#48. Infiltration

In an instant, the number of guards swelled. A quick glance revealed more than ten spears pointed our way.

I hadn’t ruled out a physical confrontation. While I hadn’t expected this specific turn of events from the outset, I had, at least, brought equipment for ‘what ifs’.

Presenting these guards with a hefty, glorious magic bullet wouldn’t be difficult.

But doing so right away left me with questions.

The situation felt unfairly weighted against us, incomprehensible.

‘We’ had come here at Aylone’s official invitation. Yet, to be seized before even crossing the border was an act of betrayal against the Empire.

When power is roughly equal, countries should tread carefully in their relationships, no matter how poor. A misstep becomes justification, and justification is a fast track to the position of ‘underdog’.

Avoiding giving them cause was crucial, given our strained relations.

Aylone’s actions were bizarre, beyond mere foolishness.

Therefore, I formed a hypothesis.

“Aylone is deliberately provoking Merrybear.”

If capture or assassination were the goals, they’d have employed a more cunning tactic.

If their sole aim was provocation, then the current situation made some sense.

Of course, without any information, it was impossible to know for sure. What they hoped to gain from this, I still couldn’t say.

Before the thoughts spiraled, I decided on my next move.

“Subdue them, then. Try not to inflict any serious injuries, please.”

Complex thoughts were nothing but harmful; they wouldn’t help us in the immediate crisis.

There would be plenty of time for thinking after we survived this.

I drew a shotgun from my subspace pocket.

These were just border guards. Professor Rachel and I wouldn’t have much trouble.

The situation was swiftly contained by magic and arcane bullets.

“…What do we do now?”

The checkpoint was a shambles. Even with the minimal use of force, things had broken—inevitable, really.

Feliana asked the question, her voice tinged with unease.

“Indeed.”

Well, it seemed…

Perhaps the penicillin wasn’t the pressing issue anymore.

It wasn’t like we *caused* the trouble, precisely (they did start it), but the situation was undeniably complicated now.

Professor Rachel spoke up first. “Let’s head back. It’s annoying that we came all this way for nothing, but there’s not much else we can do.”

I glanced beyond the border. Aylon reinforcements were already mobilizing. If we were going to withdraw, it had to be now.

“…Hmm.”

But should we really retreat?

As I’d mentioned earlier, Aylon’s actions were utterly baffling to me. Something more than met the eye was going on.

“Professors.”

“Hm?”

“You should return first.”

I’d made up my mind.

The course of action I would take.

“I’ll stay behind and investigate. You can return and inform the Empire of the situation.”

This involved celestial affairs. If there was anyone suited to investigate, it was me.

Of course, the Professors wouldn’t simply allow it.

“You’re saying you’re going to infiltrate alone?”

“That seems to be the case.”

“Absolutely not. As a professor, I cannot knowingly put a student in danger.”

Rachel Professor said firmly.

It was a natural response for someone with such dedication to their role.

“I won’t be alone. I’ll go with Ivan.”

“Why me…?”

Professor Rachel still wore a displeased expression.

“I should go instead.”

“No, I believe I am better suited to this particular task.”

“Then we’ll go together.”

“…”

Naturally, the best option for me would be to investigate alongside Professor Rachel. Her competence in so many areas would undoubtedly be a great asset.

But we needed to consider the bigger picture. There was a reason I couldn’t go with her.

Professor Rachel drew attention simply by existing. Infiltration required utmost discretion, and a figure as well-known as Professor Rachel was simply not a suitable candidate for such an endeavor.

“Alright. Let’s do this, then.”

Time is truly running out. Any further delay and infiltration itself might become impossible.

Professor Rachel, even considering that, couldn’t possibly send *just a student* alone.

The answer was clear.

“I’ll go with Professor Meriel.”

Professor Rachel is far too famous.

Professor Felliana wouldn’t be of much practical help.

Therefore.

“……Huh? Me?”

Not famous enough to be noticed, and capable enough to be somewhat helpful.

That leaves only Professor Meriel.

*

“I never imagined you’d pick me….”

“Is that so?”

Ivan.

Meriel.

And me.

The three of us watch the carriage heading back to the Empire.

“Let’s get inside.”

Using illusion magic, we’ve disguised it to look like all three of us are returning together. For now, our infiltration won’t be discovered.

“Do you think this will be alright…?”

“Just in case, let’s hurry.”

Using invisibility magic, we easily slip past the still-disordered border.

Normally, ‘Detection Stones’ are placed at the border checkpoints, so this kind of method wouldn’t work. They detect all magic, so they’d catch everything, be it invisibility or flight.

But the previous battle destroyed the Detection Stones.

“That was close.”

As soon as we cross, new Detection Stones are deployed.

If we had been any later, crossing the border would have been a far more difficult task.

“It’s best if we don’t use magic any further, just in case.”

There’s no telling where another Detection Stone might be hidden. The border region will be under heavy guard, so it’s best to be as careful as possible.

We dispelled the magic in a deserted area.

“Shouldn’t we disguise ourselves or something?”

“We don’t exactly have widely known faces. Disguises shouldn’t be necessary, I think.”

Then…

“Let’s gather information first. Each of you should wander around and find out what’s been happening in Aylon recently.”

“Just collect anything and everything, right?”

“Yes, anything and everything.”

With our tasks roughly decided, I stared at Ivan.

I was honestly worried. He’s not exactly friendly to me.

What if he refused to cooperate, gritting his teeth…?

“No, research, papers, I don’t have to do any of that…?”

Radiating eagerness, that one.

Honestly, what’s wrong with research?

Incomprehensible…

“Let’s get started right away. We’ll meet back here in two hours.”

Well, it’s a good thing I don’t need to try and dissuade them.

We exchanged glances, then dispersed.

“Where to begin…”

To be honest, I don’t expect to find anything particularly useful this early on.

Being so far out on the edge of the country, news is bound to be slow in reaching here.

That’s why we’re limiting our investigations to only two hours at a time.

Until we reach the capital, it seems we’ll be conducting these short, sharp inquiries.

“Excuse me, would you mind if I asked you something?”

This being such a backwater, our investigations were limited.

Poking around too much would surely attract the attention of the guards, so all we could do was stop passersby and ask questions.

Still, we managed to obtain some meaningful results.

“The kingdom’s atmosphere certainly *is* unsettled these days…”

Merchants see and hear quite a lot.

With the proper remuneration, they’ll happily sell you choice information.

“Unsettled in what way?”

First off, the unease I felt wasn’t just my imagination.

The Aylon Kingdom was, in fact, in a state of turmoil.

“I heard the higher-ups have been replaced.”

A shake-up.

Apparently, many of the kingdom’s key positions have been filled with new faces recently.

The justification is “the purge of corrupt officials,” which sounds reasonable enough, but it still feels unsettling.

“I don’t know much about it. Mostly just rumors.”

“That’s alright. Is there any other information you can offer?”

“Ah, come to think of it, there’s also the story of the genius who fell from the sky.”

“A genius who fell from the sky?”

From what I gathered, it was about an ‘imposter’.

He appeared out of nowhere, flaunted his knowledge, and was snatched up by the royal family almost immediately.

“That does sound a bit strange.”

The fact that such a genius “suddenly appeared” makes me a little suspicious.

Damn it, another thing to investigate.

“Well, is that all?”

“Not quite.”

I’ve obtained enough information.

It’s been a considerable help in understanding the kingdom’s situation.

But you’re a merchant, after all.

You wouldn’t have told me everything.

“I’ll pay more. I need the hidden information.”

“Hmph… why are you so interested in the kingdom’s affairs?”

“Are you in the habit of digging into your clients’ personal lives?”

I handed the merchant a pouch filled with silver coins.

The merchant, counting the money with his eyes, chuckled briefly before pocketing the pouch and speaking.

“Seems to me, ordinary information won’t satisfy you.”

The merchant looked around, as if checking for eavesdroppers.

Once the coast was clear, he whispered to me.

“This must absolutely, positively, not be spoken of to anyone. Especially not within earshot of the guards. It could get rather… uncomfortable.”

“What is it?”

“…Try not to be alarmed.”

Indeed.

It was quite shocking news.

“The Princess is missing.”

.

.

.

Merchants rarely lie when money is involved.

Of course, fleecing a sucker is another story, but at least in an ‘equal’ transaction, they wouldn’t risk being dishonest.

They are merchants who live and die by their reputation, after all.

The information about the missing ‘Princess’ was probably not false.

—This isn’t just some rumor. I heard it directly from a capital guard.

It was likely overheard, but the source being a capital guard lends credibility.

Aylon’s strange behavior.

The disordered royal court.

A missing princess.

Everything felt connected.

“…We’ll have to go to the capital.”

The plan of a slow, meticulous investigation was scrapped.

We’re heading to the capital immediately.