Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 5 - Chapter 5.5

5 

Viper’s execution is going to be conducted at around midnight in the city square. 

I suppose it’s meant to be the grand finale to the festival, but from our outsiders’ perspective, it’s just a bit of grotesque showmanship. 

Having entered the city, we don our masks, completely ignoring the curious stares of the residents. 

“Okay, so we’re just Combat Agents here in formal attire to enjoy the festivities. And everyone knows there’s no way that Kisaragi agents can be around this many people and not cause problems. With that in mind, everything that’s about to happen should be seen as nothing but normal, everyday activity.” 

A group of strange men, wearing a bunch of weird masks, all nod in understanding. 

Insubordination is heavily punished, so we all ready our excuses, weak as they are. 

“Okay, the ones who’ll infiltrate the castle will be me and…Combat Agent Ten, who only recently got released from the castle’s dungeon.” 

“Sneaking into the castle’s as easy as taking an afternoon walk for me now. Leave it to me.” 

I was wondering why I hadn’t seen Combat Agent Ten lately, and it turns out he royally screwed up again and was taken into custody. 

“So what did you do this time?” 

“Nothing major. Since I’d reflected on why it was wrong of me to sneak into Princess Tillis’s room at night, I decided to sneak into her room in broad daylight and have a soak in her bathtub.” 

There’s a lot I want to ask, including why the hell he took a bath in someone else’s home without asking, but I guess I can trust him with the task of stealing into the castle (again). 

“After the last time I broke in, they revamped the castle’s security measures, but…that shouldn’t be a problem for me.” 

Is it really okay to trust this man with anything? 

I suddenly find myself worrying, but I’d be lying if I said this guy didn’t have a knack for infiltration. 

I touch the mask I’m wearing and adjust its fit. 

“I know you were locked up all this time, but do you even know where I want to go?” 

“Of course I know. When it comes to sneaking into Princess Tillis’s room, I’m your man.” 

Completely missing the point, Ten gives me a thumbs-up. 

Maybe I should pick someone else to do this… It’s not too late, right…?! 

As Ten and I head to the castle… 

…I retrieve something from my backpack. I’ve been taking advantage of moments when the residents aren’t looking to toss these onto rooftops that look like they get plenty of moonlight. 

“Six, what are those?” 

“Mipyokopyoko eggs. They hatch when they absorb enough moonlight.” 

Yes, what I’m planting are the eggs I collected with Grimm. 

Ten, running next to me, nods in understanding even though he doesn’t know what’s going on. 

“So it’s like when I tossed my used tissues onto the roofs of the neighboring houses from my second-story window.” 

“Uh, just to make sure, you used those tissues to blow your nose, right? Don’t do that in Hideout City, got it?” 

Having finished my egg tossing, I approach the castle’s outer wall with Ten. 

The walls are even taller now than during my last visit, and all the entrances other than the main gate have been removed. 

But for some reason, there’s no sign of guards tonight. 

It might have something to do with the fact that, for whatever reason, a lot of monsters have been spotted near the city. 

“Well, how do we get inside? Let me first note that I want you to take us to the dungeon.” 

“I know the dungeon like my own backyard. Leave it to me. For infiltration…let’s go with this.” 

That’s when Ten produces a couple of maid outfits. 

“…Let me guess. We’re going to pretend to be maids who work in the castle and waltz in like we belong here.” 

“Exactly. The walls are designed to make it impossible to climb over them, and with the only entrance—the main gate—shut tight, we need the watchmen to let us in.” 

Well, I can follow up to that point. 

“If you were on watch, who would you stop? A friendly merchant? A person in everyday clothes? The more effort you put into perfecting your disguise, the more likely you’ll mess up. In that case, it’s best to go the complete opposite route. If a couple of burly men wandered by dressed like maids, you’d do your best to avoid interacting with them, right?” 

Well, sure, I wouldn’t want to interact with us, but I’m pretty sure we’d definitely get stopped. 

Ten begins changing into the maid outfit without any concern for whoever might be watching. 

“What do you think? Does it look good?” 

“Good enough to make me think this just might work…” 

Ten’s evolved into such a weird creature that any watchman would probably avoid him like the plague. 

“I’ll lend you my optical camo. Use that to hide yourself and follow me.” 

I take the light-refracting camouflage device from Ten and quickly turn it on. 

Before me, a buff man dressed in power armor with a maid outfit pulled over it strides confidently into the castle. 

The two watchmen, completely taken aback by Ten’s appearance, seem to struggle with something internally before pretending nothing’s wrong and opening the gate… No, they’re totally looking the other way. 

I really didn’t expect this to work. 

This man might be more than just your average pervert. 

Ten continues walking, never once turning his head as he whispers to me. 

“Six, the dungeon is around this next corner. If someone catches me, don’t hesitate to leave me behind. I’m going to make my way to Princess Tillis’s room. Godspeed,” says the outlandish maid, rather dashingly. 

I nod, even though I know he can’t see me because of the camo. 

“Sir Six, I had a feeling you would come.” 

Tillis, leading a group of knights, is there waiting for me. Snow’s standing next to her with a conflicted look on her face.