Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: A Dramatic Rescue
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“There’s a man in Alloje named Nirua.”

Nirua.

He was originally an informant for the Alloje family, a special agent dispatched for unique missions.

But he happened to overhear Duke Alloje’s ‘fake Pero’ plan.

After being discovered, he was pursued by Alloje and eventually killed.

And what he possessed was the ‘ability to disguise himself, even concealing his magic.’

When was it that Nirua overheard Duke Alloje’s plan?

He probably hadn’t been caught yet.

In the story’s sequence of events, he’s discovered right before the meeting.

The timing was perfect.

When he becomes a target of Duke Alloje, I can just snatch him away.

Besides, Nirua was said to be horrified by Duke Alloje’s use of Croire Alloje—who, despite being an illegitimate daughter, shared his blood—as a mere tool.

On top of that, his life was now in danger.

In a situation like this, even I should be able to persuade Nirua.

“We should find a way to win him over.”

I laid out only the information that the original Croire would have known, leaving out the part about Nirua soon being pursued.

“He is a man who reveres the power and blood of Alloje. He believes that Alloje blood, no matter what, must be respected…”

I held out my hand.

“If he finds out I was sent here as a fake Pero and a tool, he too will feel betrayed by Duke Alloje.”

Diello’s reaction to my words was predictable.

“Even so, can we really win over one of Duke Alloje’s loyal retainers?”

Fortunately for us, he wasn’t loyal to Duke Alloje, but to Alloje itself.

I replied lightly to his concern.

“Let’s do our best to find a way to persuade him. There’s still time before the meeting.”

As long as I didn’t interfere, events would follow the original story, and Nirua would find himself in peril.

Besides, was I not of Alloje blood myself, even if only half?

As I finished tidying the bedding and stood up, Diello’s peculiar gaze followed me.

“Are you going to teach me something again?”

My eyes met his.

He was looking at me with the eyes of an obedient student.

…I couldn’t exactly teach him how to see the future(?), but I could probably show him how to win over Nirua.

“Of course.”

I said confidently to Diello.

“Instilling fear is all well and good, but sometimes, gently persuading an opponent is also a virtue of a family head.”

I’ll make you the perfect head of the family! Just follow me!

I gave him a wink.

* * *

Argenta’s intelligence division moved immediately upon our command.

And soon, a perfect opportunity arose.

“According to our investigation, Nirua is being pursued by agents of the Duke of Alloje.”

“…Pursued?”

I feigned ignorance with a blink, but I already knew.

Looks like he’s already overheard the fake Pero plan.

The timing was impeccable.

“Yes. It seems he learned of a certain ‘secret’ of Alloje.”

At Rick’s words, Diello and I looked at each other.

He opened his mouth.

“An Alloje secret…”

I pointed briefly to myself.

“It’s highly likely he found out about me.”

“Then that means a secret Argenta must also protect has been leaked.”

Diello’s blue eyes wavered.

Hearing this, Rick asked cheerfully.

“Yes. Should we eliminate him?”

His voice held not a hint of hesitation. Diello’s gaze also turned to me.

As if telling me to decide.

Rick looked at Diello, and when Diello looked at me, his gaze naturally shifted to me as well.

I shook my head.

“If he can’t be won over to our side, we’ll have to, but if he can, there’s no ability we need more right now.”

Because Nirua had a special disguise ability that could even conceal magic.

He was now the only person who could perform the special disguises passed down as his family’s secret art.

Diello, who already knew from my explanation, slowly nodded.

“That’s certainly true. The problem is how to persuade him…”

Already being chased by Alloje, if Argenta suddenly appeared and said, ‘Join us!’, Nirua would only find it ominous.

He would assume that, just like Duke Alloje, I was complicit in the fake Pero scheme.

A man who considers Alloje blood itself sacred would not be willing to follow our side.

Not until I tell him our plan myself.

“Should I send someone to bring him in beforehand?”

Diello asked. I shook my head.

“No, let’s wait a little longer.”

Nirua wouldn’t die easily anyway.

According to the original story, he was caught after three or four more pursuits left him exhausted, so it would be better to appear and save him right before he’s captured.

“He might die. I’ve heard Alloje’s assassins are particularly ruthless.”

Diello said with a troubled expression.

Isn’t Argenta the same way? I scratched my cheek.

“Still, we need to save him in a dramatic moment.”

That’s how we’ll earn his loyalty.

I said to the wide-eyed Diello.

“I’ll teach you well. Just follow my lead.”

After whispering that, I turned my head to Rick.

“Tail him with the intention of intervening just before he dies.”

“…”

Rick didn’t answer me. He looked like a statue with a cheerful face.

His gaze was fixed somewhere between Diello and me.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Sir Rick?”

“Y-Yes?”

Rick finally started and looked at me.

What’s with him? It’s like he heard something absurd.

“Have our people tail Nirua and the Alloje assassins. And if it looks like Nirua is about to die, intervene. Make sure he doesn’t.”

“…Understood.”

Rick’s reply was suspiciously a beat too late.

As he bowed and raised his head, his gaze landed on Diello.

When I turned to look at Diello, he was looking up at me with sparkling blue eyes.

* * *

A short while later, a specific date for the meeting was set.

At the same time, we heard news that Nirua wouldn’t last much longer.

“One week from now.”

The location was an Argenta villa used for such meetings.

[Since Argenta recently had a joyous occasion, would it not be best to hold it in Argenta territory to offer our congratulations as well?]

That was Siete Cartiel’s suggestion.

It was an unwritten rule not to fight during the meeting period anyway, and from our perspective of needing to hide the lily, there was no reason to refuse the offer to meet on our home ground.

“Prepare the villa to receive our guests.”

At Diello’s command, the people of Argenta moved with perfect coordination.

While the meeting place in Argenta was being prepared.

“Nirua’s location?”

We received an update on the location of Nirua, who was said to be on the verge of being caught.

“Tila Pass.”

“Tila Pass?”

Diello’s and my eyes met.

The location was convenient.

Wasn’t that the pass between Argenta and Alloje?

“Let’s prepare to leave.”

I shot to my feet.

Diello’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re going yourself?”

“Of course.”

If it wasn’t me, who possesses both the blood and power of Alloje, persuading Nirua through normal means would be impossible.

“It will be dangerous.”

Diello seemed to want to stop me.

But this was a plan that could not be allowed to fail.

It would be difficult to pretend Diello’s lily had disappeared at the meeting without Nirua’s disguise abilities.

“Then I’ll take a few more men.”

Diello shook his head at my words.

“I’ll go with you.”

I paused at his words.

Is it really okay for the head of the family to go all the way to the border with Alloje?

“…”

But Rick, who I thought would be the first to object, was quiet.

As if it were fine. As if he wasn’t worried at all.

“Wouldn’t I be able to learn better up close if I go myself?”

Diello gave a faint smile.

“Well…”

…He has a point.

In the end, Diello and I decided to leave for Tila Pass together.

To save Nirua in a dramatic moment.