Using the Key to Open the Path to Victory Part 2

[STOP RIGHT THERE!] [Ugh.! What's the matter? Please understand that I have to spread this intel immediately…] Sybilla didn't reply to the soldier's words but reached out to Emmy's adventurer tag instead. Then she showed the prestige class Emmy's adventurer tag tells. [H-holy Knight-sama!] Sybilla then showed my tag after. [E-even the Saint-sama… Just who are you people…] [We're an adventurer party named Dusk's Oath. We just finished exploring Seiris' Third Dungeon down to its bottom floors and we're a full fledged rank A adventuring team. Feel free to confirm with Gale Thunder as well if you need more credibility.] That's just like yesterday and you promoted us to rank A already? That's the first time I heard of it. I wouldn't be shocked anymore if we've made it to rank S by tomorrow morning at this rate. [P-please forgive my rudeness!] [It's fine. We're lying low and hiding the fact at the moment after all… But, here's what I really want to say.] Sybilla then crosses her arms and gives the soldier a domineering glare. The air around her changed from being aloof and goofy to a terrifying one. It affected everyone and was caught off guard. Well, except me. [We've been investigating the fake money incidents for a while now since we received the secret mission from the guild… If you're going to deal with the real culprit behind this case, then I'm telling you right here and right now, if you don't have what it takes to deal with the monsters in the middle levels of Seiris' Third Dungeon, then all of you will just pointlessly die.] [The middle levels of the third dungeon, you say… Don't tell me…] [The Holy Knight beside me can deflect a giganto's onslaught with just a single hand, you see. Nevertheless, the fight against the culprit was still fatal and grueling. For the rest… would you like to hear more about them yourself?] The soldier in question turns deathly pale as he shakes his head repeatedly in an attempt to deny Sybilla's idea. [But.] Sybilla's presence remains to terrify everyone else despite having a pleasant smile on her face. [We're taking over this case this time and will solve it so don't worry. You will never find someone stronger than us anywhere else, you know.] [B-but if something happens to all of …!] [Yeah. By any chance if we lose against the culprit of this incident, it would be better if you leave things alone for a moment. But we've come here prepared to finish him off so there isn't any need for you to fret, no? Your task is to have the soldiers evacuate all the citizens and station the soldiers away from the beach when signs of monsters appearing or influxes of mana show up!] Sybilla then moves closer to the soldier as her one piece dress sways then taps his breastplate before giving him a smile and a wink that could leave every man breathless. . [We'll be wearing red robes. I know that the soldiers of this city are quite capable so there's no need for us to trouble ourselves protecting the citizens as well. I can leave it to you, yes?] […Y-yes! I'll see through it!] The soldier was stunned for a moment before Sybilla's words fully sank into his head. He then saluted her in acknowledgement and as he left, he turned around before stepping out the door and saluted once again. …How crafty. If you can do that much, then I leave the rest of gathering the faithfuls of your religion in your own hands then. Still, as a fellow man… Knowing fully well what this Goddess' character really is, I can't help but feel pity looking at how he took his words into heart… [With that being the case, we'll now be taking our leave as well, managersan. Let me give you some free advice, you should hide well inside your shop. You as well, clerk-san. Perhaps this is the place where you can be the safest. We're going to win anyways so just keep calm and be safe, okay?] After hearing all of the things Sybilla had said, the manager put both of his hands together in front of Sybilla. [How could I ever repay this grace…! Oh Goddess…!] [Oh my~ I'm a cute goddess indeed! Then I shall allow you to worship me!] Oh yeah, where's that Goddess who intends to hide her identity again? After we left the office, Sybilla scans the surroundings, and after confirming no one else is around, she lets out an exasperated sigh. …Yareyare, this girl, seriously… But before I can put a word to her, Emmy already made her jump ahead of me. [Sybilla-san! I didn't know you already have deep thoughts about the real criminal behind the fake money! Amazingg!!] [It was a bluff…] [eh..?] I can't help but smile bitterly even though it was as I expected but I had Sybilla continue her explanation. [From the guild's mission, and everything else after that, are just stuff you made up on the spot, I think.] [Ara, it was true that we reached rank A you know?] [I didn't expect a little truth to be mixed in with those lies…] I can't help but look at Sybilla with a bit of spleen but Sybilla looks at me the same as she let's out an exaggerated sigh once again. [More importantly, Russell, if you immediately remembered who's the real culprit then we wouldn't have to resort to these bothersome measures.] [Just how am I supposed to keep in mind someone else's purchases…] […Well, that's true. People can't even recall what they had for dinner even just two nights ago.] …Well, saying it that way, it is certainly how things happened. If it's Jannet, who has far better memory than me, then perhaps she'll be able to recall immediately what other people bought. [Even so… It's like a fake tree hiding within a deep forest, huh.] [True. Who would have thought that someone wearing noble clothing would be using fake money. I didn't mention it but this is one of it's advantages. It's difficult to suspect someone from a noble family. If it was proven to be a false accusation, then heads will definitely fly over. That applies even to barons who hold the lowest ranks. That's why everyone behaves in front of them.] Well, I can't argue with that. It would be difficult to suspect a noble without solid proof against them. If they'll get arrested, the accuser must be certain about it. [But this time, it's Russell who made effective use of our key to victory, huh. You've exceeded my expectations, I have to say.] [It was just a coincidence.] [Coincidence or not, it doesn't matter. Luck is part of one's ability too. It's the accumulation of these little things that make one successful.] Is that so… [Oh, Russell, by the way, have you learned of the trap yet?] [It's the next magic, right? I just learned of it.] [Very well. Then let's look for this peculiar nobleman, shall we?] I want to ask Sybilla more but she already walks up ahead. My eyes met Emmy's and I've lost count already how many times did these happen. …Well, it really isn't that bad in its own way. [Yosh, everyone, well done!] [As expected of you, Mokuyari-Senpai!] Hm? That voice sounds kind of familiar. Oh, it was the guy who thought of picking up Emmy but got hurt instead. I thought they were just jerks fooling around but… Even those guys will work hard if it's for the sake of their city, huh. …Now that I think about it… [Oi, you guys.] [Hm? Oh, don't tell me… It's the dude that's being dragged around by that dangerous women!] Well, Emmy sure is monstrously strong but she isn't that dangerous, y'know. As for Sybilla, I want to think I'm not someone she just drags around. (TL: Seriously???!!?!?!?!?!?] [You guys just kept on helping women alone. Why aren't you lending your hand to everyone equally.] [No no no, onii-san, it's just because of necessity. All men in this city are capable, you see. Besides, the seamen of this port city always keep in mind to help everyone equally ever since!] I see… Seems like even these guys follow some rules. Every place has its own rules I guess. Like this city, our village has its own as well. It's a practice that will remain in the city and will continue to go on to its residents for generations. [Got it. Then you guys can evacuate as well now.] (Russell) [Wow, to be worried for someone even like me, riajuus really are different huh. But no worries! Getting a quick knack of danger is one of the things we're proud of as men of the seas!] (Guy 1) [Y'er right 'bout that! Hahahaha!] (Guy 2) He laughs as he helps not just frail women… but also mothers and children. Well, they do really seem helpful to the ones in need. I guess they aren't just rank B adventurers for nothing. But then, what about me? To help everyone equally, huh. Well, this city took care of us in it's own way somehow. So yeah, I'll protect everyone as well including you 'pick up guys' against the Demon Lord. We return back to the inn and start to wear our equipment. Sybilla then gave us red robes to wear over. [What's up with these red robes?] (TL: Why does it have to be red. He knows that's what Sybilla said to the soldier.) [It's the ones used by those in red society. They're quite infamous so people will avoid us when they see us.] That's rather unpleasant… But, it will definitely be useful for us this time. Gotta make full use of it despite its peculiar background. We wore the robes and followed Sybilla out to the city. We're walking into the city and it's just strange how people's gaze gather around you for a moment and then get dispersed much faster in an instant. It's quite the weird feeling. We're in the jewelry market. And who would have known that we'll immediately find that robed man again. [Yeah, he's the guy… He seems kinda familiar.] […What are you… That… He's so vulnerable… Let's tail him…] With Sybilla's lead, we hid behind buildings and followed the man. Then, the soldiers started to move as well as they talked to the residents and had them evacuate to safety, slowly but surely. Since we relayed the current situation and our identities to the soldiers ahead of time, they were able to ensure the safety of the residents. …It was a brilliant effort. . . . We chased the robed nobleman into the beach as stopped under the shades of a cliff where he took out several luxurious accessories from his pouch. Seems like he bought quite the number. [Russell… Can you cast an Abyss Trap beneath the rock on that man's right side?] […You sure of it?] [Yeah.] It's the first time I am about to use this magic and to top it off… I am not even sure of Sybilla's intention from her instruction. But she's certain of it so I erased my doubts and used the magic as she instructed. [] I double casted the magic in the place she specified. [My patience… Oh goodness…] I hear a murmur and at the moment his foot lands on the place I casted my magic– [AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] A surge of dark mana towers its way up high to the sky to the point that it's as if night is about to come. So this is the power of Abyss Trap! Due to the uncertainty of its consistency and accuracy, this magic emphasizes instead its power. Indeed a trap magic. The necklaces and accessories got broken and scattered all over the surroundings. The debris of the cliff above started to fall as the tower of dark mana pierced through them. Seeing such a scenery, Sybilla now stands up and takes off her robe. Me and Emmy follow her and meet the eyes of the man who just stands up after he got hit by the falling rocks. [Y-you filthy bastaarrrddddddsssssss!!!!!!!!] Riddled by dirts of the rocks and the sands, there stands the Demon Lord that we've already fought twice. Sybilla probably already knows that the identity of the fake money's culprit is the same with the demon lord…! Now we've finally caught him off guard into a corner! The start of our fights was where this eccentric demon lord outwitted Sybilla continuous times. But now's a victory for Sybilla. There's no need for my partner to bleed her brains any further. If I can't accomplish my role up to this point, then I can only be useless. Well then, this would be our third match, don't it– The time has come for my dark magic to extinguish your life.