"Thank you for the help."
Saying that, the knight bowed his head to the Fleeing Adventurers.
As the one regarded as the person in charge here, having managed to capture every last scout without exception was a significant accomplishment.
He had looked pleased while grilling and eating Cerberus meat and the fanged fish for dinner, but the smile now on his face from capturing the reconnaissance group was different from the one he wore at mealtime.
(Come to think of it, I never did catch that fanged fish in the end.)
The reason was that they had been confirmed to lack magic stones, causing Rei to lose his motivation.
Still, the taste of the fish itself was reasonably good, and given its size, there was a substantial amount of meat, so as an ingredient, it held promise.
"Don't worry about it. We're tasked with guarding this place, so we just did our job. Still, one or two people is one thing, but I never expected over ten to come at once. And they all clearly look like they're together."
Every one of the captured men wore black clothing and identical face coverings.
Even if they claimed to have no connection to each other, no one would find that convincing.
"In that case, the question becomes whose hands are behind this... or whether they were hired. Though, this type doesn't spill information easily."
"Haa..." the Knight murmured with a sigh.
Depending on the circumstances, some might readily give up their superiors or employers, but unfortunately, these men in black didn't look like that type.
"Does anyone here recognize any of their faces?"
They had all been wearing face coverings, but now they were gagged, so naturally the coverings had been removed and their faces were exposed.
Considering there were over ten of them, it wouldn't be strange if someone recognized at least one—or so the Knight must have thought when he asked. But the response he received was everyone shaking their heads.
"Nobody recognizes them? Not a single person?"
From the Knight's perspective, it wouldn't have been strange for at least one person to be recognizable, and if even one was identified, they might be able to capture others in a chain reaction—or so he had hoped.
But those hopes were effortlessly shattered.
"Considering the current population of Gilm, it might not be that strange... but still... hmm..."
The Knight began pondering, but Rei called Zozo over for the time being.
Since Set's discovery of the men in black through his sense of smell had been sudden, the capture had also required rushing into action.
As a result, the Lizardmen hadn't been briefed on the situation.
In truth, some Fleeing Adventurers had remained at the camp, so they could have been briefed if Rei had tried... but judging by the flow of the conversation, they likely decided the Lizardmen should wait for now.
The possibility that Gaga, upon learning of the incident, might insist on joining the fight himself was likely a factor as well.
Regardless, Zozo nodded in understanding at Rei's explanation.
"I understand the reason behind this incident. However, in that case... should we assume that the Birth Tower has already been discovered as well?" Zozo communicated via the Stone Tablet.
"Probably. If it were one or two people, it wouldn't be strange to think they'd accidentally wandered in, or that they were suspicious but wanted to observe since they didn't know what was here. But with this many people arriving all at once, there's no doubt they acted knowing full well what's here. Which means..."
Rei trailed off, recalling the Fleeing Adventurers who had been pursued by Cobolts.
(On the very same day those guys showed up, a large group like this arrived—combat ability aside, they were quite skilled in stealth. Can this really be dismissed as coincidence?)
There was a possibility that it was truly a coincidence.
But from Rei's perspective, this was not something that could be simply written off as chance.
"Hey, I just want to confirm—those Fleeing Adventurers who were chased by Cobolts, Lord Daskar is still holding them, right?"
"Huh? Y-yeah, of course... wait, are you saying these guys came because information leaked from those adventurers?"
"I think it's a very real possibility."
"No, but... still..."
If what Rei was saying was true, it meant that security at the Lord's Manor was lax.
Whether the Fleeing Adventurers had escaped, or whether information had been extracted from them through some method, was unknown.
Unknown, but as a possibility, it couldn't be denied.
The Knight displayed a conflicted expression, torn between not wanting to accept it and knowing he had to.
"Then were those adventurers aiming for that from the very beginning?"
"I don't know that much. Just... thinking about it now, most of the equipment they carried showed signs of having been used to a certain extent."
"They claimed it was all handed down to them, though?"
"Every single piece of their weapons and armor? That's a little hard to believe. But that's just something I realize thinking about it now, after the fact."
At Rei's words, the other adventurers also showed expressions of understanding.
However, such realizations were belated.
When they'd encountered those adventurers, they should have considered and pointed this out then.
"Anyway, we can get the details out of these guys. The Knight Order has people who specialize in interrogation, right?"
"Yes."
The Knight nodded.
As a knight, he likely didn't find the existence of such behind-the-scenes personnel very agreeable.
However, there was no doubt that such people were indispensable.
That internal conflict probably led to his brief response.
Rei glanced at the Knight but spoke of something else.
"Still, with this many recon operatives arriving, how far do you think information about this lake has spread?"
"Right. The adventurers here have basically not left this location. So I don't think information would leak from here. Which means... could it have leaked from the coachmen who bring food and supplies?"
"Among the woodcutters, there are some who know about the Birth Tower, even if not about the lake, right? Then there's also the possibility that the woodcutters leaked information at a tavern."
The adventurers voiced their respective opinions.
The possibility that the source of the black-clad group's information was those Fleeing Adventurers was high, but it wasn't confirmed yet.
The men in black would be subjected to harsh interrogation—possibly torture—but the Fleeing Adventurers currently held in the Lord's Manor dungeon would also be interrogated, though not as severely.
Whether they would talk honestly was uncertain.
"Anyway, what happens from here on out isn't something we can handle. Let's leave the rest to the Knight Order and guards in Gilm, and stay on alert."
At Rei's words, the other adventurers nodded.
The adventurers weren't without their own feelings about the incident.
After all, there was a possibility that the people they'd rescued had actually been putting on an act to gather information.
Still, as adventurers—and especially as skilled ones selected by the Guild to serve as guards here—they had each experienced betrayal once or twice.
Given that, while they had thoughts about this incident, it wouldn't cause them to become visibly depressed.
"Right. First, let's keep a close watch. We can't rule out that these guys are an advance party."
"Meaning, while we're relieved after capturing them, another group could come?"
"Ugh... that actually sounds disturbingly plausible. Still, if Set is here, then even if they attack... no, not attack, but reconnoiter the lake and such. Even if someone like that shows up, finding them would be..."
"Ah, hold on a moment."
Rei cut off the adventurer who was about to say that with Set around, they'd be safe.
The adventurer whose words were halted turned to Rei with a questioning look.
"What is it? Don't tell me you're going to say not to rely too much on Set?"
He probably said that half-jokingly.
After all, it was precisely because Set was here that they had managed to detect the enemy early this time.
That was why... that was why, seeing Rei nod at those words, many of those watching were surprised.
"Sorry. There's a place I need to go check on."
Yes—a place that absolutely had to be checked under the current circumstances.
The place that had been the source of it all, teleporting various beings such as the Lizardmen, Green People, the Birth Tower, and the lake.
It was unlikely that the Wisp in the underground space beneath the Treant Forest had been discovered, but information about this lake, which had been kept as secret as possible until now, had leaked, and scouts had come.
If so, then perhaps—it was a real stretch, but the possibility that the underground space was known about couldn't be denied.
Of course, the number of people who knew about the lake versus the underground space was vastly different.
Regarding the lake, although it was being kept secret, naturally many people knew about it.
That was why Rei had anticipated that information would eventually leak.
But the underground space was different.
Understanding that it was different... still, considering the gravity of the matter, it absolutely had to be verified.
"Hey, are you serious? I don't know where you're going, but are you really saying you have to go right now in this situation?"
One of the adventurers directed a hostile glare at Rei.
To him, he genuinely couldn't understand why Rei needed to do such a thing in the current situation.
Even so, the fact that he was certain Rei wasn't saying this to slack off meant he held a certain degree of trust toward him.
"Yeah. Sorry, but on this matter, it's absolute. I think Lord Daskar would permit it too if he knew."
Rei declared this to the Knight, who was serving as the person in charge here.
Judging from Rei's demeanor that he wasn't lying, the Knight eventually nodded and spoke, despite wearing a troubled expression.
"Understood. Then I'll trust your word. Go. But come back as quickly as possible."
"Hey, wait. Are you seriously okay with this!?" one of the adventurers shouted at the Knight, who had so readily given permission for Rei to leave.
That was how much the Knight's decision surprised the adventurers.
However, the Knight nodded at the adventurer.
"If Lord Daskar would grant permission, then I have nothing to say. Of course, if that's a lie, it'll become a problem later. But Rei—Rei, who enjoys Lord Daskar's deep trust—would not tell such a lie here. Or am I wrong?"
"That's..."
The adventurer who had confronted the Knight could only agree with those words.
It was indeed a fact that Rei had received and completed various requests from Daskar.
That track record had built strong trust toward Rei.
"Understood? Then, Rei. Go on. Don't worry, the adventurers here are skilled, and many of the Lizardmen are formidable too. Even if someone attacks, we won't lose easily. Though the biggest problem would be if the enemy focuses solely on reconnaissance rather than attacking."
At the Knight's words, many present—even the adventurer who had been confrontational moments ago—found themselves convinced.
In a straight fight, they had no intention of losing.
But against opponents who killed their presence and used stealth, it was a different story.
Honestly, finding people like that was difficult.
Moreover, these were opponents capable of lurking outside Set's detection range.
There was no choice but to call them troublesome.
"Sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can, so hold the fort until then. ...Set."
"Grru!"
Set cried out at Rei's words and lowered himself.
Rei mounted its back, and Set broke into a run.
Normally, it would take a few running strides before soaring into the sky, but right now, the possibility that someone was watching couldn't be denied.
If so, taking flight here would carry a high risk of being spotted.
And if they were spotted, there was a chance the enemy would follow by moving through the Treant Forest—a location difficult to spot from above.
Even so, with Set's five senses, there was a possibility of detecting anyone tailing them, but there was no need to court unnecessary danger.
For now, above all else, they needed to reach the place connected to the underground space as quickly as possible and confirm whether it was safe.
Rei rode Set... and pressed on through the Treant Forest.