Trinh's troops began to take up residence at the site of the burned out mansion. If this is the case, it is likely that Smaithos leaked the information. Either Smaithos, who cares more about his fellow bastards than himself, betrayed them, or we should assume that the people of Yggra know how to torture people very badly.
　While I'm hiding in a nearby ramshackle dwelling, Komiha is looking at me with a worried expression. This woman has at least enough knowledge to understand the meaning of her current situation.

"So, Solide, ...... we have to go save Smyths, ......!
"Comiha, are you an idiot? The reason why Trinh's troops are stationed at the site of the mansion is because Smythos told them about the existence of the crypt. Then they already know what you're up to. You're the only one who's likely to come to Smyth's rescue, but I'd definitely set a trap for you.
"But, but .......

　I stare at Comiha with a cold gaze, and he stops speaking. It's nice that this is the best you can do at this point. It's so wonderful that it makes me want to slit my neck and wrists and sing and dance. If you hit the wrong person or the wrong way, Komiha will be easily defeated. With only a handful of small fry and a strong coward, I don't want to cut him down unnecessarily.

"Smaithos has already given our information to the enemy. Then we can't get hurt any more. Then all we have to do is not cause any more damage. Do you understand?
"...... Yes.

　Well, it's up to the enemy to decide what happens to prisoners of war who have given up all their information. If you believe the information you've been given by the Rituals, you'll be alive, but the way they've been treating you, you're probably already dead or crippled from torture.

Now, let's lay out our victory and defeat conditions. First, what are our defeat conditions?
"Uh, ...... that we get caught, ......?
Correct. The purpose of the Juglar Star People coming to Trinh is to eliminate the threat of the Bastard, our base in Trinh. If the two of us, especially me, are captured, this key will fall into the hands of the enemy, and the bastards in the basement will also fall into their hands.

　In terms of simple combat power, Serende has Arcreal. With that one person, the total amount of strength will not change. If I had to pick one, I would say that I, as the brains of the team, am the one force that Trinh would least like to lose. However, considering how difficult I am to deal with, it's honestly not that much of a blow.
　If Trinh's side is annihilated, the people of Yggra will be able to go to Serende to defeat Nektohar and Ritual without any worries. This is the best outcome for the enemy.

"I may have lost the cover of the Horstal Trading Company, but I still have enough strength to operate in Torin. As long as I don't lose this, the people of Yggra will always have to be aware of me as well. So the next move is to eliminate me. So what do you think the victory condition is?
"Uh, ......, eliminate the Yggra people?
That's pretty much it. But we're pretty sure that Trinh knows we're here, so even if we kill the Yggra people, Trinh's army and the armies of other countries will probably come after us in the future.

　But well, we can come up with any number of ways to deal with that. It's inevitable that we'll have to deal with the people of Yugra who will be able to see through that.

If only we could get rid of him, then. ......
"If we can get rid of him, it'll be easier for Ritual and the others to retrieve the bastard in the basement. Once that's done, we'll have time to plan a rescue mission for Smightos.

　I'm not going to help you, but I'm sure Ritual will. His naivete towards bastards is a bit of a disease.

"Okay, okay. I'll send him to ...... first.
"The guy's got a certain amount of skill around him. The only ones who are better than Komiha are ...... a chain wielder named Exdyke, the Blades of Annihilation Mix, and a priest named Lakra.

　The house that Marya and her friends lived in was found by the ruffians. There were traces that some of their belongings had already been removed, but the belongings left behind revealed that there were nine people living in the house. Of these, three have been directly confirmed: the people of Yugra, Mixu, and Marya.
　However, based on information obtained by threatening the inhabitants of the surrounding area, there are four people who are believed to be disguised as subhumans: Exdoik the Chain Master, Harkdok, the right-hand man of Jestaff, and Lakra and Masetta, the priests of Yugra. The presence of these four people is certain.
　There was also a man and a woman. The man was seen wearing a beautiful sword, so he might be a knight of Tarz. As for the woman, she doesn't look like any of the dangerous people like Ilias, Wolfe, or Gilista, so we should think of her as another collaborator, or a blue or purple demon lord. No, the great demon that Arcreal fought, if he exists, he must have intervened that day. Then the Purple Demon Lord is out of the question.
　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.

There are three higher-ranked ......
If you believe the Ritual's analysis, I can handle Harkdok and Lakra if they don't make the first move. As for Ecdysium, Comhair, you can take it out. As long as they don't get too close.

　As for Mikus, Komiha and I can handle him if we attack him at the same time. It's more a matter of compatibility than simple combat ability. But in order to ensure that you have a chance to win, it is better to destroy them individually.

"......
"Hey, I'm not trying to tell you to use your head. Rather, you should just fight as I say without thinking. If you do that, you will win.

　Divide the enemy, confront them in the ideal form, and kill them. In order to do that, you need to guide the enemy. In the end, it's all about the readings between me and the people of Yugra. It is clear that we are at a disadvantage if we allow that man to make the first move, so we have to make the first move.
　There are many ways I can think of, but it's great that I don't have to hold back. Now that our existence is public, we don't even have to hide our identity. So let's choose the more fun way.



　I'm sorry.

　According to the information your friend got from Smythos, there is a basement where the bastard gave special treatment to the place where the Horstal Trading Company's building used to be. In the presence of Lord Lakra, it turned out that he was not lying, but we were unable to find it.
　Under the guise of searching for evidence, your friend arranged for Trinh's army to set up a temporary base at the site of the trading post and to monitor it. My friend said that the bastard, who is not capable of fighting, is probably still in the basement, waiting for reinforcements from Serende.

"And until then, Solide and the others are going to start rioting to buy time and disturb the surroundings.
"It looks like they're actually taking action. Several of Trinh's soldiers have been attacked and have disappeared. They seem to be the same men who helped us the day we stormed the trading post.
"They're probably gathering information as well. But his main purpose is to make us follow his footsteps. They're deliberately leaving a trail to make it easier to follow.

　Your friend unfolds a map of Trinh and places stones at the points where Trinh's soldiers are believed to have been attacked. The stones are neatly scattered, and the smell of a trap is in the air. .......

"Are they trying to divide us?
"Yes. Maybe if we follow one of these disturbances, we'll come in contact with Solide. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.
I'm not sure if they can defeat me, but I'm not sure if they can defeat Ekdoik-dono or Lakra-dono.

　I'm not sure if it's possible for me to defeat Lord Eckdoik or Lord Lakra, although they are overshadowed by the strength of Lord Ratzel and Wulfe, but Lord Eckdoik and Lakra's siblings are also quite strong.

So? It's not hard to kill all of the people in Trinh if I use the power of Solide and Comiha.
"Mmmm ......, we've never shown our strength to your current friends, and yet we have this confidence .......
I have proof. Because that's what Solide does. I'm sure Lytal gave him information about our main force. I think he's using that information to make a move that he thinks Solide can beat.

　If that person, who is considered to be as observant as your friend, is providing you with information, then you should be able to use it to your advantage. .......

I'm not sure what you're going to do then. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get rid of them if we stay together.
"I'm rampaging all over the place to keep them from doing so. If we don't split up, the Solides will use their geographical advantage to disrupt all of Trinh. If we can accomplish that, it will make it easier for the bastards who are supposedly in the burn basement to escape.
So you're saying they'll just keep harassing us until we split up?
Right now it's just Trinh's army, but in a little while they'll start targeting Trinh's people. If we take our time chasing them, we'll cause a lot of trouble for Trinh.

　How absurd. You're threatening the people of Torin with misery if they don't split up. If I were you, I'd take you up on that offer and try to break through the trap head-on. ...... Your current friend is unlikely to make that choice.

"Well, I'll take you up on that offer.
What? But they'll only do it because they can beat us.
Assuming you're acting on information from Ritual, that information is pretty old, isn't it? At the very least, you've acquired a fair amount of weaponry and combat experience since your encounter with Ritual. The presence or absence of information can be a major factor in determining victory or defeat, but relying on and clinging to it is a countdown to self-destruction.

　I and Harkdock have received new weapons from the Purple Lord. In the event that you're looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, you'll want to take a look at the following: ...... Even if Ritual's analysis is excellent, it's unlikely that he'll be able to take control of our growth. .......

What else does your friend have in mind?
"I do. But I don't think I need to tell you that.

　It's not unusual for your friend not to say much, but normally he would never say it in such a way as to throw you off. I'd like to reduce this distance somehow. .......

......If you don't like something about me, I apologize. So can you please stop acting like that towards my allies?
"Mix, it's true that I have my feelings about you. But I've decided to help you and I have a plan to win. It would be greedy of me to ask for more than that, wouldn't it?
I will fix what needs to be fixed.
You're persistent. Would you like to be my enemy?

　I cowered at the throbbing sensation. I have been observed by your friend's eyes, but never with such clear dislike or hostility.
　I couldn't think of anything to say to make up for it. I'm in the same kind of pathetic state I'm in when I get nervous in front of my brother.

"I'm sorry, too. ......

　The only thing I could finally say was sorry. But these words didn't change his friend's mood in the slightest, in fact, they made him feel even more distant. .......

I'm going to go talk to Ecdysium and Harkdock. You don't have to be here today.

　Your friend said and left the room.

"......

　I hate this. Why, why did your friend go to ....... I don't want her to say that to me with her face and her voice. I don't want to have that face, that voice, that kind of thing said to me, but I don't want the memories of that time when he smiled at me to fade away.
　Mister Ecdysium told me to figure out the cause myself. But no matter how much I think about it, I can't figure out what's keeping your friend from me. Maybe your friend didn't like me from the beginning, that's what I'm thinking.

"Brother ......, what should I do ......?

　Just one person's attitude is enough to cause this dismay. I left Taze to stay out of your way, and I've been living as an adventurer trying to improve myself.

"So much for being so weak. ...... I am ......

　It may be that this is something that you can easily find out by talking to your brother or Lord Ratzel. If that's the case, I should ask them quickly and try to repair our current relationship. But I don't have the courage to ask those two. I'm also close to your friend, and I'm afraid that my stubbornness will be shattered if I hear the answer from them. I felt nothing but disgust at my own shallowness in wanting to protect such stubbornness.