Instinct’s Decision

A figure arrived at the huts and surveyed the surroundings silently. It was dark, the moon hidden behind the clouds. Carefully, the person looked for anyone lurking in the darkness, but sensed no one. Only the huts lay quietly still.

Cutting through the shortest path to get here, broken twigs and crushed leaves soiled her clothes. Yet she was not out of breath. Opening the door to the nearest hut, she frowned.

「They’re regular soldiers dressed up as bandits.」

Startled, she turned around. Someone was standing five meters away from her. She was sure she didn’t sense anyone earlier.

「I guess your hunch isn’t perfect.」

Moonlight broke through the clouds, illuminating a figure darker than blackness. The silver mask on its face gleamed.

「So it really was you, Silver Face.」

「And I guess you’ve been following me, Luna.」

The rank S adventurer Luna quickly drew the short sword from her waist. Her refined movement captivated Hikaru.

「…What are you doing?」she asked.

「What do you mean?」

「You’re not even going to defend yourself?」

Her laid-back self was nowhere to be found. The only one here was an elite, battle-ready adventurer.

「As you might have guessed, I’m the one who tied all these bandits up. But should I be criticized for that? If anything, I should be commended for what I did. Anyway, great timing. I’d like to ask you to return to the capital, and—」

「You are wanted for the attempted murder of the Emperor.」

「I’m sorry, what?」

It was news to him.

「………」

「………」

They stared at each other in silence. Finally, Luna moved first, lowering her sword back into its scabbard.

「…We should exchange information for now.」she said.

「Th-That’s a good idea.」

Under the moonlight, they decided to explain each other’s situation.

While explaining the current situation, Hikaru observed Luna closely.

She should have a high-level Instinct that can see through Group Obfuscation. But that doesn’t explain why I can’t see her Soul Board.

Even up close, Hikaru still couldn’t see Luna’s Soul Board. Luna said it was her “hunch” that led her to this place. People apparently viewed her hunch as something akin to precognition. Some adventurers even called her the Sword Forecaster.

Hikaru guessed that Luna’s Instinct stat had an extremely high value. But just like Hikaru’s Mana Detection, using it constantly put some strain on her body, which is why she usually took it easy.

Thinking wasn’t Luna’s forte. Even as Hikaru linked the kounatsu attacks to the soldiers and guessed who the mastermind was, all she said was “Really?” while tilting her head.

Hikaru assumed that the attack on the kounatsu was the conservatives’ way of harassing the progressives. He wanted the wannabe-bandits to be rightfully punished. Merchants put their lives on the line to conduct business. Getting caught in a dispute between nobles was too pitiful.

「So how’s Kaglai doing?」

「…Not “His Majesty”…」

「Don’t worry about it. You’re not really loyal to the Emperor either, are you?」

「…I suppose.」

Hikaru learned that someone tried to kill Kaglai the night he visited him. The guards found no one when they entered the room, only a blade that was heavier at the tip. Authorities believed that the culprit was someone skilled in concealing themselves.

「Hmm… I see why they suspect me.」

「…Yes. They said finding you would be difficult, so they asked me.」

「Let me guess. It was the Prime Minister’s request.」

「…What makes you think that?」

「He wants to hide me, not bring me to justice. No knight or soldier would be able to keep their temper if they thought I tried to kill Kaglai.」

「…Perhaps. Did you try to kill His Majesty?」

「No. I’d gain nothing by doing that.」

「…True. You don’t seem to be lying.」

Your Instinct knows that much? Instead of being afraid, Hikaru found her ability unfair. All right. I got it.

After much hesitation, Hikaru decided to raise his Instinct. He had an extra 16 points from defeating the Evil Drakon.

But I should do it one point at a time. I don’t want to be like Luna who seems out of it most of the time.

Detection can sense anyone hiding with Stealth. If Detection wasn’t enough, Instinct would make up for it. Raise all three, and you have the perfect Stealth user.

I kinda wanted to use magic… It was Hikaru’s only regret.

「…You look sad.」Luna said.

「Don’t mind me. Anyway, I can’t return to the capital right now, but I’ll be back in a few days. Kindly tell the Prime Minister I’ll pay him a visit then.」

「…Okay. I think that’s fine.」

「Could you tell the guards in the nearby town about these men? You have more credibility than me. But tell them these people are bandits.」

「…I don’t mind, but the guards could be in on it and acquit them. That’s what I feel, at least.」

「That’s fine. You can’t really take them back with you anyway. They can be released without punishment, but they can’t erase the fact that you reported them. It should be enough as a warning for them.」

The goal was to eliminate the threat on kounatsu. Hikaru wished to see them punished, but he couldn’t do anything about that right now. Of course, he wasn’t just going to leave it at that either.

Hikaru checked the Soul Boards of all the bandits and took down their names. I’m gonna submit this list to the Prime Minister later.

Parting ways with Luna, Hikaru returned to the inn unseen.

The next morning.

「Oh, you look tired.」Nino said.「Not enough sleep? We should be safe on the way. Sleep all you want!」

Having received great information last night, Nino was in a very jovial mood, humming to himself as he spurred the wagon onwards.

He’s right, though. The roads should be safe now.

Hikaru lay down in the wagon and closed his eyes.