kscans

Chapter 103 - The Wish Entrusted to the Bracelet

The next morning. I returned to the base with the completed Magic Suppression Cloth, and Darius prompted me with just his eyes to come to the captain’s office.

...I have to leave Mireille with the squad members again. Honestly, I’m nothing but worried.

After all, everyone knows I’m shy about making a move. It wouldn’t be strange if someone tried to seize the opportunity. And there are plenty of guys younger than me.

(...No, but they’re all shirtless idiots!!)

My mental screams were, of course, unheard by Mireille. She had already disappeared with the squad members she had become friendly with, looking happy. My worries were left behind.

The Magic Suppression Cloth was brought wrapped up tightly. Now for the preparation. Whether the cloth would pop out using the Crushing Sand and the heat-activated shells.

In the tower experiment, simply pressing down on the shell caused the inside to heat up and it burst open nicely. ...Well, I have no choice but to leave that to Mireille.

And so, I headed to the captain’s office.

Darius opened his mouth to speak.

"The operation is the day after tomorrow, at midnight."

...So it’s finally here. A chill ran down my spine with tension.

The plan was simple. We seize the Magic Furnace and cut off the mana supply to the Royal Capital. The capital will be plunged into darkness, communication routes will be severed. Magical weapons and reinforcements will be impossible.

In that chaos, we will restrain the king. In Duke Cedric’s domain, there is a magic barrier facility that Darius and his brother once used for treating Mana Overload Syndrome. He will be confined there. Cedric’s private soldiers will secure the perimeter. That was the flow of the plan.

"We’ll judge whether the Magic Furnace is down by the point the capital’s functions cease."

"Understood."

I nodded and sent the report to Julius.

"While there are injuries among the squad members, we have successfully secured the magic cores. In three days, the Defense Force will deliver them to the Magic Furnace. The situation in the Tree Sea is currently under investigation, so subjugation and exploration are not permitted."

This should tie up the Mage Order’s movements.

...Or so I thought. A reply came back immediately.

That was fast. Julius, you’re too diligent. That’s probably why you’re so good at ingratiating yourself with your superiors.

"How do you plan to transport the cores from the base to the Magic Furnace? The monster repellents were collected as they were deemed unnecessary by the Tree Sea Defense Force, but will you be alright?"

...Who do you think you are, you bastard. You’re the one who took them.

Another message followed.

"I will gather monster repellents and weapons at a magic tool shop in the Royal Capital. Can you come here to retrieve them?"

"...Huh?"

I couldn’t understand. Or maybe, was it obvious?

At first, he stole the bells with the intention of having me killed by monsters, but not only did I not die, I’m now planning to go to the Magic Furnace with the magic cores.

So now he’s probing, asking, "Hey, you still got those bells?"

Other than the bell Cerio gave to Julius, there were of course none left at the base.

Cerio himself was already dead.

...But it was a natural question. How do we plan to get to the Magic Furnace without any bells? It would be a problem if they made any unnecessary moves before the coup d’état.

I let out a deep sigh and consulted Darius.

"I see..." Darius furrowed his brow.

"If we answer that we have monster repellents left, they’ll press us on ‘Where did you get them?’ But they shouldn’t suspect we’re making them here. The problem is..."

"Cerio."

"That’s right. Kyle, what do we do if we’re asked for a reply from Cerio?"

Kyle answered with a panicked expression.

"...I can’t. There’s a personal code to be included at the end for identity verification. Only Julius knows it. I can’t impersonate him."

"What about the fact that communications from Cerio have ceased?"

"...He hasn’t said anything. He just asked about the magic cores. Basically, it was enough for either Cerio or me to report. The communication is one-way from my end."

Darius fell silent for a moment, then groaned.

"The safest bet is... to go and get them. Even if it’s a trap."

"If it’s just supplies, we have plenty of time until the night after tomorrow. But if this is the king’s order, there’s something else behind it," Leonhard said with a wry smile.

"It’s impossible for me to go. I’m supposed to be injured, after all."

Silence fell.

And then Kyle spoke.

"I know you may not trust me, but... I will go. You can kill me if I make any suspicious moves. In exchange, could you let me see her one more time?"

Darius closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Then he spoke in a low voice.

"Once you make contact with Julius, take her and come straight back."

What he held out was a Teleportation Bracelet that allowed for return to the base.

"Adrien returned this to me the other day. He said he wouldn’t be using it anymore."

Kyle accepted the bracelet, not understanding. So Adrien really is leaving the former captain. Leonhard’s chest tightened.

Unlike the rings, it seemed anyone could use the bracelet. When worn, it would return the user to this room. But if removed, would it send him back to the brothel?

"When this is all over, I’ll lend you the money to buy her freedom. Lift her up and bring her back. The moment you put on the bracelet, you can both teleport here together."

"...!"

Kyle, who had been listening from the side, widened his eyes.

Because he too was suffering from his love for Ariel, Leonhard understood why Darius would take such an action, and he looked down.