Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 21: The Flow of Wind, Part 5
22,439. That was the total number of soldiers recorded in the Kazarsia Kingdom's military statistics record. That's not a lot of money. And, considering the quality of their soldiers was not comparable to the Imperial Army, one division had already overcome all of them. Just by sending one division, Kazarsia Kingdom could fall into the hands of the Vermillion Empire. It was also easy for the Knights Templar to occupy this kingdom. The only problem is the existence of General Clown.
Not only was the man whose name was famous a hindrance to any party who wanted to occupy Kazarsia Kingdom, but also to the completion of the task that Xavier had received from Kanna.
He had already gathered all the information he could gather, but General Clown's combat power was still a mystery.
In the Royal Army profile, there was no specific information about General Clown. All the information written down was what he already knew through rumors. The other soldiers had their data, their magic was written in full. General Clown is shrouded in mystery. There was no other way but to test it directly. However, in order to do that, he had to lure the general out of the city to escape the casualties.
I have to go to the palace now, concluded Xavier while reinserting General Clown's profile sheet into the vault.
Xavier didn't try to remove the tracks. It was important for the Royal Army to be aware of the presence of intruders. This would also help ease General Clown's lure outside the city walls.
Nodding in satisfaction, Xavier stepped outside the underground warehouse of the main building of the Royal Army headquarters. He did not bother to close the door. Xavier continued to step up and then up the stairs, but of course he was still protected by [Reverse Law].
Simultaneously with Xavier's exit from the basement, a fierce-faced plontos-headed man with a flat expression stepped towards the stairs downstairs. There is nothing special about him. His mana capacity did not even exceed that of a talented Imperial Army warrior. The man was too ordinary, average. There's no way someone like him is the flattered General Clown.
His head was indeed plontos, and General Clown had the head of plontos. However, it was highly unlikely that he was General Clown. That doesn't make any sense. Only idiots would suspect him as General Clown. Although he has never seen Shiva, Xavier knows Shiva from just looking at him. Following that logic, there's no way he wouldn't notice General Clown if he saw him.
It was Xavier's impression upon seeing the man. However, as they passed by, the eyes of the plontos-headed man with a cross wound on his head were glancing at Xavier. It was as if he knew of Xavier's whereabouts. He was of course surprised. However, since the man with the head of the plontos did not stop stepping, Xavier's feet did not stop either.
Just coincidental? Xavier nodded in question, but he had no answer but to nod at the question. Because, the rogue-looking man was too weak, it was impossible for him to realize Xavier's existence. That doesn't make any sense. Coincidence was the only explanation why the glances of their eyes had met.
Once again nodding to himself, Xavier immediately teleported outside the building. This time he went straight to the palace.
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I think I should have someone clear this hallway, Inner Clown just as his legs were coming down the stairs. Just now his eyes had glanced at the existence of a spider web on the wall of the hall. It's a shame to admit, but Clown has a phobia of eight-legged animals.
If necessary I should have some of them check the entire building and make sure there are no spiders, he added inwardly nodding in agreement.
...——————————...
Although not as grand as the Imperial Palace in Nevada, Kazarsia Kingdom's Royal Palace was not exactly bad. Instead, it was quite good, capable of rivaling the Imperial Palace in terms of beauty. However, the purpose of Xavier set foot on the walls of the palace is not to enjoy the beauty that the palace has.
Not wanting to be silent for long, [Sensory Magic] Xavier immediately worked. In a few milliseconds his perception has swept every milli area of the palace. No part was left out of his perception range.
General Clown's whereabouts he couldn't find.
Xavier did not find a single individual who had such an amazing mana capacity.
Of all the people in the palace, the greatest mana capacity is only the class of a captain—and it is still lower than the weakest captain Xavier. That there is only one. The rest is lower than that.
“What does that mean he already knows of my arrival, and deliberately left the palace?”
That was the most logical reason to answer the mystery behind the absence of General Clown. If a notice from Kanna had arrived at the palace, it would not have been impossible if General Clown had thought that there would be an intruder who wanted to find out its power. General Clown is famous for his mysteries. If he wanted to maintain that mysteriousness, it was very common for him to avoid the intruder. Didn't they?
Xavier has never met General Clown. Nor does he know the characteristics of the general other than information that he has a head of plontos. It made perfect sense that he would go undercover among the citizens, remotely watching him. If that assumption is held to be true, the effective way to get the general out is to make a mess. But.Xavier will not do that.
Hm...did General Clown have guessed that I wouldn't make a mess?
Recalling the old man's praise of who he was, General Clown was said to have a terrifying intellect. He could think of his opponent's plan without even needing to know who his opponent was. If so, General Clown knew Xavier's movements were not at all surprising.
Should I make a mess?
Xavier scrunched his forehead, then shook his head. He had plenty of time before Kanna arrived.
“I'll comb the whole city,” break up Xavier. “No matter how well he hides himself, he won't be able to hide from [Sensory Magic] and [Reverse Law]-ku.”
Nodding to his decision, Xavier left the palace and began to search for the general's whereabouts with great precision.
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“General Clown, have you overcome his intruder?” ask a soldier when Clown comes out of the file storage.
Uh, the intruder's been here?
“I heard that the reason General Clown came here was because the General knew he had infiltrated here. Oh, did the intruder enter the file storage? And therefore you check there?”
Uh…?
“Ah, has he escaped because he realized the presence of the General?”
Clown refrained from massaging his own forehead. His slightly racing heart tried to calm him down. Then, with a very serious expression, Clown nodded. “She infiltrated inside, checking files. Unfortunately, he had already left before I arrived. He. His infiltrating ability is very high. Take care, and make sure you tell the staff to check the files. Immediately report if anything is missing.”
The soldier was flabbergasted, then he quickly nodded and saluted. “We won't let you down, General!” he added.
Clown nodded, patted the soldier on the shoulder with a faint smile on his lips, and then stepped away.
I-I don't know if the intruder's been here! Clown exclaimed inwardly as he hurried away. I must quickly send those soldiers to hunt him down!
...»»» End of Chapter 21 «««...