While I was relaxing at the Magic House, Milly, one of the Petit Golems, came rushing in.
"Master, Master! We found him, that Order affiliate! When I cast Clean on him, something silver came oozing out!"
"I wonder if it’s the person Jester-san mentioned. Were you able to handle it properly?"
"Yep! Pino purified the silver thing. The man was still alive, so Allen caught him."
"Thank you. I'll head over right away."
"Please do!"
Having finished her report, Milly hurried back out as quickly as she’d arrived. She was certainly a restless one.
"I have a general idea of what you’re thinking, but it’s just that you’re being strangely calm, Tort."
"Eh?"
Even though I hadn't said a word, Lowell spoke as if he were reading my mind. Was it really that obvious on my face?
"But he's the kind of person who nonchalantly eats curry at the place he’s supposed to be infiltrating."
I muttered an excuse while massaging my face to relax my expression.
To be fair, I really was a little on guard at first. I had heard through the Petit Golems' relay communication system that a suspicious individual had appeared near the town's outer wall. But when I listened to the details, he seemed far too careless for an operative—he’d even gone so far as to lightheartedly order seconds of curry. I’d started to think that even if he was an agent, he probably wasn't a very competent one.
"It might have been an act to make you drop your guard," Lowell suggested.
"You think so?"
If he were truly a professional, I would think it’d be better to ensure his identity wasn't discovered at all. Well, in any case, the situation was handled, so there was no problem.
I had assumed that if an Order affiliate were to infiltrate, they would undoubtedly investigate the dungeon. Having predicted this, I had positioned the Petit Golems at the entrance. Ostensibly, they were there to provide a service cleaning dirt and grime off returning adventurers, but in reality, it was a setup for Silver Abomination Countermeasures.
I had given them special staves capable of purifying the Power of Silver. These were magic tools I’d created by imbuing them with the specific "Clean" spell I used to strip the Silver Abomination away from Zeubros, the Holy Beast and kin of the Earth God. Moreover, these were permanent-effect versions. They required an enormous amount of mana to produce, so they had been quite difficult to make.
Of course, I didn't think every member of the Order was possessed by a Silver Abomination. However, since I’d heard that the members who created the local dungeons had various parts of their bodies undergoing Silverization, I expected that an Executive-class individual would be sent for the investigation. There was no point in catching a low-ranking grunt, so I was glad we had managed to secure an Order member possessed by a Silver Abomination just as planned.
『What are you dallying for? Let us go at once.』
I was thinking of finishing my tea first, but Garna hurried me along. It couldn't be helped; I would just have to drink it on the way.
Since we didn't know what might happen, the full group headed toward the dungeon entrance together.
"Ah, Master! This is the guy."
The moment we stepped onto the floor, Allen called out to me. He was pointing at a man who had been wrapped round and round in rope. He was truly and mercilessly trussed up like a straw bundle. Despite his predicament, he was wriggling his body as if trying to escape. Perhaps finding the movement amusing, Pino was poking him while Milly and Shara watched and giggled. I was actually starting to feel a little sorry for him.
"He's more energetic than I expected," Lowell noted.
"You're right, Brother," Spira added. "That Holy Beast’s right front leg melted away from the same thing."
Lowell and Spira observed the bundle of a man with clinical detachment. Now that they mentioned it, they had a point.
The Silver Abomination eroded the body. Even Zeubros, a Holy Beast, had suffered from the corruption, so I wondered why this person appeared unharmed. Well, I supposed I’d find out once I asked.
I had Pino and the others move aside and looked down at the trussed-up man. I intended to start the questioning immediately, but then I realized a cloth had been stuffed into his mouth. He couldn't speak like this.
"Is this for suicide prevention?" I asked.
"No, sir. He was jabbering on so loudly that I stuffed it in. It's probably fine to take it out now."
Since that was Allen's answer, I removed the gag. As soon as I did, the man began to shout.
"Do you people think you can get away with this?! I am a harmless, ordinary adventurer! I even have permission from the guild! To detain me for some incomprehensible reason is an act that defies common sense! The guild won't stay silent about such outrageous treatment! I'll forgive you if you act now. Hurry up and untie these ropes!"
Wow, he really was loud. Or rather, did he honestly think he could still talk his way out of this?
"Um, you're from the Eld Caldia Order, right?"
"...What are you talking about?"
He actually managed to look surprised. It was quite the performance. His talkativeness faltered, at least.
"The Silver Abomination that just came out of your body is a characteristic common to the Order's executives. I heard from Jester-san that a significant percentage of the executives have suffered from that erosion. That is undeniable proof."
"A-Abomination? Erosion? What are you..."
His bewilderment grew even more pronounced. He seemed genuinely shaken. Was it possible he hadn't even been told about the Silver Abomination? I had assumed an Executive-class member would be in the know.
"Uh, you were Rauya-san, right?"
"W-Why do you know my name?! I registered under a different name at the guild!"
"Oh, is that so? I heard it from Dende-san."
"He realized it was me!?"
He seemed shocked, but for some reason, a smug grin began to spread across his face.
"I see, so I was found out. Oh man, I’m in trouble... I suppose I’ve become quite famous myself."
He claimed to be "in trouble," but his face was still wearing that vain, self-satisfied grin. While having one's name known might be a point of honor in some circles... I had to wonder if it was really okay for an undercover agent to be so happy about it.