Chapter 318: Infiltration (3)
I wondered if Sien and my plan was working properly.
We successfully infiltrated the eastern base of the Cult with light footsteps.
*People are the same everywhere, no matter where you go.*
Just as expected, the Cult members were moving around in a hurry.
Even though the Cult primarily invades using magical beasts, it seems being busy is the same here as in the Capital City.
We hid in a spot where no one could see us.
"Cain. What are we going to do now?"
At that moment, Skaya directed a question at me.
Without needing to think about it, I immediately answered her question.
"Let's gather information first. Even though we have Sien, he doesn't know everything either. Right?"
"Cain is correct... I roughly know what's going on, but I don't know the details either."
"I see. Understood. Then let's start with information gathering."
With those words, we split up to gather information separately.
***
At the same time.
Andrew, who was in the middle of the second invasion, briefly observed the battlefield.
Then, narrowing his eyes, he fell into thought.
*Hmm. What is this?*
Something feels off.
Everything is going according to his plan.
That's the problem.
Nothing has ever gone as he expected until now.
So why is everything suddenly going as anticipated?
*I've been caught off guard more times than I can count.*
That's why his heightened sensitivity wasn't unreasonable.
After surveying the battlefield for a moment...
*Come to think of it, David von Cain is nowhere to be seen.*
Andrew noticed the source of his unease.
Of all people, David von Cain was absent from the battlefield.
Of course, he had appeared at the end previously, but that was only because his stamina had been depleted.
But now, that wasn't the case.
The guy should have fully recovered his stamina by now.
*The maid that Skaya and Cain keep around is also missing.*
It would make sense if they were facing an Archdemon.
The distance would be quite far, and they would have depleted their stamina.
However...
*David von Cain's absence is a bit strange.*
Given his personality, he wouldn't have gone to the Imperial Palace himself.
Rather, he would have sent two people he could trust.
So, he should be on the battlefield.
*Could it be... infiltration?*
That's certainly possible.
Unlike the others, Cain specializes in infiltration, doesn't he?
*He's been impersonating me all this time, after all.*
Suddenly feeling ominous, Andrew contacted the executives in charge of each area.
"I'm asking just in case, but has anyone been impersonating me?"
-There's been no one on our side.
-Same here.
-No one.
-None.
In response to his question, the executives, including the Archdemon Nade, all answered that there had been no one.
*Hmm. So it's not infiltration?*
He clearly knew it in his mind, but his instinct told him otherwise.
That Cain was plotting something.
As Andrew was deep in thought...
*Who's that?*
Cain's image appeared in the crystal orb.
David von Cain slaughtering magical beasts.
Seeing this, Andrew dismissed his suspicions.
*I guess I was being too sensitive.*
He had wondered if the guy might have infiltrated, but seeing him overwhelmingly killing magical beasts there, it seemed he was mistaken.
*That's quite strong for a clone.*
He knew the guy could use clone techniques, but the Cain visible through the crystal orb was probably the real one.
After all, he was in his Dragonoid form, even exhaling dragon breath.
Mistaking the Cain in his view for the real one, Andrew burst into laughter.
"Kuhehehehe!"
***
Several hours passed.
The group gathered at the meeting place.
I turned to Skaya and asked.
"How was it? Skaya, did you find out anything?"
"Sorry. I couldn't get any good information."
I didn't expect much from Skaya since she's originally a mage.
I turned to Eveleen, who was putting bread in her mouth.
"Eveleen. What about you?"
"Like Lady Skaya, I couldn't find any crucial information, but I did notice something concerning."
As expected of Eveleen, who had infiltrated our territory before.
It seems she's gathered some decent information.
"Don't feel pressured, just tell me."
"Ah, yes. Gulp!"
She swallowed the bread in one go.
Then, she continued.
"Those soldiers' bodies seemed somewhat thin, especially the lower-ranked ones."
"I have something to say about that."
As I nodded, indicating for her to speak, Rishe explained the information she had gathered.
"From what I've learned, the Cult is currently experiencing a food shortage. I think they might not be able to get proper food because of the war, Young Master."
"Hmm."
That's certainly possible.
No matter how much food the Cult has stockpiled, it's natural for supplies to run out if they're not continuously replenished.
Especially in times like these.
"Sien. Is there a food shortage in the Cult as the two of them said?"
"Hmm. Rather than a shortage, I'd say there's dissatisfaction. The Cult operates on a merit-based system, so the lower-ranked ones who don't contribute much get to eat, but they rarely get quality food. They also eat smaller portions. That's why the lower-ranked ones are thin, as the little one said."
"Then the lower-ranked ones must have quite a lot of complaints, right?"
"I would think so."
Sien nodded in response to my question.
If we play this right, we might be able to use this.
*This could work well.*
After organizing my thoughts, I explained the plan we would execute starting today.
***
About a day had passed since Cain infiltrated.
Meanwhile, Glein, who was still unaware of Cain's infiltration...
*Hmm. Fortunately, the battlefield is progressing smoothly.*
He was smiling with satisfaction as he observed the battlefield.
Although they hadn't broken down the walls yet, at this rate, the advantage was his.
Unlike other areas, his specialty was undead transformation, wasn't it?
*In such a large battlefield, I have the greatest advantage.*
Glein, who could control an infinite number of undead.
For him, this battlefield was like water to a fish.
*If things continue like this and we break down the walls...*
Undoubtedly, humanity's defeat would be almost certain.
After all, once one area falls, the others tend to follow.
*And I, who achieved results...*
Would receive rewards from Lord Andrew.
If nothing else, he gives quite generous rewards for results, doesn't he?
If he's the first to break down the walls, he would likely surpass the other executives.
Just as Glein was counting his chickens before they hatched...
-Knock knock knock.
Someone was knocking on the door.
Glein lowered his rising smile and spoke in a solemn voice.
"Who is it?"
-It's Rogue, Lord Glein.
Rogue introduced himself at his call.
Glein instructed him to enter.
Then...
-Creeeeak.
Rogue opened the door and entered.
He bowed his head and reported.
"Lord Glein. We checked again just in case, but there was no one impersonating Lord Andrew."
"I see."
That's a relief.
He knew that Cain hadn't come here impersonating Andrew, but you never know, right?
Just to be safe, he had ordered another check, and as expected, his ominous premonition didn't come true.
*It seems Lord Andrew and I were being too sensitive.*
After all, the guy knows by now that impersonating Andrew won't work.
So, it's natural that he couldn't infiltrate this place.
As Glein was inwardly accepting this, at that moment...
-Knock knock knock.
Once again, the sound of knocking echoed.
Rogue and Glein turned their heads.
Then, Glein spoke.
"Yes. What is it?"
"It's nothing important, but it's mealtime, Lord Glein."
Is it already that time?
He had been so busy lately that he hadn't had time to think about it.
"Alright. Come in."
"Yes, understood."
As soon as he finished speaking, the chef brought in the food.
He placed it on the table.
Then, shortly after...
"Then, I'll take my leave."
With those words, he bowed his head and left the executive's room.
The only people left in the room were Rogue and Glein.
He invited the standing Rogue.
"Come on. Join me for a meal, Rogue."
"Is that alright?"
"We've known each other for a long time, so it's fine for you."
"Thank you."
At his invitation, Rogue sat in the chair opposite him.
Actually, he wasn't originally his subordinate.
Until he became an executive, they were both branch managers, weren't they?
However, unlike Rogue, he was chosen by Andrew and became an executive.
Glein also sat down and stabbed a juicy steak, putting it in his mouth.
*Hmm... what's this?*
Something's off.
Visually, it's clearly the same steak.
But unlike the meat he had been eating until now, it doesn't feel tender at all, but rather tough.
*Is it my imagination?*
Glein put another piece in his mouth with a puzzled expression.
However, as expected...
*It's not my imagination.*
The meat was even tougher than before.
*Did the chef make a mistake?*
But for that, the dish seems to be well-prepared as usual.
After all, the personal chef of an executive is almost on par with the chefs of the Reyston Imperial Family, isn't he?
The probability of such a person making a mistake in cooking is almost zero.
"Something's strange."
"...Pardon?"
Rogue tilted his head at his murmur.
Ignoring him, Glein said.
"The quality of this meat is considerably worse than what I've been eating."
At his words, Rogue looked at him as if he were crazy.
Reading Rogue's gaze, Glein narrowed his eyes.
*What's going on? Why is he looking at me like that?*
Even though they were once colleagues, Rogue had never openly shown his emotions through his expressions until now.
Yet, here he was, making such an expression.
*Did I say something wrong?*
Inwardly puzzled, Glein asked.
"Rogue. Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ah, umm..."
Rogue hesitated, wearing an expression that suggested it was difficult to say.
Seeing him like this, Glein was certain.
That he had said something strange just now.
"As an executive, I order you. Tell me why you're looking at me like that."
"Ugh. Yes, understood. It's just that, Lord Glein, you mentioned that the quality of the meat is poor, right?"
"Yes, that's right. It's worse than what I ate before."
"Isn't that natural?"
"...?"
Huh? That's natural?
While Glein was trying to understand, unexpected words came out of Rogue's mouth.
"After all, didn't you distribute all the good quality meat to the soldiers yesterday, Lord Glein?"
"...What?"
Did I?