How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 270 - Preparation for Departure (3)

“I will go.”

At my words, the audience fell silent. After a moment’s hesitation, everyone looked to Erendil. The final decision maker was ultimately the emperor.

Moreover, having a Sword Master move in such a situation was somewhat risky for the empire.

“Of course, as Count Campbell said, it could be a trap, and that group might be more insignificant than we think.”

I spoke before Erendil could.

“However, we must at least meet with them. We have the power to properly utilize even minor information. And there’s a possibility it’s not minor information.”

That group could be more helpful than we imagine. They attacked the daughter of a core noble. It meant they had inside information.

Even if the devil and his followers had taken the east, how many would suddenly pledge their loyalty?

There must have been people who had no choice but to cooperate for the sake of their own and their families’ lives. There are always those who protect the divine doctor everywhere.

If the contact goes in a positive direction, we may be able to obtain internal information about them. Some nodded at my following words.

“I agree. The situation isn’t entirely favorable for us, so we must make every effort we can.”

Count Campbell agreed. We tended to think alike on these matters. He was someone who focused on the overall flow rather than the risks to allies.

However, not everyone shared the same thoughts. Some nobles expressed concern.

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Forgive me for saying this, but if something bad were to happen to Lord Carl at this time…”

I understood their worries. Even with Denif joining, we were actually inferior in qualitative terms. What if something went wrong with me, a Sword Master, in the midst of this?

That would mean losing quite a significant possibility in the upcoming war. Moreover, I was seen as an icon of victory to the imperial people and soldiers.

Considering the shock the empire would receive and the drop in morale, it was enough to think of it as an unnecessary adventure.

However, their concerns stemmed from not knowing the abilities I possessed. Not many knew about the Amulet of the Season That Doesn’t Exist.

Even so, Erendil also had a serious face. It wasn’t anything new. She had always been the type to worry about me.

But she didn’t voice such concerns out loud. She merely conveyed her intention silently while looking at me.

“That part is fine. I can return alive.”

I nodded at Erendil while looking at her. It was a gesture asking for permission. In fact, we had talked separately before heading east.

I told her that with the amulet, I could go on solo missions and that she shouldn’t worry too much.

Unless the Great Devil moves directly to launch a surprise attack on me, there’s no need to worry about dying. The possibility of that happening in this situation was low.

“Are you confident?”

“Yes.”

“Then do it. Will you go alone?”

“I’m thinking of taking Lord Mondegreen’s disciple.”

Going east. There’s a difference between looking at a map and actually knowing the place. Someone who lived there was essential as they would know faster and safer routes.

I was torn between Terka and Rina among the people I could trust.

However, I decided to take Terka as I thought I might need help in terms of combat ability.

‘I wonder if he’s meeting that woman right now.’

I felt sorry for making him unable to keep a promise he had made, but the situation couldn’t be helped.

“Is it alright if I move right away?”

Erendil nodded. I stood up from my seat.

“Then I’ll take my leave first.”

“Come back safely. It’s an order.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The Chief of Intelligence also stood up. It would be to convey detailed information. I needed to know where they were isolated and what the secret code was.

I moved outside the imperial palace while listening to the Chief of Intelligence. There wasn’t much to convey. The Chief of Intelligence didn’t know much either.

Still, when he told me about the secret code and how they might be hiding, I couldn’t help but react as if I was hearing it for the first time.

“If we attach our agent…”

“It’s fine. More people will only make it harder to break through the encirclement.”

“But you haven’t done much of this kind of work, have you?”

It was the Chief of Intelligence’s words. I understood that concern too. He didn’t know I had been Haisen’s spy. Maybe he was even trying to sound me out.

“How do you think I lived for a year away from the capital? Or did the empire know about me then?”

He wasn’t the Chief of Intelligence at that time, but records should remain.

“No. You were like the wind. We only chased belated eyewitness accounts.”

“And it’s not like I’m doing full-fledged intelligence agency work. It’s just going there, meeting, rescuing, and escaping.”

***

Finding Terka wasn’t too difficult. Although I told him to do as he pleased, he had to report him location. This had been applicable to all members of the group since coming to Chenarus.

Now the situation had improved, but when we first came to Chenarus, we were in a position where we had to be cautious.

When any problem arose, we needed to communicate quickly and move. It didn’t change even after things got better.

Even though they were under me, it was still a private organization, and there was also the problem of devil worshippers.

“Ca-Carl Schurtafen, sir?”

Terka was in the middle of dining with some female knight at a restaurant. The main course had just arrived, and they were enjoying steak with wine.

Since I came as Carl Schurtafen, the woman with him immediately recognized me. Terka had a face that said, “What the hell is this?”

“Wh-what? What’s going on?”

I don’t think I’ve seen Terka’s face this flustered even when he was teased earlier… He looked at me with a suspecting glance.

I asked for understanding from the female knight sitting across.

“Lady, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to take Terka with me.”

“O-of course! It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Matra Levion.”

Matra stood up and spoke with a stiff posture. I could see she was nervous about meeting me. Most people reacted this way.

It was only for a short while that I started from the bottom and was disregarded. After becoming a Sword Master, I became something of an object of admiration for knights.

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

“You must be busy…”

Matra said that while giving Terka a look. It meant, “What are you doing when Carl Schurtafen is waiting?”

I held back the laughter that was about to come out. Terka looked at me with a dumbfounded face and then played along.

“Ah, yes, of course. I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes, yes. Next time, with Carl Schurtafen, sir…”

She looked at me as she spoke, so I nodded vaguely.

“I’ll try to make time.”

“Yes… Su-surely…!”

Matra answered with a trembling voice. Since my appearance, Matra’s attention had been focused on me. Terka sighed and pouted his lips, seemingly displeased with the situation.

Still, seeing him pay the bill as we left, it seemed he hadn’t completely given up. Was he throwing some bait?

“What is it? Why did you come looking for me? You said you’d let me be free today?”

As soon as we left the restaurant, Terka spoke in rapid-fire succession. There wasn’t even a slight gap between his words. He seemed to have a lot of complaints.

Hmm, well. He’s endured for a long time, so it’s understandable to feel some resentment.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

Terka’s eyes widened, seemingly not expecting my apology. Is this the first time I’ve apologized to this guy?

“I said I’m sorry.”

I was sincere. I tended to keep the promises I made to my companions. That’s how relationships are maintained and they work harder.

In that sense, this incident was against my values. But it couldn’t be helped.

“… Ahem, ahem. Why are you apologizing so seriously? What’s going on?”

“We need to go east.”

“Now?”

Terka tilted his head.

“Yes. We’ll move by dragon carriage.”

“Just the two of us?”

“Yeah. We need to rescue the isolated Imperial Intelligence Agency agents in the east.”

Terka bit his lip. He didn’t seem to like it, but maybe because I had apologized, he didn’t seem to know how to react.

“I need your help, so it was unavoidable.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

As I continued, Terka scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. When you take back what you’ve given, you definitely need to comfort them.

“Anyway, I’ll give you another chance for today’s plans. Later, when we go east, how about two days or so? As long as you’re free, right?”

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. That’s enough.”

Terka nodded with a face that said, “You’re taking care of me this much?” Then he suddenly raised his eyebrows and looked at me cautiously.

“But it’s not too dangerous, right? When you say it like that, it’s a bit… I don’t want to die just yet.”

“It’s not that bad. We’ll be going to the lower part, away from where the Great Devil is.”

“You trust that?”

“Trust me. I’m going too.”

“But do we not need to tell the others?”

Originally, Terka was supposed to depart together tomorrow. I shook my head lightly.

“I’ve already told them.”

Denif, who was resting at the lodging, expressed his desire to go too. It was impossible.

He was scheduled to be introduced as a Sword Master in the Haisen army, so he couldn’t be with me.

“Let’s pick up the pace a bit.”

The isolated agents. Those in the east are the elite of the empire, so they’ll hold out for a long time, but we need to get there as fast as possible.

***

There was no time wasted in preparing the dragon carriage. I had already gone briefly to pick up Terka, and currently, the dragon carriages were operating 24 hours a day.

Because of this eastern expedition, even the dragons that were usually rarely used and bred far away were all brought in.

Terka and I boarded the dragon carriage carrying backpacks prepared by the Chief of Intelligence. It contained simple food, water, and various tools.

There was more food than expected. It was probably for the isolated agents rather than for Terka and me.

‘Hmm.’

In the dragon carriage flying through the night sky, I pondered about the upcoming situation. It’s not entirely safe.

The probability of the devil waiting. It’s small, but we can’t say it’s zero.

And now that we’re actually flying to the east, that probability felt much larger than initially thought.

There was also a possibility that they were deliberately not catching the agents and waiting. They would confirm who was coming and then attack.

In fact, just reducing the number of dragon carriages by one would be good for them.

I spread out a map in front of Terka and pointed to the location estimated to be isolated.

“We’re going here, do you know it?”

“Huh? Here? Fog Valley?”

Terka narrowed his eyes.

“Why?”

“This is a place even eastern people avoid because it’s ominous…”

Terka trailed off and clicked his tongue.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“It’s always full of fog. There are many missing persons too. Hardly anyone comes out alive, you know?”

Well, that level of problem isn’t an issue, but there was something else that bothered me.

“Maybe, instead of hiding from the encirclement, they were driven there. No, they must have been driven there.”

The words that came out of Terka’s mouth matched my thoughts. It might become even more dangerous. Still, I’m not worried.

Even though I brought Terka along, I don’t intend to let him die. Even in the worst-case scenario, if we can at least make contact, we can save even the members of that secret group.

‘I hope they have strong mental fortitude.’

Before the eastern expedition, while honing my swordsmanship, I checked and inspected the things I had again. There might be room for utilization.

Pelia’s Ghost Blade and the Amulet of the Season That Doesn’t Exist were among them. In the process, I also found another way to use the amulet.

This amulet, I didn’t know well, but it wasn’t just for me to enter. The initial thought came from an attack against the Great Devil.

I wondered what would happen if Erendil and I entered together and appeared behind the Great Devil to attack with Teme’s Spear.

I experimented with Denif, and indeed, Denif and I entered together into the season that doesn’t exist. After that, Terka joined as well.

However, the more people moved together, the discomfort in the other world increased more than double.

‘It was unpleasant beyond imagination. Even Denif and Terka were terrified.’

And so far, three people were the limit. Anyway, even if there are devils, it means it’s not too dangerous if we make contact first.

Of course, I can’t guarantee the lives of other agents, but.

Well, let’s do our best as far as we can. We’ll know when we get to that fog valley.