I, a Holy-Attributed Healer, Am Surrounded by Beautiful, Big-Breasted Women of the Female Knight Brigade - Chapter 41 - The Spies’ Mastermind

Chapter 41 – The Spies’ Mastermind

Gain-dono was waiting for me at the tavern in front of the lodging.

It seems Gain-dono had reserved a room on the second floor, so I sat down with him in the private room, away from the hustle and bustle of the tavern.

“Sorry for calling you out so soon after you just got back.”

“No, it seems like a lot of things have been going on here.”

“Yeah, let me hear your report first.”

“Yes.”

I had to tell him about Ao and Ruri that I had brought back, so I gave him a brief summary of the miasma incident that had happened over there.

“And so you brought back the beastman you rescued?”

“Yes, we have a master-slave relationship, so they listen to my commands. They’re also registered adventurers, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Master-slave relationship? Is that like a slave contract?”

“Well, you can think of it that way.”

Slaves exist in this world.

When you hear of a contract that allows you to give orders to others, it’s common to think of a slave contract.

“Well, fine then. Anyway, did you get any hints about the spies?”

“Honey-sama and I had a drinking contest and she told me to investigate the most useless people.”

“Useless people? What do you mean?”

“The lord seems to be good at winning people’s hearts. I surmised that he is using individuals who are considered useless.”

I think what Honey-sama was trying to convey is that the lord over there is adept at using people effectively.

That’s why those who are not recognized or are considered useless by others will feel that they are needed just by being recognized and spoken to, giving away information as spies.

“Ah, sorry, what exactly does that mean?”

“It means that not just the Second Knight Brigade, but anyone who feels unrecognized and thinks they can do more might be leaking information as spies.”

“What!?”

My conclusion is that anyone who lives in Daut city could be a spy.

This world doesn’t have a high sense of loyalty.

People might end up spilling important information even in just small talks.

“That’s pointless, right?!”

“Yes. But I think there is a mastermind who puts all that information together and reports only the important information.”

“A mastermind?”

That’s right. It might not just be Mei’s father.

You can’t tell who is talking about what.

Casual gossip. Someone’s plans as a casual conversation. Someone telling someone else’s secrets.

There needs to be a mastermind behind everything, like an intelligence agency. Someone that can scrutinize all that information and compile only the crucial information.

“So, we just need to capture the person coordinating the spies?”

“Yes. For example, if there is someone in the Second Knight Brigade who is considered useless, look for someone who treats that person kindly or is close to them. Is there anyone in town who is known to be kind, has a good reputation, and can casually gather information? Someone who seems gentle, kind, and good at conversation.”

As I talked to Gain-dono like this, I felt like the hints Honey-sama had given me were coming together in my head.

“…From the way you talk, it sounds like you’re referring to the watchmen and gatekeepers of the Second Knight Brigade. Above all, are you saying that Mei isn’t the culprit?”

“Well, it’s not my job to determine that. My job is to convey the information I’ve gathered and let the intelligence heads of your organization analyze it.”

To be honest, I’m angry at Gain-dono.

Did he have solid evidence to capture Mei?

Part of the reason is that I haven’t heard the reason for her capture, and I also think he made a very hasty decision.

When we first met, he also said he wanted Krish-san to spend the night with him so casually.

Even if Krish-san tried to cover for him, there was something about it that I just couldn’t accept.

I can’t believe Gain-dono thinks things through in such a simplistic way.

It feels like he says what he thinks on the spot.

“Sigh, you’ve hit a sore spot… You’re right. Honestly, I’m not smart enough to manage the town.”

“……”

“I’m confident that I’m skilled at riding a horse and swinging a spear. My father was a knight and I was recognized for my skills as a knight, which is how I got my current position. But there’s no way I could suddenly be in charge of running and managing a town.”

After complaining, Gain-dono bowed his head to me.

“Please lend me your strength. Krish and Mei are like sisters to me. I don’t even know what to do to protect Freyna’s subordinates. And if the culprit is among the Second Knight Brigade, under my command, please lend me your wisdom to track him down.”

If Gain-dono has a reliable military strategist, he could have asked for advice.

In the current situation, it’s hard to tell who is an ally and who is an enemy.

I understand why he might want to rely on an outsider like me.

“Can you really trust me?”

“I couldn’t decide whether to trust you, Salt-dono. But Krish and Mei vouched for you.”

“Those two?”

“Yeah, they said that if something were to happen, it would be Salt-dono they could rely on.”

“That’s quite a lot of trust.”

“Indeed, even the cautious Mei said you could be relied upon. And Krish, who you saved, said that if she were to be betrayed and lose her life, she’d prefer it to be at your hands. How did you earn such trust from those two?”

Krish-san was originally someone who was prepared to sacrifice her life for Lana-sama.

And now that I’ve saved her life, she must feel similarly towards me now.

I’m not sure I’ve gained that much trust from Mei, but it makes me happy to know she does.

“So please, I need your help, Salt-dono. I can’t find the mastermind who has infiltrated this town on my own. And I don’t know what their plan is for targeting Lana-sama. All I know is that they’re planning to do something during the festival in Corias.”

“The festival in Corias, you say?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Where did this information come from? It doesn’t seem like it’s been fully verified.

“There is one person I’m concerned about.”

“Who is it?”

“Let me explain the plan first.”

“Plan?”

“Yes, it’s…”

I started telling Gain-dono my plan to get him to put up an act.

A man who understands his own incompetence is not incompetent.

With this, I’ve found something I can acknowledge a little about Gain-dono.

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T/N: If you like harem stories of MC getting reincarnated as a villain, check out this novel: I’ve Been Reincarnated as the Strongest Villain in an NTR Eroge, so I’m Going to Break the Heroines’ Doom Flags on Behalf of the Main Character!