Chapter 281 – A Report!
After purchasing the building on the other side of the Arubal Company, we decided to make it our base.
I took out some ore and resources from my inventory, and had Mappa reinforce the walls, floor and ceiling.
It was less about being durable, and more about sound-proofing. We also added powerful locks to the doors and windows.
In the meantime, I used concealment magic to monitor Bisto.
However, Bisto did not do anything towards our base. And I did not see him send any documents or messages either.
It was almost suspicious how normal he was acting. Perhaps he was being cautious, as he believed I had sent a spy.
In any case, I continued to monitor Bisto. At the same time, I had Rienna and Fule check the company for anything suspicious, but they could not find anything.
After that, I sent one of the Golems to take their place, but the results were the same. And so we spent the night in the base.
The following morning, Number 15 arrived in his old butler form. The carriage Golem that had been waiting must have called Number 15.
“Lord Heal. Sorry to keep you waiting. How is the situation here?”
I told Number 15 about the current situation.
“So he is relieved about the device… Or perhaps he is waiting for Alva’s report.”
“Yes. Until he knows what happened to it, he will likely postpone his report to the person behind him.”
“In that case, I will act at once.”
“Good. We will also go while remaining concealed. And if there is any danger, we will retreat at once.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I am a doll. You may abandon me in such a case.”
Said Number 16. But Fule patted him on the head gently.
“As if we could do that. Still, safety is best.”
“Yes. Even if I don’t sense any magic energy, we do not know what might be hiding. And so we must be careful.”
And so put the plan into action.
As ‘Alva’ headed to Bisto to make his report, we followed behind in secret.
Once Number 15 arrived at the company in the Alva disguise, he casually greeted the other employees there. No one realized that he was a fake. And none looked particularly surprised that he was there.
Apparently…only a few people even knew about the device.
Number 15 made his way through the crowded sales floor and climbed up the staircase in the back.
The first four floors were for selling. However, once he reached the fifth floor, there was an office filled with desks and shelves.
Number 15 greeted the employees there and walked towards the back without hesitation. He knew where the president’s office was, because he had heard it from Alva.
Eventually, he reached the extravagantly decorated door and knocked on it.
“Who is it?”
“Alva, from the Lushika branch.”
“Hmm. Enter.”
Number 15 opened the door. And then we followed him inside of the office.
It was furnished with expensive furniture and works of art. Even most noble houses were not this impressive.
Bisto opened his mouth immediately.
“…In the third basement storage room of the Leodor store. What product is placed on the top of shelf number 9?”
“A statue of a Leodor knight.”
“Good. Take a seat.”
It must have been some kind of code. But Number 15 answered accurately.
Or it was possible that Alva gave him the wrong answer, and Bisto was only going along with it to lower his guard. We had to be careful.
“So, are you certain that you were not followed?”
“Of course.”
“I see. Well then. How was it?”
“Berido…did his duty admirably.”
“Hmm…I can’t believe it… I will never be able to apologize to him enough.”
Bisto’s face darkened.
“However, Berido did well. And I can confirm that the device is safe. Before Berido died, he buried the device near the tower.”
“Has it been retrieved?”
“My apologies. I could not do it, as the Leodor soldiers were watching the place. After all, I had headed to the fortress under the guise of gathering the spoils.”
Bisto nodded. He did not look angry.
“It would draw attention to take out something that big. It cannot be helped.”
“Indeed. Still, it is all my fault that this happened.”
“What are you saying? You did well too. Who could have predicted that Lord Heal, would suddenly appear in the north and take down that fortress.”
“Still…”
“Do not worry about it. I told you that I would take the responsibility.”
Bisto said firmly.
Number 15, imitating Alva’s personality, bowed his head and apologized.
“I am terribly ashamed.”
“It’s fine. Now, we avoided the worst situation. Still, where do we go from here…”
“As for the fortress, I suggested that our company could purchase it. I said that we wanted to tear it down and use the stone materials. However, the landowner said he would keep soldiers stationed there, so it could never be overrun by bandits again.”
“They were troubled by that fortress for years…so it is little wonder.”
Bisto narrowed his eyes.
“…We could hire mercenaries and attack it.”
“That will not be possible. There are Leodor soldiers stationed there now. Even a thousand mercenaries will not be enough. Besides, such a large number would be captured before they even reached the mountain.”
“Indeed… But it would also be difficult to send a small number of scouts.”
The two were silent for some time. And then Number 15 opened his mouth gravely.”
“…President. I think this matter is out of our hands now.”
“Hmm… I see. So I will have to make a report after all.”
In other words, Bisto would contact the person behind all of this.
However, Bisto looked very pale.
“That will mean that I have no more use. I can only hope that my head is the only one that falls…”
“I do not fear for my own safety either. Still…will we really be killed?”
“We will… There is no reason in keeping us alive.”
“President… Who ordered this?”
“It was…”
As he began to mutter, something like a ray of light shot out in front of me.
“!”
Number 15 swiftly spread out his arms in order to protect Bisto. I also created a shield.
“Huh? Why didn’t it hit? And how did they notice?”
A voice rang. It was not Alva or Bisto. And obviously, it wasn’t us.
But when I turned in the direction that the voice was coming from, there was no one there. And I couldn’t sense any magic energy.
Either they had some kind of special device, or it was a crest.
Regardless, needles continued to be unleashed towards Bisto and Number 15.
However, Number 15 and the shield was enough protection.
“Huh!? Damn it!!”
A surprised voice rang. It was clear that the person was trying to kill Bisto and Alva.
But what would they do now…
I turned to the window and door and cast Shield.
Immediately, a voice rose from the direction of the window.
“Huh!? What is this!?”
“Mappa!”
I said, and a net was thrown towards the window.
“Gah!? Huh!?”
Something was moving inside of the net. But I couldn’t see anything.
“Why!? I can’t cut it? Damn it!”
This person inside was trying to cut the net, but Mappa had added metal wires inside, so it could not be cut.
After that, there was a sound and then a scream. Apparently, the net could electrocute its prisoner.
And then the net stopped moving.
We had wanted to use Bisto to find who was behind it, but they had come to us.
“Wh-what is this? Did you come here to kill me?”
Bisto looked confused. He had been prepared to die. Perhaps this invisible person was the one who contacted him before.
However, things had turned out differently.
We could just leave now, but I decided to do something to ensure that he would confess later.
I created a black mask and suit of armor with ryukin, and then made myself visible.
“What!? Who are you!?”
“…I will be taking this person. Bisto. You will confess your crimes when the time comes. If you do that, I promise that no one in this company will die.”
Bisto’s eyes widened as he raised his voice.
“I-I understand!”
“Good. Farewell then.”
I said, and then Mappa threw a ball onto the ground. And then smoke filled the room.
…Had he prepared it for this moment? Disappearing with a puff of smoke… It was like something from a story.
Mappa then made the net invisible, and we dragged the person out outside.
Like this, we managed to acquire a good lead towards finding the mastermind.
