Arisugawa Almost Died With a Card He Picked Up
“For the mission? What are you talking about?”
“I don’t think everyone knows, but I actually received special orders. The Hiroaki and the others there are actually criminals. That’s why I was told to apprehend them secretly.”
This guy… but it’s not entirely a lie. We are, in fact, being pursued by Light Elves.
“Criminals?”
“Didn’t you find it strange? Ordinary people passing through a pack of Earthworms to get here. How do you think they managed it? It’s because these guys are making them run wild. That earlier one was like that too! The reason one of them got separated was to aim for your neck. That’s why I helped them before that, I’m glad I made it in time.”
No, that can’t be right. But the way they looked at us had clearly changed. I have to prove my innocence somehow, you windbag.
“Everyone saw me sleeping, didn’t they?”
“Then what’s that attached to your waist?”
“It’s for self-defense! And when you told me to hand over the card, the captain went crazy.”
“Then what about that card?”
This guy…! It’s bad, the more I say, the worse it gets. There’s a card with a tower picture that guy left behind, but I wonder if that will be evidence. The card of the knight who killed me burned away to nothing.
“They’re criminals, we should apprehend them and hear them out.”
“Is that so? We haven’t been told anything, though.”
The Naga guards are also bewildered. The captain is likely also wondering whose story to believe.
“That’s because it’s a top-secret mission. Now, restrain them, and we’ll bring them back and deal with them legally tomorrow morning.”
“Wait, don’t listen to him!”
Sharin placed a hand on my shoulder. As if saying nothing I said would matter. In that case, I have no choice but to run. But if I run, they’ll get even more suspicious.
“…Understood. I’ll do as you say. It’s true that we’re being pursued by Light Elves. However, I swear we’ve committed no crimes. You can investigate us as much as you want.”
“Hiroaki, alright. Please protect them. I have something to discuss with Anakura.”
Nina looks at me with a “Why?” expression. But saying any more won’t change anything. It’s probably best to withdraw for now. The captain, with a smile, approached Anakura.
“You said it was a top-secret mission, but who gave you the order? And why did you try to kill me? Restraining me wouldn’t necessitate that, surely.”
“That’s a secret. And I wasn’t trying to kill you. I just put you to sleep. Perhaps I applied too much force.”
The captain grabbed Anakura’s wrist as he backed away. His shoulders twitched.
“W-what are you doing?”
“You’re coming too. We’ll question your unit, and the captain there knows, right?”
“N-no, I don’t know. Because it’s top secret.”
That top-secret mission is probably from Dark Elves. Anakura followed the order, albeit with a very displeased expression.
He’s observing, waiting for an opportunity to strike us. However, with so many people here, he would be at a disadvantage. I decided to quietly ask a nearby guard about him.
“Do you know what kind of person that Anakura is?”
“Huh, him? Nah, my squad is different so I don’t know. He’s a mage, right? He’s creepy and hard to talk to, and there’s a rumor he’s a half-breed of Dark Harpy and Basilisk.”
“I heard he wasn’t that strong, though.”
Hmm, so he’s seen as someone unapproachable here and not very skilled. That reminds me, the Tower Card, could it be a hint? It’s unlikely to be evidence, but I might be able to find a clue.
Front and back, it looks like just a card. Is the material paper? Why is only this one left and hasn’t disappeared?
“Is that the card he had?”
I showed the card to the captain. He had a similar reaction. After asking, he headed towards Anakura.
“Is this yours?”
“Ah, yeah, it’s mine. I must have dropped it. My hobby is fortune-telling, want me to tell your fortune too, Captain?”
“No, thank you.”
Fortune-telling? The card that killed me was just a fortune-telling tool?
“Veronica, what do you think?”
“He’s undoubtedly the culprit. That’s no mere toy. It’s a magic tool that can be imbued with strong magic. It has enough power to take a person’s life.”
Among the enemies I’ve faced, none have directly tried to take my life. And none have been this cunning. Most appeared boldly, declaring they would defeat you. I have to do something, find a way to counter him.
“Hey Veronica, can you put on another act?”
