C78: Iron Feet Seridan (2)
Sorry it took so long but I'm back. I wanted to resume releases last week but I've been super busy these past 2 weeks. Now I'm finally free so I hope to release 3 chapters daily this week.
There were still ten minutes left until Seridan will fix the wire launcher.
Considering her personality……Perhaps she's got another flashy idea, and she'll add extra features.
She said 10 minutes, but considering the process, it would probably take 30 minutes.
'If it's 30 minutes, I still have time.'
It's time to get some rest and then go back to Theon, he thought, as he looked down from the window on the third floor.
'What?'
Three black shadows were busily moving in the middle of the alleyway where no one was going. Second to their inconsistent movement, their steps are unusual.
'It's fast and light, well centered and their body doesn't sway.'
It was just a coincidence that I found them. Their movements were so secret that I would not have noticed if I hadn't looked down the window at the moment. They were covered in dark robes so I couldn't see them clearly, but I knew who they were right away.
'Highly trained knights.'
They were also of a different level compared to the two quasi knights who were working for Dutri.
Ordinary knights wouldn't even be interested in the back alley, so why are they here? Besides, the direction they are heading is not the place where I and Violetta were fighting the Red Society just before.
I narrowed my eyes and watched them carefully.
'If you are a knight and are not afraid to wander around a place like this…….'
No way…….
The moment when I was about to come to a conclusion the knight who was moving at the forefront stopped his steps and threw his gaze towards me but I hid by the window.
'Did he notice?'
I was watching them carefully, but he has a better sense than I thought. Fortunately, the gaze that had been staring at me for a while was quickly removed.
'……The security bureau.'
To be precise, the Nightcrawler Knights belong to the Intelligence Department of the Security Agency.
Unusual people who move secretly contrary to the knights who stand on a shining stage where everyone is watching and do honorable things.
The Nightcrawler Knights eliminate those who threaten the nation in a dark place out of the sight of people. A being that willingly chose and accepted to walk a path stained with blood and mud for the sake of the country.
Therefore, they are a symbol of fear and a target of caution to those who know. They are also the most dangerous people to meet in such a dark and narrow street than on a highway in broad daylight.
'When I looked a little while ago……At first glance, it looked like silver hair.'
When it comes to knights with silver hair in the Security Bureau of the Exilion Empire, there is one person that comes to mind.
'No way……Is she here?'
The general commander of the Security Bureau and the commander of the Nightcrawler Knights, which consists of only elites, a guardian angel who protects the empire, Lord Protector Trina Ryanhowl.
'Why is she here? Maybe it was because of the werewolf incident.'
He vaguely guessed.
The reason is probably the death of the cryptid, who appeared in Leathervelk, and the rich man, Bellbot Rickson.
The Security Agency's intelligence network would have learned that Bellbot Rickson had partnered with someone to conduct some kind of experiment since their eyes are spread all over the empire.
'Even so, the Nightcrawler Knights will come out on their own.'
After all, they conducted human body experiments on ordinary citizens. Even a warlock was involved, so it would be strange for them not to come out of the security department.
'They should have investigated Bellbot Rickson's mansion and discovered the secret safe that had been stolen.'
They must have even noticed that the flames in the basement of the abandoned factory that I had burned down.
Everything inside was removed without leaving a trace, but the problem is that no matter how much fire burned, the fact that 'something was there' cannot be erased.
They may have launched an investigation in response to that. This is a bit of a problem since knights of the Security Agency, even the knight commander are in Leathervelk.'
In particular, Trina Ryanhowl was not a very good match for me. That monstrous woman is one of the few things I don't want to get involved with again in my life.
'I'm glad I hid.'
If our eyes met and she had sensed something suspicious she would have come to me.
'It must have been a big deal because that woman has a very strong intuition.'
I have no choice but to move cautiously until the Security Agency decides that the case is a dead end and leaves Leathervelk.
'First of all, I'm glad I don't have to step on my tail.'
They probably will close the investigation however if Trina Ryanhowl continues to stay in Leathervelk that might not be the case.
She held a prestigious position in the Empire and if she wastes her time trying to catch the tail of an unresolved case, it will open a big hole in the security of the empire.
'Maybe she'll leave some of the knights behind.'
If that's the case, that's fine, without the leader Trina, I'm confident that I can avoid their gaze, no matter how good they are.
As I was thinking about it, I heard a thumping noise from below and the door was open. Soon after, Seridan appeared with a stick in her arms.
"I made it!"
"Is it over? It was sooner than I expected."
I thought it would take 30 minutes, but it took 20 minutes.
I can tell by looking at whether there is so little to change, or whether her skills have improved by leaps and bounds.
"Yes! Originally, it was supposed to take 10 minutes more, but when I was repairing it, I thought of some things and finished earlier!"
I looked at the armband that Seridan handed me.
The one I was using was quite large enough to reach from my wrist to my forearm, but it was a pretty radical change this time and the size was reduced to less than half.
"It's smaller and thinned out."
"And even more comfortable!"
Sheridan's ponytails of pure white hair fluttered up and down her as she spoke. Even though my gaze was taken away from it for a while, I turned to the wire launcher I held in my hand again.
"Have you removed all the useless parts?"
Since it also serves to protect the forearm, the armband I was wearing was sized to cover the entire forearm.
What Seridan has been able to fix this time around is only about 1/3 of the forearm from the wrist.
"Yeah. You're not a hunter right now, are you? So I put more emphasis on convenience than performance."
"You're right. I'm not a hunter now, I'm a magician."
"Oh, what should I call you then? Van Helsing? Moriarty? Lupin?"
"Call me Rudger Chelici."
"Mmm. Rudger sounds amazing. This time you're a magic teacher, at Theon's! That's great!"
"Something happened."
"I know, I know. As expected you infiltrated the most famous place in the Exilion Empire. That was a piece of cake, right? Well, as expected, Nari."
It seems to her that I am a terrifying person with great ability. Becoming a teacher of Theon seems to have taken place because of my tremendous abilities.
That's not the truth. That said, I was caught up in terrorist attack on a train, and I accidentally became a magic teacher, so I decided to just go along.
"Anyway, as Nari said, I boldly took off the troublesome things and put in only what you needed. The wire launcher will work properly, so check it out."
"Hmm."
I put the brace on my left arm. Maybe because the material was changed, it feels like my arm is bent gently rather than the thick and hard texture from before, even when worn over a shirt.
The fit has definitely improved, now let's see what it can do.
'I'll have to try it over there.'
I shot the wire launcher at an empty wall. The wire launcher fired at a terrifying speed and then pierced the wall. This is a bit surprising.
"The power has grown considerably."
"Yes. The output is almost doubled compared to the previous one! The wire strength has been increased, and the hooks have been renewed! It is now possible to move with one more person!"
"Is that so? I think there are other features added."
Having retrieved the wire, I asked, pointing my finger at the small groove on the back of my hand.
Seridan grinned, revealing her white teeth.
"Oh, that? Nari is the best. You have good eyes. It's a new function that I added this time."
"What is it?"
"Think of it as clenching your fists and flexing your wrists."
"Like this?"
Ring.
At that moment, a pure white sword came out of the thin groove in the wristband.
"This……."
How is it? Isn't that cool? It is made of the same material as the blade of the sword stick used by Nari, so it is very light and strong. Nari told me that there are some assassins who use these things."
"I did."
"I just thought of it and applied it. What do you think?"
"Hmm."
When I relaxed my wrist lightly, the protruding blade went back inside. It would be perfect to use it in an emergency or when the opponent is careless. This wasn't made for fighting against cryptids but humans.
"Aside from that, see the little hole on the left?"
"Yes."
"You can shoot a paralyzing needle from there! Of course, you have to load the paralysis needle in advance!"
"Whoa."
Previously, only the wire launcher was fired from the lower part of the wrist, and its other role was to block attacks, but this time it's the exact opposite. It maximizes other factors instead of defense.
In particular, for a person who has to use this secretly without being exposed to the outside like me, the newly changed wristband by Seridan was a very welcome item.
"I like it."
"As expected! Nari knows well! That coward who was downstairs was only talking nonsense like that you shouldn't put such a dangerous thing in it."
"Don't be too harsh on Hans. He only said that because he's worried."
"Your opponents have to worry about it, not you."
As Seridan said so, she supported her chin with her index finger and thumb and stared at me with a mysterious gaze.
"Well, I've always felt this way, but you look really nice in such a calm-looking outfit. It was not bad to wear wild clothes when you were a hunter, but I think this suits you better."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The moment I saw you, I immediately felt that you were a noble person. No, a nobleman is not enough, you look like royalty."
At Seridan's words, I couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm glad you think so."
"No, I have a feeling."
"Anyway, thanks for the new one."
"Oh, you're leaving now?"
"Yeah. I have to be a teacher first, so I have to stay at the academy. Coming out today was part of my outing."
"That's too bad. It's been a long time since we met, and I thought we could have a long chat!"
"I'll take a rain check on that since we haven't all gathered yet."
Besides Sheridan, there are a few more I have called.
Sheridan nodded gladly, perhaps because she knew it.
"I know! They're members of the new organization, right? People I've heard of!"
"Yes."
"Did you say the name of the new organization is U.N.Owen? Very mysterious, I like it because it suits you! So I became a member of this secret organization?"
"An executive."
"Executive!"
Did she like her position as an executive? Her eyes sparkled even more.
"If I'm an executive, I can make anything without being interfered with by anyone, right?"
Was it because of that?
"I'll allow it for a while, but won't you refrain from making bombs that will blow up the surrounding area?"
"Of course I know that! I also know how to read between lines. You're telling me to make enough bombs."
"It's best not to make them at all."
Well, banning this crazy inventor would be crueler than forcing a bone marrow smoker to quit.
"Just do it in moderation."
"Hehehe. Don't worry about it! So Nari, have you decided on that?"
"What do you mean?"
"If it's a secret organization like this, there must be a code name!"
A code name? She must have heard something from somewhere.
I didn't really care much about it but seeing Seridan like that I know she'll be disappointed if I don't agree with her. If that happens, Hans won't be able to handle her irritation.
"A code name?"
Well, there's nothing you can't name if you want.
"Wells would be nice."
"Huh? Wells? That's a good codename. Good! I'm Sheridan, the executive of U.N. Owen, from today!"
I'm glad she's happy.
"Where did this Wells come from?"
"It's the name of the greatest inventor I remember."
"Oh, if you say so, he must be a great man."
"Of course."
He is the creator of a machine that travels through time. The name Wells I gave her is from Herbert George Wells, the author of the novel Time Machine.
In fact, I wanted to give her the name of the main character of the Time Machine novel, but the original story only mentions time traveler not his name. However, in the sequel that was officially recognized, George, the artist's middle name, was attached to respect the original author.
But George is not a good codename for a girl so I gave her Wells instead of George. Seridan seems to like it, so everything is good.
"Then what about the assistant lying down there? Does the assistant have a code name too?"
Seridan asks with a twinkle in her eyes. She seems to be bothering him all the time, but did she still care about Hans?
Considering Hans characteristics his codename should be…
"Kafka."