Keeping a low profile, as sunset approached, I observed the enemy base. As one could imagine, their security was pretty tight, further supported by the accounts of the bandit I just tortured to death earlier. But, there are always ways to get through.
I sensed Miyako's gaze from beside me. Yeah, she was watching with me. She had been staring for a while. I didn't know why, but I just let her be. Until she was ready to talk about whatever was on her mind.
I had to say, this base looked pretty well built, way better and more secure than that last bandit base I wiped out. It almost seemed like this place had been standing for a fairly long time. Or their leader was just pretty responsible. I did learn from the bandit that their leader was pretty strong, but that was just par for the course on this land.
That being said, a lot of their people were more or less as strong as the bandit I tortured or his allies that we wiped out. If that was the case, if I wipe them out quietly, things should go smoothly. I could probably run this solo, but I might get tired before I'd be done.
The other party members would be joining, but I didn't know how reliable they would be. Well, let's give this a try. Every situation could be salvaged if things go wrong, at least I hoped so.
"Have you led troops before, Estelia?" Miyako suddenly asked.
I slowly turned towards her. "... There was one time."
"So you have experience of being a leader."
"Not like I wanted to."
"You didn't?"
I faintly smiled. "Is it not obvious? I am quite lazy."
She blinked her eyes a few times. "... Are you joking?"
"... Uh, no."
She briefly chuckled, as if not believing what I was saying. "If you say so… What happened? What did you fight with your army?"
"... Not an army. Let's just say a squadron of fighters. Not a war or anything."
"So a small-scale battle?"
"Yeah. It was within our capital city."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You have enemies in your own city?"
"Yes. They were enemies that could shape themselves to look like humans, while others almost looked human. That was enough to let them blend in and infiltrate."
"Do you mean demons?"
Of course, she would know about demons…
"They're not demons."
"Huh. I didn't know there were other beings that could morph into humans."
"These ones still have physical features that are inhuman. So you'd know what they are if those are exposed."
"I see."
"Anyway, the mission was to capture them. And they are exceedingly more powerful than any human. The battle was chaotic, and damaged our city pretty badly. But, in the end, we succeeded. With some casualties on both sides."
"Did they become your own loyal soldiers, then? The forces you used."
"... No. I basically just borrowed them." There was just no way I could have just had my own army. That would not be good. Our royalty was united, making that kind of division would be a red flag. "Besides, I have no intention of leading anything. Nor am I obligated to do any of that. As the princess, I had no need to fight or lead armies."
Miyako lowered her head, she looked taken aback. "That is very weird. As the daughter of the lord, I must learn how to fight. I must be stronger than my subjects. That is why I must train hard."
"Understandable, considering your lands and your culture. We are, for the most part, peaceful. No aggressive monsters roaming about, no barbarians or violent people on our streets. Just normal."
"Sounds wonderful… But it's a bit hard to imagine what your normal would look like…" She awkwardly chuckled. "You must be admired in your homeland."
"... I suppose." Which was kind of true.
"... If I may be frank… You are also quite strange."
"Strange?"
"... I don't know how you could do it." She grasped her own shirt. "You let that bandit touch you like that."
Oh, she meant that.
"Why did you do it?"
"... It got the result we needed. It was the safest way to overcome such obstacles."
"... No, I understand that. I meant… How are you willing to go that far? To let a man touch and treat you in such a nasty way…"
"... I only let it at the tolerable amount."
"Even so… That is not something I could ever do."
"We don't have to do what others do, you know."
"... Still, I couldn't understand you. You should treat your body more safely."
I am though.
"I was only luring and pushing him to do what I wanted him to do."
She suddenly reached out for my hand and grasped it tightly. "Even so, there are limits. You don't have to let yourself suffer such… such… debauchery."
She looked into my eyes so intensely that it shocked me she cared about that matter so much. Using that technique was quite common. To lure and guide men by seduction. And I was the most beautiful of all, using it to control people was pretty easy. Of course I would use that to my advantage. Would be a waste not to. Besides, it was quite enjoyable to see things unfold.
"... I understand your concern, Miyako. And I appreciate it. But don't worry." I smiled. "Anyone who did me wrong ends up suffering for it. Just as that bandit perished by my hand, I won't let such treatment of me go unpunished."
"... Is that really enough for you?"
"Them suffering the consequences of their actions is enough."
She slowly let go her hand off mine. "... Still, you are a precious lady. Please avoid doing that as much as possible."
I let out a resigning sigh. "Very well."
She smiled with satisfaction. "... Thank you. That aside, I was quite baffled at how they started fighting so suddenly. I never expected it."
"... Some people are just simpletons. Easily you could sway them."
"No… That requires skill, and… great beauty."
Well, that's also true. Especially the great beauty part.
Never could have pulled it off if I was ugly. And I was kinda special…
"You could do it too, you know," I said in a casual manner. I mean, to be fair, she was quite a beauty herself.
You know what they say, possess beauty and you rule the world.
She vigorously shook her head. "I could never! It's impossible. Besides, I wouldn't be comfortable with that."
I briefly laughed, she looked quite amusing. So adamant about not doing something so daring. "Of course. Don't force yourself." Some people just can't do some things. "Anyway, we should get back to the others. It's about nightfall."
"Are you done with your observations already?"
"Yes. We should move back away in the meantime. To eat."
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
I started moving and Miyako followed close beside me.
"When exactly are we attacking?"
"Past midnight. Therefore, we should fill our bellies and rest up until it's time."
"I understand." She faintly nodded, but I sensed a bit of anxiety in her.
"Is this your first time doing something like this?"
"Full stealth against humans? Kind of. Mostly, I just fight monsters or people directly."
Man, really upping up the pressure here.
"Don't worry. You'll work together with Satomi." That was the best option. Not only that Satomi was most experienced between the both of them, but they ultimately trusted each other. They knew each other well. That would be most effective in a team operation.
"Have you already made a plan?"
"Yes. But, you still have the chance to back out, you know."
Her brow furrowed deeply. "I already told you. If there's a place for me, then I'll do it."
"Alright. Just be careful. Your safety is the priority. If things are looking pretty dangerous, don't hesitate to retreat."
"I hope it won't come to that."
"How many bandits have you fought, anyway?"
"I have faced plenty back on my home island."
"Then you should be fine. Besides, this would be a good learning experience. You have something to brag about when you come back home."
She awkwardly chuckled. "I don't really brag…"
We met up with Satomi and Nira.
"We're moving back a bit. Just so those bandits won't see us from a distance. We still need to eat. I'll tell you the plan as we do."
I'm so excited to finish this.
Once we have the place for ourselves, I could eat as much food as I wanted. The spices, the seasoning there. The meat. I could make some decent cuisine! With that, I could finally eat something decent and delicious!
Chef Estelia is gonna come right up!
***
The enemy bandit base had a tall wall made of stone and wooden logs in all directions. It was a robust fortress that I doubted even if an army raided it would have an easy time. This place indeed seemed like it had been standing for several years, and prospered. Did the authorities just didn't give a fuck about the bandits here? Or perhaps they just didn't discover it.
I looked up at the moon. Our time to move out was coming near. There were still torches lit on top of the wall, that was to be expected. Places like this had to be guarded all the time. However, of course, bandits were undisciplined. A lot of them were expected to be lazy. And considering their fortress, they would get all lax when none had threatened them for a long time. And that was precisely what I learned from the bandit I tortured.
"Do you remember the information I conveyed to you?" I asked the team.
"Of course," Miyako answered.
"Clearly," Satomi crossed her arms. "Not the first time I took the stealthy approach."
I turned towards Satomi. "How did it go?"
"All successful."
Hearing that was a big relief. I supposed I shouldn't have been doubtful about her at all. Still, her stealth ability was way lesser than mine, there was still the chance that she would mess up. Well, not like I would one hundred percent be successful, but I was just built differently, you know.
"Bandits too?"
"Just small criminal groups. Thieves, illegal slavers, smugglers. Bandits are not normally my job to take care of."
"So you go for the bigger fish?"
And what the fuck defines illegal slavers?
I swear this place… Whatever, no need to really think about that part.
"Yes."
"Alright." I turned towards Nira, who was covered completely. "What about you, Nira? Are you all ready?"
Nira nodded.
"This may be the first time you get to do something like this. But, this will be a good learning experience that will be useful for your future. Just follow my lead and follow my instructions."
"Yes, I understand."
Honestly, Nira had a great advantage. She could turn into a fog, which was the perfect stealth skill. You could easily blend in the shadows with that. And that actually made it easier to teach her, she could move quietly and undetectably.
"You think we should really bring Nira with this operation?" Satomi asked.
"Of course. She'll be fine."
"... For a kid to be learning something like this…"
I chuckled. "She may be a kid. But she's actually older than you."
Miyako's brow furrowed, baffled. "What do you mean by that?"
"Literally. She's older than you, any of us, actually."
"Huh?!" Miyako gasped in utter shock, staring at Nira. She just couldn't believe it. "No way. It can't be."
"But don't worry, she is still a child. So you can treat her as such."
"Older than me, but still a child…?" Satomi muttered, confused.
"Her kind ages slow."
"... I-I see." Satomi mildly nodded. "What is her kind exactly?"
"... Just some… cursed people. I don't really know the whole story, nor can I explain it completely."
Miyako placed a hand under her chin. "... So there are many of them…? Who cursed them anyway?"
I gently smiled. "L-Let's forget about that for now. We should get into position." Yeah, I thought it was best not to talk about that thing. It kinda hints at a lot of secrets that I would rather not get into at the moment. "Remember, if we get discovered, it's all over."
I would rather not face dozens of enemies all at once. I could probably obliterate them with my spells, but that may incur an undesirable cost.
"Very well," said Miyako. "We'll wait at the side entrance."
I glanced at the fortress's left side; there was a small entrance there. I must open it quietly with Nira. Therefore, we had to sneak up and open it on the other side. From what I learned, it was a reinforced door. Blasting it open was not an option, that would be loud.
Nira and I moved on ahead. I sprinted while Nira followed me in her fog form. I made sure to stay in the shadows to avoid being seen by the enemy watch. A short time later, we arrived close to the left wall. While hiding behind a boulder, I observed the wall up close.
There were two guards above the wall on our side, standing watch, torches near them. Furthermore, there was indeed a reinforced door made of metal.
"Alright," I turned towards Nira. "One lesson, use everything at your disposal. There's no point holding out. Make things easier for you as much as possible."
"Everything at my disposal?"
"Firstly, we only see like two people on top of there, correct?" Nira nodded, and I continued. "What if there is an enemy behind them? Or out of our view?"
Nira seemed to open her mouth and closed at that realization. Hard to tell, as she had covered herself completely.
"Therefore, if we have a way to make sure there are indeed more, use it. What do you think we should do?"
"Um…" She looked at the wall, then upwards. "I can fly and take a look."
"Yes. Now go, and return once you have information. However, it will be best if you keep high up away. We don't know how sharp they are."
"I understand."
Nira turned into a fog and ascended high in the air. She then disappeared from sight, blending into the darkness. Really, what a cool ability. I hoped that if she was cured of the curse, she would still retain those abilities.
A while later, Nira returned, landing beside me.
"They have more behind them, one each. However, they are sitting down on the ground, and appear to be sleeping."
"Alright. Good. Then we should kill the ones awake first. Make sure to kill them instantly, or at least aim first for the vocal cord." I pointed to my vocal cord. "Right here. That should keep them from making too much noise, just in case."
"I understand."
"I'll take care of the one on our right side, you take the left. Wait for me to reach him and take out yours, okay?" As she could fly, she would definitely reach her enemy before me. We must be synchronized in this.
"Okay."
"As you kill him, it is also best to cover his mouth while you do so. Do the same for others if you can. Once you kill the ones awake, immediately go for the sleeping guys. They might awaken when they sense movement." I looked over at the enemies. "Now go, and wait to attack from above your target."
With that, Nira transformed into a fog and ascended into the air. I observed the two guards and waited for a clean chance to move. One averted his eyes in another direction, while the other yawned. I swiftly sprinted to the wall. Once I reached it, I pressed myself into the shadows.
Looking up, I poured a bit of body enhancement and used the wind to propel myself to the top wall. The moment I landed quietly, I pounced on the target, covered his mouth, and stabbed him in the throat. I twisted the blade before pulling it out and gently placed him down on the floor.
I saw Nira landing upon her target and slashing his neck with her claws. The damage was quite intense, I had to say, quite shredded his throat with the two claws she used. Guess we didn't have to worry about the vocal cord anymore if his entire throat was out. She caught the falling body and gently placed it down on the floor. Seeing that she had done well, I felt a small sense of relief. Nira was actually pretty good herself. She truly had a bright future ahead of her.
I glanced down at the sleeping bandit leaning against the wall. Approaching him, I covered his mouth and stabbed him in the throat. His eyes shot open, looking up at me with widened eyes. His limbs rattled, struggling. But a second later, he stopped moving. I pulled out my blade and closed his eyes.
Afterward, I returned to the one I killed and fixed his posture to lean on the wall. As if he was just sleeping. Even with the blood, that should give us at least a second of luxury. I looked at Nira, who was observing me, and she copied what I did.
When she was done, she rushed back to me. We remained crouched by the wall and looked down. It was then we noticed a lone man with a lamp in hand walking close to the wall.
"Man, I miss home." He leaned on the wall as he let out a sigh. "This place is rough…"
He looked tired and frustrated.
Wow, poor guy.
I was being sarcastic, of course. I wouldn't care if he missed his momma.
"Can't even sleep properly in this place. Can't take what they're doing to those poor people."
Nira leaned a bit forward, preparing her claws. Seeing that, I placed a hand on her shoulder, pushing her down.
"Another lesson, Nira. Have patience."
"... We should wait?"
"Killing that man may be too conspicuous down there. For now, let's wait if he moves out of the way. If you can afford it, always have patience, lest you make a mistake that could have been avoided."
"I… Okay, I understand."
And thus we waited. And a few seconds later, the man started walking away from the wall.
"Come on, don't be a puss." He took a deep breath before moving out, going away.
I nodded. "Stay watch over here. Take care of anyone that would discover the bodies." I wanted to take out the other guards on the wall, but not for now. Only after I let Satomi and Miyako in.
I jumped down the wall when it was clear. I approached the wooden door. It was unlocked, so I easily got inside after making sure the way was clear. I quietly walked through the tight corridor. And then I saw a small lobby with a table. Along with it were three guards, two being asleep. There were bottles on their tables, and it reeked of alcohol.
The one away was still drinking away. I snuck up behind him, covered his mouth, and slit his throat. I let go of him and quickly went to the other closest guy, stabbing him in the back of his neck. However, the third guy woke up, with squinted eyes, he saw his ally choking up in his own blood.
"Wh—" I threw my dagger and it pierced his neck. He was baffled and disoriented, and I quickly rushed at him and twisted the dagger that was embedded in him.
Blood spurted out, and he stopped moving. I heard a thud on the table, the other guy had died. I rubbed the dagger clean and continued my way to the steel door. There were no other guards left inside.
I unlocked the metal door and gently opened it, making as little noise as possible. It was a bit heavy, though. When it was opened, I lit up a small fire at the tip of my finger, which served as a signal to my allies.
A moment later, I saw a couple of silhouettes coming my way. It was Miyako and Satomi. They quietly rushed inside, and I closed the door.
"Splendid work, Estelia," Miyako said.
"It's still far from over. There are still dozens we have to kill."
"... Indeed."
"Anyway, are you ready? There's no going back from here on out."
"We're ready."
"Alright. Then, as planned, Nira and I take care of the lookouts first. And once you see you're clear, move in and execute all that you see."
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