The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 247: Counterattack move

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

Sarya and I discussed future matters together.

We had various conversations and speculated about the enemy.

Then, we analyzed the actions of the knight order and contemplated the future course.

Doing so...

We reached a temporary conclusion.

"So, is investigating that magic tool the most immediate thing we can do now?"

"Yes, I think so."

Sarya and I concluded that the magic tool provided by Arios was suspicious. There was a high possibility that it had been tampered with. The video of me committing murder was likely fabricated through some means.

According to Sarya, Arios was adamant about not letting go of the magic tool. If there was a request for its examination in relation to the incident, he would make the video public. However, he wouldn't entrust the magic tool to the knight order; he kept it himself.

It was highly suspicious.

Normally, one wouldn't personally manage evidence. It was customary to entrust it to the knight order responsible for justice and let them handle it.

Yet, Arios refused to part with the magic tool. It was as if he were implying that something was amiss. Examining the magic tool might yield evidence linking to my innocence.

"The problem is how to obtain the magic tool."

"If that's the case, there's an opportunity."

"Really?"

"I heard that a large-scale investigation regarding the incident will take place soon. There, the knight order will temporarily hold Arios-sama's magic tool."

"But hasn't he consistently refused that in the past?"

"If he keeps refusing too many times, it might raise suspicions around him... Arios-sama seems concerned about that. So, he decided to lend the magic tool to the knight order out of necessity."

"I see... So, if we seize the magic tool opportunistically..."

"Yes, we can thoroughly investigate it ourselves."

"When is this investigation scheduled to take place?"

As planned, it's scheduled for tomorrow, but... what if something happens? It might change the schedule if I get kidnapped..."

"That's true... So, what should we do now?"

The opportunity to seize Arios's magic tool exists, but we need more precise information to do so. How can we obtain this information?

I'm a wanted man. Sarya-sama is far more well-known, and if she takes action, she could be easily located. Even if we instruct her subordinates, if we do it carelessly, there's a risk that our information could be traced back to us.

... This isn't working.

At this point, we're at a dead end.

We can't resolve this on our own.

So... let's get external help.

"Sarya-sama, there's something I'd like to ask."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Do you know what happened to the examiners who were at the exam venue?"

――――――――――

Fortunately, Sarya had information about the examiners' post-incident actions. She had been collecting this information in case it might be useful for the investigation.

Most of the examiners were adventurers. The A-rank promotion test involved cooperation from A-rank adventurers as examiners.

After the incident, the examiners underwent brief questioning to ensure there were no hidden connections. The result, of course, was clear: none of them were involved.

All the examiners were released and returned to their normal lives. However, many adventurers who were asked for assistance in the investigation remained in the capital city.

Ideally, those two should be among them.

With that hope in mind, I walked the city at night, moving from shadow to shadow, keeping a low profile.

"Chirp."

The scouting bird I had temporarily contracted returned for surveillance. With its black feathers and nocturnal habits, it was perfect for reconnaissance.

"How did it go?"

"Chirp!"

The bird hovered in place and chirped, indicating that there were people nearby.

"Woof."

Another temporarily contracted animal, a wild dog, returned as well, giving a small bark in the same direction.

"Good. You two, keep guiding me like this."

"Chirp!"

"Woof!"

The bird and the dog chirped and barked energetically in response.

At times like this, their literal animal instincts were truly reliable. Their senses were many times sharper than a human's, making it easier to pinpoint the location of people.

With the help of the bird and the dog, I bypassed the surveillance network covering the entire capital city and arrived at my destination.

"Thank you. You've done enough."

I gave each of them some food and released them from their temporary contracts.

The place I arrived at was an inn. I found a way to get to the second floor from the outside. Just to be sure, I checked the room through a gap.

I saw the person the bird and the dog had located.

"No one else is here... This is my chance."

I inserted a knife into the window gap and forcibly removed the lock. It was an inexpensive lock as it was not a high-end inn, making it easy to open. I then opened the window and entered, apologizing for entering with my shoes on.

"Huh!?"

The person inside the room was suddenly surprised. They seemed to have been cleaning their weapons and had stopped in the middle of polishing their armor.

"I know it's very rude to visit late at night, my apologies for the intrusion, Axe."

"Wha... Wait, Rain!?"

Axe widened his eyes...

However, he seemed to have trouble finding the right words and opened and closed his mouth in surprise.

"Sorry to barge in like this. No Cell so is Axe the only one here?"

"Well, our rooms are separate..."

"Ah, I see. Sorry, but can you go get her?"

"Are you not even considering the possibility of me calling the knights instead of Cell?"

"Oh, I haven't thought about that... I was counting on you, Axe, so I hadn't thought about it at all. What should we do?"

"Geez..."

Axe chuckled and scratched his head.

"Your naive side hasn't changed at all. Seriously, you're causing trouble. Just wait a moment."

"Axe. I..."

"Enough, Rain. We'll discuss the details later. Right now... you think it's better for Cell to be with us, right?"

He said it quickly, blushing, and then left the room.

I thought our bond had been severed, but perhaps it hadn't. Maybe it was still intact somewhere.

I was relieved to think that.

"You kept me waiting."

After a while, Axe returned with Cell. She raised an eyebrow slightly when she saw me, but that was all.

I told them about my innocence and then asked for their cooperation. With Axe and Cell on board, it was impossible for them to be connected to Arios. I could trust them, and they were reliable.

If they became allies, we might be able to turn the situation around.

"I see..."

After the conversation, Cell nodded in agreement. Next to her, Axe wore a bitter expression.

"You... attempting to escape with the princess as a hostage is quite daring. If things go south... well, you could end up charged with treason, you know?"

"Sarya-sama has agreed to it. If my innocence is proven, there shouldn't be a problem if we say that the person who was supposedly kidnapped is someone else, right?"

"Well, that's... I don't know. It seems pretty complicated..."

As Axe worried, it was a fairly rough method, as he pointed out...

But I thought that, dealing with that king, we could reach an agreement. He had used his daughter as bait to lure out the enemy, so...

In an emergency, I believed he would accept my methods.

That's why I made this decision.

"Well, then... Will you help? I can't do it on my own... I need allies."

"You have a convenient story."

Cell spoke coldly.

"We thought we had severed our ties with you. If we agree to help you now, there should be a fitting compensation, shouldn't there? What can Rain offer us?"

"Everything I have."

"..."

Without hesitation, I declared, and Cell widened her eyes.

Axe was also stunned.

"I'll do anything... absolutely anything... So, will you help me? This is my request!"

I poured out all my feelings and lowered my head.

With this, even if it was a little...

"Sigh."

Cell's voice sounded exasperated.

"You're still the same... I almost envy your straightforwardness. We're helping you, and you don't need to thank us. Well, except maybe one favor."

"Rain is in trouble, and we want to help. We've been curious about this whole situation. We can't just ignore you."

"Thank you."

I bowed deeply once more.

TL Note- Well old friends have reunited and the mission continues. 

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