Chapter 313
Chapter 313. Unexpected Information
Well then, it’s Hero Alexander, who swiftly dealt with those agents masquerading as hunters.
These guys didn’t seem to know much. As they were part of the active front-line units, they apparently weren’t given any unnecessary information. Apart from Ixel, they were completely clueless about who was hiding where.
It looks like these were the only ones lurking around, so I can breathe a sigh of relief that there are no stragglers.
…Originally, agents like Ixel who handle important information must be the rare ones. The damage from being captured is significant. It was none other than Virosa that helped me pick them off.
Gratitude—maybe that’s what this feeling is. Is it really gratitude…?
“I’m so glad Alex is safe~”
Leila was cleaning up the clothes of the ash-covered agents.
For now, I turned the three who weren’t the fake Hantos into undead and pushed them into the sunlight to turn to ash.
“…There are so many like this in the alliance zone, huh…”
Leila sighed with a worried expression.
“That’s right. There should at least be a few hundred of them.”
The ones I took down only amounted to six, including Virosa.
“But for Night Elves, even reducing their numbers a little is painful. The same can be said for Forest Elves—”
With low birth rates and slow growth, if their fighting force is diminished, replenishing it is a challenge.
“And besides, those agents are a select few of the elite.”
As Barbara pointed out, it takes decades to cultivate this type of elite. I envisioned the residence area of the Night Elves—the children of the Night Elves who were still running around, not fully tainted by darkness.
It would be a long time before they could hit the front lines.
“That’s why they were so desperate about the healing slots…”
Leila nodded in agreement.
“The increase or decrease in population is a matter of life and death for their race.”
I don’t mean to suggest that the lives of humans or beastmen are ‘light,’ but for long-lived races, the weight of losing ‘one’ individual is different.
…But then again, considering how the Demon Race, known for their longevity, matures quickly, it’s a bit unfair.
“Well, I suppose it’s all about steady accumulation.”
If I take down one ten times, that’s ten. If I can do that ten times, it’s a hundred.
Just like engraving letters into a stone tablet, little by little, I’ll make sure to inflict irreparable damage…!
“So what shall we do next?”
I muttered while looking down at the remains of the fake Hantos, which I still hadn’t turned to ash.
Just in case, I left him to say, “I hunted a Night Elf!” if any villagers were to come by.
Having extracted all the information through the techniques of forbidden magic and necromancy—inflicting unbearable pain on the soul, or conversely, offering indescribable pleasure, or creating a hazy consciousness—I had no use for him anymore.
“Whether or not to inform everyone about the real Hantos… is the question?”
“That’s right. To leave quietly like this, especially with the scene looking like… this.”
“It’s all bloodied up, huh.”
As I looked around the bloodstained log cabin, Ante said teasingly.
When using a sword, it’s just bound to happen. I didn’t have the confidence to take them down barehanded.
“Shall I clean up?”
Leila tilted her head, looking a bit unsure.
“If we stick to Ixel’s policy, we should just destroy the evidence and leave quickly.”
Barbara, in her spirit form with her arms crossed, coolly offered her opinion.
“Hmm. What do you think, Leila and Ante?”
“I… I feel sorry for Hantos and would like the villagers to hold a funeral for him, but I think it’s dangerous because rumors about Alex might reach their intelligence network. Like Barbara said, maybe we should just leave.”
“I agree as well.”
It seemed everyone was on the same page.
If we tell the villagers the truth, it will result in rumors spreading that “A Night Elf agent was slain by the Hero,” throughout the surrounding areas. Since I eliminated the messenger, it would be a hassle if other agents started moving around cautiously.
Liliana might have also alerted about the Night Elf intelligence network, so it wouldn’t be surprising if countermeasures had already started among the Forest Elves—but for me, it’s preferable not to stir the intelligence network as existing information is useful.
Not that I’d mind it starting, for Night Elf measures.
“I agree. There seems to be no better plan, so let’s say our goodbyes. Leila, I’m sorry, but could you burn this house down? Then cast the concealment magic and let’s get out.”
“Yes!”
Leila hurriedly started to strip off her clothes while I gathered up my things. Then, I pushed the fake Hantos into the sunlight to be turned to ash.
I decided to take half of the funds the Night Elves had hoarded. I’ll leave the remaining half for the villagers.
Sooner or later, the hunter would have disappeared from this village, but there’s no denying that I hastened it…
“I’m ready.”
Leila returned to her dragon form, and I tied my luggage to her with a leather belt. Additionally, I laid out a soundproof barrier.
“—Graaaw!”
With a somewhat restrained roar, the light released from Leila burned down the log cabin.
…Everything returned to ashes. There might be a rumor in the surrounding areas that “The hunter’s house vanished, and the residents mysteriously disappeared,” but judging by the Night Elves here, either they were just agents like Ixel or had extremely limited information about other agents.
The hunter = fake Hantos would not be immediately connected.
—And the existence of Hantos would vanish here.
“…………”
I silently prayed for the restful peace of the solitary hunter who quietly passed away.
…What, the Night Elves’ restful peace?
They got completely purified in sunlight, so there’s no peace about it.
“Shall we go?”
“—Yes—”
As I cast the concealment magic, Leila spread her wings.
Blasting forth smoke of the fire rising to the azure sky, the white dragon took to the air—
†††
Continuing north, we crossed the border, entering the Tritus Principality from the sky.
…Since we hadn’t paid taxes, this was illegal entry.
“Illegal or lawful, that’s irrelevant now,”
Well, that’s true—.
Upon landing in a densely populated area, it was hard to remain hidden even with concealment magic, so I aimed for a deserted forest.
“I’m a Hero, taking a long-needed vacation,”
I pretended to be a hero on holiday as usual and tried to enter town—only to find an atmosphere of tension at the checkpoint at the town’s entrance.
“A hero, huh…”
Upon seeing the holy light glimmering in my hand, the weary-looking priest stationed at the checkpoint gave me a sympathetic look.
“…I’m terribly sorry to trouble you while you’re on vacation, but we have an emergency and need your assistance.”
“What happened?”
When those words were said, my instincts from my previous life kicked in, and I couldn’t help but lean forward.
“Ah, it’s news from the front-line town, but actually—”
The priest lowered his voice.
“—Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7 Zilbagias-Reiju has been expelled from his country after losing a power struggle, and he seems to be hiding in the alliance zone…!!”
He said it with a serious face.
“What…?”
“Eh…?”
“Huh?”
“What!?”
We were left speechless.
“It’s no wonder you’re surprised…”
The priest sighed tiredly and shook his head.
“But it’s true that flyers with such content have been circulated in the front-line town. I myself also saw the actual flyer. Thanks to that, the entire country is in an uproar, and the discussion is to check anyone suspicious…”
The priest clenched his fists tightly.
“He may be laying low, even if it means shedding his horns… In the Defteros Kingdom, he ran rampant, and my acquaintance died in the capital defense battle. If possible, I want to avenge him—will you help search for a few days?”
“…Ah, of course!!”
I immediately agreed.
Damn, vile Demon Lord’s Prince!
Where the hell is he hiding!!
