CHAPTER 111: SUBTERFUGE UNDER THE DENSE SHADOWS

~3rd Person Perspective~

　After seeing Toru and his party leaving the city from a distance.

　After some more time, a woman came to the south gate of Finlis.

　The woman is currently wanted at home and abroad. Once the guards spotted her, all hell would break loose. However, the gatekeeper let her pass through.

　It was not because the gatekeeper was unwilling.

　It was because she was blocked from recognition by the [Law] she used.

“Well then, shall we gather information quickly?” (Unknown)

　The woman headed straight for the Adventurers’ Guild. For her, it was the most daunting of all. But she still went to the guild because she needed certain information, no matter what it took.

　After applying several layers of perception blocking techniques and even setting up an “Emergency Transfer Escape”, the woman went to the counter.

“There’s something I want to ask.” (Unknown)

“Good morning. What is your business today?” (Receptionist)

　A woman with a lovely face and a good amount of hair smiled broadly.

(I see, your name is Marie, huh?) (Unknown)

“Where did Toru Minasuki go?” (Unknown)

　The receptionist is obliged to maintain confidentiality.

　If she tried to ask her by the correct method, she would never tell her the information.

　Then, what if it is the evil way?

　The woman’s words were filled with Law. The light rapidly disappeared from Marie’s eyes when she received it.

“Toru-san, huh… They went to collect Persimo.” (Marie)

“Persimo?” (Unknown)

　Mari is currently in a hypnotic state of hypnosis.

　The words that came out of her mouth were not false. However, the woman could not believe what she was hearing.

“I wonder. Why would a D-rank adventurer go to a B-rank or higher hunting ground?” (Unknown)

　Maybe Marie must have been given false information. The woman raised her eyebrows.

“Rank-up quest… Well, the opponents of Lost, here, the high difficulty… The king’s imperial order… A reward was given. …… C-C-C to rank C…” (Marie)

“Hmm…” (Unknown)

　Perhaps she has bound her mind a little too tightly, Marie’s speech is not running smoothly.

　It’s a sign of a mental breakdown.

(For defending the capital city, the king offered a reward, but the opposition was pushed aside and it became a difficult rank-up quest… So now it seems that the ritual magic will be ready in time.) (Unknown)

　Toru will not come back to this city for a while.

　It is not impossible that he may come back and conquer the quest quickly, as he did before. The thing is because Persimo is in a place that takes three days to get there and back, no matter how hard he tries.

　In contrast, the ritual magic that the woman is about to perform will take two days to activate. One day would be enough to make Finlis disappear.

　However, this is only an estimate if the opponent is not Toru.

(No matter how much time I have, I can never be too careful.) (Unknown)

　Toru is loved by the God of Fate. When the compulsion of fate comes into play, a difference in a day can easily be overturned. The woman knows this firsthand.

　Perhaps this information is fake bait from the God of Fate. The God of Fate has waited for them to jump on this opportunity.

(First of all, it would be better to be fully prepared, and then move in the direction of making sure Toru stops their actions.) (Unknown)

“Thank you.” (Unknown)

　The woman snaps her fingers. With that sound, the magic on Marie disappeared in an instant.

　If the magic had bound her a little longer, her mind would have definitely collapsed and her daily life would have ceased.

　It was not to save her life that the magic was released. In the first place, the woman did not care what happened to the receptionist.

　If she dies here, they will surely search for the cause of her death, and the fact that she came here will be exposed.

　That would only alert the enemy.

　Don’t leave a trail on where the bird flew. It is better not to reveal your existence until just before you do something.

“Oh, that… me, how…” (Marie)

　The woman headed for the exit of the guild, staring at Marie, who held her head down.

(Now then. Should I start the ritual first?)

　Activating [Stealth] and [Silent Steps], and reapplying the Recognition Inhibition spell just in case.

　It was at that time. She suddenly caught sight of a semi-transparent creature moving under her feet.

　It was a slime with a purple core.

“-!” (Unknown)

　Backstep immediately.

　The woman reaches for the knife at her waist.

　This slime is a minion of the god who interfered with the soul retrieval in the Royal Capital before.

　She must crush it now!

　Before the woman could pull out the knife, the slime shot out magic power.

“Wh…” (Unknown)

　A Law erased the female’s spell in an instant.

　The woman’s thinking slowed down for a tenth of a second due to the unexpected situation.

　Just a little more until her wish is fulfilled.

　Soon the King of Gods will be resurrected.

　—And yet!

　At that moment, someone grabbed her shoulder.

“Yo Luka, how have you been?” (Voice)

　The woman was startled by his words.

　She immediately evaded.

　But she was too late.

“Grit your teeth!” (Voice)

　The man’s fist suddenly appeared, and with an explosive sound, it pierced the woman’s temple.