Assuming the Imperial Side hasn’t found her, I’ll start searching for Romilda using Familiars—by the way, I’d never actually tested the limit of how many Familiars I could control simultaneously.

Using them to their full extent means losing the leeway to do anything else. If I want to maintain a combat-ready state, I have to limit their number to some extent, and the more there are, the more I need to concentrate.

However, within this Imperial Capital, safety is at least secured, and since the range is limited to the Town, I was able to create quite a number. But, well, I gave up counting the final number halfway through, so even I don’t really know.

The Imperial Capital is vast. Even the number Lord Ruon created would be quite a challenge.

Garuku says, appearing directly in front of me as I sit cross-legged on the bed, maintaining my Familiars.

However, even for me, the number is more than I imagined.

…If I limit the search area to within the Imperial Capital, this many is…

Even so, it’s hard to maintain them. I have enough Magic Power, but there’s a limit to my control. It becomes difficult to control Familiars if you increase their number or quality, and that problem applies to me now.

In addition, searching for someone whose whereabouts are unknown is quite nerve-wracking. I’ve imprinted Romilda’s image into the Familiars and instructed them to report if they find a girl who looks like her… but just confirming each of those reports is a lot of work.

Also, I don’t even know if her appearance is the same as in the game…

I mutter, grumbling. The image I have in my mind is strictly from the game. If she looks significantly different, frankly, I’m stumped.

I wonder if the Imperial Side has any information about that… That’s the problem, but anyway, I just have to do what I can.

You said you’d bring her back if you found her.

Garuku says. I reply, receiving reports from my Familiars.

The Marquis is someone who guessed my lie. If I explain the situation, he’ll readily agree.

That seems better for the future… I think, and then look out the window. It’s already dyed crimson.

It’s evening…

What about the Imperial Side’s search party?

I’m looking into that too, but I can’t find them. Though it might just be me overlooking them.

I know the name of the organization, but I can’t tell them apart if they’re dressed as Knights. I also spotted some Soldiers doing inquiries, but they don’t seem related.

It’s impossible to get results in one day, I guess… I can’t sleep while maintaining this many, so I’ll call it a day here.

I reduce the number of Familiars. To a number I can maintain without constant concentration.

…Now then.

I get out of bed and think. My other objective… investigating Nefmeiza, but—

It seems like there wouldn’t be a problem if you used Presence Concealment Magic.

This is Garuku’s opinion. That’s certainly true, but—

Considering the possibility that my existence is known, he’s probably taken some kind of counter-strategy.

“That’s true. But if we don’t take risks, we won’t get any information.”

Garuku’s words make sense… The biggest problem is if we’re found. It might be fine to forcefully break through, but considering that Nefmeiza has probably set up some counter-strategy–

“Well, there’s no point in worrying here. Let’s approach the castle, check for any detection magic devices, and investigate carefully to avoid being discovered.”

“Understood.”

Garuku agreed. So, we decided to act after waiting for nightfall.

After that, I continued searching for Romilda with the familiars I could use… but there were no results. However, even at night, I could see multiple knights moving around. They seemed to be searching for something, so it was probably her. It also seemed like the Emperor’s side hadn’t found her either.

Then, as night deepened and the town fell silent, I secretly left the inn and began moving towards the palace.

“How will you cross the city walls?”

In response to Garuku’s question, I pointed at the towering city walls.

“According to Resveil’s analysis, there doesn’t seem to be any magic power detection in the town. So, I’ll fly over with magic. There will probably be guards, but I should be able to do it if I hide my presence.”

“So I just need to maintain presence concealment magic for a few minutes, right?”

“Yes. I’ll fly over in a few minutes.”

So, I approached the city walls and executed the plan. I used presence concealing magic to avoid being noticed, then used wind magic to leap into the air. There seemed to be soldiers on top of the city walls, but I elegantly bypassed them.

Once I crossed one layer of city walls, the appearance of the buildings changed, but I ignored all of them and continued forward. Along the way, I hid in the shadows and tried using magic detection towards the palace with Resveil… but there didn’t seem to be any particular problems.

“This is just a guess, but”

Garuku suddenly began to speak.

“Nefmeiza might know Lord Ruon’s abilities, but they probably can’t predict that you can act while concealing your presence, can they?”

“You mean they haven’t seen through such things?”

“Or, assuming you’ve been repeating this many times… perhaps they thought it would be dangerous to interfere carelessly.”

–Well, it’s certainly true that if I, as a book, went on a rampage, the Imperial Capital would be in an unimaginable state.

“Of course, there’s also the possibility that if you’re found, a counter-strategy will be launched, given the magic power existing underground…”

“That’s true, but we’ve come this far. We have no choice but to do it.”

I spoke, half-cutting off my conversation with Garuku, and walked towards the castle.

Eventually, I reached the third city wall. Crossing this would mean entering the castle, but then I noticed something.

“Huh?”

The castle gate was open. Bright light shone from within, indicating that the castle interior was still active despite it being the middle of the night.

I might be able to enter without crossing the wall… I hurried over. As I approached, I saw the guard soldiers. Of course, they hadn’t noticed me.

Then, figures approached the castle gate. They looked like several knights in silver armor.

“Hey, good work.”

As the man leading them spoke, the soldiers saluted.

“Good work to you too, sir.”

“Thanks. Any abnormalities?”

“Nothing in particular.”

I was right in front of them, but the knights didn’t notice me either.

“Other knights are still out, so please keep the castle gate open for now.”

With that, the knight and the others headed into the castle interior. I was about to follow them when I overheard the soldiers’ conversation.

“They seem to be having a really hard time.”

“Lately, the ministers’ movements have been getting stranger and stranger… What good will come from searching for some girl anyway?”

–I heard some good information. It seems they still haven’t found Romilda. I mentally braced myself and gave my familiar instructions again, as if spurring them on.

Another thing I learned from the conversation was that the low-ranking soldiers had doubts about this search. Well, that’s natural. Even if they were asked for a reason, Nefmeiza probably couldn’t explain it.

“Who are the ministers?”

Garuku’s question. I shrugged slightly.

“They are probably people under Nefmeiza’s influence. He is using the Emperor to make his ministers do the dirty work so he doesn’t get implicated. The search for Romilda is likely one of those tasks.”

“I see, he’s thorough.”

“Exactly. Well then…”

I stared at the Castle. There is a Research Institute concerning the Dragon Demon Stone in this Underground area. In the game, it was a dungeon. After Nefmeiza reveals his true nature and the event is completed, he first hides there. The Protagonists then pursue him, entering the complex and bizarre Research Institute.

“If I go to the Research Institute, I might be able to figure out what they’re doing.”

Muttering that, I went inside.