Hunting Preparations

Something a bit unexpected happened, but it looks like Ill be able to deal with them how we want.

Letting the dungeons darkness bury them sounds good.

Its not as though Im exposing Maidence and Shikina to danger.

Among the things Rei enhanced herself with was the [Illusion] skill. It was an ability that allowed you to show illusions to another.

She hadnt used it at all since enhancing herself, so I figured now was a good chance.

If we use your [Illusion] skill to make two body doubles, how long will they last?

Err, using it to make body doubles? It would be different if it was just for the two of them to see it, but having a lot of people see it would be impossible sorry.

Huh? Rei, your illusions arent like disguises, but are more like targeted hallucinations?

Ummm, I dont get it too well myself yet, but it doesnt work if there are a lot of people there to see itit gets undone. Its fine if its just one person, but it gets hard with two others. I might be able to deceive maybe five people at the same time?

Whats up with that? Is it that this world identifies phenomena by when they are observed, so that if there are a lot of observers, you need a relative increase in power to maintain the illusion? Mmm, Im not sure. It does sound like it has some crazily annoying requirements though.

At any rate, I guess I should just remember that she cant use it in front of a lot of people at once.

Oh, I can use it even if theres a lot of people if I have them disappear!

I see. People wouldnt be viewing them if theyd disappeared, after all.

Based on that, yeah, looks like I can use it.

So you can do it if theres two people?

I can! Ah, but theyll be found out if they get touched, theyre just air. Having something for them to cover would be good. If you could lend me a golem. but maybe theyd be too hard?

Maybe we could trick them if we have them wear gloves wound in thin cloth? And dress them up?

Luring them from the guild where theres so many people looks to be impossible, so I guess well do it in the cave?

Ill have to have Maidence and Shikina wait in the inn until its safe though. Maybe I should call for them for a chat?

Ah, umm, Master? Theres another thing thatll be a problem for using illusion

What?

I cant reproduce a body with [Illusion] unless Ive properly memorized the persons body, so what if I could give them a full body massage or something? Ah, but even then I think the limit I can remember them is a day?

So well need their cooperation. Got it. Well, please call for them and Meat.

I asked her to get Maidence, Shikina, and Meat. Rei left the room, immediately returning with all three of them.

Maidences maid didnt come in, but she was standing outside the door.

Umm, Kehma-sama. You wanted to talk?

I heard that it is related to me as well. Is it about Beddhism?

Pillow related?

Looks like Rei didnt tell them anything.

And Meat, theres no way Id do something as scary as ask them about anything hug pillow related, yeah?

I should get this moving.

Lets see, from here on out Ill be speaking as the village chief Violent criminals have come into the village. They are adventurers belonging to the adventurers guild, but they are murderers who hunt rookies.

Immediately after I spoke, Shikinas eyebrows knit together and Maidence grew serious. Meat remained as expressionless as usual.

Maidences reaction was a bit surprising. It wouldnt be surprising for young ladies like her to grow pale after hearing that, but she just held the brave gravity of a person placed above others.

It looks like I wont have to watch my words for her in this.

Since Shikina would follow my orders and Meat would do anything I said, I just need to focus on speaking to Maidence here.

I faced toward her.

This is a horrible turn of events. Kehma-sama, what will you do with them?

Capital punishment. They appear to have targeted a certain group of three individuals, so I was hoping that Shikina you, Mai-sama, could wait it out in the inn while I take care of them.

How could I just sit and watch, I would like to be of help! And why is Kuro-dono alright!?

Keep quiet, Shikina. Im talking with Mai-sama right now. And Kuro is strong, thats why it is alright.

So I am weak!?

Shikina, you are weak against surprise attacks, exactly what these criminals specialize in. Even if you are vigilant, they could catch you off guard. If you understand me, quiet down.

Ugugu, its vexing, but youre right. As expected, Master understands me thoroughly.

Whats with that thoroughly bit? And stop blushing. Im ignoring you now, ignoring you!

Shikina managed to take my attention away, so I faced Maidence again.

I would like to apologize for any inconvenience this gives you, but there is something I would like your cooperation in.

I dont mind but how can I help?

If you want to help and dont mind skipping the details, Id like Shikina and you to receive a full body massage from Rei.

Umm, I dont follow?

Right? Id tilt my head and not understand how receiving a full body massage would help with catching criminals if I were in her position either. Only Maidence would have the blue curls to shake like that though.

Sorry, its a requirement for a skill. Rei will be using her [Illusion] skill, so I intend to have her create body doubles. However, the skill isnt something quite so convenient as to be readily usable she must massage someones body and will be able to reproduce it for up to a day afterwards.

So that is the reason? I understand.

Moreover, since it cant be used in front of many people, we will have to wait to encounter them in the dungeon.

By the way, me talking so explicitly about Reis skill here is so that I wont use it poorly in the far future and so that I can declare that it cant be misused.

It wouldve been better if it was a lie and I could abuse it though.

I see, alright.

Ooh! Then lets

But Kehma-sama. This means that they will be going into the dungeon?

Eh? Well

Forcibly arresting them as soon as you detected then would have been fine, but I assume that you going through with this roundabout measure is to keep this from alarming the public?

Crap, I couldve done that! Not, I wanted to go through the proper steps just in case. Yep.

Another problem is my confidence in it. Unless I show that they actually hunt rookies, I might end up as being seen as offhandedly forcing punishment on innocent people.

Lets just say its my own selfishness.

In that case, I think it would be best for us to temporarily act as decoys to lure them into a dungeon, then seize them there.

You have a point, but there is no denying the possibility of the danger that that would put you and Shikina, aristocrats, into. You may even be taken as hostages.

Id like to help Kuro-sama, my fiance.

Maidence just stared at me fixedly.

I guess I can put her to use if she really wants to? I can put something out through the adventurers guild as a nominated commission.

In that case, please catch their attention in the guild and lure them out to the church. I will tell the church about it beforehand, so we will switch you out for your decoys ther. Sound good?

The criminals shouldnt want to make their move inside the village, so it should be fine. Moreover, Maidence also seemed pleased with the plan and nodded in agreement. Shikina, however, interrupted.

Master! Use me too, me too!

Can you do the act?

I-Ill do my best!

Well, Rei wouldnt be able to use her illusion inside the guild at all anyway, so lets have Shikina get a bit of experience in that too.

Alright, Ill allow it.

Yay! Mai-dono, I will do my best!

Yes, lets give it our all, Shikina-sama!

The two of them shook hands. Good luck.

Also, when I was telling them the gist of their performancewhen I mentioned that Meat would be Maidences pet, Maidence seemed overly worked up about it and blushed furiously. Well, lets not look too much into that.

With all appearances set up, time to work on preparing whatll actually happen.

Also also, she had to memorize the feeling of their clothes as well, so I had them lend their clothes along with the massage but I could only see Rei as a pervert after seeing her smell their clothes and rub it against her cheeks like that. Lets keep that bit a secret.

I mean, she really was being serious about it. She was smelling the clothes like a wine taster would sample wine.