Chapter 603: Tainted Fate

「……」

It seems my intelligence gathering still isn't thorough enough…

Not knowing who "Nicole" was in the fat uncle's mouth, Leon's prepared plea stalled, temporarily halted.

The fat uncle clearly assumed Leon knew this person named "Nicole," so he offered no further explanation, merely rolled up the bedding, stuffed in some money and essentials, tied it tight with rope, and strapped it directly onto Leon's back.

"Go! Hurry!"

After dragging the reluctant Leon out of the house, the fat uncle tore open his coat, pulled out the cotton lining used for warmth, shoved it all down the collar of "Little Baggins," then forcibly dressed him in two thick windproof coats, before pointing toward the dim mountain path and urging:

"If you leave through the 'gate,' the leader will notice—you must take the mountain path! Head south to Lyne County, and never come back!"

「……」

Looking at the fat uncle, who had lowered his voice and wore a worried expression, urging him nonstop, Leon—now stuffed like a bear—struggled with all his might to protest:

"Actually… I don't think things have necessarily reached…"

"Go!"

Shoving "Little Baggins" hard, the fat uncle barked:

"I know you fear dragging me and Fanny into trouble, but though the leader seems kind, he's a proud man—if only the two of us old fools remain, he may not do anything to us.

But if you stay, he'll definitely move against you! I saw his expression clearly—believe me, he won't tolerate you!"

"Uh… maybe I should go ask him directly, see if…"

"Go! Do you want to drive me to death?!"

"Fine…"

Watching the fat uncle stamp his feet in the cold wind, Leon knew he couldn't stay by normal means; following "Little Baggins's" persona, he let out a deep sigh, then donned the bear-like "warmth suit" the fat uncle had forced on him, and turned toward the mountain path leading out of the valley.

Finally got him out of here…

As the fat uncle stood in the cold night wind, watching Leon depart, another man stood atop a high cliff, peering from the shadows at the only road out of the valley.

Just as I suspected.

Watching the bulky figure of the "bear" trudging up the mountain path, the middle-aged man on the cliff let out a long breath.

He couldn't follow him, nor afford to oppose him; faced with this prickly creature that was both troublesome and impossible to ignore, the best course was to create some disturbance, prompting him to sense danger and leave on his own.

And for Little Baggins, Old Owen had always treated him like his own son—so merely showing a hint of hostility would be enough to make him alert, prompting him to seek out Little Baggins and scare off this unwelcome prickly nuisance, achieving my goal of maintaining current stability.

As for what might happen to Little Baggins later, that's not something to ponder now.

For myself and this kingdom, the most urgent task now is to divert the Police Force's patrol strength, then launch a full-scale assault on the Airship Dock, destroying all mineral distribution records before the Krook Kingdom's scouts depart—and kill every single person who knows about them!

"Huh…"

After confirming what he must do next, the middle-aged man exhaled again, then turned and descended the cliff, returning to his quarters and sitting before a desk piled high with documents.

"Barton… sigh…" Looking at the documents from the Police Force, remembering his capable agent lost in the Secret Investigation Bureau, the middle-aged man sighed again.

The Police Force's patrol map… after Barton's rebel identity was exposed, the intelligence he desperately sent out had lost much of its value.

But it was precisely while studying this deployment map that he noticed the signature in the lower right corner, remembered the loyal Barton, and felt gloomy enough to go for a walk—only to coincidentally encounter the transforming Little Baggins, allowing him to send away this hidden bomb in advance.

Perhaps… this was Barton watching over me.

With a faint sigh, the middle-aged man moved the deployment map aside, reached out to brighten the whale-oil lamp, and began reviewing other documents.

Personnel status of Lyne Arms Company… might come in handy.

Since the new Duke of Lionheart took power, the old guard at Lyne Arms have begun seeking their own paths, frantically selling assets—perhaps I can seize the opportunity to acquire some high-powered weapons for attacking the Airship Dock.

Shipping company schedules… and special passenger lists… crucial!

The scouts will likely enter the capital by water, then board airships back to the Krook Kingdom; though I don't know which scout discovered the mineral deposit, he must be on one of these private vessels' passenger lists.

Airship Dock blueprints… this is the last resort.

Picking up the feather pen, the middle-aged man circled several key support beams on the Airship Dock blueprint, his eyes hardening with ruthlessness.

If we can break in, we break in! Aim to seize the mineral records—but if we can't reach the top floor, for the kingdom's safety, we must spare no cost and destroy the entire Airship Dock!

…

"Sss…"

As the whale-oil lamp burned with a soft hiss, the cotton wick steadily shortened, and the thick white fat in the brass lamp basin dwindled.

Yet as the lamp's flame dimmed from fuel depletion, the pitch-black sky outside the window gradually brightened.

Finally, morning sunlight slipped through the thin curtains, gently spilling into the room, illuminating the desk piled with documents—and the middle-aged man's back, who had not slept all night.

Huh… almost done!

Rubbing his bloodshot eyes, the middle-aged man, now streaked with gray hair, nodded in satisfaction at the operation documents he'd compiled through the entire night, then rose, donned his coat from the coat rack, and walked out the door with the papers in hand.

Now, it's time for the "final battle"!

Glancing at the building in the valley's center used for meetings, the middle-aged man, looking worn and aged, strode forward with confident determination.

To save the kingdom, I've made every possible preparation—weapons, equipment, intelligence, personnel—all flawless!

Even at the most critical moment, thanks to Barton's protection, I discovered this deadly hidden bomb in advance and successfully eliminated every possible interference.

Finally, once I set fire to the Lawther Arcade to distract the capital's defense forces, then send the remaining anomalous-item bearers to launch scattered attacks, drawing away the already insufficient numbers of the Virgin Division's cleaners, no one will be able to stop me from assaulting the Airship Dock!

My plan is flawless… flawless… f…

After rounding a bend, the middle-aged man saw a figure wrapped in two thick quilts, curled up and snoring loudly at the entrance to the "meeting room." His lips trembled, his face instantly darkening with furious pallor.

Didn't you leave yesterday?! Why the hell are you back?!

(End of Chapter)