7th Time Loop WN Vol. 6 Fan Translation

225

"Your Highness Arnold, there's something I'd like to request regarding tomorrow..."

Yesterday, in the carriage, Rishe brought up this matter with Arnold.

"I'd like to check the situation around the canal before going for the dress fitting."

Though knowing they were alone, Rishe leaned in close to Arnold, placing a hand near his ear, and whispered confidentially, "Could you please allow me to accompany you as your squire?"

"... Why?" Arnold groaned.

"One of the reasons women are being abducted is because the cargo inspection on ships isn't thorough enough. There are likely officials overseeing this canal who are involved in corruption. Your Highness Arnold suspects this too, doesn't he?" Rishe explained.

Arnold probably had Oliver investigate this.

Rishe continued, "As we're here on this canal, those officials are probably somewhat vigilant, aren't they? This vigilance could potentially interfere with our decoy operation."

"Criminals are most uneasy when they feel suspicion closing in on them and the danger of being caught increases." Arnold countered.

"And conversely, they are most likely to let their guard down when they believe they've 'escaped' and are in the superior position." Rishe replied.

By allowing such relaxation, they wouldn't feel cornered. However, Arnold still wore a bitter expression. "I didn't ask for the reason. Why are you pretending to be a knight?"

"The elite knights of Your Highness Arnold seem too seasoned at first glance. It would be unnatural for such capable individuals to overlook suspicious points."

Rishe, inexperienced as a 'squire,' would be more convincing to overlook something, which could then be blamed on her inexperience.

In her life as a knight, she had experience in apprehending criminals and enforcing the law. Rishe and Yoel, who didn't look very strong, had often exploited their opponents' carelessness in this manner.

"I've brought along a boy's wig and shoes for our discreet stroll through the city. I'll borrow a uniform jacket from someone and have it temporarily altered to fit. I don't want to inconvenience the knights! I may lack ability, but I am the offspring of a powerful noble, and Your Highness Arnold has reluctantly taken me in as a squire. How about using that setting?"

"... You." Arnold squinted his eyes and asked Rishe calmly, "You must be retaliating for earlier."

"Hehe, not at all! I wasn't thinking at all about 'His Highness Arnold, pretending to be a servant, seemed to be enjoying himself and being a bit mean.' Not at all!" Rishe said with a smile, and Arnold let out a deep sigh.

Nevertheless, the fact that the term 'retaliation' came from him indicated that he must be aware of his own malice.

***

"Your Highness Arnold, I've finished checking the docking records!" Disguised as a boy, Rishe reported to Arnold with a firm expression.

She wore a brown wig on her head and applied makeup to appear more boyish. She also adjusted her walking and mannerisms to resemble those of a boy. Wearing a leather vest under her shirt and thick-soled shoes, she had also adjusted her height and body shape.

No one in this town knew Rishe well. Even the managers she met on the passenger ship yesterday, if they remembered anything from last night's atmosphere, wouldn't connect it to her current appearance.

Arnold stood out, but only a few individuals could approach the Crown Prince's location. Therefore, Rishe roamed the brick warehouse district without anyone suspecting her disguise.

"Captain, can I see the confiscated cargo?" With sparkling eyes, Rishe, acting as an enthusiastic young knight, asked.

The knight squad captain overseeing the security of the canal smiled indulgently and nodded. "Of course. Please, feel free."

"Leave it to me!" After saying this cheerfully, Rishe calmly surveyed the surroundings.

(As hunters hiding themselves and their prey...)

In the beautiful brick warehouse district, there were several suitable places. Psychologically, places where people would want to hide things. Places where one would feel safe hiding. The number of such candidates was fewer than one might think.

(As knights pursuing criminals and uncovering hidden things...)

Rishe, after scanning the surroundings, set her sights on a certain wooden crate.

(That's it.)

Rishe dashed towards a casually stacked wooden crate outside the warehouse. The reaction of the knight squad captain didn't indicate failure, as it would if they were genuinely searching for something. But for now, that was fine.

(What I wanted to find was this 'trap' you've set up.)

The knight squad captain surely wouldn't know that everything was going according to Rishe and Arnold's plan.