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

Chapter 249 Capture

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

"Because you persistently asked, I've decided to lend you this important magical tool... In other words, it means I trust you. Please, do not betray my trust."

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind!"

I can hear the voices, but I can't see Arios anywhere.

I'm in a small hidden passageway behind a wall...

The wall is thin, so I can only faintly hear the voices.

There are no holes, so I have no idea what's on the other side of the wall.

"In times like these..."

I close my eyes and concentrate.

It's been a while since I used that, but will it work?

Click. I feel something fitting perfectly in my mind.

I open my eyes, and I've successfully merged with a rat.

"Alright."

I move the rat's body and slip through a small hole, unnoticed by anyone, to the other side of the wall.

On the other side of the wall is a meeting room.

In a slightly spacious room, long tables are arranged at regular intervals.

Arios is in one corner.

He's handing over the magical tool to the two knights.

"Now, I'd like to begin the investigation."

"Yes, feel free to do as you like. I'll observe from here."

The knights start examining the magical tool.

Arios is watching their work from a little distance.

This is tough...

Is Arios planning to watch closely whether the work is completed successfully or not?

If possible, I don't want Arios to realize my intentions.

But that's a difficult proposition.

If the magical tool disappears, Arios will consider various possibilities.

He might even think it's my doing.

To avoid that...

"Alright, let's give it a try."

After forming a plan in my mind, I lift the rat.

Then, I release the merger.

"Materialization."

Using the power I obtained through the contract with Nina, I create a replica of the magical tool.

I took my time and envisioned it thoroughly, so it looks pretty convincing.

It doesn't have the magical tool's functions, but in terms of appearance, it should be fine.

"You guys, go gather your comrades."

"Squeak!"

I give the guiding rat instructions to bring our allies from various places.

The headquarters of the knights is vast, and it's an old building.

Naturally, many rats have made it their home...

"Ah... sorry. We don't need that many."

"Squeak..."

The rat that gathered nearly a hundred of his comrades looked disappointed.

For now, I pick out those with exceptional physical abilities and ask five of them for assistance.

The reward is cheese that I bought before coming here.

First, I have three of them help me transport the replica of the magical tool.

I ask them to move to a position where they can jump out at any time and wait there.

Next, I have one rat wait near the magical tool that emits light.

The other three also wait there, just like the first group.

The last one merges with me again and becomes my eyes.

This is the crucial moment.

Extremely crucial.

I can't afford to miss the timing.

I must not miss the timing.

I gaze intently at Arios, the two knights, without blinking, and observe everything closely.

And then...

The moment arrives.

"...Tch."

Arios seems to have grown impatient with the knights who are silently investigating the magical tool. He lets out a light click of his tongue and briefly averts his gaze from the magical tool.

Now's the time!

"Squeak!"

I give the command, and a rat kicks the magical tool that emits light, causing it to fall to the floor.

"What...!?"

"What is this...? The light is gone?"

Suddenly, the source of light shifts, and voices of confusion from Arios and the knights can be heard. The magical tool, still illuminated, doesn't fully light up the entire room due to being on the floor.

A dark passage, metaphorically known as darkness, forms in part of the room. Three rats carrying replicas of the magical tool dash through it, repeatedly dashing and leaping.

They jump onto the tables, replacing the real magical tool with the replica, and then withdraw without being noticed. The operation has been successful as planned.

"Hey, what's going on!?"

"Uh, sorry. It seems the light went out..."

"That's strange... Was the screw loose?"

"The magical tool... it seems fine."

Voices from behind the wall can be heard.

The operation is progressing just as I envisioned it. Arios and the knights haven't noticed me. And the magical tool is in my hands.

"All right."

I don't need to stay here anymore. With a replica of that quality, I can probably deceive them for a while. But I can't stay forever.

Arios is bound to realize the switch sooner or later, and I need to examine the magical tool before that happens.

"Thank you, you saved me."

"Squeak!"

I stroke the rat's head and leave a piece of cheese as a token of gratitude. Then, I release the temporary contract.

I part ways with the rats and retrace my steps back to where I came from, leaving the knights' headquarters and heading to the back alley.

"All right, it went smoothly..."

Just as I'm about to say that, footsteps echo.

Clank, clank, the sound of rigid footsteps... probably someone in armor.

A knight, perhaps? What would someone be doing in an unused back alley?

Could it be that they've discovered me?

But there doesn't seem to be any commotion...

If Arios were to find out that I switched the magical tool, he'd likely be making a huge fuss.

Anyway, there's no time to hesitate. I hide in the shadows.

I'd rather run away, but it would make a considerable amount of noise. Since I don't know whether the person has noticed me, taking a risk wouldn't be ideal.

...

I hold my breath and suppress my presence. I reduce my breathing to the bare minimum. Even my heartbeats become faint.

Among the Beast Tamer's techniques is one for searching for wild beasts, which involves completely suppressing one's presence. I had mastered that technique.

If I use this technique skillfully, as long as the other side hasn't noticed me, I should be able to slip by unnoticed...

The footsteps come to an abrupt halt right nearby.

"Hehe, a game of hide and seek?"

The voice is clearly directed at me.

I'm taken aback but, at the same time, I tilt my head in confusion. Despite recognizing me, the person doesn't seem to be calling for help.

Is this person not affiliated with the knights?

Or perhaps, they don't even see me as a suspicious person to begin with?

It's better to gather more information before coming out of hiding.

"Who are you..."

"Good day, Mr. Rain."

The one who gracefully performed a greeting was the woman who was with Arios... a knight named Monica.

TL Note- One last exam tomorrow, wish me luck.

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