Chapter 231 Investigation Report Meeting, Afterwards
The map that took the shape of the top of the rocky mountain only had a town on the one side and a lake on other side. On the map, Dorchuneta-san drew a path on the outside, and Berberi-san added important points here and there. As they did, something more concrete than before started to take shape.
"Hey, hey, Ber-san's 'Recognition Obstruction Technique' is magic, right?"
"Some of our techniques use magic, tools, and physical skills."
"So, there's no such thing as a 'Recognition Obstruction Magic', huh?"
"That's right. My siblings and I have the attribute of wind."
"Ah, you mean the 'Air Shield' too, right?"
"Yes, that's correct, Maya-sama."
Maya-chan told me about it before. Level 1's 'Air Shield' is a simplified version of the 'Wind Barrier' that covers the entire room, which she often used. It's only used for leveling up and has a short effective range.
"We use more subtle techniques on top of that. It's an investigation by infiltration, not by sneaking in."
"I see. It's not about changing appearances, but about layering techniques and obstructions, right?"
"That's correct."
"It's like the difference between a 'Manager' and a 'Secretary'."
"Yeah, it's like the difference between a Spy and a Thief."
"A Thief... yeah, it's like that in MMOs too."
"That's right. We can't just fly in, so..."
"Huh? You can disguise yourself, right?"
"What?"
I and Maya-chan pressed Neta-san for answers.
"There are people who have trained in such ways, not us."
"Ah, I see."
"Exactly."
Even so, the fact that there are people who can disguise themselves and infiltrate means they're like ninjas or spies.
"So, Ber-san, what did you ask for?"
"Yes, this is it."
Ber-san took out a wooden tube from his pocket and handed it to Maya-chan.
"This was the most troublesome one."
"Yeah, it was frozen."
Maya-chan opened the tube, and a transparent object rolled out onto the glass table.
"Ah, so that's it. This is the lake on top, right?"
"Yeah. Well, it's written 0% anyway, big brother."
She appraised the ice and checked the amount of Oso (Dreadful element) poison in it. It's definitely below freezing up there. Berberi-san brought it back after breaking it apart. That must have been tough....
"Ah, so they're exchanging this for vegetables or something. Wow, what a rip-off. Just like that one time with Daioraden and Wareels."
"Yeah, yeah, brother. It's still a high-priced resale. What a dirty trick."
While we were chatting like this, Neta-san drew a map, and Berberi-san marked the checked points. Maya-chan was rewriting it by hand on a new piece of paper while looking at it.
These 3 are really capable....
"The rest is that."
"Yeah. After that, we'll see how much info '(that)' will spill out."
"Yeah. We'll head to the security department tomorrow and report it, Tatsuma-sama."
"Yeah. Thanks, Ber-san and Dorchune-san. You must be tired."
"No need to be polite."
"Still, thank you."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Berberi-san and Neta-san's figures disappeared from in front of us.
"Hey, you know, they're aware that we're watching. They're making sure to open the door properly, Maya-chan."
"Yeah, they quietly close it too."
"I think they're showing off their skills on purpose. Just a little, though."
"Anyway, Big brother, the weather is cold. Especially in winter..."
"Is there a gap on the windows? Seriously?"
I felt a cold wind blow between me and Maya-chan.
"Well, Maya's going back to her room, then, big brother."
She said that and gave my cheek a light kiss. Maya-chan, who was beaming with excitement, waved her hand and left. It was really true what happened that night (Maya's confession)....
"I get embarrassed too, you know."
'Kuu.'
Centrena let out a voice with a 'What's that?' kind of nuance.
"Yeah, I was wondering about that."
Despite being so big, Centrena can be so stealthy, just like a ninja.
'Kuu'
I was thinking about various things while looking at the blueprint, and before I knew it, I was sleepy. I flopped onto the bed around an hour later. Centrena was sleeping peacefully, breathing softly.
* * *
"Maya-chan"
"Hm?"
Maya-chan was eating breakfast while facing me, munching away.
"Hasn't it been a while since we left Ensgard?"
"Hm"
The "hm" she said earlier was a questioning tone, a bit higher in pitch. This "hm" is a flat, non-committal affirmation. We've been using words that can convey meaning just through intonation.
Well, since Maya-chan is eating, I won't bother talking about that right now.
"I told you before, we would work for 6 days and take one day off, right?"
"Hm"
"Are you not tired, Maya-chan?"
"Hm..."
This "hm..." is flat, but the pitch is slightly higher. It's like she's thinking about it.
"Hm... I'm fine. I was tired, but when I saw your face, I got energized!"
She said that and giggled. Since Maya-chan was sitting on my right, if I didn't have chopsticks in my hand, I would've patted her head.
We left the 'Essence Inn' a bit early, and Maya-chan rode Wilshion to the shrine ahead of me. I stopped by the security department to deliver a message and then headed to the shrine. Even if I'm a bit late, Maya-chan and Jag-san, who's staying at the shrine, can start the treatment.
"And"
'Kuu?"
"If Maya-chan and Centrena are there, we won't be late like that time."
"I'm here too"
Neta-san, who was only audible but invisible, also spoke up.
"That's right"
Centrena stopped in front of the security department building.
"Um, can you sense any non-Dragonkin '(living things)'?"
"Yes, there's one inside the building. I can't feel anything from the sky, though."
"Thanks, let's go. Centrena"
'Kuu'
The gate behind me opened with Centrena's voice. Inside, there were some of her peers, the Red Running Dragon.
"Good morning, Tatsuma-sama."
In front of me was Jillietta-san, a woman from the security department. I'll go ahead and handle the reception here while still on board Centrena.
"Yeah, good morning. So, did that thing spit out something new?"
"Yes, it's in this report."
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