I blurted out my declaration, causing everyone to stare at me with wide eyes.
Noah stammered in confusion.
“Y-you mean this Yulid person is… a bad guy, right? I mean, he is, isn’t he?”
Looks like he momentarily forgot his boss persona. Not that anyone was paying attention to that right now anyway.
Especially Dietrich and Luke, who considered Yulid their enemy, were visibly excited by my announcement.
But it was Lynen who objected first. He seemed uncharacteristically urgent.
“Joining Yulid’s side? Explain yourself more clearly. Surely you don’t intend to play spy or informant alone?”
“Actually—”
His burning gaze cut off the answer that was about to leave my mouth.
I felt genuinely confused by the threatening look that seemed to say, “Just try saying one more word.”
Did I say something wrong?
Clearly, a more thoughtful explanation was needed rather than simply saying “That’s right.”
“Of course I’m not really joining his side. I’m just pretending to.”
“Is that necessary? We could simply wait for them to gather their forces and then strike decisively.”
Noah and the other stragglers nodded in agreement with Lynen’s words.
I shook my head.
“How long should we wait for them to gather? Besides, we need proper intelligence if we want to strike as soon as they’ve assembled.”
“But we could plant an informant for that purpose.”
Lynen said disapprovingly while gently gripping my wrist.
“When there are people here perfectly capable of risking their lives, why must you step forward?”
“Now, that’s a strange thing to say.”
Dietrich looked incredulous, but Lynen didn’t even glance his way.
“Of course, any of them would be better than me in physical combat. But that hardly matters, right?”
If Yulid discovered me, I’d be finished in a second whether I was a noble lady or a Black Hand member.
So considering advantages beyond fighting ability, I was far better suited than anyone else.
I was the only one here who knew Yulid’s weakness.
‘Besides, if Sharen and her close associates are being held captive by Yulid according to the events I saw in <Marino>, they’re either already brainwashed or about to be.’
And I’m the only one with the ability to break that brainwashing. The Fairy Mint’s blessing, that is.
So I’m the only suitable candidate, right?
‘I’d love to just sit back and delegate like a proper noble lady!’
Raising children is so demanding.
Pushing aside my momentary existential crisis, I explained that the former leader Sharen might be suffering from brainwashing.
Luke, who knew that she had been weakening from Yulid’s machinations even before the rebellion started, quickly accepted my reasoning.
Lynen, however, remained displeased.
“…There might be other ways to break the brainwashing.”
“But if you can definitely solve it, that would be amazing!”
Luke, oblivious to the tension, exclaimed excitedly.
“If you can truly break the brainwashing, my lady, it would save us tremendous effort in rescue operations! If the leader and her guards join us to attack the rebels from both inside and out, we could crush the rebellion in one swift move! Isn’t that right, young master?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Dietrich glanced nervously at Lynen.
Noah, Luke, and even I watched Lynen, who remained tight-lipped.
‘Why is he so displeased?’
He seemed beyond mere dissatisfaction—he looked genuinely anxious. The hand gripping my wrist tightened.
“Then I should go instead.”
“I told you already. I’m the only one who can break the brainwashing. Plus, they seem to be using black magic without restraint, and I’m the only one who can counter that.”
“…”
This time he looked somewhat dejected.
Finding it oddly amusing, I gently stroked his cheek with the back of my knuckles.
I could see his tense eyebrows gradually softening.
“I won’t do anything dangerous. I’ll keep you updated on the situation regularly. Besides, I can escape if necessary.”
I tapped the back of my hand.
Though normally invisible, there was a magic circle engraved by Vice Archmage Marcel. It was a teleportation circle that could take me to Marquis Offensa’s infirmary at any time.
Without this, I wouldn’t have insisted on this plan.
Lynen’s expression finally brightened a little.
“…I see. I had forgotten about that.”
“Yes. So everything will be fine.”
“Try not to speak with this Yulid person if possible. Just gathering information about their forces and internal structure should be sufficient.”
“I understand.”
“Make sure you maintain contact with us. If communication breaks off, I’ll come looking for you immediately.”
“I said I understand.”
When Lynen nuzzled his cheek against my palm like a large dog, I couldn’t help but smile again.
Then I realized.
Dietrich, Luke, and Noah were all staring at us intently.
Their gazes said ‘get a room’ and ‘just a little more.’
‘Wait, what am I doing!?’
“Ah, m-mosquito! There was a mosquito!”
I hastily patted Lynen’s cheek and withdrew my hand, but the damage was done. My face felt burning hot.
Meanwhile, Lynen smirked at me.
“Nice try.”
“…”
You should control yourself too! Why am I the only one making an effort here?
‘Why? You know why.’
Because of this cursed system.
[Quest activated!]
[To achieve the hidden ending, you must return Noah’s potential guardian to his rightful place. Deceive the rebel Yulid and join his side.]
[Failure penalty: Unconsciousness for 24 hours]
This is insane.
‘If I fail, Lynen looks ready to storm in immediately.’
I must succeed at all costs.
“Anyway, let me explain my plan now. Luke, was it? I’ll need your people’s cooperation too.”
Oh, right. I reminded Noah:
“Boss, you should prepare to return to the hideout.”
“…!”
You have classes and homework to do.
Leaving behind a shocked Noah, I began explaining my plan to approach Yulid using the informant Nicker.
And that very night, we put it into action.
※※※
In his newly relocated room, Nicker sat in a daze.
‘How could my black magic fail so pathetically?’
Who would believe that a mere gesture from a woman could render black magic useless? Nicker himself didn’t want to believe it.
‘This is terrible. Even if I return to Lord Yulid like this, I can’t escape severe punishment.’
But before that, escape seemed impossible. Yet there might be a way.
In any organization with multiple people, there’s always at least one person harboring different thoughts. No one is completely without complaints.
‘If I can just persuade one of them to release me…’
Just then.
An argument erupted beyond the locked door.
“…I can’t take this anymore! Why should I get involved in Black Hand affairs? And why did the boss only tell you about it?”
“Know your place. This was the boss’s decision. You have no right to question it.”
“Know my place? Are you done talking?”
It was an argument between a woman and a man.
But listening carefully…
‘Those two must be from that strange organization.’
It seemed that internal conflict had erupted between two close associates of the boss.
From what he could hear, the woman had been dissatisfied with her treatment for some time. The man also seemed to have reached his breaking point.
Because of this, their voices grew increasingly louder until suddenly—BANG—someone was shoved against the wall.
“Wait, what are you suddenly—mmph!?”
After a startled exclamation that couldn’t possibly be an act.
CRASH! BANG!
Even furniture was being knocked over and broken.
Nicker smiled and inwardly clicked his tongue.
‘Looks like they’re beating each other up?’
Translator
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
midori
Thanks! Ahahaha, it was the system all along! Hmm I wonder if they’ll tell us about the system’s background. I’ve seen it before, but I think I’d like if it was something that was already intended for Calliphe to live a better life this time. Yulid Yulid Yulid! Waiting excitedly for the father-daughter to meet! Listen…a daughter’s first fan is her dad! That’s what it means to be a girldad KEKE.