I Was a Small Fish When I Reincarnated, but It Seems That I Can Become a Dragon, so I Will Do My Best - Extra Chapter 41
2-27. Confirmation On The Spot
As Kadoma and Kannuki were walking through the forest, they were suddenly greeted from the side.
“Good work.”
“”WHOA!? U-UCHIKAGE-SAMA!!””
“Hush…”
Startled by the sudden voice, they quieted down as Uchikage gestured for silence, placing a finger to his lips.
Though both thought it was absurd, that’s just how Uchikage was – he could completely erase his presence outside the village and appear seemingly out of nowhere. A person with no room for carelessness or mistakes.
Soon, Shizunuma and Tatareba appeared from behind, panting heavily. They seemed quite worse for wear, with clothes intact but covered in mud, and their hair disheveled.
“What… happened to you guys?”
“”…””
To Kadoma’s inquiry, both remained tight-lipped. They seemed apologetic, bowing their heads, enduring Uchikage’s silent glare. He then sighed and turned towards them.
“Don’t worry about them. It seems everything is fine on your end, but how about over here?”
“We successfully protected the children, Yuuzen-kun and Amariaz. They managed to defeat this man. However, he took poison and died; we couldn’t extract any information.”
“Uchikage-sama, could you please explain a bit more? Who is this child? Who is this man? And who is Hime-sama? There’s too much we don’t understand.”
“…I suppose I should explain.”
From now on, those present here would become protectors for Yuuzen and Amariaz. Keeping secrets wouldn’t be wise. Uchikage nodded and began explaining.
“The child is Amariaz. He’s a crucial figure for Yuuzen. Before I explain why, there’s something you need to know. Hime-sama you mentioned, Hisui-sama, is the spirit of a woman I served, appearing now in the secondary palace at dusk and during the new moon.”
“”Huh!?””
“!?”
“Now, around four hundred years ago, I served under Hisui-sama. I understand there’s much you want to know, but listen to the whole story.”
Now, it was clear to everyone present that Uchikage’s service was from a distant past.
About Hisui and Amariaz, they could somewhat comprehend. Now, who was this man?
To explain that, Uchikage directed his gaze to the man being carried by Kannuki.
“That man was targeting Amariaz. Like Yuuzen and me, he possesses a lost skill. That was his aim.”
“A skill… Does that mean this man planned to capture individuals with skills and use them for some kind of experiment?”
“I don’t know. But it’s evident he intended to use them for something sinister.”
Extracting skills, replicating them, establishing ways to regain lost skills… Reviewing the possibilities, none seemed feasible. However, if there were indeed ways to achieve these, it made sense that individuals possessing skills would be targeted.
The most plausible scenario was probably the establishment of a method to regain lost skills.
Skills were a dangerous form of magic that anyone could use easily. Even unheard-of magic could be manifested through them. Everyone present understood their danger, especially considering Uchikage’s highly dangerous skill.
Most likely, the highest probability was the “establishment of a method to regain lost skills.”
Skills were a perilous element, and if there were a way to recover lost abilities, individuals with skills would undoubtedly be targeted.
“Hmm, I kinda get it now. Still, we don’t know who the mastermind is.”
“They’re not fools either. They hired an assassin who’d rather commit suicide than reveal information. …It might be quite a large organization. Plus, we’re lacking too much information.”
“Kannuki is right. There’s still much we don’t know. But the fact that Amariaz, who possesses a skill, is here might already be known to them. If we wait, there’s a high chance they’ll come.”
“…To use Amariaz as bait.”
“Exactly.”
To Kannuki’s words, Uchikage immediately agreed. Shizunuma and Tatareba, who were standing by, seemed to understand what they needed to do upon hearing the discussion. However, Kadoma interjected.
“H-hey! Regardless of what’s inside, he’s still a human child, Uchikage-sama! Using him as bait… that’s a bit too much!”
“I understand your perspective. However, the fact that individuals with skills are being targeted means Yuuzen and I might also be targets.”
“Ah…”
“…Now that assassins have appeared, delaying our response could result in significant losses. What’s more, even if we say ‘bait,’ it doesn’t mean we’re abandoning him. Don’t worry.”
“Yeah, I guess…”
Kadoma accepted the explanation and felt remorse for his earlier statement. He then remembered the bundle of papers he had in his hands. Since he couldn’t read while carrying the two individuals, he decided to hand them over to Uchikage.
“Oh, Uchikage-sama. Yuuzen had this bundle of papers. I don’t know how he got it, but take a look.”
“Hmm.”
“Probably something that came out of this man’s magic bag.”
As Uchikage received the explanation, he took the bundle of papers. While going through them, he muttered.
“…What is this?”