Chapter 440

Inside the city of Plafard
We dashed through the enemy lines all at once and entered Plafard.
While we were at it, I reinforced the gates with ice to prevent any unnecessary interference.
About 200 elite soldiers entered Plafard with us. The plan was to swiftly take down the king’s younger brother with a small force.

“You all understand, right!? Our objective is only the head of Prince Corinius! Do not lay a hand on any uninvolved civilians!”

Marquis Vardmoi raised his voice at the front and gave a firm reminder.
We’re here to deal with Corinius—we don’t want the city of Plafard itself.
Considering we might want to get along with Duke Plafard in the future, it’s obviously best not to harm the citizens.
We need to be careful about that.

“Marquis Vardmoi, the man called Corinius seems to be holed up in a mansion in the northern part of the city.”

“Is that true, Lady Plum?”

“My men infiltrated and checked. They sent out a Kiblinki Saltas, so if we follow its guidance, we should be fine. For now, let’s advance.”

“Understood. Everyone, don’t stop! Move forward!”

We proceeded along the street that stretched straight from the gate, and before long, we encountered a group of spearmen with shields.
So they were lying in wait after all.

“You’ve come, Marquis Vardmoi. I heard Plafard fled back here, so it was the right call to quickly gather troops.”

“That voice... Credrius, is that you? I take it you’re not planning to step aside?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’ll take your head here for defying Prince Corinius! Spearmen, forward!”

The spearmen marched forward in unison.
That’s honestly the worst.
They hide behind their shields and attack with spears.
Since they’re using spears, they can attack from a distance where our swords can’t reach, and even if we manage to slip past the spears, the shields block us.
I could just mow them down with magic, but... should I?

(Kept you waiting. Moving through an unfamiliar city takes more time than expected.)

As I stood ready, I heard a voice from above the rooftops.
Strictly speaking, it was telepathy.
The Kiblinki Saltas had arrived.
Perfect timing!

“Wh-What are you!?”

(Marquis Vardmoi, can I restrain all those men?)

“Yes, go ahead.”

The Kiblinki Saltas spewed a torrent of spider silk from the rooftop.
It tangled up the spearmen, and the more they struggled, the more their bodies were bound tight and immobilized.
It even caught that guy Credrius while it was at it.
Seriously, like it just happened to grab him too.

(That should do for initial restraint. Talat, take care of binding them individually.)

(Got it!)

(Now, let me explain the situation on our side. As Plum’s subordinate reported, someone claiming to be under Duke Plafard approached us. They had a scarf made by their contractor, so we recognized them immediately.)

“That obvious, huh?”

(It was silk infused with Talat’s mana. It’s immediately recognizable to us.)

So that’s how it works.
Does that mean my spider silk looks completely different depending on who’s looking at it?
No way... right?

(Back to the point. According to the contact, a diversion will begin shortly. They requested that we use that opportunity to both rescue the hostages and infiltrate Corinius’s mansion.)

“A diversion?”

(You’ll see soon enough.)

If we’ll see it that soon, won’t the enemy also realize it’s a diversion right away?
I’m a little worried.

Just as I was starting to get anxious, there was a massive explosion from the northern part of the city, and thick black smoke began to rise.
Was that the diversion?

(Looks like it’s begun. Let’s go.)

“So casually! What did they do?”

(They said they were going to ignite the gunpowder store owned by the ducal house. It’s not far from Corinius’s residence, so even if it’s obviously a diversion, they can’t ignore it. That’s what they said.)

Huh, why would they keep a gunpowder store that close by?
I didn’t ask about the details, but now I’m curious.
If I remember after all this, I’ll try asking.

What do you think about this chapter?