Volume 3 Chapter 17 Our Terrifying Yet Beloved Home
When the intruder opened the door, a tall boy appeared.
"Hello, visitor. Oops, my bad. First, let's turn on the lights to show hospitality."
The boy said as he snapped his fingers, causing the entrance candles to light up on their own. Then, he continued smoothly,
"Now, visitor, there are rules in this house that you should know. Firstly, violence is prohibited. This house detests violence. Secondly, lying is prohibited. It's necessary to build sincere relationships, you know. Thirdly..."
"Enough of this nonsense."
The intruder's companion cast a spell at the boy. It was a low-level metal magic, a small, sharp iron needle. Although it was one of the lowest-grade metal magics, it had low visibility and was well-suited for assassination.
However, the boy did not fall. In fact, the magic seemed to be erased into thin air. Perplexed, the intruder felt the need to be cautious.
"Now, the rules have been broken by malice. Therefore, you shall be deemed an intruder. Intruders must not be returned alive."
The boy clapped his hands in a commanding manner, summoning a servant. At the same time, a crossbow shot from an unknown location pierced the intruder's companion's leg.
"Where—"
"AAAAHHH!?"
As the intruder tried to locate the shooter, his companion screamed in pain, leaving the intruder stunned.
His companion is a Stealth Weapon Adventurer, trained to endure severe pain like torture. Unlike a Sword adventurer who barely survived by sheer luck, his companion was called in to make up the numbers.
Now, his companion is letting out a painful cry, with his leg swelling and turning purple like a bloated worm, as if new life were being born there.
"What... is this?"
"It's poison. Very potent poison. It amplifies the pain, making it many times worse than just being pierced. It's not a poison that would kill on its own, but... it's the end for you."
His companion strained his voice, finally letting out a '...ah' before collapsing on the spot. The intruder found it hard to breathe.
He was dead. His companion, trained to endure pain, was killed by the overwhelming shock of pain. Seeing this, the intruder trembled, not wanting to die like that.
"Now, you're still a guest here. The living room is this way. Let's talk there first."
With an attitude that seemed indifferent to his companion's death, the tall boy led the intruder. The intruder followed, trying to calm his restless breathing.
They arrived at what seemed to be the living room. A girl with long white hair quietly prepared tea for the boy and the intruder, then retreated.
...Please, have a seat here. The implication was clear.
Muttering to himself, the intruder sat across from the boy. The boy smiled warmly at the intruder.
"Now, guest. Let's get straight to the point. Why did you come to this house?"
"..."
The intruder recalls. If he lies, he will suffer and die like a partner. However, if he betrays his employer, go against those connected to the lord, he cannot survive in this land.
The intruder was in shock as his companion, who was much superior, died easily. His usually sharp mind was now clouded.
Therefore, he fell silent. The intruder, facing a boy much younger than himself, was frozen, unable to do anything.
"Well, this is troublesome. Indeed, you haven't lied. So, let's do this. Guest, I'm going to ask a question that you can answer with 'yes' or 'no' starting now. Silence will be considered as affirmation."
The intruder was astonished. The boy began calmly.
"First, about your purpose, I already have an idea. It's about the theft of the Metamorph Dragon, right?"
"..."
The intruder fell into silence, feeling helpless.
"Okay, thanks. Well, that was pretty much expected. So, next. Is your direct employer, Ridge of Noble Karditsa-sama?"
"..."
The intruder held his breath as he looked at the boy. It seemed like they were already aware of that. If that's the case, it was only natural that the attack would be so easily thwarted. The intruder gritted his teeth.
"Exactly, huh. Here's the deal. Ridge-sama saw our precious daughter, Moruru, as the Metamorph Dragon and wanted her. And for that reason, you guys were sent here."
"..."
The intruder remained silent. There was nothing else he could do but stay quiet.
"Yep, the answers are coming along nicely. Now, let's move on to something important."
The boy leaned forward towards the intruder.
"With the Stealth Weapon Adventurer you have there, what's the highest fighting power you can bring out?"
"...We don't stand a chance against you guys."
The intruder, no longer staying silent, spoke up.
"Oh, I thought you'd keep quiet until the end."
"The most crucial information has already been leaked, and it was used to verify the answers. It's as good as betraying my employer and the nobleman. Even if somehow going back, it's a tough situation."
The intruder made a gesture of cutting his own throat with his hand.
"In that case, the only thing I should do for the sake of my life is to spill everything quickly and flee this city."
"I see, clever. Since you'll be killed at home if you lie anyway, I'll trust your words."
"Home? ...Ah, I hope you'll be satisfied and release me soon. ―――So, do you want to know Ridge-sama's top force, right?"
When the intruder confirmed, the boy nodded deeply.
"Silver Stealth Weapon Adventurer Windy. Also serving as Ridge-sama's butler. That person is our top guy, the strongest force under Ridge-sama's employ."
"Go on."
"Their magic attribute is wind. Their official adventurer's badge is all silver. Except for the crazy heroes of Torch, he's one of the top five powerhouses in this city. If I were to face him, I'd be minced in a second."
"All silver, huh. Swords, bows, torches, all adventurer's badges are silver grade, I see."
"Yeah. I've heard rumors that that guy's Torch is just one step away from reaching gold. It might be a hoax, though."
If this is true, it's incredible. Gold grade is something that normal adventurers can't even imagine. It's something the Guild Master would flaunt around for all to see.
"Because that guy is letting the young lady do as she pleases, we ended up being dragged into this mess this time, and now we have to go out. What does that brat think of human life...!"
"That's what rich nobles are like. They believe that anyone other than themselves is not human. And that's how they end up suffering."
In response to the boy's words, the intruder asks, "Are you sane?"
"Anyway, you can't even beat Windy, who is much stronger than all of us combined. Not to mention, if we lay a hand on Ridge-sama, the lord's 'stealth weapon' will come out. If that happens, it's definitely over."
"What kind of being is this Stealth Weapon Adventurer of the lord?"
In response to the boy's question, the intruder takes a breath.
"It's the shadow of the lord. It's like a being that has turned the lord's authority into military power. If you think about the lord who has made this huge dungeon city prosper to this extent, you'll understand."
"Thank you. I've pretty much figured out what I wanted to know. Lastly, is there anything else I should be aware of?"
"Yeah, if I had to say, Windy has become a strong adventurer by developing their magic. They come up with various ways to use it. Be careful."
"Thank you. Well then, dear guest, do you want to take your leave? I've heard Wade-kun is keeping an eye out, but he won't chase you if you run away. Wade-kun is kind-hearted, you know."
"I don't quite get it, but does that mean I can escape without getting killed?"
"Yeah. Well then, good day."
The intruder stood up and hurriedly left the house.
He had to hurry. If his betrayal was discovered, he would be killed immediately. That's how nobles are.
Thinking so, the intruder ran through the night forest. If he could leave this city at this moment, then maybe—
As the intruder thought this, he was suddenly hit with a sensation of his vision spinning along with the sound of the wind.
"Ah"
In the middle of the grass and trees, a head fell. Literally, it was known that the head had fallen. A bit further away, the intruder's body collapsed to the ground. The neck was severed in an instant.
"It's no use. Traitors like you, surviving..."
As the small figure approached, the intruder tried to scream in fear. However, lacking various organs, he couldn't scream.
From the darkness, the person appeared. Windy, the butler and Stealth Weapon Adventurer.
Windy hadn't noticed the intruder long ago.
"Even so, the young lady has set her sights on quite a troublesome opponent. I've been checking on the Wade Party, but I never expected them to be the target this time."
Windy kept turning back to look at the intruder.
"Don't you think so too?"
By the time he was addressed, the intruder had already breathed his last. Windy shrugged, "Can't be helped," and walked away.
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