Hunting Preparations

There was a slight deviation from the plan, but it seems I can dispose of them as I see fit.

… Burying them in the dungeon's darkness sounds good.

I can't put Maiodoru and Shikina in danger, though.

Among the abilities added through Rei's enhancement was the [Illusion] skill. An ability to show illusions to others.

Couldn't I use this? She hasn't used it at all since being enhanced, after all.

"So if you're going to act as body doubles for two people, how many can you fool with your [Illusion] skill?"

"Um, use it as body doubles? Well, if there are only two people looking, it might work, but in front of a large group it's impossible… sorry."

"Hmm? Rei, your illusion isn't like a disguise, but more like showing hallucinations to specific targets?"

"… Ah, um. I don't really understand it myself either, but when there are a lot of people watching, I can't fool them and it breaks. If it's just an illusion of myself, I can manage pretty well, but disguising two other people is tough. Five observers might be my limit."

What's that about? Is it something like how the world determines phenomena through observation, so more observers require more power to maintain the illusion? Hmm, I don't get it. Sounds like an annoyingly inconvenient system.

Anyway, I just need to remember that she can't use it in front of a large crowd.

"Oh, I can use the disappearing one even if there are lots of people!"

"I see. If she disappears, then no one's watching her."

Based on that… yeah, looks like I can use it for the plan.

"So you can manage with two people?"

"I can fool two people! … Oh, but they'll pass right through if touched since it's just air. I'd need something inside. If you could lend me a golem… but maybe they'd be too hard?"

"… If we make them thin, wrap them in cloth, and have them wear gloves, maybe we can fool them? Plus dress them up."

Luring them from the guild where there are so many people seems impossible, so I'll have to catch them in the cave.

First, I'll need Maiodoru and Shikina to stay hidden in the inn until it's safe. I should call them over for a talk.

"Ah, um, Master? There's another problem with using illusion…"

"What is it?"

"I can't reproduce their bodies with [Illusion] unless I've properly memorized them, so if I could give them a full-body massage… Oh, but even then, I think I can only remember them for about a day?"

"… So we'll need their cooperation on that too. Got it. Well, call those two and Niku for me."

I asked her to fetch Maiodoru, Shikina, and Niku. Rei left the room and returned almost immediately with all three in tow, apparently having found them together.

Maiodoru's maid didn't come in, but she was waiting outside the door.

"Um, Kehma-sama. What did you want to discuss?"

"I heard it concerns me as well. Is it about Beddhism?"

"… Is it about pillows?"

It seems Rei didn't tell them what it was about.

Also Niku, I'm not so fearless as to ask these two about hug pillow duties, you know? I'd probably be held responsible for all sorts of things.

Anyway, let's get this discussion moving.

"Well, from here on I'll be speaking as the village chief… Violent criminals have infiltrated this village. They're adventurers registered with the Adventurers' Guild, but they're murderers who hunt rookies."

As I said this, Shikina furrowed her brow tightly, and Maiodoru's expression turned serious. Niku remained expressionless as usual.

… Maiodoru's reaction was a bit surprising. An ordinary young lady might turn pale hearing this, but she had the composed bearing of someone in a position of leadership.

If Mai, the one I was most worried about, is like this, I can probably speak more frankly.

I could give Shikina a master's order, and Niku would naturally cooperate, so honestly I just needed to talk to Maiodoru. I faced her directly.

"That's frightening. Kehma-sama, what will you do?"

"Well, the death penalty. It seems these three have been targeted, so I was planning to have Mai-sama and Shikina stay quietly at the inn until things are settled."

"No, please let me help too! And is Kuro-dono going to be alright!?"

"Be quiet for a moment, Shikina. I'm talking with Mai-sama right now. And Kuro is strong, so she's fine."

"Are you saying I'm weak…!?"

"Shikina, you're vulnerable to surprise attacks. That's exactly what these people do. Even if you stay on guard, they could still catch you off guard. If you understand, be quiet."

"… Ugu, it's frustrating, but you're right. As expected, Master understands me so well… blush."

What do you mean, "blush"? Don't say it out loud. And don't actually blush, either. Ignored, you're ignored.

Having dealt with Shikina's interruption, I faced Maiodoru again.

"So I'll be causing you some inconvenience for a while, please bear with it. That said, there's something I'd like your cooperation on."

"I don't mind… but what kind of cooperation?"

"To put it simply, what I'd like your cooperation on is for Mai-sama and Shikina to receive full-body massages from Rei."

"… Um. I don't follow?"

Right? I'd be confused too if someone told me to get a full-body massage to help catch criminals. Only Maiodoru would have blue ringlets swaying as she tilted her head like that, though.

"It's a skill requirement. Rei can use the [Illusion] skill, so I'm planning to set up body doubles with it. However, this skill isn't very convenient… she can only reproduce someone for one day after giving them a full-body massage."

"So that's how it is? I understand now."

"Also, since she can't appear before many people, we'll have to wait to encounter them inside the dungeon."

By the way, the reason I explained Rei's skill in such detail here was to prevent it from being misused later and to declare that it can't be abused.

Would've been better if that were a lie and I could abuse it, though.

"… I see, understood."

"Alright! Then let's—"

"—However, Kehma-sama. That means the criminals need to enter the dungeon, correct?"

"Eh? Yes, well…"

"You could have forcibly arrested them the moment you detected them, but I assume this roundabout approach is to avoid causing a public disturbance?"

Crap, that option existed! … No wait, I wanted to follow proper procedures just in case. Yeah.

Another issue is my credibility and public perception. If I don't show that they're actually rookie hunters, I might be seen as someone who punished innocent civilians.

… Let's just say it's my own selfishness for the sake of my peace of mind.

"In that case, I think it would be better for us to temporarily act as decoys to lure the criminals into the dungeon, then apprehend them there."

"… You have a point, but that puts you nobles, Mai-sama and Shikina, at risk. You might be taken hostage."

"… I too want to be of help to my fiancé, Kuro-sama."

Maiodoru stared up at me with pleading eyes.

Well, if she's that eager, I might as well put her to use. I'll process it as a nominated quest through the Adventurers' Guild.

"In that case, reel them in at the guild and lure them to the church. I'll inform the church beforehand, so you'll swap with body doubles there. How does that sound?"

Since there are people watching in the village, the criminals shouldn't make their move there, I added. Maiodoru seemed satisfied with this and nodded, but then Shikina cut in.

"Master! Then me too, me too!"

"… Can you act?"

"… I-I'll do my best!"

Well, since Rei can't use illusions for body doubles inside the guild anyway, I might as well let her gain some experience.

"Alright, permission granted."

"Yes! Mai-dono, let's do this!"

"Yes, let's do our best together, Shikina-sama!"

The two firmly shook hands. Do your best, in moderation.

Also, when I explained the basic setup for their act — the moment I mentioned that Niku would be Maiodoru's pet, Maiodoru's face turned red and she grinned "Th-That… is that really okay!?" But well, I decided not to think too much about it.

Alright, with the surface preparations done, time to work on the behind-the-scenes preparations too.

Also, apparently she needs to memorize the feel of their clothes too, so I had them lend their clothes in addition to the massage… but watching Rei nuzzle her cheek against them and sniff them to memorize everything made her look exactly like a pervert. Let's keep that a secret.

… I mean, she was completely serious about it, you know? It just looked exactly like some kind of sommelier.