Volume 3 Chapter 14 You Never Know What They're Doing Behind the Scenes
"The unit I belong to is... the Goldmont Kingdom's 13th Military Division. We're known colloquially as 'The Shadow Corps,' a small, specialized unit."
"'The Shadow Corps,' huh...So that's the unit that sends assassins to silence people?"
My mutterings were met with a shake of the head and a denial.
No, it's not just that.
"... We also take on high-profile assassination contracts. ... Last year, the one who targeted the father of Your Highness, the King of Beistein Kingdom, was from here."
"........."
Her Highness's eyes narrowed.
Elmer had been ordered to carry out the assassination, and while that much was known, thanks to me, the specific unit responsible had been identified.
"That unit is directly under the command of Goldmont Kingdom's King, isn't it?"
"...You're very perceptive."
At Her Highness's words, which hinted at a realization, I nodded in agreement this time.
...That means the assassinations and silences are on royal command.
So they're secretly doing all sorts of things...I couldn't possibly know what.
"I see, so they're showing outward friendliness while systematically weakening our country, aiming to absorb it with minimal resistance.Such a cunning fellow... Ah, everyone. Please pretend you didn't hear that last bit."
"......Yes"
I was unexpectedly met with a smile from Your Highness, who was clearly amused.
Even this royal is hiding something...
I couldn't possibly know what this person is thinking behind that smile.
But if that's the case, what I really want to know is the enemy's size.
Not just Ai, but there's a high chance other assassins will show up.
"Ai, how many people are there in the 13th Military Division?"
"Four others. Everyone has different abilities, so only I can fight... I'm the only ninja too."
It's lucky that only Ai can fight.
If a bunch more showed up, I wouldn't be confident in protecting everyone.
...Wait a minute?
Four people?
Isn't that a little off?
"...'Ninja'?"
Oh, Her Highness seems to be hung up on that.
Explaining it now would make things needlessly long, so let's just skip it.
"My apologies, Your Highness. I'll explain about the ninja later... Hey, Ai, if my memory is correct, I thought there were a lot more people involved in the attempt on the King's life. Are you sure it was only 4?"
"........."
Ai looked up at me, as if to say, "Why do you know that?" and furrowed her brow, but she let out a small sigh, as if lamenting something.
"It's down. There were about 20, but they were all killed. I just joined recently, so I only heard about it."
"Eh?"
I was so shocked, I couldn't even form a response.
The King's personal elite squad?
You're telling me something like that actually happened?
"So, all the combat personnel were wiped out? What exactly happened?"
Her Highness asked with a serious expression, and Ai looked a little nervous, opening and closing her mouth.
She might be wondering if she's allowed to answer.
But now that we've come this far, it's the same either way, so she swallowed and opened her mouth.
"...Trying to make a Dark Mage an ally, and ended up getting killed instead."
"........."
The air around them froze, and no one could find their words.
A crushing silence settled in.
Even Aine was speechless, her eyes wide with shock.
That's right, I guess the reason Ai was struggling to answer was because that was a fatal flaw of the Goldmont Kingdom.
The King's personal forces trying to recruit a Dark Mage meant it had to be a direct order from the King himself.
* * *
We continued to ask Ai questions, but she seemed to have snapped. She revealed the inner workings of Goldmont in excruciating detail.
I also told Her Highness about my knowledge of coal, and it seemed to pique their interest greatly.
By the way, Her Highness was already aware of coal's existence.
"Our country simply doesn't have good quality coal, you see," they lamented.
After 3 hours of Her Highness's time, we finally left Lord Reichner's mansion.
Ugh, my stomach's rumbling.
I'm starving.
"Oh, right, Ai"
"...What?"
Ai, still scowling at me, glared up at me with sharp eyes.
I guess this is what it feels like to be a father to a teenage daughter.
"Why did you tell us? I heard that ninjas are overflowing with loyalty to their master."
That's exactly what I wanted to know.
What made her change her mind and decide to betray them?
Ninjas are supposed to choose death over betraying their loyalty.
...Well, I guess Ai wouldn't be able to commit suicide now.
Ai remained silent for a while after my question, but then, with a sad look in her eyes, gazed at the distant horizon.
The East.
The direction of our homeland, Sakura.
"...I'll tell you eventually."
Looking up at the sky, Ai answered in a tired, stumbling voice.
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