Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 6 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue

We’re in Viper’s office, aka our unofficial hangout spot.

“Vi, Vi, when are you gonna be done with work? You’re still recovering, so you shouldn’t push yourself too hard. Come play a board game with me!”

It’s been a week since we negotiated the cease-fire.

Since we haven’t received any complaints and they haven’t moved against us, it seems Hiiragi hasn’t noticed that we’re poaching the water crystals.

We reinforced the tunnels using quick-drying cement, laid rails along the tunnels, and had already scaled up to full production with demon labor.

“I’d like to catch up on the work I missed due to my injury, but…all right, I’ll play. Let’s take a short break.”

Given that Viper’s working even harder than she was before her injury, I’m worried about whether she’s getting enough sleep.

Viper looks around the room and smiles.

“But…let’s play quietly so we don’t wake the others,” she whispers, putting a finger to her lips.

At Viper’s feet are Rose and Russell, curled up and napping like puppies.

Next to the sofa I’m lounging on, Grimm is fast asleep in her wheelchair.

The game’s designed for up to five players, so I was planning on waking them, but on second thought, they’ve earned their rest.

…At that moment, the sounds of military boots echoing down the hallway break the silence of the peaceful scene.

Hearing that commotion, Viper hurriedly puts on her Snake Woman helmet. There’s a knock on the door. Then, without waiting for a reply, the knocker opens the door.

“Six, are you here?! Look at this medal! I’m finally back on top! My vengeance mission, conducted with small numbers, was considered a success, and I’ve had my knighthood restored! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Thanks to Snow’s loud boasting and cackling, the three nappers wake up.

“What’s going on? Right as I was getting comfortable… Oh, Snow, you’re a knight again.”

While Grimm seems displeased at being woken from her nap, she notices the medal on Snow’s chest and smiles.

Yes, the corrupt knight has returned to her original position.

It seems that Tillis had meant well in transferring Snow to our ranks, but without her identity as a knight, Snow had turned into a petty criminal.

As a result, she was reknighted. She will continue to come to our hideout while occasionally returning to the palace to train the Grace Kingdom’s soldiers.

Ironically enough, she owes her sustained freedom to Agent Ten. Thanks to his mysterious efforts, Tillis no longer needs bodyguards. Ten had been sneaking into the enemy’s homes and gathering evidence of their wrongdoing. Using that evidence, Tillis was then able to crack down on her political enemies.

Currently, there is no sign of any noble uprising, and both the kingdom of Grace and Hideout City are enjoying a time of peace.

“After all, the only one suited to being at Her Highness’s side is myself! I’m a little concerned that she’s been lavishing Combat Agent Ten with praise for his usefulness, but the future of the kingdom seems bright!”

I turn to Snow as she continues to boast and ask, “Did you come all this way just to brag? We were about to start playing a board game. We’re busy. If you don’t have any other reason to be here, go home.”

“W-well, yes, I did only come here to boast, so it’s a little awkward when you point that out, but… Oh! There actually was something else! I also came to give you a morsel of information I just acquired!”

Glancing longingly at the board game spread out on the table, Snow continues.

“Evidently, a kingdom on the far side of the Demon Lord territories, a place called Grunade, is in a panic because their national treasure, a giant sorcerer stone, was stolen by a monster. Without it, the kingdom can’t function… Doesn’t that sound familiar? A bit like a mysterious faction that threw our kingdom into confusion by controlling some monsters?”

Snow speaks proudly, but Russell, who is still blinking the sleep from his eyes, suddenly chimes in.

“Um, I’m pretty sure that’s Tiger Man’s fault.”

His statement is one that no one can readily refute.

“…Hey, Snow, was there any information on the monster that took the stone?”

Grimm speaks as a bead of sweat rolls down her brow.

“…It was a bipedal monster that seemed to understand human speech…”

“Yeah, that’s gotta be Tiger Man!”

I stop Grimm from sneaking out of the room to avoid the uncomfortable truth, while Snow, having heard Russell’s comments, turns her back to the room as she continues to speak.

“…The monster that was used in the heist purred a lot, suggesting it was a feline monster…”

“That’s totally Tiger Man! There’s no way that’s not Tiger Man! Stop hiding your heads in the sand and face up to reality! It’s too late to pretend you didn’t hear anything!”