I and Allen-kun relying on Alek-sama’s lamp went through the hole on the side of the bottom of the well.
At first glance, the side appeared to be made of nothing but soil, but when pushed with sufficient power it opened like a door.
Inside felt somewhat damp, but it had a comfortably refreshing temperature for walking.
After a few minutes of walking, I heard something.
Listening carefully, it seems to be coming from the front.
"What's that sound?"
"Lillinsama, please wait here for a moment while I check ahead."
"Wait, Allen. There's only one lamp, so we should go together."
I calmed the reluctant Allen-kun, and in the end we decided to go together.
As we advance, I'm still hearing something.
This is… eh? It is perhaps a talk?
We looked at each other with surprised expressions.
'… That's why… It's good.'
'I… this…'
Yup, no matter how I look at it, it's a talk.
Apparently, men are talking.
Somebody from the chivalric order… Doesn't seem like it.
I was told by Alek-sama it hasn't been used for a long time.
Then, who?
We decided to approach only as far as where we'd be just barely able to confirm their appearance.
Apparently, there's a little opening ahead.
Hidden by a wall, we decided to peek on the talking people.
And there it is, an unexpected object.
What?
Err, a shack?
What appeared might be too crude to suddenly call it a shack, it's closer to a child's secret base.
A long time ago, brother made something similar, but even the one brother made was better.
It seems the conversation is taking place inside the shack.
I and Allen-kun looked at each other, and with a nod decided to move closer.
We paid attention to make as little noise as possible.
As we approached, we started being able to make out the words clearly.
'True, it's a good hideout.'
'Ah, not even the chivalric order will find us here.'
Hmm? The atmosphere is somewhat disturbing.
Avoiding the chivalric order, in a hideout, did some strange people build this shack?
Wanting more information, I listened to their talk.
'Even so, there's no doubt Marquis Varshava was caught.'
'I heard he was captured by a group of strong knights.'
'Hmph! What's with the chivalric order. It became difficult since Marquis Varshava was caught, but if we kidnap to this place, nobody will find out. Let's start quickly and get a lot of ransom.'
Yes, it's an out!
For a moment I thought it was Marquis Varshava, but it's the criminals from the time of Elise-san's kidnapping.
These guys are the remnants.
How many are there?
Besides, they don't seem to notice, but they are on the order's turf.
Perhaps, the hole from a while ago doesn't open from the other side.
That's why they made a hideout in such a place.
It's a bad thing it hasn't been noticed, this rarely used passage may be used for the prince of this country and the princess to run away.
At this point, we have to do something about it, right?
'Allen, as we can't leave without going through this place, how about we catch them?'
'Yeah, you're right. Still, they really are persistent. Let's catch them and leave them in the knights' custody.'
After our silent consultation, we began acting immediately.
Even if we said that, it's the only thing we could do.
Thud! Bam!
Yes, Allen-kun's kick settled the fate of the shack.
The result was, that shabby shack collapsed loudly.
Then I heard panicked voices from inside.
"W, what! Our hideout suddenly collapsed?!"
"I, I don't understand! Ouch~~, what's going on?"
The survivors came out confused.
Hmph, there were quite a few in the shack.
Five people came out.
I and Allen-kun are hurling the people who come out.
Well, I don't have a sword with me today, so my main attack is throwing.
It'd be dangerous to hit them like I did to brother earlier.
Moreover, in the broken hut there was a rope ready to be used.
It was wrapped around the five who still had no idea what's happening.
By the way, because the five who were hurled were in shock, there was no awkward resistance, so it proceeded smoothly.
"Lillinsama, it was disappointing."
"I guess, these people haven't kidnapped anyone yet, right?"
I thought of what we'd do if there was a kidnapped person inside the shack right now.
From a brief look everything seems fine.
Even so, I feel like there always are strange people wherever I go.
Honestly I wonder if I shouldn't get exorcised soon?
Such a thing has become natural to me, but I don't want it!
While shouting so in my mind, I helped Allen-kun drag the five remnants towards the exit.