The suppressed emotions of the lower class among the people continued to surface as time went on. In the central market area of the region, the elite class was accusing them of organizing and mentioning the symbol. The lower class, believing they were being slandered, grew even angrier. Fights and rebellions continued in the middle of the market. Various food items and objects were being thrown at the central building. The people were starting a protest together, shouting for equality to be established. Some had even claimed the symbol as their own.
Hearing the commotion, Premeus sent his soldiers to the area. Those causing trouble were being sent to the dungeon one by one. Seeing this injustice, the lower class grew even more furious. As each one was taken to the dungeon, their shouts grew louder. Objects continued to be thrown, and attacks on the elites persisted.
During this time, I had been assigned by the senior guards to help send the troublemakers to the dungeon. I blended in with the guards, and together we were taking those causing problems to the dungeon. On the way, every lower-class person kept shouting and trying to motivate the people. In a short time, the region had reached a level close to chaos. The middle and elite classes were disturbed by the situation, but no direct action could be taken. If the entire lower class were sent to the dungeon, the economy could suddenly collapse.
I continued doing my duty, locking up the troublemakers in the dungeon alongside the guard next to me.
On Premeus's side:
Premeus was observing the events from his balcony. A soldier came up behind him and began giving a report.
"My lord, the troublemakers are being sent to the dungeon."
"Good. Send all those filthy people to the dungeon. Let them come to their senses. You can release them after a short while."
"Understood, my lord."
"I've already figured out Rei's strategy."
The soldier pretended to be surprised. "Really, my lord? What is it?"
"Rei can't be as smart as Haru claims. He tried to deceive us. Not all the information was fake. Rei is actually planning something related to jumping. When he draws our attention to his soldiers, he aims to use the jumping potion to leap toward the flag at the right moment."
Premeus laughed to himself, thinking he was being clever.
"You're brilliant, my lord. So what will we do in response?"
"We'll prevent him from jumping, of course. Meanwhile, we'll attack with full force. We'll take that flag down!"
"You're right, my lord. By the way, the bridge on the mountain has been destroyed. Someone cut its ropes. I received that information."
"Rei must have done it. He's already scared, hahaha!"
"Yes, my lord."
Haru was secretly listening to the conversation from the back, lost in his own thoughts.
Just as Rei predicted, this stupid man hasn't listened to a word I've said. Rei could even be right under our noses. I'll secretly propose a fake strategy to the soldiers, keeping it from this man. If Rei is around here, I want him to get false information.
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Haru, in secret from Premeus, explained a randomly logical-looking strategy to the head guard. He told him to gather the soldiers in the meeting room and inform them about it.
At the end, I'll say we've made a strategy change and do what the man wants. After all, I have control authority over these guards.
On Rei's side:
Shortly after, the head guard called us to the meeting room. He talked about the strategy, warned us that the battle day was approaching.
I figured it was Haru's doing. Good try, Haru. You're still trying. But you have two small mistakes. Or maybe just one. My conversation with the guard was a coincidence. Thanks to his warning, I understood how much you suspect me. As for this strategy, it's perfectly logical to Premeus's mind. You can't even think stupidly, it seems. That's a bit funny, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a mistake. Premeus couldn't have thought of something like this, so I can tell it came from you. You'll probably announce a strategy change on the final day and deliver the main strategy...
After the topic was closed, the soldiers began chatting among themselves. They were talking about rumors.
"Did you hear? Mysterious soldiers in black clothing from the Dark Forest have taken over the village near the goblin nest."
"Huh? Who are they? A secret organization living in the Dark Forest?"
"I don't know, but they attacked the other village too. That one resisted, though."
"Hopefully they won't attack us."
"They can't attack us. We'd destroy them. Haha!"
"Well said, my friend. I'm sure we're braver than them. The battle is close. Let's wipe out that opponent. Then we'll ask Premeus for a promotion."
"You're right. Let's do our best."
They all laughed together and sipped their drinks. I blended in with them. I didn't ask questions about what they were discussing. I didn't want to draw suspicion. But this information was critical to me.
The goblin nest near the village—they're probably talking about our village. I wonder if Lie is alright. I told her to hide in the elf village until I returned. They're probably not strong enough to attack the elf village. Could they be stronger than this kingdom? We know the Dark Forest is more dangerous. Maybe they're more dangerous too. I want to use them for something in the future.
The other village they mentioned must be the one where Akari is. Akari has held onto leadership well. They couldn't capture that place quickly.
Anyway, the first town I arrived at can now be considered more dangerous. They've diverted their focus elsewhere, which will be to my advantage.
Before anyone else, I secretly went to the kitchen. I poured a very small amount of the poison I had acquired into one of the meals. Quietly, I waited for my food in a suitable room. I could guess that the food was being taken to the rooms by servants.
To be able to pour the poison at the right moment, I had thrown an object into another area beforehand to distract the servants. This way, I had gained a short window of time to pour it. After the incident, I figured they would first suspect the servants.
After the food was distributed, coughing sounds started coming from a room off to the side, caused by the poison. The poison wasn't enough to kill him, but it was enough to make him sick. The man was taken to the infirmary. After seeing his poisoned state, no one dared to eat their food again. An argument broke out in the corridor. They suspected the servants. Everyone was being questioned one by one.
Seizing the opportunity, I stole the head guard's keychain from his room. Then I headed to the dungeon floor. When the prisoners saw me, they started making noise. I told them to be quiet and that I was going to help them. When they heard what I said, a brief silence followed. I opened the doors with the key. I handed the bow and arrows I had bought from the market to a prisoner who looked strong.
"I'm secretly on your side. Attack! Let the raid begin. Come on, everyone. The others are dealing with the chaos."
After being thrown into the dungeon, the prisoners' suppressed emotions resurfaced. While the chaos among the people continued, I had also unleashed the chaos from inside. One by one, the prisoners ran toward the central building to rebel. Seeing this, the lower class outside headed toward the central building together with them.
The man with the bow was firing arrows at the guards. A massive brawl had broken out in the center. Premeus heard the noise from his room. He looked out from the balcony to understand the situation. He saw the lower class charging toward the central building.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? WHAT ARE ALL THESE LOUD NOISES?"