Chapter 185 – Intention and Unrest

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Why did Luke say such a thing?

That day, I ended up repeating those words over and over in my mind.

Luke said that I was important to him.

That he did not need anything else.

He could risk his own life.

And he had nothing else. Nothing was as important as me.

These were words that I had not expected at all.

It would have made more sense if he said that he was joking.

However, Luke seemed to say it with real intent. It was how he really felt.

There was a kind of intensity that would only be there if you were telling the truth. At least, that’s what I thought.

But now one had ever said such things to me before.

The passionate words shook violently deep inside of me.

There was someone who said that they didn’t need anything else, as long as I was there.

A fact that made me feel anxious.

(No. I can’t think about that. I have to focus on my work, and keep everyone in the 7th unit safe.)

Thankfully, we had prioritized self defense training since we began.

And so the newcomers had the basics down, and would be able to do the minimum when it came to defending themselves as Royal Magicians.

(That being said, they left something to be desired in terms of being a fighting force.)

Luke had told me to keep the transaction a secret.

‘If fewer people know, then it will be less likely to leak to the outside.’
‘But we have to tell the others in the 7th unit.’
‘We will tell them right before putting the plan into action. Otherwise, it will be more likely that the enemy will notice we are preparing.’
‘But it’s a dangerous mission. They must be mentally prepared.’
‘I will handle the most dangerous part. In the first place, our goal is to get information about the Dragon Order, and proof of the transaction. Not to fight.’

As someone who put their safety first, part of me did not agree with Luke’s words. However, I also knew that I had to be realistic as well.

This was an enemy that we could not be too cautious with. Or they would not show themselves.

No one had been able to acquire any information about them.

It was clear that this could not be done without a degree of risk.

Still, I felt that we should at least tell Misha. And after arguing about it, Luke finally agreed.

“The information that Ms. Leticia left, huh? Thank you for telling me. This is rather exciting.”

Misha said as she bumped her fists together.

“The 3rd unit has helped me a lot since I joined. And so I was very sad to hear about what happened to her and Captain Gawain. Not to mention, all the things that are being said now about the Royal Magicians Order. How we are a hotbed of corruption and a group of fools who should be driven out. They are the ones who are hopelessly corrupt.”

She said passionately.

“Let us expose the treachery of the three houses and the identity of the enemy. We will show how brilliant the magicians really are. We fight tirelessly every day. They should not underestimate us.”

As for preparations, they were being done in secret. Luke had expected something like this to happen, and had been preparing in advance.

We were approved to go on a mission to the misty forest, away from the capital. And a carriage was hired.

The new recruits would be able to experience some monster hunting, as well as investigate the area after the goblin emperor’s death.

Under this cover, the newcomers had more time to train and prepare.

And then the day of the transaction arrived.

Just like the schedule we had submitted, we departed from the city and entered the misty forest. Several people were monitoring us, and they saw from a distance when we went inside.

If they noticed any suspicious movement, they would probably cancel their plans at once.

Within the forest, Luke had hidden a different carriage.

It was the carriage of a merchant who traveled close to the forest once a month in order to do business in the capital.

With some negotiating, Luke had persuaded the merchant to lend him the carriage this month.

Inside of the carriage, there were several magic weapons and transformation potions prepared.

There were eight servants that Luke had prepared, and they used the transformation potions to look like us.

Once everything was ready, we told the new recruits about what we would actually be doing today.

“But that’s such an important mission…”

They were greatly shaken.

It was no surprise.

Even after telling them they would be in the back for support, they were still afraid.

“Oh, dear. A bunch of useless losers. Leave it to me. I am more than brilliant enough to make up for them.”

Ilis said with confidence. But as time passed, the fear seemed to grow.

“I-I think I need some air.”

She walked away and leaned against a tree, where she repeatedly took in deep breaths.

“Do you understand how reckless this is? This is too heavy a burden for people who just joined. It could lead to something irreversible. No, that is the most likely outcome.”

Miles came close to me and whispered.

“I know. But we don’t have any other choice. I promise that I’ll protect you. Believe in me. Help us.”

Miles stared quietly at me.

As if to measure how true my words were. Like he could look into my heart.

And then he answered.

“Very well. I will do what I can.”

Once we had drunk the potions and changed our appearance to merchants, we were able to reenter the city without being noticed.

First, we headed towards the Albarn house.

Luke had set things up so that certain supplies were to be delivered to the house.

“We will have the goods carried into the house now. But it may take a little time.”

Said merchant Miles.

It was odd, seeing him acting all polite like this. I suppose it really was true that he had been a serious and hard worker at the magic artificer guild.

“You really were a brilliant student once.”
“I will stop if you keep saying that.”
“But it suits you more.”
“I hate it.”

He said with a bitter expression.

However, he had no intention of actually stopping his act.

(I think I can leave this part to him.)

I and the others who were hiding then infiltrated the house.

“First, we need to take the documents that will be proof of the transaction.”

I nodded at Luke’s words.

“Understood. Let’s do this.”

We had now used transformation potions to disguise ourselves as absent staff of the Albarn household. And with the use of concealment magic, we evaded the notice of the security.

“This is quite exciting.”

Misha whispered.

With the report that Ms. Leticia left, we recovered the documents that would be proof.

“Hey, hey.”

Ilis tapped me on the shoulder.

“Huh? What is it?”
“What about this one?”
“Oh, that was what we were looking for! Good find.”
“Don’t look so surprised. I’m going to surpass you soon enough.”
“Uh, of course. I look forward to that. But thank you.”
“I-I’m just doing my job. Hmph.”

She turned her nose away and continued to search.

“They really seem to look up to you.”

Luke said. I smiled.

“They really do, huh? You acknowledge my success more.”
“You’ve been a big help. A reliable vice-captain.”

We talked lightly until we had gathered enough evidence.

“Now, from here it is my job.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Negotiate and make a deal.”

Luke gave a letter to one of the servants.

“Please deliver this to your master.”
“Certainly.”

The servant said with a bow.

And then we waited ten minutes.

The servant rushed back. He was out of breath and looked frantic.

“The master says that he will speak to you at once.”

Luke smiled.

“I will go and have a chat then. You wait here.”

Next Chapter

Expelled From a Black Magic Item Craftsman Guild I Was Picked up as a Royal Magician