level 4
・Skill Throwing Technique Level 4
・Skill Stealth Level 4
・Skill Swimming Level 3
・Skill Medical Art Level 3
・Skill Sexual Technique Level 4
Empty (15)
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This.....is this guy the leader?
He was holding a stick partially covered in metal in his hand. This must be how he fights his enemy. He was wearing leather armor that looked easy to move in. But it suited him so well.
Ability-wise, he was not quite at the top-class fighter level. Even so, he was still a fully fledged warrior. Well, he fell a bit short compared to Ifroz. Probably a good match against the woman serving as Gruvy’s attendant. As for Jusa.....he was past his peak and carrying old wounds, there was no comparison.
Seeing that he almost had nothing besides combat skills, he may be a pure soldier-type or an adventurer.
「Heave ho」
He approached me and raised me up without hesitation. Even though I’m over a meter long, he didn’t seem to care.
「Really, where the heck did you go? That Ketz went out looking for you, you know?」
Ketz?
So that means that guy was the person commanding the magic beasts? I want to see his face but at the same time, I don’t. I mean, what would happen if I don’t respond to the master’s order as they expected?
「Oi oi, don’t struggle around. Where do you want to go?」
He continued to move deeper into the corridor while still carrying me. Looking over to the left side, there was a new door installed there. So did they install this?
Shifting the staff to his arm and pulled the door with one hand.
「Yoo. She’s here, Yashir」
「……hm」
My goodness. I stared in disbelief at the good luck and bad luck happening right in front of me.
The good luck was the person in the corner of the room. It was the young lady. As expected, her expression was gloomy, but she was not looking unwell or anything. She was probably being taken care of.
She was not being tied or anything, but there was a rope lying on the floor. They might have used it to tie her during the night, when the guards were less attentive. Her clothes were probably the same as the ones she wore back in the mansion. I thought she must be very dirty but there was a bucket in the back of the room filled with water. Perhaps one of the women among the underlings was taking care of her.
I was able to confirm the target’s whereabouts. It was a confirmed case of kidnapping. There was no greater achievement than this. But, the reason I was troubled was because of the man nearby.
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Gimu Igueri ギム・イグェリー (37)
・Material Human Form
(Rank 6, Male, 37 years old)
・Skill Fores Language Level 6
・Skill Ruin Language Level 4
・Skill Battle Axe Technique Level 6
・Skill Shieldsmanship Level 5
・Skill Swordsmanship Level 4
・Skill Close Combat Technique Level 4
・Skill Earth Magic Level 4
・Skill Horsemanship Level 5
・Skill Medical Art Level 4
Empty (28)
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It was a large man clad in sturdy-looking armor. There were small decorations on some parts of the armor. Covering his armor was a dull, brown cloak, but it looked to be of good quality. He holds a heavy, sharp-looking double-edged battle axe in his right hand. A sword was hanging at his waist, perhaps it served as a spare weapon.
Although he has rough features on him, there was this air about him that reminded me of Zelkova from the Holy Forest Corps I saw back in the housing facility. I wonder if he was a knight?
「Tuda. This is a lady’s room, still. You need to ask for permission before entering」
「You’re so stiff, man」
Tuda let me on the floor while saying that.
This was impossible. At least, I couldn't take all of these guys down all by myself. If it was just one of then, I’m not sure if I'd have any chance to win but.....honestly, facing either of them would be a really close fight. Especially this Gimu-guy, his equipment seemed to be of good quality. I felt like my chance to win was slim, even if I faced him in my best condition. Perhaps Ifroz could fight him evenly matched.
When it comes to Tuda and the bird from before.....I could defeat them using Physical Enhancement Magic and Staff Technique Skill. I guess I could only defeat Gimu with Piercing Hand? I really have no leeway. Would this really be okay? I may have to seriously consider retreating here.
And his attitude and tone just now. I knew it, this guy was from the upper class of society. If there was someone like him among the kidnappers, then there must be someone higher up who gave the order.
「More importantly, have you made the arrangement?」
「Aah, no problem there. Looks like there are no pursuers from Pyris. The next carriage will come tomorrow morning as planned」
What?
Tomorrow.....morning?
Wasn’t that too fast? No, I see. The response from Pyris was slow. Perhaps their comrades had been keeping watch over the nearby main road. But, there were no signs of a pursuer passing nearby. Had the search been more intense, they would have chosen to lie low around here for a while. However, since the enemy’s eyes were not directed here, they had better create some distance.
As expected, there would be no retreat for me. In that case, I have to abandon her. Since the situation was like this. If I were to track them, I could take the bird for but in that case, I have to continue deceiving that Ketz-guy, the master of this bird, who would eventually return. I wonder if I could act like that? I would only be surrounded by a group of formidable enemies who were equally matched with me or even stronger if I make a mistake.
Piercing Hand might be the strongest ability but it could only defeat one opponent at a time. So, I was at a disadvantage in this situation.
「Honestly, we didn’t have to abandon the carriage on our way here, if it was going to be this easy」
「Better to be safe than sorry」
Gimu reprimanded him in a serious tone when he showed a relaxed attitude.
「Even the slightest failure will not be tolerated. No, it’s fine if it was just a failure. But, if they knew about us.....」
「Yeah yeah, I know」
Tuda lightly replied, waving his hand in front of him.
「Still, if I hadn’t shown my face, wouldn’t it? It’s all thanks ot me, right? I was the one who called out to her, the one who lent the money, and the one who slept with her, and the one who persuaded her. At times like this, old men with status really can’t move flexibly」
Somehow, I began to understand the situation.
This delicate-looking man enticed one of the Viscount House’s maids. And after learning of the young lady’s habit of running away, he planned for this incident. He was able to do this, probably because he was not tied down by status. He must be an adventurer after all.
Gimu also didn’t show any anger at Tuda’s provocative remarks.
「Of course, I fully acknowledge this is because of your effort. But, don’t let your guard down until the end」
「Ahー...fine」
I had already gathered enough information.
I went to the corner of the room and pecked the wooden door with my beak.
「Oh, you want to go outside, huh? Yosh, I’ll open it」
Tuda pulled open the door for me.
At that moment, a voice came from behind
「How’s Ketz doing?」
「Ah? That guy? He went to the forest to look for this bird, Yashir」
「Hm」
I turned around and looked at Gimu’s face.
He looked like he was pondering over something.
「Be careful. Ketz can’t be trusted fully. It’s impossible to know what he’s thinking」
「Haa」
Tuda sighed in exasperation. His insincere smile from before was gone.
「Being cautious is fine and all, but」
He kept on talking in a somewhat critical tone.
「Don’t start suspecting our comrades while we’re in the middle of all this. You understand, right? It doesn’t matter who they are or where they came from. We’ll be hanged if we get caught. We have no other choice but to help each other. Think about that!」
Gimu fell silent, hearing that. Indeed, what Tuda said makes sense.
But still, he had a troubled look on his face.
Well. I wondered what kind of person Ketz was?
But, it was too risky for me to stay until I could check what kind of person he is. Since he was the master of the magical beasts, he might realize immediately that there was something strange inside this bird body. The best thing to do now was to get away from here.
「I’ll tell you this, this is the last time I’m doing a job like this. Don’t get me involved again」
「……I know」
I quickly left that place after giving a final look at the young lady who was looking down in the corner of that room. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
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