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76. Visible Trap

A strangely shaped full body armor which doesn’t cover the head. At his waist was an ostentatious long sword. We know of the organization with these characteristics.

The Knights Order.

There were three knights donning red armor. One was an important-looking man with red hair and the other two were large men with bald heads. The red-haired man is probably of a higher rank than the other two as they were standing behind him. Something about them reminded me of Altora and Gordon.

「Oh, how unusual. Is that young lady a werewolf? Nice to meet you.」

「……Nice to meet you too.」

「How do you like our Vita Tama?」

「It’s a clean and nice city.」

「We are glad to hear that. We pride ourselves on being a comfortable city for demi-humans to live in.」

It only looks friendly at first glance. When it comes to the Knights Order, however, they are a group that specializes in hunting demihumans. Even when Shizuku moved to stand behind me, the red-haired man was fixed on her while smiling.

The White Phoenix Knights Order who attacked Kinui were all wearing silver armor. In the military, it is common for each unit to have uniform color equipment. If that’s also the case with the Knights Order, those in red armor are probably from a separate unit.

Have they not shared information about us with each other? I thought it wouldn’t be strange for them to have at least a personal description by now, but… their attitude is too amiable for the Knights Order who are supposed to be the enemy of the demi-humans in the first place.

「Forgive my late introductions. I am Kirmiji of the Red Dragon Knights Order. If you face any troubles, please do come visit the Knights Order base. Since you are a guest from out of town, we will treat you well. Well then.」

After saying that, the man who called himself Kirmiji quickly left. The two large men follow suit.

「Marge, are you going to follow them? We could find a clue about the captured dwarf.」

「You’re right, but…」

「It’s a trap.」

「Yeap, it’s a trap.」

As Shizuku said, the quickest way to learn about the Knights Order is to follow them. However, even though he seemed amiable, the opponent is still a knight. And the Knights Order aren’t stupid.

「There’s no way that my personal description isn’t being circulated around. Even if that’s not the case, there’s no way they wouldn’t be suspicious of someone who is walking around with a werewolf and doing conspicuous questioning around town.」

「That makes sense.」

「The Knights Order are not stupid. This is a trap.」

Shizuku and Angelina silently nodded. However, Angelina inserted her own opinion.

「What’s the point of setting up an obvious trap like this? It’s like trying to put a basket over a pigeon.」

「Only if you rule out the possibility that they are just underestimating me to the core.」

Items needed for a trap to catch pigeons with a basket is… bait. The kind of bait the pigeon can’t help but pounce on.

「The demihumans, I guess.」

To them, Marge Siu is a “rebel who sides with the demi-humans.” In that case, the bait can be nothing other than demi-humans.

In which case, there is only one option.

「I’ll go alone. It would be especially dangerous for you, Shizuku. Koe-san, stay with Angelina in a safe place.」

「But… nevermind, I understand. I’ll wait.」

「Are you wearing the pendant?」

「Yes.」

「Good. Angelina, now that Shizuku is away from the land of the werewolves, her fighting power is limited. I’ll leave Koe-san and Shizuku in your care.」

「Roger.」

I nodded back at Angelina, who returned a salute.

「Is there anything you would like to say, Koe-san?」

「Take care, master.」

「Don’t worry.」

After completing the necessary exchanges, I pondered on how to follow the enemy. Kirmiji’s skill is high. Even if I follow him normally, he would probably notice me.

When tailing someone, you should use skills suitable for tailing.

「[Shadow Inactivity], activate.」

The advanced skill of [Covert Action] taken from Mello. Even when one is directly looking at you, they wouldn’t be able to see you. Even when you’re speaking they can’t hear you. A skill that can give you such an advantage. It can be said to be a skill with unparalleled performance for covert action and assassination.

「I’ll be going now.」

There was no response from the three. Confirming that this was proof that the skill was working effectively, I followed behind the two knights.

The knights were heading towards the center of the city without hesitation. The number of passersby gradually increased. The closer we got to the center, the more people there seemed to be and the fewer dwarves there were. We came to a busy market where minerals extracted from mines and steel products such as knives and tools were sold.

Immediately after passing through the market, Kirmiji and his knights entered a small two-story building. Knights donning the same red armor as Kirmiji walked around in the building. It seems to be the base of the Red Dragon Knights Order.

As young knights appeared one after another, reported to Kidmiji, asked for instructions, and then left, I overheard a conversation with the fourth person.

「How’s it going in the basement? The girl.」

「We tried administering medication, but she still won’t talk.」

「I have something to ask her. Make preparations.」

「Do you want to start now?」

「Yes, now.」

I continued following Kirmiji. He opened the door at the back which revealed stairs that led to the basement. Kirmiji descended with familiar steps even through the lack of light and the inability to see where he was stepping. And at the end of the stairs was a heavy stone door.

After passing through the stone door, there was a slightly larger space. The moment I stepped into it and was about halfway through, I heard the sound of the door being latched close behind me.

「All members, activate [Black Iron Arrow]! Shoot.」

「!!, [Vajra Barrier], activate.」

I immediately activated my defensive skill. A barrage of reinforced arrows rained down on the barrier that enveloped my entire body one after another.

「Oh good. So, you were really here.」

「An average person would have been a meat skewer by now. Isn’t it too dangerous?」

「I said I would offer a warm welcome, after all. I couldn’t make a greeting if I can’t even see your face.」

「Well, thank you for the warm welcome. Should I introduce myself?」

「No, don’t worry. Welcome back to Vita-tama, King of the werewolves, Marge Siu.」