The plan proceeded on its own with an ‘order’ that shouldn’t have been issued, followed by an attack when the pawns in two locations had gathered. This was accompanied by the destruction of each base.
This is a concise summary of what happened in the royal capital.
After reading the report from the informant, the head of the Dark Guild quietly placed the paper on his desk and then glared at his subordinates.
“What is the meaning of this?”
In the case of this Dark Guild, an order from the head is always mandatory when initiating anything, not just in the royal capital.
For this reason, they have established detailed regulations and issue orders accordingly.
The reason the royal capital’s base fell so easily was none other than the fact that the ‘order’ was exploited.
It was only natural that they would be crushed when forces gathered and were attacked in a near defenseless state.
However, what the head couldn’t comprehend was that the method of issuing that ‘order’ was known to the enemy.
One of the subordinates, who was being glared at by the head, reluctantly opened his mouth.
“There are also rumors that the King’s shadow is starting to move.”
“I know that!”
For those working in the relevant circles within the Sumit Kingdom, it was common knowledge that the royal family used a unit for covert operations.
It was also known that this unit was not inferior to a top-tier Dark Guild.
An organization like that might be able to discover the method they used for ‘orders.’
However, there was one thing the head didn’t understand.
“…Why are they showing themselves only now?”
No one could immediately answer the head’s question.
In the first place, the Dark Guild the head operated had been active for a considerable time.
Establishing a base in the royal capital was not a recent development.
The unit belonging to the royal family had shown no movement against them until now.
It could be attributed to carelessness, but still, why they started moving at this particular timing was completely baffling.
“Perhaps…”
The head’s brow furrowed as he overheard one of his subordinates muttering this.
“What?”
“Well, it’s just a baseless rumor…”
“Never mind that, speak your piece.”
“Yes. They say our organization is rumored to be acting under the will of another country. So, it’s possible that they moved because of that.”
“…What did you say?”
The subordinate who had relayed the story to the head, who had frowned further in displeasure, quickly added,
“No, it’s just a rumor! However, one of the reasons they eliminate other Dark Guilds is that interference from other countries is unacceptable.”
The subordinate was not speaking with any certainty.
The reason the royal family’s covert unit gives for eliminating Dark Guilds was that very reason, which is why Dark Guilds in the Sumit Kingdom had never allied with other countries since long ago.
Regardless of the truth of the rumor, this was why many Dark Guilds that existed throughout history had never allied with other countries.
While listening to his subordinate’s words, the head was inwardly in great turmoil.
The subordinates present here did not know it, but it was true that the head was operating with the aid of another country.
Information regarding this was strictly managed, and only three people, including the head, knew about it.
The other two were not present here now, but he was confident they would not leak it, knowing its importance.
From the head’s perspective, his current feeling was: ‘There’s no way that could be true.’
However, this was rooted in his inadequate perception.
Even for a bottom-tier Dark Guild, when people gather, money starts to move.
Even if direct information cannot be obtained from people, a certain extent of understanding can be gained by observing the movement of money and goods.
The problem was whether or not one possessed the ability to obtain such information.
The organization belonging to the royal family was more adept at obtaining information of that nature than at combat.
Unfortunately, the head was unaware that the shadows possessed such abilities.
It could be said that the head’s lack of perception and his ignorance of the opponent’s capabilities led to the current outcome.
While listening to his subordinates saying things like, “That’s impossible, impossible,” the head stopped them.
He felt that continuing this topic would endanger the organization itself.
Therefore, he hurriedly decided to change the subject.
“Never mind such baseless rumors. More importantly, it is certain that their organization is moving, right?”
“Well, I wonder. Regarding them, we’ve only been told they’ve existed for a long time, but their actual activities are completely unknown.”
To such unhelpful words, the head let out a sigh.
“…I see. That’s enough. So? What about Gabont Mountain?”
The head, having changed the topic, was not met with any particular questions. One subordinate stepped forward, making a grim face.
“There’s nothing to be done about it. That place won’t be usable for a while. It seems to have been completely burned down.”
“Is that so…”
The head muttered, shaking his head slightly.
The situation at Gabont Mountain, like that of the royal capital, was a problem that caused him a headache.
Although it was merely one of the organization’s sources of funding, it was undeniably a very profitable location.
Even if people could be dispatched and something could be done, the burned buildings themselves would have to be rebuilt.
However, rebuilding required money.
Another troublesome issue was that even if new personnel were sent, it was uncertain whether their previous connections could be utilized.
The reason the base at Gabont Mountain had remained without being subjugated by the military was due to the organization’s network of contacts.
However, with the base being attacked, even those connections were severed.
Reconstructing such a network from scratch would take time.
Due to these factors, the plan that had been proceeding until now was inevitably delayed.
Having thought that far, the head suddenly considered the worst-case scenario.
“O-oi! What about Ichii and Niruni!?”
To the head, who suddenly turned pale and started saying this, his subordinates looked at each other in confusion.
“No, we’ve only received the usual reports?”
“Send a messenger immediately… No, have one of you go and confirm directly! Right now!”
“H-head? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
As his subordinates, still seemingly unaware of the situation, exchanged glances, the head bellowed at them.
“Fools! The enemy knows the method for our ‘orders’!” Do you not think they naturally know about those two as well!?”
Ichii and Niruni were names of locations used as aliases within the head’s Dark Guild.
Both were important bases for maintaining the organization.
It was only then that they seemed to understand what the head was trying to say, their faces becoming flustered.
“You don’t mean they’ve already been destroyed!?”
“That’s what I don’t know, which is why I’m telling you to go confirm! Stop dawdling and get moving! If they are safe, tell them to tighten their security! Also, inform them that from now on, messengers will be sent directly by one of you.”
“H-head! But that will take time…”
“I know, but that will be the most reliable! Use your brains a little!”
Even if they changed their communication method, there was no telling when the enemy might discover it.
An organization that so easily discovered the communication method of the royal capital’s base could likely do something of that magnitude.
In that case, it was more reliable to send a trusted acquaintance directly.
Although it had the disadvantage of taking more time than exchanging letters, there was no helping it.
Watching his subordinates hurriedly start moving under his orders, the head prayed for Ichii and Niruni’s safety.
This was about the Succubi of the Sumit Kingdom’s royal family from the opponent’s perspective.
And then, the head sensed the next target and issued hasty orders.
What will become of the two bases?
(I tried to stir things up a bit!)
