“Hey, Rita! You…”
Camilla shouted.
“They were by the river!”
Rita Heinkes casually pointed beyond the forest.
Those people…
“Camilla, are they…?”
“They’re the ferrymen I arranged for you, Laura! We’ve been outsmarted!”
Our feet froze.
What now?
Escaping with Laura alone was still possible. Even if the initial route was blocked, we could rendezvous with someone from the “Night Dragonfly ” group elsewhere.
What about Laura’s treatment? Could we escape with Heidemarie using enhanced speed? It would slow us down significantly, but it wasn’t impossible.
But what about the hostages?
“Ha ha ha! Even this rough approach works!”
Rita Heinkes laughed, as if she saw no problem with her actions.
I realized it was futile.
Even knowing it was a threat, I couldn’t resist this method.
“Stand back, Vim.”
Camilla stepped forward to confront them.
Following her instructions, I retreated with Heidemarie.
“What are your demands?!”
“Of course, we want Laura! Do you have any idea how much information she holds?!”
“If we hand her over, can you guarantee her safety?”
“Hmm, stalling won’t work! Talking to you is pointless! We have hostages, and we can kill one right now if we like.”
“You monster!”
“It’s pathetic, really. You should’ve won as soon as you rescued Laura.”
Rita Heinkes looked away from Camilla.
“So, Strauss! Here’s a question! Even though you have Laura, which puts you at a huge advantage, why are you in danger right now?!”
Suddenly, she addressed me.
“…What?”
“The answer is because you don’t distinguish between important and unimportant people! These hostages aren’t crucial to you! You could just leave them and take your time questioning Laura about the ‘Twilight Owls’ bases—”
“Vim, don’t listen!”
Camilla shouted, stopping me.
“Geez, I can’t even have a conversation. I want to talk, you know?”
“I won’t let you use Vim. He’s one of us.”
“How stingy!”
Seeing Camilla’s firm stance, Rita Heinkes put her hand to her mouth and spun around in place.
“I really want to talk, though.”
She wandered around, muttering to herself.
“But if I take too long, our guests might get angry…”
Her behavior was so out of place that it was almost comical.
Her actions, voice, and demands didn’t match. Though her approach seemed thorough, her words felt impulsive and random.
“…Guests?”
She abruptly stopped, her face lighting up with a bright smile, and turned to us.
“That’s right! Camilla! I’ll make a big concession! I’ll give you Laura and release the hostages. I swear not to harm her again!”
Her sudden change in expression and words was too much to keep up with.
Rita Heinkes was completely in control. Despite the serious situation, her light tone made it hard to tell how serious she was.
“What are you planning, Rita?”
Camilla asked suspiciously.
“Just what I said!”
“…What’s the catch?”
“I just want a little chat with Strauss.”
My name came up.
Was I a bargaining chip?
If that’s all it takes to resolve this, then fine.
“Wait, Vim.”
Heidemarie stopped me as I tried to step forward.
“Don’t even think about using Vim, Rita. These hostages are far less important to me than he is.”
She said firmly.
“Please, let me—”
“Ha ha ha! How offensive, wise one! You’re misunderstanding something! No contract can bind the human heart! Rest assured!”
Rita Heinkes laughed. Then, she relaxed and gave me a gentle smile.
“I really just want to talk.”
“Stop! Don’t do it, Vim!”
Camilla tried to hold me back again.
But my mind was made up.
If all it takes is for me to act, then there’s nothing more convenient. I should agree before Rita Heinkes changes her mind.
“Camilla, tell me one thing. Can Rita be trusted to keep her word?”
“That’s…”
Camilla hesitated.
The fact that she couldn’t immediately deny it even in this situation meant Rita might be that type of person.
I raised my voice toward Rita Heinkes.
“I need to confirm, Rita. When you say you won’t harm Laura, does that include not taking any of her associates as hostages?”
“Of course! I have no intention of exploiting any loopholes or deceiving you! Take it at face value!”
“…Alright. I’ll come. But release the hostages first.”
“Deal! Hey, Petrus! Release them!”
As soon as I agreed, Rita Heinkes ordered, and the men in black quickly cut the ropes, freeing the hostages.
“But Strauss! Remember, this only holds if the exchange goes through! It doesn’t mean you can slack off!”
That’s true. This was Rita Heinkes’ concession.
It’s fine. We’re just talking.
It’s probably some kind of negotiation, but if it’s something I can resolve with my decision, it’s far better than the current situation.
“Wait, Vim.”
“…I’m sorry, Camilla. But this is the only way.”
“That’s fine. It’s the result of my own inadequacy.”
Camilla shook her head and sighed in resignation.
“But you must come back. Understand?”
She was genuinely worried about me.
And somehow, I realized that her worry indicated something I hadn’t fully grasped myself.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
The “Night Dragonfly ” group protecting Laura and the “Twilight Owls” standing with the forest at their backs were facing each other, keeping their distance.
Once the hostages were confirmed free, they joined us. In exchange, I would go to Rita Heinkes.
As I steeled myself to walk forward, Heidemarie followed behind.
“Ah, Heidemarie, you…”
“I’ll just watch from close by. Is that okay, Rita?”
“Sure! But stay ten steps back! Don’t interfere!”
…Apparently, that’s fine.
Everything seemed to go according to Rita Heinkes’ plan.
It felt like everything had been anticipated and arranged. Otherwise, the leader of the “Twilight Owls” wouldn’t appear right in front of us.
Information had leaked.
But Camilla hadn’t even told our allies which carriage Laura was in. The means of identifying the carriage were limited.
“…A tracking mark.”
“What?”
“It must be a tracking mark, Heidemarie. There’s no other explanation.”
“Vim, did you notice…?”
“Huh? Well, it’s not that I noticed, it’s just that there was no other explanation.”
“Correct! You got it! As expected from Mr. Strauss.”
Rita Heinkes, who had been waiting for us, said cheerfully.
“I’ve implanted tracking marks in both Laura and you!”
“…Do you not care about the law? I’m pretty sure the use of tracking marks by organizations or individuals outside the government is strictly prohibited.”
“Ugh.”
I thought I heard a strange groan from beside me and glanced at Heidemarie.
She seemed fine. Must have been my imagination.
I turned back to Rita Heinkes.
The magical seals used for tracking marks should be stored under strict supervision by public institutions. If she stole and used one, I can’t even imagine how many laws she’s broken.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t use something that convenient! It’s been a while since I met someone who talks about the law! It’s refreshing!”
“At this rate, do you have other things implanted too, like listening devices?”
“Miniaturizing listening devices is a challenge! Honestly, I haven’t succeeded! I wish I had a listening stone or something! When I tried to steal one, it had been moved!”
“…You’d use it if you could, wouldn’t you, without any sense of propriety.”
“Ugh.”
“And something as valuable as a listening stone should be used more wisely. It’s best used as the most superior communication device.”
“Yikes!”
…It seems I’ve been overthinking things.
There’s no need to be so paranoid, is there?
But even though I knew it, I still have to be cautious and rethink my fundamental assumptions since her lack of respect for the law is so blatant. Even if I was told this would just be a conversation, it’s better not to assume it will end there.
“By the way, what’s wrong, Heidemarie? Are you feeling okay?”
“N-No! I just tripped and my abdomen made a weird sound! I’m fine! More importantly, Vim! Stay strong!”
“Uh, yeah…”
While being watched by Heidemarie, I stood in front of Rita Heinkes.
Her bright smile didn’t fit the situation, and I was wary that she might use some kind of magic.
“Sorry about the rough treatment. I apologize.”
She started by apologizing.
“Really, this wasn’t the plan. If Laura wasn’t here, we could’ve talked more leisurely, but this is urgent.”
“Um…the main point is…”
“You seem to have had a tough day. You just got back from the labyrinth, right? I was surprised when your tracking mark joined with Laura’s. What a coincidence! I’m sorry for disrupting you.”
Is she trying to start with small talk?
What a ridiculous idea, I thought.
I shouldn’t. Just talking with her feels like my tension is being mocked and ignored.
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Heidemarie is getting splash damage. That said, it’s questionable if Rita knows about her stalker hobby. Do wish everything could be solved with Rita’s severed head.