Chapter 326 Foolish Strategy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Second-Class Soldier Ivan’s POV)
”Alright, first is Plan A. You understand the procedure, right?”
In front of the ten soldiers gathered behind the barracks, I confirm once more.
It seems quite a few rowdy types have gathered among Pressner’s team.
None of them have good feelings toward Hiroya.
All of them are the ones whose loved ones were all Hiroya’s women.
”I get it. We’re on a patrol mission from now on. So, we just need to take down Hiroya, right?”
”Yeah. Any reason will do. If he resists, we can use that as an excuse to grab him.”
Hans nods.
”For now, 5 of you will patrol the road from their Clan house to the guild. The remaining 5 will standby for Plan B.”
I gave those instructions and returned to the barracks with the 5 who were to stay.
* * *
”So, what about Plan B?”
In a room in the barracks, Hans asks.
”It’s for when Plan A goes awry. We’ll need to kidnap one of the clan members.”
”…A hostage, huh… That’s low.”
Aren’t you the one who suggested using Hiroya as a bargaining chip?
”Who are you planning to capture, then?”
”I haven’t decided yet… But hey, since there are four maids available, it should be fine if we pick any of them.”
Sure, only good women and brats should be left.
Since all members of the clan will head to the guild regarding Hiroya, it should be easy to kidnap them.
”No… it’s not going to be that easy?”
One of the 5 remaining soldiers spoke up.
”What do you mean?”
I turned to face the soldier.
”I’ve heard this too… that maid over there…”
* * *
(Hiroya’s POV)
”Well then, let’s head to the guild! Let’s wrap this up quickly, and then I’ll have some fun with Hiroya today!”
Saying that, Liz headed towards the entrance.
”Liz! According to the order, it’s Aluda’s turn!”
”That’s right, Liz-Liz! And next is Meluda!”
”Uh, I’m sorry. Since Eluda interrupted…”
Aluda and Meluda attacked Liz with that.
And Eluda was smirking while looking apologetic.
”Rena hasn’t done yet either…?”
Right.
I was planning to be with Rena tonight.
”W-Well, I’ll finish this quickly… so let’s all get along!”
I have a Bokken sword and Yamikirimaru tucked at my waist.
I was taken by the hand and led out of the gate by Kazumi.
The members all mounted their mounts, and we boarded a carriage with the guild as our destination.
* * *
”Hey, you kid, stop right there!”
Soldiers on patrol stood in front of me and Liz, blocking our way.
”We’re in a hurry… What do you want?”
Liz glares at him from horseback.
”There’s been a report of a blue-brown horse being stolen in the village… is that horse stolen?”
Ignoring Liz, the soldiers approach me.
”Of course not! Why are you treating me like a criminal?”
Kazumi, behind me, yells out.
For the time being, Kazumi and I dismount and face the soldiers with the reins in our hands.
”It’s definitely my partner.”
As I answered, I stroked Haya’s nose.
”Hmm… can you prove it?”
”Proof? What are the characteristics of the stolen horse? The coat color might be the same, but there are other features, right?”
”I have no obligation to tell you that. Suspicious… let’s take you to the barracks.”
(Ah, I see…)
These guys don’t want me to head to a duel at the guild…?
”Liz… take everyone and head to the guild. I’ll handle this quickly and catch up.”
I asked Liz, who was still glaring at the soldiers, to take the concerned members and head to the guild first.
”You guys, stop making ridiculous accusations! ──Well then, Hiroya, I’ll be ahead.”
Liz took everyone and left the scene.
”Now, about proving this horse is my partner…”
”We’ll investigate that at the barracks, so don’t worry.”
”No, I’ll prove it right here. ──Horses trained for riding listen well to what the person holding the reins says. Here, take this.”
I forcefully made the soldier hold the reins.
”See, you can take me along now.”
The soldier tried to move by pulling the reins as instructed.
”W-what? This horse won’t move?”
”Right? This guy only listens to what our clan members say… especially what I or Kazumi say.”
Saying that, Kazumi and I moved a little away from the spot.
”Haya! Let’s go!”
When I called out, Haya happily turned around and came running toward me.
──Dragging along the soldier holding the reins.
”Good, good Haya.”
I patted Haya’s neck as they rubbed against my face.
”Now I can prove it, right? Haya is my partner.”
”This doesn’t prove anything! Hurry up and come to the barracks!”
When other soldiers surrounded Kazumi and me, a voice came from behind.
”This is clearly unlawful detention. Are you taking villagers without just cause?”
When I turned around, a member of ‘Rose Hip’ was glaring at them.
”Could it be that you all are acting on the orders of Knight Pressner? What a bunch of scumbags…”
Ms. Helena stepped forward, arms crossed, confronting the soldier.
Behind her, Ms. Frieda and Laura were also glaring at the soldiers.
”The captain has nothing to do with this! This is our mission…”
”Bring me the one who’s claiming theft! I’ll make him see reason!”
Ms. Frieda confronts the soldiers.
The startled soldiers took a step back.
”You lot will be the ones getting caught!”
”That’s great! But not right now! We’re not going to run or hide. When the Lord returns, we’ll gladly show ourselves anytime. Until then, I have no intention of complying with such unfair detainment!”
Laura shouted angrily.
All the members of ‘Rose Hip’ had already placed their hands on their swords, creating a tense situation.
”Tch! ──Let’s fall back.”
Perhaps realizing it was too disadvantageous, the soldiers began to withdraw.
”I will file a protest with Captain Garlan of the stationed troops!”
Ms. Helena shouted at the retreating soldiers.
* * *
”Thanks for saving us… thank you, everyone.”
Kazumi bowed to Ms. Helena and the others.
I also followed Kazumi’s lead and bowed.
”Using such silly tricks… we were looking forward to today’s duel.”
”Most likely, it’s foolishness stemming from rumors about Lord Hiroya. That knight must be trembling now.”
Hearing Ms. Helena’s exasperated remark, Ms. Frieda burst into loud laughter.
”Thank you too, Laura.”
”N-no… Mr. Hiroya looked like he was in trouble, so… I just…”
Laura looked down, blushing.
”Well then, shall we head to the guild?”
Prompted by Ms. Helena, Kazumi and I got on Haya and headed to the guild.
* * *
(Second-Class Soldier Ivan’s POV)
”Plan A has failed. What a useless bunch.”
Hans curses the soldiers who came back with their tails between their legs.
”It’s unavoidable. The Rose Hip crew came barging in.”
”Those guys… I’ll make sure to r*pe them someday…”
The soldiers are cursing regretfully, but… he can’t do anything against the Rose Hip members, can he…
”Shall we gamble on Plan B?”
Hans reacts to my murmur.
”The maids are impossible, right? I can’t believe the little ladies among the maids are ‘Snow Wolf’…”
”Yeah, it’s impossible to make a move on the maids in the mansion. However──”
I had already given the orders.
’Kidnap anyone who leaves the mansion.’
”I asked the soldier on watch. Apparently, there’s an old man in that mansion. They must have already abducted him as he just left.”
”That was quick work, Ivan. Then let’s head to the dueling area.”
”Yeah. We’ll meet at the inn near the guild. From there, we can see the guild’s training area well. We just need to show the abducted old man to Hiroya and threaten him. I’ll head there with the soldiers. Hans, you threaten Hiroya before the duel.”
Hans nods, and we headed toward the guild as well.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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