TL/Editor: Raei
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"Thank you, Branch head. I have learned another lesson."
Theo, who had been watching Taylor from the side, organized in his mind the information he had learned from the informant.
'Oswald is behind this, and they are currently gathered at the heart of the underworld.'
After organizing his thoughts, Theo spoke up.
"Branch head. I understand. Shall I dispose of this person now?"
"Hahaha, there's a better way than that."
However, Taylor did not dispose of the informant.
Instead, he neatly treated and then released him.
The informant hurriedly fled.
Aisha, watching this, asked in a puzzled voice.
"Um... Branch head? Isn't it dangerous to release them like this...?"
"Hahaha, I think the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. I've taken separate measures."
Taylor shrugged his shoulders.
Although the exact measures were unclear, Theo was persuaded by his confident attitude.
After all, it was Taylor who had extracted meaningful information from the man.
Theo said to Taylor.
"I understand, Branch head. What should we do now?"
"The best course of action is to quickly surround the underworld and strike. Such groups tend to change their locations frequently."
"Hmm. Then I will request support from the Polaris Knights. Their proactive response might be lacking, but they have a large number and their strength is formidable."
"That's a good idea, Theo. The locals are likely to know the area better, too."
"Understood. I will consult Eve immediately."
Theo went straight to Eve, the head of the immigration office, and explained the situation.
"As I mentioned, the terrorists' base is around the underworld. We plan to raid before dawn, and would like the Polaris Knights to move in coordination."
Eve, still not accustomed to Theo's changed demeanor, responded hesitantly.
"Um. Honestly, I'm convinced... but the Knights are a different story, Theo...? You know, the Knights don't just listen to the immigration office and move actively, right?"
Eve's point was clear.
Theo had to directly confront and request the Polaris Knights' action.
However, the current leader of the Polaris Knights is a representative of the Waldeurk collateral line.
Naturally, he despised Theo, who had openly advocated for direct lineage superiority.
'The more famous I become, the more they'll be on guard against me.'
It was a headache.
If he went personally, it would likely end in failure or a half-hearted success. It would be a tremendous waste of time and emotion.
However, Aisha is the future representative of the Waldeurk collateral line, and would become the first from the collateral line to become head of the family.
"Understood, Eve. I will make a separate request."
After parting with Eve, Theo immediately went to find Aisha.
"You know the leader of the Polaris Knights, right?"
"Maverick? Yes, I know him to some extent... but why?"
Aisha glanced uneasily.
And that uneasiness became reality.
"Use the knights to surround the Polaris underworld and persuade them. We don't have time, do it right now."
Aisha looked up at Theo with a stunned face at his confident attitude.
And then, she nodded her head before long.
'...So it's me he comes to when things get tough!'
Theo always came to her when it became difficult.
Of course, this request was different from those in the past to a large extent.
However, whether this request was as a 'person' or as the 'next head of the family' was unknown.
Aisha opened her mouth.
"Got it, Theo. I'll go see him right away."
---
Raei Translations
---
After leaving the persuasion of the Polaris Knights' leader to Aisha, I headed to the terrorists' base in the underworld with Amy, Taylor, Luna, and Siena.
Arriving near the underworld, Luna said,
"I still can't use magic. A magic restriction barrier this widespread... These aren't your ordinary troublemakers."
Siena chimed in,
"Even the spirit friends don't want to come out. Hey, kid. What did you do in Polaris before? They're clearly keeping you in check."
"I only destroyed a building or two... I don't remember much else...?"
I asked Luna,
"Principal. Can no one use magic under this barrier?"
"Yes, that's right. No one can use magic under this barrier. Maybe except for Odius."
"Then, is the use of magic scrolls also impossible?"
"Yes. Scrolls need a bit of mana to use, right? If they've blocked it this tightly, you can't use magic scrolls either. It seems like the design completely prevents the use of mana."
"I see."
Theo nodded his head pleasantly.
He had considered using [Magic Nullification] to remove this barrier and enable Luna's magic use, but it seems unnecessary now.
Under this barrier, no one can use magic or scrolls.
'That bastard Oswald, trying to be smart.'
Oswald is a berserker style with strengths in close combat.
Naturally, the less magic and spirits involved for him, the better.
The fight with him will be a brawl.
'There couldn't be a better opponent.'
It was a great stage to show off the results of training with Nay.
Of course, if it doesn't work out, he can remove the barrier with [Magic Nullification] and leave it to Luna.
While Theo was thinking this, Taylor smiled and said,
"Hahaha. The separate measure I took earlier has worked. It's a big catch."
"What happened, Branch head?"
"The current location of the informant group has been identified. It's about a 3-minute distance from here... Um."
"What is it?"
Taylor closed his eyes to my question.
Taylor soon spoke up,
"There is quite a number of them. Looks like there are around 20. Among them, the one who appears to be the leader is quite strong."
"Can you see their appearance?"
"Hahaha, vaguely. It's a power granted to me by the great Renimid."
He was speechless and simply stared at Taylor.
'...He could use divine energy.'
And he seemed quite skilled at using it.
Taylor is an extraordinary healer who uses mana, which is inefficient for 'healing', to treat others.
Mana and divine energy are like oil and water.
Generally, those with a high amount of mana or who are skilled in manipulating mana tend to have low or no divine energy and are not good at using it.
The more he saw of Taylor, the more peculiar he became.
Then, Taylor said,
"Anyway, it might be best to retreat for now."
"Why is that?"
Nay answered my question in place of Taylor.
─Child. A group of about 20 is quickly approaching us. Among them, one has particularly ominous energy. Will you fight, or will you retreat for now?
Taylor said the same thing at the same time.
"They are approaching."
Though we were outnumbered, it would be a pity to retreat here.
It was an opportunity to wipe them out in one fell swoop.
If we retreated, they would disperse again.
'Can we hold out until the Polaris Knights arrive?'
I decided to give it a try.
I took out the [Elemental Sword] from my [Subspace Bag] after a long time.
"It would be a pity to retreat now. I intend to hold them off until the knights arrive. Would anyone care to join me?"
"I am here to protect you as your secretary."
"Hahaha. If Theo is going to do it, then I will too."
Amy and Taylor immediately took up a stance to respond.
"I feel sorry for the kid, she can't use magic or spirits."
"You're good with that sword, right?"
Luna and Siena also took up a stance to respond.
Theo smiled lightly and said,
"Then, let's move to that dimly lit place over there."
---
Raei Translations
---
Oswald, leading the charge, shouted back at his followers running behind him.
"Run faster, you fools! The silver-haired bastard's head has finally rolled our way!"
"Yes, understood!"
Oswald asked again.
"Right, right! They're nearby, aren't they?"
"Yes, that's correct. We should see them within a minute. Oh, there they are!"
A follower pointed to a spot.
Theo and his group, wielding swords in a dimly lit alley, were visible.
Even Luna, who once again awakened the feeling of fear in him, was there.
Oswald laughed wildly.
"K-k-k... Kahaha! Today is indeed the day I will defeat you!"
Oswald transformed the fundamental human emotions of fear and anger into violence.
"I've arrived, you bastards!"
Though he shouted loudly, they did not respond.
Kugugugu──!
Instead, a large stone wall rose between him and them.
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