CH 143

Chapter 143 – Nike Rescued

I moved to an uninhabited island in the ocean. Naturally, I had purchased this place and set it up.

I knew that no one would come after Nike here. Having safely finished the job, I let out a big sigh and returned to my original form as Bouchi Hiro. When Nike saw that, he stared at me wide-eyed in wonder.

“Y-You… weren’t a woman after all?” (Nike)

“Huh? Yeah, this is my original appearance. That form as a woman is just to conceal myself from public attention.” (Bouchi)

That wasn’t really the reason, but it was troublesome to have to explain every time.

“Well then, Shiki and I will be going back to Elrond now. I’ll leave protecting Nike to you all.” (Bouchi)

I left Nike in the hands of Sol, Yofel, Ior, and Izu, then I used a [Teleportation Crystal] and vanished.

The place I teleported to was the room where I had first met Noalia. The maids, including Noalia, were all shocked by my sudden appearance.

“Y-You…! You’re Bouchi! How did you get in here?!” (D’esta)

D’esta, who had immediately stepped forward to protect Noalia, pulled out her sword and pointed it at me threateningly. I raised both my hands as a fearless smile spread across my face.

“Whoa there. I’m not here to harm you. You must be curious about what the disturbance in the palace was all about and are looking into it, right?” (Bouchi)

“…?! Do you know something, Bouchi?” (D’esta)

“Of course. I’m the one who caused this disturbance.” (Bouchi)

“W-What?! What in the world have you done?!” (D’esta)

“What did I do, you ask…? I was just completing a request.” (Bouchi)

In the midst of all this, Noalia asked for a detailed explanation. As far as I was concerned, I had already told them all that needed to be said, but I suppose I had no choice but to break it down for them.

“Calm down and hear me out. Just a while ago, I infiltrated the palace and rescued Nike. He’s now waiting in a safe place.” (Bouchi)

“Is that true?! Y-You really rescued Nike…?!” (Noalia)

“Noalia…! H-Hey, Bouchi! That’s enough with your nonsense! The palace is guarded by the strongest fighters that were powerful enough to topple the Empire! And you say you broke in there alone and rescued His Highness Nike?! That’s—” (D’esta)

“Then just wait for a moment.” (Bouchi)

“Hah?” (D’esta)

“You have a spy in the palace, don’t you? For information-gathering purposes.” (Bouchi)

“….!” (D’esta)

“Then wait for your spy to come back and confirm the truth. The job is already done. All that’s left is for you guys to be convinced of the fact.” (Bouchi)

With that, I took a seat in a nearby unoccupied chair and decided to wait.

Meanwhile, D’esta, who was doubtful and wary of me, turned to Noalia and asked her about how they would respond.

“…For now, let’s do as Bouchi-sama suggested. It’s exactly as he says. Kirie should be back soon.” (Noalia)

After a while, a woman in a maid uniform came back to the hideout. She didn’t enter from the outside, but from the underground passage I had once gone through with Rajie.

Looking at Kirie, I noticed that she was the maid that I had seen standing guard by the door when I had first entered the hideout. When she came into the room and saw me, a look of surprise flashed across her face, but she immediately regained her composure and turned to Noalia.

“Sorry for the wait, Noalia-sama.” (Kirie)

“Welcome back, Kirie. Please tell us about the intel you have acquired.” (Noalia)

“Yes. The palace was in a state of commotion, as if a hurricane was brewing. The reason for this was the intruders that had attacked the palace.” (Kirie)

“Intruders…” Noalia muttered, and everyone turned to look at me.

“So? What was the purpose of the intruders’ attack?” (Noalia)

“Well, about that…” (Kirie)

Her expression turned reluctant, and she held her tongue as if it was hard to say the next words.

“Kirie?” (Noalia)

“…Please calmly hear me out.” (Kirie)

“…Okay.” (Noalia)

“The truth is—I believe Nike-sama was kidnapped by the intruders.” (Kirie)

Once again, everyone turned to look at me. I opened my closed eyes and spoke quietly.

“Just like I told you, right?” (Bouchi)

Noalia and the others all still looked at me in disbelief. The only one who didn’t understand the reason for their countenances was Kirie, who simply looked puzzled.

“…Then Bouchi-sama, you really have Nike…?” (Noalia)

“I won’t go back on my word. Nike is safe.” (Bouchi)

If I did need to go back on my word, it would only be to fool someone I needed to deceive.

“B-But… I can’t believe it. The Four Heavenly Beastmasters were all present…” (D’esta)

“Hm? Who?” (Bouchi)

A discomposed D’esta explained to me who the Four Heavenly Beastmasters were.

“Ah, right. Those guys were there. But it didn’t matter. We escaped unharmed in the end.” (Bouchi)

“…Bouchi-sama, you’re not just an ordinary merchant, are you?” (Noalia)

“No, I’m just a money-grubbing merchant. Everything I do is for profit.” (Bouchi)

This was nothing more than a strategy to increase the reward.

“Anyway, who cares about me? You guys were able to fulfill your objective without receiving any harm whatsoever. Do you have any complaints?” (Bouchi)

“…No, Bouchi-sama.” (Noalia)

Noalia, who had been sitting in a seat of her own, stood up quickly and tried to bow to me. However, I put up a hand to stop her.

“Wait. It’s still too early to thank me.” (Bouchi)

“Eh?” (Noalia)

“The job isn’t done yet. You’re just going off of circumstantial evidence here, aren’t you? I still have to hand Nike over to you guys.” (Bouchi)

“…I understand.” (Noalia)

“Ah, but that geezer Rajie doesn’t know anything yet. What should we do about this…?” (Bouchi)

“……Kirie, I know you must be tired, but could you please go to the palace and tell Rajie-sama about what happened?” (Noalia)

“Understood. I will go right away.” (Kirie)

“Yes. Please be careful.” (Noalia)

Noalia bid Kirie farewell as she left the room.

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