The raid on the Varphan Group—who had attempted to assassinate Terry, Werner, and Fer—had begun.
First, the soldiers tasked with defending the town forced open the doors of the mansion serving as the organization's headquarters.
What followed wasn't so much armed conflict as it was a brutal shoving match, with the soldiers using their initial momentum to force their way inside. The Varphan Group couldn't mount a defense in time, and despite their angry shouts, they seemed to be pushed away from the entrances. Meanwhile, the back door was also being pried open, which would only cause further chaos inside.
"Your Highness, are you truly going?"
Levan made no attempt to hide his clear displeasure.
"If I get injured, I intend to hide the fact that I was injured itself, so there won't be any issue of responsibility. Besides, I'm here because there's something I can do. Now, let's go."
The entrance was still clogged with soldiers shoving against each other. We headed toward the neighboring building, glancing at the scene sideways.
Since the raid began, the surrounding residents had been instructed to stay inside their homes and given an explanation of the situation.
The neighboring building wasn't a residence but the office of some merchant guild, which hadn't received any such explanation.
Yet for some reason, there were people here even at night.
"If they've closed the shutters and drawn the curtains so tightly that no light leaks out, it means they have something to hide," Helkov said aloud, knowing that someone was peeking at the situation from beyond the door.
Reacting to his words and caught off guard for a moment, the enemy was unable to stop Helkov from kicking the door open with brute force. He slipped one arm through and unlocked it, successfully infiltrating the interior.
Hearing the noise, a scarred man emerged from the back, already holding a piece of lumber that could serve as a weapon. Wearrel, who had been hiding behind Helkov, blew him away with wind magic. Taking advantage of the opening, the spell also struck another newcomer who peeked out from the back, subduing both of them. The enemy who had been pressed against the door was silenced when Helkov punched him down.
"Huh? During the day, this is just a normal merchant guild, not doing anything illegal..."
Levan's face was clearly troubled.
When we investigated for today, I had also heard that there was no illegal activity and no overt connections. But Sephira said there were people here at night. Suspicious of her words, I had them search for hidden passages on a whim. And bingo. There was a door disguised as a wall leading from the neighboring Varphan Group's building to this merchant guild.
"If Your Highness Asha hadn't noticed, they would have escaped through here," Ikuto called out to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't it be better for us to handle this one point ourselves?" I argued.
"We could have just let them escape underground and trapped them in that room, preventing them from leaving," Levan suggested.
That was certainly possible. They might hole up there until things cooled down, but something about that bothered me based on my previous life's culture.
"If they're cornered in a place with no escape, having committed crimes that warrant execution, and their hideout has been exposed? Wouldn't there be a possibility they'd keep their mouths shut forever?"
You see that in period dramas, don't you? When villains are exposed and go on desperate rampages. In fiction, there's judgment after that, but in reality, if they launch a suicidal attack, you have no choice but to intercept and kill them before being killed. Furthermore, it would be troublesome if they died in a barricaded room. Shouldn't we do everything possible to capture them alive?
"Um, tutors? What kind of education are you giving the First Prince? He's starting to say some disturbing things," Levan said, unable to retort to me and redirecting his frustration strangely.
Helkov, who had been about to climb the stairs, nudged Wearrel, who shook his head and pointed to Ikuto. Ikuto looked at Helkov as if to say he had nothing to do with it.
Well, I guess this is my fault?
"Everyone here is experienced, so even if I haven't experienced it personally, there's plenty of room for imagination. More importantly, this is a dangerous place, so I don't think we should be chatting forever."
"Ah, yes."
Levan looked too tired to ask any more questions and fell silent. Just as I thought that, I heard a muttering voice.
"...Wasn't I supposed to be on lookout?"
While Levan had been silent, we had breached the second floor and were now eyeing the third floor where the hidden door was located. Of course, there were enemies on the second floor securing escape routes.
First, Helkov served as the tank with his conspicuous physique, while Wearrel provided long-range attacks with magic from behind to keep enemies at bay. Ikuto quickly moved in as the attacker to deal with slowed enemies, and if new enemies appeared, Helkov would cover.
"Amazing. To think such a formation would take shape from just my casual suggestions. Is everyone so used to fighting?"
"Oh, this formation was Your Highness's idea?" Levan asked, sounding rather unmotivated.
"I wouldn't call it an idea. I just said I wanted to minimize injuries, and Wearrel explained that as the rear guard, he'd be the safest, or rather, if he was hit, we should retreat. Helkov has high attack power but would become a target, so it would be better if he didn't move much. Or that way he could watch out for me. So if Ikuto was the one moving forward, we should have him attack last for safety."
In other words, I'm all talk. That's why the three of them who can actually execute these movements are amazing.
While we were having that conversation, we reached the third floor.
It seemed the enemies had ended on the second floor. Sephira had scanned the area, and there was no one left in the hallways.
"They'll just be caught by the people in the other building, so I feel like we should set up a barricade in front of the room with the hidden door?"
I asked while holding up two fingers at an angle where Levan couldn't see. It was the number of enemies inside. They had already escaped through the hidden door to the neighboring building, but knowing we were coming up from below, they were still hiding in the room. According to Sephira, they seemed to be waiting at the hidden door.
"Let's go capture them. That will serve as leverage to keep Count Strateg quiet when we report to him about Your Highness," Ikuto said to the shaken Levan from down the hall.
He had rushed in immediately behind Helkov after Wearrel's magic, and as expected, when another enemy appeared, Ikuto silenced them instantly with his fists.
"We've confirmed that this building has no back entrance, so let's seal the hidden door before any more newcomers arrive," Wearrel said, joining in and striking another enemy who had targeted the opening while Ikuto was distracted with wind magic. By the time we reached the stairs, we had taken down four more enemies.
"More than expected. I guess they caught wind of our surrounding investigation," Helkov muttered, turning his bear-like nose toward the upper floor. It seemed there were still enemies above.
"If we control the stairs, we cut off their retreat, so don't overdo it," I said worriedly, but none of them had taken a single hit yet. Moreover, even though they carried swords, they hadn't drawn them. Perhaps they were concerned about me, or perhaps they simply had that much leeway.
"Um, are you saying the entrance is the only way out?" Levan asked, unable to keep up. He hadn't marked this building and didn't know its internal structure. He was behind me both because he was barely managing to keep up and because he was serving as our rear guard.
"There's no exit except the one connecting to the neighboring building. But there's a room underground where they can hide," I explained.
"If you knew that, we didn't have to rush in like this," Levan said, seeming to want me to stay safe and uninvolved.
"We've already dispersed forces to deal with the criminal guild and the back entrance. There aren't enough people, so the entrance is still in a shoving match. Wouldn't