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Chapter 491: Tracking

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: Kurisu

“What’s the situation at their campground?”

“It’s already completely empty. Judging from traces left behind at the scene, they probably retreated immediately when the dragon lich emerged. They didn’t even try to hide their campsite at all. They were probably scared off by the level of magic power. In that case, it would seem that they don’t actually have that much power at all.”

“...Abandoning their low-ranked minions, then?”

Thinking about the two depressed dark cultists who were now locked up in the tavern’s basement, I nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, there was a flapping sound outside the window. I opened the window and a snow-white eagle flew inside and landed on Harloys’ back before vanishing.

It would seem that Harloys was becoming more and more adept at using her beast-form clones for scouting.

Although it was fine to also wait for the local peacekeeping forces to report back, those newbies couldn’t possibly compare to an expert like Harloys in gathering information. A skilled ranger would be able to determine the characteristics of a beast just from how much weight was applied on a snapped branch. Veteran wood elves and druids could have the trees and plants themselves act as their eyes and ears. There were archmages capable of recreating the exact scene of what happened at a place in the past. However, pure novices were capable of losing their way even when following footprints. A novice detective would be of no assistance, but rather the opposite by messing up the scene and accidentally destroying the clues.

And so, the moment that I figured out that the two captured Death Council members likely had more comrades in the area, I immediately had Harloys send out her clones used for scouting.

“There’s a total of roughly forty-five to fifty Death Council members. They have a total of approximately two hundred sacrifices with them, mostly humans. Their numbers match up with what those two Death Council members told us. However, several black-clad members among them actually felt threatening to me. It’s likely that they’re high-level undead. If those two weren’t intentionally concealing information from us, it’s likely that they didn’t know.”

“Is it possible to catch up to them?”

“No. They’re veterans at this. They’ve already gone deep into the mountains. It also appears that they have specialized ranger job class members among them, possibly dark ranger. I didn’t dare to follow them anymore, or I would have lost control of my clone.”

There was a limit to how far away Harloys could send out her clone. Plus, her clones had basically nonexistent combat strength. It was even possible for her clones to be killed off by random wild beasts along the way. In this area, Harloys indeed couldn’t compare to a real scout.

Of course, there were other nice uses...

“Here, help me send this out quickly. We need some free labor as support.”

I handed the letter over to Harloys, and she waved her hand, causing a white messenger pigeon to appear this time.

Due to the distance limitations on her clones, it was impossible for her clones to travel across borders. Still, it would be possible for Harloys to deliver a letter to the nearest post office in the nearest large city.

Of course, normal mail wouldn’t even be considered by us, as it would probably be next spring by the time the letter arrived in Bardi. We chose a fairy express aerial delivery company that was nicknamed Fairy Express.

Yep, that’s right, aerial delivery. This was the newest service that the fairies were now offering, and this service was incredibly popular.

In any battle, information and message delivery would be more valuable than even gold. The fairies hired aerial knights to deliver news and important messages, and now there were companies like Fairy Express that served other species as well. The fairies charged a high price, but were also highly efficient.

Of course, due to limited resources, a little town like Anton Town didn’t have any of the fairies’ aerial delivery stations. Of course, there would definitely be stations in every country’s capital city and major merchant towns.

“...We don’t have much time. The message will arrive quickly, right?”

“You even signed it with your magical signature of ‘The Undying Roland’. Considering your reputation, the fairies will probably treat your message as the most important military message with the highest priority speed. You should receive a reply pretty soon. But, you exposed your own identity. Was it all just to save money on the delivery fees?”

“I... Cough cough, let us discuss how to split the gambling funds we just scammed from the others.”

It would seem that the silly cat had already seen through everything, as I couldn’t counter her. Still, it was all because the fairies charged ridiculous prices. If I hadn’t revealed my name, I would have needed to use all the money I just scammed in the gamble today... and I wouldn’t be left with much wine money anymore.

“...Are you bribing me? Sure, get me the newest ceremonial clothing that’s popular right now – the purple rose clothing set.”

“I couldn’t afford that even if I sell everything I’m wearing...”

I rolled my eyes helplessly. That so-called popular outfit was ridiculously expensive. It would likely have cost even more than the message delivery fee. However, I suddenly laughed out loud upon seeing how Harloys kept pointing at her fashion magazine. I even reached out my hand, and measured her height which reached only to my waist.

“Paha, even if I buy it for you, you wouldn’t be able to wear it with your loli stature. How about I set you up with some little kids’ attire instead?”

The silly cat’s complexion instantly changed upon hearing this. The way she grit her teeth was actually quite scary.

“Isn’t this all your fault!? I’m so unlucky to be stuck as your magical pet. If you were just slightly stronger, I wouldn’t be physically restrained from using bodies that are under ten years old. Fine then, kids’ attire it is, I want the number six edition pink wing outfit from the golden kids’ collection! That’s the classical one in the Black Forest magazine, the princess dress with pink lace embroidery!”

“That dress with all the diamonds? You want to order from a catalog yet again? We have no more money! Those damned fairies, are all merchants just money-grubbers after all? These cheap magazines actually make their money through the advertisements? Just a little cloth and a few buttons can sell for several tens of thousands of gold coins? That’s profitable by several hundred times the production cost! This probably makes money faster than thievery would!”

Actually, the complaint I just had was already made by countless male comrades ever since the fairies also started their mail-order service.

The fairies magazines’ would always have beautiful female models wearing the most modern outfits. The models were viewed as the most charismatic females in society. All the world’s women were allured by the models, along with draining their men’s wallets.

Of course, it was impossible to satisfy the silly cat’s demand. The reason was self-explanatory – I couldn’t afford it. But now, I once again saw just how lacking in limits Harloys could be, along with the so-called craze for being fashionable that women tended to have.

“Harloys, could you have at least a little shame? Forget about signing ‘Demon Professor Harloys’ next to my name, you even added the sentence ‘I’m going to rob your aerial knights if you don’t give me ten sets of the newest popular outfit’? Are you really going to rob them? What are you, an airplane hostage-taking terrorist? Could you think about your own reputation? Your position in the Calamity Rankings for vicious extortion is merely for some pieces of clothing? I feel so embarrassed.”

But of course, the silly cat wasn’t moved at all. She simply twitched her lips and glanced at me condescendingly, saying the words that would hurt any man’s pride the most.

“Hmph, it’s all because you’re too poor.”

“I... wait a moment, something’s not right here, it’s not like I’m your boyfriend! I don’t have any need to buy clothes for you! When raising a cat, all that’s needed is to feed her.”

“Tsk, penniless fool, do you really think that all that’s needed is to fill your tummy? You barbarian who understands nothing about fashion.”

“...You said something you really shouldn’t have.”

And while we were busy arguing, the baldie Old Barton was refreshing his worldview, as he could only stare blankly at the ceiling.

“Child, do you understand now?”

Old Barton nodded with a pained expression on his face. And then, Winlair smiled heartily as he buried Old Barton’s head within his elf form’s voluptuous breasts. Although Winlair took care to not use too much force this time, Old Barton actually struggled even more fiercely with an awkward expression.

Well, of course, as rather than having a beautiful woman from more than three hundred years ago being your grandmother, the truth that “she” was actually your grandfather would shake his worldview even more...

Meanwhile, the adventurers’ team to track down the Death Council had finished gathering and was about to set out.