Volume 6 Chapter 34 The Night Is The Stage For Ninjas
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When I woke up, I was disoriented for a moment.
It felt like I’d had a long, strange dream—one where I ended up in another world and met a doll-like princess.
Outside the small window, the pale light of a second moon filtered in, confirming I was no longer in Japan.
Ah… right. This was an inn in Kasgar, the capital of Duke Mineley’s territory. Maybe because I slept in a different room than usual, my memories got jumbled up. It only lasted a second, but it left behind a wave of nostalgic warmth.
What was supposed to be a short nap turned into a deep sleep. I must have been more exhausted than I realized, probably from living a royal life I wasn’t used to.
The sun was already setting. Evening—an ideal time. After all, night belongs to the ninja.
I first checked the door. The pin on the latch was loose, barely functioning as a lock. It was more for appearance than actual security. Even so, it probably raised the cost of the room.
In case of unwanted visitors, I had Ms. Lime sleep in my place, disguised as me. That should serve as a decent decoy. With that, my anti-intrusion setup was complete.
I opened the wooden lattice window and quietly slipped out onto the roof.
…Not that being on the roof offered any particular advantage. It felt more like sneaking around like a petty thief than a shadowy ninja.
Still, I activated my flight magic.
It was an unstable spell that could be canceled easily, but I only used it to soften landings from low heights. As long as I touched the ground, it wouldn’t trigger. That made it perfect for short hops.
I leapt down into a narrow alley, landing without a sound.
The streets glowed under warm orange lights. Compared to Toyata Village, which sank into darkness after sunset, Kasgar felt like a proper city.
But as I got closer to the light, a harsh smell grew stronger.
It was the stench of acetylene gas, coming from lamps hung beneath the eaves of taverns. I’d seen similar setups before—in a dwarven concrete workshop. The gas is made by reacting fuel stones with water, something similar to old Earth technology. There must be a mine nearby producing those stones.
The lamps, hung outside, cast their light through thin mica windows. Mica was a mineral that could be split into sheets, often used by children as toys. In Toyata, I only ever saw small flakes, but here they’d adapted the larger pieces to act like glass.
From inside the tavern, I could hear the drunken voices of patrons arguing. The liveliness gave the place a distinct atmosphere.
Taverns in the royal capital were crowded with summoned heroes who brought Earth’s culture with them. Some had even become Western-style diners, losing their exotic charm entirely.
Since I had the chance, I figured I might as well check the place out. Taverns were the best place to gather intel.
I activated my Stealth skill and waited near the entrance. Once someone opened the door, I slipped inside without making a sound.
I could’ve walked in like a normal customer, but consider this a little infiltration practice.
The small room was dimly lit by the acetylene flames behind mica panels.
About ten people were inside—fairly busy for such a compact shop.
At the counter, a woman with heavy makeup chatted cheerfully with patrons.
In daylight, it might be obvious, but under these lights, she looked striking. They say women look best at night or from a distance, and for the drunken men around her, she probably did seem like a goddess.
But it wasn’t just lighting and alcohol. Her manner, her confidence—she carried herself with a practiced allure. You pick that up naturally in a place like this.
In a corner, I spotted three merchant-looking men drinking ale and munching on fried bread.
They seemed deep in discussion, but after eavesdropping a bit, I realized they were mostly complaining about their jobs.
One of them proudly showed off a mithril coin—the one I’d issued. He waved it around like a rare treasure.
It hadn’t circulated widely yet, so I was a little happy someone valued it.
In this world, mithril was considered more precious than gold, so the coin’s worth seemed to be well understood.
It was harder than iron and wouldn’t scratch easily. But it didn’t regenerate—if it was damaged, it stayed that way. I couldn’t help but worry someone might mistake it for a fake.
Apparently, the intricate portrait of the goddess etched onto the coin also added value. Like a collectible idol photo.
If I started releasing limited-edition commemorative coins, they might catch on among collectors. That way, the coins wouldn’t return to circulation, and I could earn a tidy profit.
I made a note of the idea using my Editor skill. Small things, done steadily, can lead to big rewards.
The merchants’ complaints eventually turned to gossip—grumbling about officials, mocking nobles, and badmouthing other traders.
It wasn’t fun to listen to, but it was still useful background noise.
The most hated figure in this town seemed to be the Duke’s younger brother. He was the same perverted old man who used to prank Tizzy when she was a kid. In my head, he was already flagged as a villain.
Rumors said he worked with corrupt merchants and manipulated the local economy for his own gain.
And the Duke himself? He let it happen, which didn’t win him much popularity either.
No one mentioned Ms. Shirakaba—the woman who married into the Duke’s family. Maybe she hadn’t made a name for herself yet.
If a succession dispute broke out, her rival would likely be Tizzy’s older brother—known as the “fool.”
There was another elder brother once, said to be wise, but he died young from a mysterious illness.
Tizzy’s brothers seem to die unnaturally often. Almost makes you wonder if a certain famous detective is lurking around.
I heard a scuffle near the door. Looked like someone who ran out of coin was getting thrown out.
No drinks on credit—maybe this tavern had some standards.
I’d learned what I needed. Quietly, I slipped behind a drunk customer and exited with them.
With Stealth maxed out, I was practically invisible. But having to wait for someone to open a door was inconvenient. On the flip side, a well-placed door might be good defense against people like me.
Lately, there had been more reports of unauthorized break-ins at Sabroa Dukedom’s facilities.
Even small security upgrades could help.
The Duke’s younger brother was known as the Great Castor. His son had the same name, supposedly for tradition.
Still… naming your kid after yourself? That’s kind of weird. Then again, nobility has its own customs.
Little Castor, the son, is already close to forty. Meanwhile, his father is still under fifty. That means he must have become a father when he was around ten years old. I guess noble families really do live by their own rules.
Miss Floria has been tutoring me lately, and I’m beginning to understand just how deep—and dark—the world of nobility really is. The stories I’ve heard so far are only the beginning.
The Great Castor resides in the most impressive mansion in the town below the castle. There’s only one estate that grand, making it easy to identify. In a way, that’s convenient.
It’s even bigger than the kind of mansion you’d see owned by a corrupt official in an old period drama. Thick stone walls surround it, and there’s even a moat. Honestly, it looks more like a miniature castle.
There’s just one entrance—a drawbridge—guarded by ferocious dogs on chains. Infiltrating this place won’t be easy. The security here is even more intense than that of the Duke’s residence.
I might be able to sneak past the dogs using Stealth skill, but I’d rather not take that risk. A direct approach across the moat feels safer.
The moat’s water level reaches nearly twice my height. Swimming across would be difficult—muddy water and thick aquatic plants fill the bottom.
Luckily, I brought along a set of extra-long bamboo stilts, just in case. I extend one pole to match the depth of the water, adjust the footrest, and test the first step.
The pole sinks deep into the mud before stopping against a firm stone layer. But the mud is thick—it’s hard to move forward. It seemed like a clever plan at first, but this is tougher than expected.
If only I had a mizugumo, the classic ninja water-walking device. While there are theories that it doesn’t work on actual water, it might be perfect for crossing mud. I should make one when I get the chance.
After struggling for a while, I manage to cross the moat. I definitely don’t want to use this route again on my way out. Next time, I’ll take the drawbridge and deal with the dogs instead.
Now comes the tall outer wall. With flight magic to lighten my body, I can scale it by using the small gaps between the stones. Once I get used to the technique, I could probably do it without magic.
Back on Earth, there were people who climbed skyscrapers without any equipment. It’s all about balance. If you can support ten kilograms with one finger, and you’ve got ten fingers—plus two feet—it’s manageable.
Apparently, ninjas would insert kunai into stone walls to create footholds. I have a few kunai prototypes with me, but I don’t need them right now. Just using my fingertips to feel out bumps and crevices as I climb is starting to feel enjoyable.
It takes some time, but I eventually reach the top. A strange sense of satisfaction fills me.
Sharp rock fragments are embedded along the top of the wall like a vicious trap. Thanks to my Radar Scan, I spotted them in advance. If I had grabbed them by accident, they would’ve sliced my hand cleanly.
Copper plates covered in magic circles are also laid out in a seamless array. This place might be overdoing it—even the royal palace doesn’t use this much security.
I record the magic circles using Editor Skill. The design is simple, but this isn’t the time to analyze it. Maybe I should retreat for today and return after regrouping?
Still, it feels like such a waste to climb all the way up here only to go back down. As I peer down into the courtyard, I spot a large gecko clinging to the wall beside me. Carefully, I reach out and grab it by the back of its neck to avoid getting bitten.
It’s twice the size of a Japanese gecko. Without hesitation, I toss the writhing creature into the inner side of the wall.
The gecko hits something invisible and drops straight onto the magic circle with a soft plop. It doesn’t move. Is it paralyzed?
Thanks to its noble sacrifice, I have a better understanding of the magic’s function. This must be a kind of animal-based shinobi technique. There was a children’s book series back home that described using mice to trigger traps or tossing snakes to startle enemies.
As long as you’re using animals, it can be called a beast-shinobi technique. Ninja arts really are flexible—whatever works is fair game.
Maybe I should call this the “Beast-Shinobi Gecko Concealment Technique.” Or maybe it should be “Insect-Shinobi”… no, geckos aren’t insects. Never mind.
Suddenly, a loud bell rings from the mansion grounds. A group of guards appears, drawn by the alert. They’re carrying swords, but none of them are in armor—just sleepwear or casual clothes. One of them is clearly drunk. They don’t seem very serious about their jobs.
”What triggered it this time? A bird? A bat?”
”Haha, it’s a lizard. Probably came out because it got warm.”
”Such a hassle. If it were something edible like a quail, it’d be worth catching.”
”Why don’t you eat the lizard, then?”
They laugh and mess around. One guard picks up the gecko from the magic circle and tosses it playfully.
”Stop fooling around. Take care of it properly so this doesn’t happen again. I’ve already been woken up too many times,” their leader snaps.
At the command, one of the men crushes the gecko’s head and throws it over the wall.
The lifeless body of Yamomaru—a name I gave him only now—flew over my head and landed with a splash in the moat.
This is my chance. Yamomaru’s sacrifice won’t be in vain.
I leap silently over the wall and drop into the courtyard. The guards laugh among themselves and reset the lever before heading back. That device must be the switch linking the magic circle to a magic crystal. It’s a flashy, expensive setup. But no matter how advanced the security, if the people running it are careless, it’s all for nothing.
Actually… can I call that a successful Beast Transformation Technique? Since I used a gecko I found on the spot, maybe they didn’t even suspect anything.
Still, getting in was one thing. Escaping this place might be even harder.
Notes:
• Kasgar – The capital of Duke Mineley Territory. Located in a mining region, it is known for its acetylene lamps and mica windows. The city is bustling, with taverns and merchants, but it lacks the exotic charm of the royal capital.
• Tizzy – Claims to be Duke’s daughter, a noble with advanced magic skills.
• Shirakaba – A paladin who seems to be a skilled fighter. He’s introduced as someone with a strong defense and healing abilities.
• Miss Floria – Elegant, silver-haired noblewoman in her 40s, referred to as an ‘older sister’. Judge of the Supreme Court and Baroness. Former tutor of Princess Auroora. Initially stern but warms up, showing a playful side. Close with Ms. Nina (Princess Auroora’s doll copy), treating her like a sister. Trustworthy and explains legal matters clearly.
• Yamomaru – Male. A gecko used by Ore for infiltration. His appearance is typical of a large gecko, twice the size of a Japanese gecko. His relationship with Ore is one of utility, as he is sacrificed to disable a magic circle.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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