Chapter 207. Blunder (2)
A two-handed sword in a long scabbard, and a neatly folded tactical robe from SIEG Industry.
The moment the sword and clothes that Enoch had to hide were revealed from the hidden box.
As soon as he saw the blonde engineer girl who had suddenly entered the room, Enoch immediately kicked the supply box on the floor under the bed.
“Why is the Direct Lineage Member here……?”
Meanwhile, Nano, who had stopped in front of the door, tilted her head with a slightly puzzled expression, looking at Enoch.
Then, after looking around the dark room once, she seemed to have realized that she had entered the wrong room, and scratching her head, she laughed, “Ahaha.”
“The light in the corridor in front was out! I must have mistaken the room……?!”
However, her words were not finished.
Because Enoch had strode up, grabbed her by the shoulder, and pushed the door shut with his other arm.
The next moment, the door slammed shut with a thud, and Nano, with her shoulder held by Enoch who had closed the door, was pushed against it.
“Ah! D-Direct Lineage Member……??”
Nano, who had been pushed against the door with a surprised look in her wide eyes, momentarily looked up at Enoch.
As their breath quickened in the close proximity, Enoch was observing her reaction with an expressionless face.
Her long, white-gold hair fell over her white cheeks that had flowed down past her ears.
Nano’s blue eyes, which she had turned to avoid the too-close gaze, shone alluringly in the moonlight from the window, glancing at Enoch from the side.
“U-um. Ahahaha……?”
Perhaps because Enoch’s approach was too sudden, Nano’s face flushed red and she once again gently turned her head to the side to avoid his gaze.
Her long, blonde hair fell over her slender neck and onto her chest as she turned her head.
The distance was so close that Enoch could see her ample chest exposed under her deeply U-cut T-shirt, and he realized that he was in a completely intimate state with her.
But unfortunately, this was not a situation to be concerned about personal space.
Enoch tilted his head with an expressionless look.
Did she see it?
No, that's a conjecture. There was no proof that Nano had seen the freelance equipment yet.
Besides, the room was still dark, so he had predicted that she wouldn’t know, but then.
“……D-Direct Lineage Member. I think we’re a little too close--mda!”
In a state of such close proximity that they could hear each other's breath, Nano, who was looking up at me, gave a slightly embarrassed laugh.
“Ah, ahaha……. Um, I apologize for suddenly coming in! Will you accept my apology-ssumka?”
“That’s fine. But, did you see anything strange?”
Enoch asked quietly.
Nano had already met Enoch when he was acting as a freelancer, so if she had really seen this, things could get complicated.
SIEG's robes were extremely rare items, as it was called a luxury tactical company.
It wouldn’t be too difficult to identify.
“Strange? What do you mean by that-ssumka……?”
But fortunately, as if she didn't know what he was talking about, Nano blinked her large eyes and tilted her head.
Seeing her somewhat bland reaction, it seemed that she hadn’t seen the hidden equipment.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Enoch quietly let out a sigh of relief and shook his head.
“Actually, I was surprised because you suddenly came in.”
“Ah, no--mda! It was my mistake for mistaking the room, so I apologize!”
“I didn’t lock the door either, so it’s not just your fault, Nano.”
Enoch added, looking at Nano who was smiling and whispering as if she was the one who was sorry.
“And it’s a good thing. I had something to say.”
Enoch tried to move his body to speak from a distance. But just then, Nano’s white hand grabbed Enoch’s wrist, which was about to move away, and pulled him back to her.
For a moment, a sweet scent brushed past his nose.
In the darkness, feeling the distinct sensation of her soft chest against his upper body, Enoch unconsciously stared at the now-closer Nano.
“……Nano?”
“Direct Lineage Member! Lady Sirocco is sleeping--mda!”
The girl with her long, white-gold hair hanging down stared at me and, narrowing her eyes slightly, added in a small, cautious voice.
“So that she doesn’t wake up, you can stay close to me like this--mda! Then we can speak even more quietly--mda!”
So that was the reason. Enoch nodded his head slightly. Since Sirocco was a beast-kin, her hearing was incredibly sharp.
Even if she was fast asleep from exhaustion now, she might wake up if he made even a slightly loud noise.
Of course, it was a little strange that Nano, who was whispering as carefully as possible, was still maintaining her characteristic cheerful tone.
Enoch also shook his head lightly and whispered.
“It’s been decided that we will take some of our squad’s personnel and head into the forest.”
“Huh? Some of them-ssumka?”
Enoch nodded his head. In Nano’s case, she was in a situation where she didn't know the exact mission Enoch had been given.
After all, Enoch had been hiding it. But for a certain reason, he had to tell her.
“Actually.”
Enoch explained to Nano in a whisper, step by step, what had happened so far.
The fact that Enoch’s order to deal with the detached unit during the battle had conflicted with Shepherd’s plan.
And the fact that he was blamed for the defeat as an excuse, and Enoch was given a solo mission.
“So that’s…… what it was-ssumka……”
By the time he had finished his story.
Nano, who had heard everything, was not her usual smiling self, but asked back seriously with a worried look in her eyes.
“But, it would be a huge burden for you to take on such a mission alone, Direct Lineage Member!!”
She stood on her tiptoes and leaned her head close to the approaching Enoch, whispering with a desperate expression.
“That, just looking at the mission itself, doesn’t it seem like there’s no chance of coming back alive!”
“I know. That must be what they’re aiming for.”
“W-what do you mean by that-ssumka?”
“In any case, since the infantry he was leading was almost annihilated, Shepherd probably doesn’t care what happens to the direct lineage of Elsyde who was dispatched here now.”
Enoch added to Nano, who was looking up at me with a worried expression.
“For him, the superficial reason that I am taking responsibility for the defeat is probably what’s important.”
“Is that so-ssumka.”
Nano quietly turned her head to the side and averted her gaze. Then she looked at Sirocco, who was still sleeping soundly, hugging a pillow.
“You seemed to be hiding that mission from everyone except Lady Alicia and Lady Sirocco, Direct Lineage Member.”
She asked, looking up at Enoch.
“Is it okay for you to tell me that-ssumka?”
“It’s fine.”
Enoch nodded his head.
“It’s a good thing, anyway. If I had to tell this story, I was thinking of telling you, Nano.”
At Enoch’s words, Nano’s eyes widened.
“T-to me-ssumka?”
“Because I have something to ask you, Nano.”
“Ah, an order-ssumka! Just tell me--mda!”
Nano placed a hand on her pale chest, which was exposed under her deeply cut T-shirt, and gave a cool smile.
“I’m also an 11th-rank, you know--mda. If there’s anything you need me to do, I’ll do my best--mda!”
“It’s simple. After I leave for the mission, if Sirocco asks where I’ve gone, make up a good excuse so she doesn’t follow me.”
He was actually worried about what to do with Sirocco.
If Sirocco, with her personality, decided to follow Enoch, who could possibly stop her?
In this mission, neither Lien, who was accompanying Enoch, nor Alicia, who was at least of a similar rank to Sirocco, would be there.
Frankly speaking, it was hard to imagine that Lily or April could stop Sirocco if she insisted.
“I understand--mda! I’ll make up a good excuse for Lady Sirocco as you’ve instructed--mda.”
Nano, who had answered cheerfully as usual, soon tilted her head with a slightly puzzled expression. Then she asked with a slightly uncomprehending look.
“But isn’t Lady Sirocco going with you on this mission-ssumka? She’s a very strong mage--mda.”
“You probably saw it when we were fighting together before.”
Enoch nodded his head and glanced at Sirocco.
“Sirocco is incredibly strong in all-out battles and one-on-one fights, but she’s not suited for stealth operations. And this mission will be one where stealth is quite important.”
“Ah! Is that so-ssumka!”
Nano’s eyes widened as if she had just realized it.
“Then! The reason you’re not taking me is because of the visual-blocking magic that’s said to be in that forest……”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Enoch nodded slightly and looked out the window.
The scenery of the vast forest, revealed under the moonlight, seemed to be making a sound as it was swept by the cold night wind.
“There’s a visual-blocking magic in the forest outside this outsourcing district, so the drone’s reconnaissance will be virtually meaningless.”
Of course, there was still a possibility that Nano’s abilities would be helpful, but with the condition of having to act stealthily and the restriction on the number of personnel for this mission, it wasn’t a formation that had enough merit to justify it.
That was why her priority was pushed back, now that he had to choose only two from the squad.
The same went for April.
Although she was a skilled sniper, there were environmental restrictions on quickly eliminating enemies inside a forest with complex vegetation.
It would be more efficient to have Alicia, who had strong mobility and firepower, and Lien, who was second to none in stealth, in the mission, considering the number of personnel.
The same logic applied to not bringing Lily, who had no combat ability, on this mission.
Enoch, who had thought that far, thought of the other people who would be sleeping by now and added.
“And I’m counting on you for the rest of the squad members. They can either help the other freelancers’ interims on their own or take a rest.”
Enoch whispered, with his hand on Nano’s shoulder.
“Apart from the solo operation we’re going on now, we don’t know when the main magical beast force will attack again.”
“Ahaha, my shoulders feel a little heavy--mda!”
Nano, who had met his gaze right in front of him, gave a slightly awkward laugh and scratched the back of her head.
She must have been flustered by the sudden words, but nevertheless, Nano soon gave a bright smile and nodded her head once.
“But still, I will definitely carry out your instructions--mda! Are there any other instructions-ssumka?”
“Should I call it an instruction, or is there something that comes to mind.”
“What is it-ssumka?”
“If possible, I wanted to know at least the internal terrain of the forest, even if I don’t know the enemy’s location. But that’s practically impossible right now.”
Enoch shook his head slightly.
“As long as we can’t get rid of the visual-blocking magic that’s on the entire forest, there’s no way to scout, is there?”
At that, Nano’s eyes suddenly sparkled and she leaned her upper body towards Enoch.
“Ah! About that instruction--mda!”
Enoch’s heart almost skipped a beat as her glossy lips and sparkling eyes came unguardedly close. Just then, Nano opened her mouth.
“I certainly can’t provide you with real-time terrain or enemy information with Bzz-Bzz--mda! It’s only natural that you take someone else on the mission instead of me--mda!”
But contrary to her words, she seemed to have something in mind, as she shone her eyes once cheerfully.
“But--mda!”
Nano reached for her toned thigh, which was wrapped in leggings.
Then, she took out a fluttering piece of paper from the holster on it and, with a cool smile, held out her arm to Enoch.
“Fortunately, I have something that will be helpful with your instructions--mda!”
“This is?”
“A map of the outer forest--mda!”
A map of the forest, which he had thought there was no information about.
Surprised, Enoch took it and quickly unfolded it, and indeed, it was a map with quite detailed information.
“Where did you get this?”
“I’m a native here, so I know--mda! A long time ago, among the clients who came to our workshop, there were some people related to treasure hunters--mda!”
“Treasure hunters, you say.”
Enoch muttered, looking down at the map.
“That’s right--mda! Anyway, at that time, those treasure hunters, while commissioning equipment to use in the forest, gave me a secret map they had made themselves to inform me of the forest’s environment as data--mda!”
Treasure hunters, those who explored the ruins of the old era before the Empire was founded and excavated artifacts.
Did it mean that this was a secret map that those people had left behind while searching that forest in the past?
“I’d be happy if it helps you, Direct Lineage Member--mda!”
In a state of such close contact with Enoch that her soft chest was pressed against him, to the point where its shape was distorted. Nano, without a care, placed a hand on her slender waist and smiled brightly.
“And I also, within the information I could collect, updated and printed out the map as much as possible--mda. This much should definitely be helpful--mda!”
At those words, Enoch was surprised once more and asked back.
“Perfect. You even updated it?”
“I also thought about it during this battle--mda! ‘Even if it’s a forest that can’t be scouted in real-time with a drone, wouldn’t it be fine if there’s a map?’ I thought--mda.”
She smiled brightly with a triumphant expression.
“If it’s a paper map made with this kind of analog method, it should be usable even inside the forest--mda!”
Come to think of it, at the time when Enoch’s squad had made the original plan to scout the inside of the forest, Nano had also been thinking about how she could be helpful in this situation.
At Nano’s sincerity, who was trying to be helpful to an admirable degree, Enoch smiled faintly and nodded his head.
“Thank you for your consideration, Nano. I’ll make good use of it.”
This was certainly a huge gain.
The burden of entering a huge jungle with no information was enormous.
If he could at least know the general terrain of the forest like this, it would be much easier to find the enemy’s location through a rough process of elimination.
In particular, since it was a map left by a treasure hunter, it would contain detailed information that couldn't be easily obtained elsewhere.
“Ahaha, I’m glad I could be of help--mda!”
Nano scratched her white cheek and, right in front of Enoch, gave a cool smile.
“Actually, I didn’t know if it would be helpful, so I completed the map and have been holding onto it until now--mda. Since this wasn’t an order or instruction from you, Direct Lineage Member--mda!”
Come to think of it, from her standing blankly during the first attack, to her asking if it was an instruction just now.
Perhaps Nano was a person who was very particular about the words ‘order’ or ‘instruction’.
Enoch shook his head lightly and replied.
“I appreciate you listening to my instructions, but you don’t have to blindly follow only orders like that.”
“Umm, i-is that so-ssumka? But……”
To Nano, who was tilting her head slightly, Enoch quietly let go of her shoulder and took a step back.
Unfortunately, there was no more time to chat. Time was passing even at this moment.
It was time to finish the preparations.
As if she had sensed it, Nano suddenly lifted her head and, staring at Enoch, asked.
“To be honest, I’m very worried about you, Direct Lineage Member--mda.”
“…….”
“I’ve always been cooped up in the workshop, only touching machines, so this is the first time I’ve tried to convey these feelings and words to someone--mda.”
She swept her long, blonde hair behind her ear once and, with her cheeks flushed, added quietly.
“I don’t really know how to express this feeling--mda! But I never thought that someone who is a Direct Lineage Member would really fight so dangerously in the outsourcing district, even if it was a mission. So……”
Nano smiled brightly.
“Anyway, thank you very much, Direct Lineage Member!”
“…….”
Enoch looked at Nano without answering. For a moment, he couldn't find the words in response to her clumsy but sincere gratitude.
Nano smiled at me and, slowly turning her body, quietly closed the door and left.
Enoch, who had been watching Nano’s back disappear with her swaying blonde hair, once again took out the box from under the bed.
The remaining preparations were done in a flash.
After carefully taking off his shirt so as not to wake Sirocco and putting the portable treatment from the Holy Séjour in his inner pocket, the preparations were roughly finished.
After Enoch had put his shirt back on, slung the duffel bag over his shoulder, and was quietly grabbing the doorknob.
A small voice saying, “You’re not alone anymore,” was heard, and Enoch glanced back.
It seemed to be Sirocco’s sleep talk.
She was hugging a pillow with her whole body, in her usual short skirt that revealed her bare legs. Thanks to that, the side of her skirt that had ridden up revealed her white thigh.
He didn't know what she was dreaming about, but for some reason, a hint of loneliness was in Sirocco’s voice. Her expression was hidden by her hair.
Enoch paused for a moment and, after looking at her quietly, covered her with a blanket and left the room.
***
Moonlight was shining down on the balcony.
After passing the entrance and walking a little in the garden on the balcony, I felt that the air touching my skin was somehow much colder than before.
For a moment, Enoch looked beyond the railing, and the view of the dark city came into view at a glance. The lights that had been illuminating the night view of the outsourcing district were off.
It seemed that the city had kept the electricity to a minimum so as not to provoke the magical beasts.
It was certainly the optimal time to move without anyone knowing.
“Direct Lineage Member!”
Enoch, who had been looking up at the twinkling starlight in the cloudy night sky, slowly lowered his head at the clear voice calling him.
Her long, ash-brown hair was hanging down. A girl in a neat Dragoon Corps uniform was approaching from the other side.
“Alicia.”
She was carrying a long, black Bombardment Lance, which symbolized a Victoria soldier, on her back.
Seeing her determined gaze, it seemed that she had guessed the reason why Enoch had called her.
“Yes, I’ve already finished all the preparations.”
Alicia slowly lifted her head and met Enoch’s gaze directly.
“We’re leaving for the solo mission now, right? Are just you and I going, Lord Enoch?”
“No, there’s one more.”
Enoch said that and slowly gestured to his side.
From beside a large, pillar-like structure that was installed there, Lien silently appeared with the sound of clicking heels.
“…….”
Lien, who had quietly come out with her hands clasped in a modest posture and stood behind Enoch.
But Alicia, who saw her, widened her eyes for a moment and asked Enoch back.
“Huh? I saw her performance last time, but still, a maid on a solo field infiltration……?”
For a moment, Alicia muttered, looking at Lien as if she was surprised, but she soon shook her head slightly and muttered blankly.
“Ah, no. Still, since it’s the Direct Lineage Member’s decision! You must have a reason!”
“……Don't people usually just think that?”
“Hah!”
At Enoch’s point, Alicia covered her mouth with both hands, and Enoch smiled faintly. She was indeed a country girl whose cute reactions were quite a sight to behold.
“In any case, there’s no time to waste.”
Beyond the balcony, a path shrouded in darkness led to the borderland with the vast forest of the outsourcing district.
Lien and Alicia slowly approached and stood by Enoch’s side, who had spoken while glancing at that place.
Enoch, who had been staring at the horizon of the huge forest shrouded in darkness for a while, whispered lowly.
“Well then, let’s go.”