In the face of an emergency situation involving an attempted assassination of the Count, Iris (Rene) was forced to suspend her role as Catherine's shadow warrior and take up a combat position as an adventurer.
　It was after dark when Benedict returned to the party's living room.

I contacted the Adventurer's Guild about the man we captured, and they informed me immediately. He wasn't a member of Night Python, but he was a well-known assassin. He specializes in sniping with his magic bow.

　Benedict's expression was hard.
　Benedict's expression hardened, for although he had just barely managed to prevent the assassination, it seemed that Night Python had finally gotten serious.

　Benedict's large pawed hand is placed on Iris's head.

It's thanks to Iris. The Count would be dead right now if he hadn't been able to defend himself with his magic. The Count thanked her.
"No, it's really amazing. It's all Iris's fault this time, isn't it?
That's right. I don't know how you were able to protect the Count at that moment.
...... That's what I do.

　I'm not sure what the appropriate response would be, so Iris (Rene) tried to be pretentiously humble.

　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web. I'm really glad I didn't accidentally say "windshear".

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
That's right. After all, he's outside the castle.
Yeah. I'm sure we've eliminated the insiders inside the castle, but ...... if you're going to see someone, they know you're out, so that's where the information leaked from.
Are they going to target me just for leaving the castle?
Of course they will.

　Iris (Rene) thought that she needed a shadow warrior because she didn't know where a ninja or something like that could get into the castle even if she stayed inside.
　However, Benedict and Hugh agreed that it would be extremely difficult to assassinate a family of lords who were holed up in a castle.

"For example, ...... Hugh. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.
I think I can, if I prepare perfectly. If you know all the gaps in the security patrols, the routes of entry and exit, and the strength and deployment ...... of the force. But the first step is preparation.
　If we don't have any gaps, even if Night Python has a sixth level (elite) user, I don't think they're going to send him in with a chance of death. Because I don't think there are many spares of the same level in Night Python.
That's right. In this country, the sixth grade (elite) bandit (Thief) is ...... even in the surface adventurers, bearded guy and ruins fetishist?
The Teiracaine-woman and man.
I still don't know if he's a man or a woman.
He's a man.
He's a man.
And how old is he?
I'd say he's in his 30s at least.
He looks like he's in his mid-teens. ......

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.
　He seems to be famous in Ciel-Teira.

I'm not sure what to make of this.
There are three of them in the size of Ciel-Teira, that's enough.
Less is not less. When you get to the sixth grade (elite), it's the realm of innate sense. Effort won't help, and a thief can't cheat with equipment as much as a fighter.
　Anyway, you don't want to spend that level of valuable talent on retaliation against a mere lord. The risk is not worth the reward.
　If that's the case, I'm sure you'll be prepared to kill them and escape, not just play them on the spot. ...... You can't stay in a castle forever. You can't just stay in the castle forever. It's easier that way.

　And that's how I got targeted today.

　I thought that in a fantasy world, there would be a lot of assassins who use magic and magic items to infiltrate like ninjas, but then again, the Count has magicians on his side, and that seems to be enough to compete with him.
　It seems that there are no uncommonly skilled people on the other side. This is a petty (but deadly) battle between the country mafia that controls a small country and the country's small lord.

But don't you think that killing the Count now will stop the campaign against the Night Python?
　I think it's worth coming to kill the Count even if you have to. ......
"Haha. I'm sure you're not the only one.

　Hugh shrugs frightenedly.

I'll kill him where he's easier to kill. I'd kill him where he's easier to kill, if I were you.

　I'd kill him where he's easier to kill.

　Hugh's prediction was immediately correct.

　The Count had formed an anti-night python squad from his knights and elite soldiers, and was sending them to fight in the cities of his territory, destroying their strongholds one by one.
　The family has been attacked.

　The Night Python assassins would probably not be able to win a head-on fight against a raiding party.
　But they can kill their family members who don't have the strength to fight. Then everyone fears that their own family members may be the next to die.
　Morale will be shattered and people will drop out.

Some have even escaped and are trying to leave the country with their families.
So they've taken action.

　In the Oval Office, Oswald looked over the report with a sullen look on his face.


　Benedict, as usual, chimed in.

　No matter how motivated Oswald is, he can't do anything if his men don't move.
　Even if he tried to fill in the vacancies, many of them would be reluctant to do so if it meant that their families would be harmed if they joined the unit.
　And if they can't fight, Oswald automatically loses. It was like having a noose around his neck and being slowly strangled to death.

But there have been some strange reports from the castle that a mysterious ninja saved him when he was on the verge of death after being attacked by ...... a mysterious intruder.
"...... Yes?
"It's a family member of one of the members of the strike force.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.
　I'm sure you've heard of the mysterious ninja or whatever it was when the servant's family was taken hostage and escaped, but as usual, the two of you have no idea who it is.

I'm still unsure about the mysterious helper, but ...... one thing is for sure, we need to decide on a winner before any more people drop out.
　We've cut their hands and feet in the last few days. We'll be capturing the officers who oversee operations in the territory in a day or two.
Is it finally happening?
Yeah. Normally, I'd like you guys to be there. ......

　Oswald paused for a moment, as if thinking.

It'll be fine. Just take care of me and my daughter.
"Yes, sir.