Feeling Like Someone Is Behind You

28

The girl’s hand, moving pieces across the game board with a rhythmic pace, halted.

Setting the piece she’d intended to move back down, she stared intently ahead.

Erich cautiously approached her side.

“Blocked again, Mother?”

“As you can see.”

“Just saying that doesn’t help me. Don’t assume everyone thinks like you or the Director.”

Smiling apologetically at Erich’s grumbling, the girl glanced past the board and sighed.

“Haa… Really, it’s much too fast. Even I’m having trouble keeping up…”

“That serious?”

“Mm. The Director’s thought processes are easily surpassing mine, you see.”

Muttering about how a brain had to be wired to even accomplish such a thing, the girl’s finger accidentally knocked a piece over.

“Ah, are they dead?”

“Not strictly speaking, not yet. But they soon will be.”

“Already decided, then?”

“It’s settled, then.”

Erich scratched his head, a tinge of regret in his voice.

“Originally, this side should have the overwhelming advantage, but…”

“It’s only the loss that I lament. If my memories were complete, surpassing even the Minister would have been possible… or would it?”

Seeing the girl trail off, Erich’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait, even with that as a given, you’re not confident?”

“The opponent is just too far outside the norm, so my confidence wavers.”

“You seem rather cheerful for someone who lacks confidence.”

“Well, of course I am.”

With a fluid motion, the girl picked up another piece, placing her hand down on the board as she replied.

“As much as I’m enjoying myself, I’m sure the other side is too.”

—

“Haa… haa… damn it…!”

Leaning against the wall, catching his breath, Karl cursed his own complacency.

Not long ago, he, with his brother’s help, had managed to unlock a sealed artifact at the request of a friend.

The artifact’s unlocking, achieved through a method previously unseen, something that had never been discovered before, garnered quite the attention in various circles.

After numerous experiments and verifications, it was discovered that the artifact had the ability to track mutated or named monsters, which was all well and good.

The friend who requested the unsealing was overjoyed, and Karl, too, was able to etch his name in the annals of achievement, seemingly a beneficial transaction for all involved, but problems soon arose.

Those who sought the artifact, which Karl himself had dubbed the ‘Named Seeker,’ appeared before his friend.

‘At first, I thought they were the artifact collector type, but it wasn’t them. It’s those guys my brother was talking about.’

Oracle.

The name brought a wave of bitter resentment, and Karl clenched his teeth.

Before contact was lost, his friend had reached out again, explaining that these individuals had initially tried to buy the artifact with an enormous sum of money. When they noticed something off and refused, they resorted to force.

They had managed to fend them off, but, prepared for any possible eventuality, his friend had come to see Karl. After that, contact had been lost.

Having heard that his friend was last seen at the Temple of the Flame God, Karl registered as an adventurer and hired an A-rank adventurer party to enter the temple.

And he found those who sought the artifact.

Along with his friend’s butchered corpse.

“b*stards…!”

Each ragged, heavy breath drawn in through the surge of emotion brought a wave of heavy, scalding air that burned in his lungs.

As the Temple of the Flame God, this place was a scorching dungeon that most people would find unbearable.

Even just standing still, his stamina was draining fast; the fact he hadn’t completely collapsed after running like a madman to survive was a miracle.

But now, he’d reached his limit.

The A-rank party he’d hired was annihilated. They’d fulfilled their role by buying him time to escape and perished for it.

However, their sacrifice was rendered almost meaningless; Karl had no strength left to run.

The sound of multiple footsteps began to echo.

They must be searching for him.

Judging by the increasing volume, they wouldn’t be long.

“Come and get me, you b*stards!”

Though just a civilian with no combat ability, Karl was resolved to take at least one of them with him when he died; he staggered to his feet, clutching a dagger.

But that dagger would never be swung.

“Karl.”

“Brother?!”

Seeing his brother, someone he never imagined he’d see here, Karl’s tension broke, and he collapsed where he stood.

Thank goodness.

My brother was safe.

I’d been worried sick the entire way here, but seeing his face put me at ease.

After giving my dehydrated brother water and calming him down, I listened to his account, nodding. I decided we should get outside first, but I had to pause just before stepping out.

“Minister.”

Turning at Christina’s call, I saw a dozen or so figures in black clothes and masks staring at us.

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but they seem even more flustered than we are.

Seriously though, aren’t they hot in those outfits? Just looking at them makes me feel like I’m overheating.

“The Minister of Intelligence…?”

“How are you here already?”

“There’s such a thing as being too fast…”

According to Karl’s story, those guys are the same Oracle members who tried to break into the Minister’s office last time.

Luckily, we’ve got the Owls with us, and we outnumber them, so we should capture them all and bring them back to the Intelligence Bureau.

I was about to give my subordinates the order when, at that moment, a cracking sound echoed through the air.

Immediately after, the Oracle members collapsed in unison.

Startled by the sudden turn of events, the Intelligence Bureau agents rushed over, but the subordinates who checked their pulses each shook their heads.

“They’re all dead. Looks like they broke into something like a poison vial planted here.”

Those are some peculiar fellows. Not that it’s my place to say, but don’t most people at least put up a fight before kicking the bucket?

I told them to search the bodies, but nothing of note was found.

Wait. Karl said his friend was murdered by them, so where’s that Named Seeker thing?

“I have it.”

“You do?”

“Yes. My friend entrusted it to me in case of an emergency. He probably… foresaw this situation.”

Karl produced an artifact resembling a compass and offered it to me.

Saying he couldn’t protect it himself, and asked me to safeguard it instead.

“Judging by how the Oracle b*stards were deliberately targeting it, it’s likely important, so it’s best if you hold onto it, brother.”

Strictly speaking, having it myself wouldn’t mean much, but I could give it to my men; they’d find good use for it.

“Understood.”

After receiving the Named Seeker, I went to where Karl’s friend’s body was, and where the corpses of the A-Rank party members he’d hired lay. I had them collect the bodies before heading outside.

Ah, almost forgot.

“Karl.”

“Yes.”

“See to it that something like this never happens again.”

I may be a useless brother, but I am still the Minister of Information.

Rely on me when you need to.

Feel free to use me if you have to.

At my words, Karl offered a weak smile.

“Of course. Thank you for saving me, brother.”

“…Glad you’re safe.”

“Yes.”

Just in case, I assigned agents to Karl, ordering them to take him to the hospital for examination and treatment. Then, I returned to the Adventurer’s Guild.

I needed to explain the situation, and apologize for entering the dungeon without permission, after all.

I do have the Grand Duke’s privilege, but.

Still, I had to say what needed to be said as a formality.

—

Upon hearing from the returning minister that Karl Barmut had been rescued safely, Guild Master Brown was overjoyed that the will was no longer needed.

But the joy wouldn’t last long.

At the Minister’s next words, Guild Master Brown’s face turned a ghastly shade of pale.

“Guild Master Brown. I owe you an apology.”

Behind the Minister, seated on the sofa, four figures in owl masks stood sentinel, flanked by Intelligence Bureau agents spreading out to either side.

Thinking it was fortunate he’d written that will after all, Guild Master Brown carefully selected the words he hoped would ensure his survival.

“There is no reason for the Minister to apologize.”

“Is that so?”

The Minister quietly stroked the ring on his right thumb.

In the crushing silence, as Guild Master Brown prayed that, should he die, his life would be the only one taken, the Minister continued.

“Then, instead of an apology, let me offer an explanation.”

“An explanation, you say.”

After hearing about the cause of this entire situation and the existence of something called ‘Oracle,’ Guild Master Brown felt like he was going to be sick.

From what he gathered, Oracle was some sort of secret society whose true nature had not yet been publicly revealed.

To prevent unrest, the Imperial government had tasked the Intelligence Bureau with controlling any related information.

And now, Guild Master Brown knew about it.

Rephrasing that, he could discern the Minister’s intention.

*In short, from now on, I’m involved too…!*

As if to confirm that thought, the Minister added after finishing his explanation,

“I say this for Guild Master Brown’s safety, but it would be best to avoid talking about Oracle as much as possible. It could become dangerous, you see.”

Faced with a threat, 100% pure, that recklessly blabbing would result in death by his hand, Guild Master Brown could do nothing but nod.

—

There are times like that.

Times when you’re sure you’re alone at home, but you get the feeling someone’s behind you.

Returning from the Adventurer’s Guild, I was about to take off my clothes to shower, dismissing the feeling as my imagination, when I glanced over my shoulder.

“Long time no see.”

Jeez, you scared me half to death!

Frozen in shock, unable to say a word, the crazy woman who believed herself to be Acero Kerkera frowned and looked around.

“A dense mana permeates everything here. The nature of this mana is… Elven? An elf has been here?”

What the heck? That’s creepy. How did she know that?

Truly, no matter how many times I encounter them, I can never get used to mages.

“What business do you have this time?”

“I told you, if our interests aligned, I’d seek your help again. Seems like that time is now.”

“Based on what?”

“Based on observations I’ve made from afar.”

*Is she a stalker?*

“Oh, were you about to shower? I’ll wait in the living room, take your time. Or, if you prefer, I could wash you myself?”

“I decline.”

*As if I’d entrust my body to a crazy woman!*

After showering and changing, I went to the living room to find the self-proclaimed Asero Kerkera casually sipping tea, acting as if she owned the place.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Anyone would think I’m the guest.”

“Oh, so you’re acknowledging me as a guest then?”

“Hardly. I’m merely tolerating your presence since I can’t get rid of you.”

*Just what does this woman want from me, constantly seeking me out like this?*

I don’t know much about magic, but the way she appears and disappears in an instant suggests she’s a rather skilled magician. I can’t fathom what she’d want me, of all people, to help her with.

“So, what is it?”

“Well, this is embarrassing to admit after asking for help, but…”

After a long pause, the self-proclaimed Asero Kerkera hesitated, struggling to get the words out.

“Truth is… I’m not exactly sure what I need help with.”

“Get out.”