Chapter 86: Trust

The unfamiliar location couldn't help but make Wu's brows lock deeply.

Staphen Library?

What's that?

It's also normal for you to not know about it, since it's a place of communication between countries, you wouldn't have known about this kind of facility if you don't participate in state affairs. However, it is not surprising that my father was determined to maintain good relations with other countries.

I guess my father built it.

"So you raided the Stephen Exchange?"

"Hahahaha! Even if the opponent is weak, it is impossible for us to be so hasty with our senior experience in theft. ”

"Even you, as veteran thieves, have failed, so it can be seen that that Fallomar is not trivial."

"After all, it's the second seat of the Enk Magister. Even if Itri and I continued to drill and plan for months before the operation, we couldn't defeat the ghostly magic—the difference in strength was too great. ”

Beama explained in disappointment.

Wu nodded in agreement.

"Plus, it's impossible for you to bring too many people, after all, stealing shouldn't be a big deal."

"That's right. The opponent's combat power seems to be weak on the surface, but we also have a relative disadvantage. ”

"Even if you know you have a disadvantage, you still have to act – that's what I called 'rash' at the beginning."

"You don't get it. We who are living in troubled times must grasp any opportunity, even if it is a drop in the ocean, we can't easily let it go! We rehearsed for countless months, but we were defeated. ”

"Can you tell me how you lost to Phelomar?"

"It was close to midnight – I led three veterans into the side of the Exchange Hall, while Itri drew attention from the front entrance with ten equally veteran pioneers. We all have the magic to attach a hidden aura to ourselves in advance, so that the traces are not easily detected. It turned out to be very smooth, and we did sneak into the exchange hall. ”

Itri interjected at this point in order to make up for it.

"There are two floors in the exchange hall – the downstairs is a drinking place for ministers from all over the world, and the upper floor is a place for experiments. We especially pick Thursday, the date when the ministers are not present at the wine bar. ”

"In other words, the funds you are eyeing shouldn't be in the Exchange Hall, right?"

Wu speculated.

It seems to be the answer to the truth.

Beamo and Itri were shocked.

“…… Why do you think so? ”

"Because this is a secret experiment that even the superior of Eynke does not know, let alone the ministers of other countries are involved in it. Funds are absolutely impossible to hide on the ground floor. As for the second floor, it is not easy to hide a large amount of money. ”

"And Mr. Forts—where do you think the funds will be hidden?"

"If it were me, I wouldn't be hiding in the Stafen Exchange."

"That's right – normal people think so. But facts can never be the same as they are guessed. It is true that the funds are not in the second floor of the exchange hall, but hidden in the 'basement' of the exchange hall. ”

"You didn't expect the other party to hide the funds in the basement, did you? Maybe you don't even know the basement exists. ”

“…… I'm ashamed to say it. As if they were aware of our plans, they deliberately spread the wrong information in an attempt to capture us – and we did fall into the trap they had set that night. ”

"But everyone survived, right?"

"Yes—it's a blessing in misfortune!"

Sure enough, it was a suspicious formation.

The man named "Phelomar" was a man of strength and intelligence.

If you have a conflict with the other person, it will definitely not do you any good.

But it's hard to say - this man seems to be the biggest enemy of Etri and Billo.

If you want to reach a cooperation agreement with the two, you will inevitably need an "opportunity" for the transaction.

Opportunities are important and difficult to seize. At least for now, there are a few opportunities.

"By the way, you were able to escape the other party's trap, which proves that you are not so vulnerable—what about it?"

"I'll take your evaluation as a compliment."

Beamo nodded lightly in thanks.

He didn't seem to be happy about it.

"But the two of them haven't explained why they're wearing uniforms that are imitations of the Eink Magisters?"

"I'll explain."

Itri took over Wu's question and took the initiative to respond.

"After that defeat, we were targeted by the ministers of the Kingdom of Einck. All countries put a bounty on the wanted list, but because the content of the experiment cannot be revealed, we are all accused of trumped-up crimes. ”

"That's natural."

"We have always had no fixed place to live, but we have no place to live in the world, so we have been looking for a rest base that can accommodate nearly a thousand people for several days, and then adjust our morale and take revenge on Phelomar."

"It's revenge—it's obviously a disaster that you took the initiative to provoke."

"That's right. But - that's the iron law of thieves! We never rack our brains to solve problems, but seek the most efficient solution to the source of all problems - 'Philomar himself'! ”

The iron law that sounds like a fallacy is actually just a criterion for their survival.

Thieves don't like to be exposed to the light, how to achieve all the goals perfectly as quickly as possible - efficiency. It is the "efficiency" style that changes their thinking. The subtle effect is shown in the iron rules of survival.

I am not qualified to criticize myself.

Wu nodded silently.

"We're so weak compared to Fallomar that we're really weak. Not to mention that Pheromar has the protection of the Kingdom of Eink behind him, and we who are just thieves can't compete with it. For this reason, Beama proposed a 'pretend plan'. ”

"Pretending to be a plan?"

This is a plan proposed by Bimo.

Naturally, he also explained carefully for Wu.

"I pretended to be Phelomar and asked the members to wear the uniforms of the Magister Order, and under the pretense of his identity, I went around harassing villages and towns that had nothing to do with the Kingdom of Aynk, and indirectly spread Phelomar's whereabouts and deeds."

"Are you going to discredit Philomar - ?

"It's not much of a smear, it's more of a cause for the troubles of the Kingdom of Aynk. As long as he does something against the will of the superior as Fellomar has the opportunity to make the superior start to target Fellomar in action. ”

"Did this also make the superiors of Einke aware of Phelomar's secret experiment, and make it fail?"

"That's right."

Was it the practice of killing people with a knife to sabotage Fallomar's plan?

However, it can be speculated why the two of them are eyeing the village of Tergasna, which has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Eink.

However, it is not clear what Beama's motives are for controlling the villagers.

This shouldn't have anything to do with Fallomar right?

Wu lifted the teacup again and took a few sips.

He already had a hunch about Beamo's plan - it would definitely not succeed.

"I have to say – you guys are doing this very poorly. The realm of Aynke is very large, and even the second seat in the high place is not easy to attract the attention of Emperor Einke, let alone the small actions you have set. ”

“…… We know that very well. We have been aware since we moved into the village of Tergasna. ”

"Speaking of Tergasna - living in Tergasna Village shouldn't have anything to do with your plans, right?"

The speculation made both men ashamed.

The two looked at each other for the third time, and this time the look lasted longer.

It seems to be a secret between the two.

"We miss the feeling of family. We were supposed to harass the village of Tergasna as 'Falloma', but what we didn't expect was that the villagers other than the village chief did not treat us as enemies, but as guests. ”

Itri said in disbelief but ashamed.

"Perhaps it is because the village of Tergasna is located in a remote location, and there are few outsiders who pass by, so that the villagers have little contact with the outside world, resulting in their general simplicity of thought. After many years of shuttling through dangers, we are moved by this simplicity. ”

"Tired of the strife, is it easier to fall into the softness of kindness?"

"So to speak—but we're going to control them, and it's just out of shame for the villagers."

"Shameful?"

"It's us who showed them up — they contracted a strange disease."

The so-called strange disease must mean that the ghost anchovy possessed it.

The toxicity of the anchovy only occurs in men, but parasitism is eaten by both men and women.

This means that Etri was unaware of the anchovy in her body and moved into the village of Tergasna, causing all the male villagers to be infected.

Seeing that Itri was so pure and upright, it was unlikely that she would have had an affair with most of the male villagers. It is speculated that the way of transmission of the ghost anchovy is that it can infect other male villagers by droplets or air alone.

And Beama should have relied on spiritual magic to control the ghost anchovy to avoid the risk of infection.

But only before the infection, I am afraid that the male villagers will not be able to recover after being infected.

But there's a very strange sticking point-

Wu couldn't help frowning.

But just summoning monsters has such a spreading ability, so why do you need to summon them?

Paradoxical setting.

He hasn't asked about the source of the anchovid in Edit's body.

"When did you get this strange disease?"

This question made the two of them bow their heads with heavy faces.

Bimo's unwilling response.

"After escaping from the Stafen Exchange. All of our boys' group members have been eroded by the oni anchovy. Luckily, I was able to detect and use 'Disillusionment' to control the anchovy so that it could not reach out to the rest of the healthy male members. ”

I see.

Wu seems to have guessed what Fallomar was doing.

Why does the anchovy, which can be produced by only relying on summoning, still have the characteristic of "contagion and reproduction"?

That's obviously not the innate ability of the ghost anchovy.

"Did you ever think that Pheromar deliberately let you go?"

“…… As you say. I'm afraid that in the middle of the battle, we will be secretly inflicted with a strange virus in our bodies. ”

It turned out that Beamo and Itri were used as propagation tools for the oni ancho.

Then it's a bold guess - when he and the criminals were attacked by a large number of oni anchoks in the plains somewhere, it could be the work of Philomar . It is not possible to determine whether the emission was deliberate, at least the source can be identified.

"So the group of 'skeleton butterflies' we fought in the cave broke out of the pupae of your members?"

“…… Yes. ”

"Did you know the monster 'Butterfly' before?"

"I've heard a little. But I didn't know much about it, and only used Bimo's spiritual magic to control and manipulate it. ”

"Being able to use these monsters that cannibalize your former companions as weapons, it seems that your mood has changed a lot."

"Sort of."

The two of them seemed to nod their heads with lingering givings.

"Do you still feel ashamed of the villagers?"

"Of course. As outsiders, the villagers can see us as family. However, because of our presence, their family was torn apart. In a hurry, he could only seal it in a dream. ”

"That's understandable."

“…… Then it seems that the 'Phelomar' that Warnerf said earlier is not himself, but Bimo, right? ”

"There's nothing wrong with that. Since deleting memories does not delete fragments but all of them, it is really inhuman and morals to destroy all the memories of the villagers because of selfish desires. ”

"So they had to seal their memories of their self in dreams and forcibly pour them into fictional reality?"

“…… Yes. ”

Beama only consigned to it.

"But you have rushed into the village of Tergasna, and your companions in the mines know about it?"

“…… Hahahaha, we still haven't confessed. After all, we are the leaders of the team, and if a leader leaves all his companions because he is influenced by others, it will surely cause a split in the team. ”

"But you're also doing this to straighten out Haidt's military spirit and recuperate the sick members, right?"

Wu has long been speculated.

The mine was not a random stronghold, it must have been the final stronghold that the two of them had found after three and two hard searches, and it could be understood from the open environment and hidden location of the mine that the two had already made up their minds to live in peace.

This determination can even be seen as an attempt to "wash your hands of gold".

As it turned out, the two nodded in acquiescence in acknowledging Wu's guess.

"It's just because of my greed for money that the whole group of thieves has been so frustrated that I've even begun to wonder if my leadership skills have regressed. But we must not be lost in frustration – we must carry it out as we undertake. ”

"I share the same beliefs as Billo."

The two deserve to be the leaders of Haidt for many years.

So far, Haight has been able to have the scale and prestige it has today, and the two of them have definitely contributed to it.

Although I only talked to the two of them for a few minutes, I had a hunch in my heart that I definitely needed the strength of the two of them.

Regardless of the strength of the battle, in terms of leadership and planning alone, the two of them are definitely better than themselves when they work together.

Then there is no need to think about it.

Wu put down the teacup that was already halfway drunk in his hand.

Resolute eyes refocused on the two of them.

"That's it. I think both of you are also very clear about my intentions - are you willing to work with me? ”

"We all understand, Mr. Fortes."

Beama sipped hot black tea indifferently.

There were only two cups of black tea left on the table, which were still full - Kurt and Nighthouse.

"Now that I understand, let me be straightforward—I have no intention of making you submit to me. In other words, it is to maintain a good relationship with a 'cooperative' relationship. ”

"Even cooperation has the potential to be unfair. Tell us about the actual content of the cooperation. ”

"Hehehehehe—that's a must."

At this time, Wu's eyes glanced at Kurt and Night Pavilion who were standing guard beside him.

"Listen carefully, both of you."

"Yes."

Bow respectfully and wait to hear.

"Neither of you will need to address me with honorifics in the future. More deeply, you are still the leader of Haight, and I have no authority to call on your subordinates. But on the other hand, you have no right to call my subordinates. ”

“…… I think that's a bit unfair. ”

Bimo interjected dissatisfied.

Are you still dissatisfied with this?

"Tell me what you think is unfair."

"I understand the fact that we are inferior to your men, and we really have no right to call on them. But today you are intent on sparing our lives, and we must also express our relative gratitude. ”

"Do you want to leave all your subordinates at my disposal?"

"Sort of. If it is clear, it should be 'sharing the right to call'. ”

"You are righteous thieves. But—"

Wu suddenly chuckled disapprovingly. It was as if I was not satisfied with the respect for Billa.

"If you pay tribute to me just because of these factors, I won't accept it."

“…… I have lent you the power of the call of nearly a thousand of my subordinates, do you want to be insatiable for more? ”

Beama's tone seemed a little displeased.

But it's also normal.

In Billo's eyes, Wu's demeanor is simply an inch.

"You think so—because you don't understand the great crisis you've been in before."

"What do you mean?"

Obviously, Beama didn't know that his act of impersonating the Eink Magister had been discovered by his father.

Almost killed.

It's normal not to know, after all, Bimo was defeated by Kurt earlier and brought back to the space, without eyeing his father.

But even if you see the true face of your father with your own eyes, you may not be able to tell the origin.

That's right.

I'm afraid that even Itri didn't know that the man who was riding the dragon in front of him was the monarch of the Kingdom of Aynk.

"I'll talk about that until I've explained all the deals. At present, there should be no doubt about the transaction matter of 'I have no right to call your subordinates, and you have no right to call my subordinates'? ”

“…… All right. ”

Billah shut his mouth.

Even if I feel a bad premonition about Wu's ambition in my heart, I still swallow the complaint back into my stomach.

"The second transaction - I will take in all of your men. I have sent my subordinates to build the mine, and I will do my best to restore and even renew the environment inside the mine to a space that can be inhabited. ”

"What do we have to pay for that?"

"Naturally, you just need to respond positively to my 'trust' in you."

"Hehe, is it such an unreliable thing?"

The disdainful face seemed very disapproving.

Both Bimo and Itri felt that the conditions were very unequal.

He is their savior, subduing the rampaging monsters and rescuing many companions, and even building a new place for his companions to live, but strangers who have never met before are willing to draw a sword to help.

For them with a conscience, it is an unacceptable quid pro quo.

It's even a bit of a humiliation of their personality. Make them think they don't believe in them.