All Alone (4)

Even if the enemy tried to launch a surprise attack, it would be difficult to do anything conspicuous with other Resistance members nearby.

Still, if every Resistance member who had gone outside were an enemy, that would be a different matter. But if so many enemies were hiding among the Resistance, they wouldn’t need to skulk around in the middle of the night like they had three nights ago. They could have chosen a better time to act openly, so Menou ruled out that possibility.

That meant that, to launch a surprise attack, they would have to move without drawing attention while also making sure their target couldn’t resist and make a scene or get away.

Thinking it through, there were only a few ways they could do that.

“Takako-dono, how are things going? Has anyone suspicious come near you?”

‘The four of us are keeping track of one another as we move, but we haven’t seen anyone who seems like an enemy so far. We’ll keep gathering supplies and then join up with you.’

The clues had been there from the moment Kururu disappeared. Even if she had been asleep, it was hard to believe that a high-level Sage like Kururu could be made to disappear by an ordinary surprise attack without putting up any resistance.

Especially with Tina sleeping right beside her.

In other words, Menou surmised that the enemy had used some means that left Kururu unable to resist—or prevented anyone nearby from noticing, even if she did.

Menou had considered this possibility because the enemy had sent out Man-Eaters, who could erase their sounds and presence. Perhaps someone among the enemy had a similar power...