"Recovery Sword... Blockbracer... Eye of Grave... Eye of Grave, huh?"
Alex murmured to himself as he gazed at the holographic screen displaying the list of lost items from the storehouse.
Taking a momentary break before his journey to Lestia, Alex decided to examine the lost items, particularly paying attention to some familiar names.
Blockbracer and Drainbracer were two artifacts used during the military coup of Regulus.
The Recovery Sword was Lestia's national treasure, whereas the Eye of Grave was the artifact employed by a certain Yamamoto Kansukay during Touya's first visit to Eashen.
"Should I retrieve them?" Alex pondered.
To be honest, these artifacts held little value for him. Even if they belonged to the storehouse, there were countless other items more powerful and useful.
The military coup of Regulus was a significant event, but not for Touya. For Alex, however, it carried great importance.
Similarly, the Recovery Sword of Lestia held no particular significance. The Eye of Grave, on the other hand, had a different story.
The Eye of Grave, initially known as the Immortal Eye, played a role in bringing Touya and the Takeda's Elite Four closer, eventually leading to their invitation to Brunhild.
The Takeda's Elite Four consisted of talented individuals who governed the administration of Brunhild, playing a crucial role in its development.
It would be beneficial for Alex to recruit them for Arcadia. However, since the council had already been formed and was performing admirably, inviting all of them might cause friction and cultural differences could hinder their proper adaptation.
In the future, Alex might consider recruiting them, but for now, it would be unwise. Nevertheless, there was one person among them who was highly needed.
Tsubaki, an exceptional assassin under the command of the Takeda's Elite Four, and the future chief of the intelligence unit in Brunhild.
The assassination unit of Arcadia and the intelligence unit both fell under the command of Lilth, working as secret agents for Arcadia.
The military, on the other hand, was under the capable leadership of Aria, who followed Alex's direct orders and was performing excellently.
However, as a king, Alex still required a separate unit of trained assassins and intelligence gatherers who worked directly under him, akin to a king's guard or shadow guards.
With this in mind, Alex decided he needed to recruit someone capable for this task, and there was no one better suited than Tsubaki.
Though there might be more qualified individuals out there, searching for them would be a waste of time when he knew exactly where to find the right person.
In the novel, Tsubaki was portrayed as a diligent and loyal vessel for Touya, and she possessed the skills of an accomplished assassin, precisely the kind of person Alex desired.
Motivated by this thought, Alex rose from his seat and decided to teleport to the location where he had discovered the ruins for the garden.
"Search for Tsutsujigasaki."
[Understood... Searching for Tsutsujigasaki.]
Alex commanded his smartphone to find the stronghold of the Takeda clan. Once he received the directions to Tsutsujigasaki, he cast an invisibility spell on himself and flew towards it at full speed.
Lexi had previously mentioned that casting two spells of different elements simultaneously was not possible, but when it came to null elements, one could cast multiple spells at once with different element altogether.
Alex, in truth, could have easily teleported to Takeda's territory. However, since it was heavily guarded by thousands of soldiers, it wouldn't have been a wise decision.
While it was possible to teleport to other territories and then fly towards the base, relying solely on teleportation for travel became monotonous.
As the sun began to rise in Eashen, the night sky gradually faded away, its light reaching the surface.
After flying for half an hour, Alex finally arrived at the designated location and landed on the top of a cliff, overlooking the fortress city.
Surveying the surroundings, Alex noticed a figure swiftly leaping from one tree to another, moving across the mountains with impressive speed.
To attract the figure's attention, Alex dispelled his invisibility spell and utilized his heightened senses to trace the figure's movements while observing Takeda's stronghold.
Most of the soldiers within the stronghold wore red oni masks, which were worn by the undead in the nearby camps.
While examining the stronghold, Alex sensed someone with exceptional stealth skills approaching him.
The individual skillfully made their way towards Alex, holding a kunai, attempting to launch a surprise attack from behind. As the person entered Alex's attack range, he swiftly turned around, gripping the figure's hand holding the kunai with one hand, and with the other hand, he choked the person's neck, pinning them against a nearby tree.
"Ah!" The figure let out a feminine scream, but Alex paid no attention and invoked his [Paralyze] spell, rendering the figure paralyzed and causing their body to fall to the ground.
"Attacking from behind, huh? I don't think that's a proper way to welcome a guest," Alex remarked as he dropped to his knees and removed the black clothing concealing the girl's face.
As the cloth was removed, the face of a beautiful girl with dark purple hair was revealed wearing a red camellia hairpin.
Looking at the same features as described in the novel for Tsubaki, Alex raised one of his eyebrows in surprise while took a look at her belongings where he found a scroll addressed to Tokugawa Ieyashu from Kousaka Masanohbu.
Author's Note: Many of you have asked in the comments about how Alex's adaptability works. Well, let me explain. Alex's adaptation skill allows him to gain resistance at an incredibly fast speed. However, it's not as extreme as Doomsday's abilities, as Alex can still die and doesn't possess rapid regeneration skills.
After Alex was killed by the god, his soul was summoned along with Touya's. This experience may have granted his soul resistance against divinity, but his body wasn't present in the divine realm. As a result, he remains vulnerable to divinity.
***
It didn't take long for Tsubaki to regain control of her body. However, when she regained control, she found herself bound by chains made of Earth element.
In the location where Alex had paralyzed Tsubaki, she struggled relentlessly to break free from the chains while Alex read the message originally addressed to Tokugawa Ieyashu.
Examining the letter, Alex realized that today was the day Tsubaki had left to meet with Ieyasu and had encountered Touya during his visit to Yae's family.
"Looks like you all have some undead problems" Alex remarked, glancing at Tsubaki.
"Release me" Tsubaki demanded, still striving to break free from the chains.
"Releasing someone who attempted to attack me would be foolish, don't you think?" Alex replied lazily, observing Tsubaki, who had ceased struggling and now calmly regarded him.
"Well, my name is Alexander, though you can call me Alex. I was in this area when I sensed the presence of undead... Hmm, I must say, you've got yourself quite an annoying predicament."
Tsubaki remained silent and calmly gazed at Alex.
"Well, judging by those masked warriors, I might have an idea of what you all are currently facing" Alex stated.
"Wait, you know about the undead?" Tsubaki asked in surprise.
"Yeah, like I mentioned earlier, I might have an idea of what's going on" Alex replied.
"Alex-san, please help us with this situation we're facing" Tsubaki pleaded.
"Well, I can help you all... but what's in it for me?" Alex asked nonchalantly, his eyes fixed on Tsubaki, who regarded him thoughtfully.
As an experienced ninja, Tsubaki remained wary of Alex at all times. Trusting a stranger wasn't easy for her. However, when Alex mentioned that he might be able to assist her clan, she was taken aback and became eager for his help.
The predicament they all faced was significant. Thousands had perished, and the power of the Takeda clan had greatly diminished. Their lord, Takeda Shingen, had been confirmed dead, and Kansukay was wreaking havoc in other territories.
If Alex could truly aid them, Tsubaki was willing to do anything for him. But why should he help them? He had no obligation to do so, and she lacked the authority to negotiate the rewards and benefits he might receive, as those decisions rested with her superiors.
"I'm not in a position to discuss potential rewards with you, but if you assist our clan, Lord Kousaka-sama and others are sure to reward you accordingly," Tsubaki explained.
"What would they reward me with? Money? Resources? Honestly, I have no shortage of those... However, if one of mine condition is fulfilled, I might consider helping you all," Alex proposed.
"What is your condition, Alex-san?" Tsubaki inquired.
"My condition is quite simple... I want you to swear allegiance to me," Alex declared.
"...Excuse me," Tsubaki, who heard Alex, was dumbfounded and couldn't help but ask him what he meant, while a small blush started to adorn her beautiful face.
"You heard me right. I have observed your capabilities and I must admit that you possess remarkable skills in hiding your presence and assassination techniques. Even experienced warriors might struggle to detect you. You have great talent, and I would like someone like you to work for me."
"I'm sorry, but I serve the Takeda Clan. I cannot swear my allegiance to you."
"What if your seniors agree to this?"
"Then..."
"If I help you all solve this problem and then request for you to become my subordinate" Alex asked, looking straight into Tsubaki's eyes.
"If my seniors agree to this, I will swear my allegiance to you." Tsubaki answered, momentarily flustered, and turned her gaze away.
"Very well then. Let's go." Alex said, snapping his fingers to dispel the spell and freeing Tsubaki from her confines.
Alex then shifted his gaze from Tsubaki to the heavily guarded base.
"A barrier has been placed around the area, preventing us from simply using teleportation magic to enter."
"A barrier... It must be Kansukay's doing."
"Perhaps, but don't worry. There are many other ways to infiltrate the place."
"I will use an invisibility spell to make myself undetectable. You can proceed, and I will follow behind you."
"That might work."
"Very well then, let's try. Bend, O Light. Guiding Curvature: [Invisible]!"
Alex chanted the invisibility spell, and his body began to disappear from Tsubaki's view.
"Huh? Alex-san," Tsubaki exclaimed in surprise, noticing Alex's disappearance and calling out to him.
Seeing Tsubaki's reaction, Alex smirked and moved behind her, lightly squeezing her firm buttocks.
"Ah, A-Alex-san? Why?" Tsubaki yelped and jumped away while her face turning deep red.
"Hahaha, nothing. Let's go," Alex chuckled as he admired her cute face. Alex moved towards her and grabbed her arm, teleporting them both to the foot of the cliff near the entrance of the stronghold.
***
"I am Kousaka-sama's subordinate. Let me pass."
"I see. Just a moment, then," the two guards said, looking at Tsubaki's permit and nodding at each other while allowing her to enter. The place did not seem to have a separate entrance for individuals.
Tsubaki and Alex, who was still invisible, made their way inside the stronghold.
"Now what?"
"Hmm, let's first destroy the barrier, which will allow me to cast a wide area spell."
"But shouldn't we first release the others so they can help us deal with the army of undead?"
"Nah, that would waste a lot of time. Once the barrier is destroyed, I will cast a spell to deal with the undead and release all the captives collectively."
"Very well, I shall follow your plan."
"Do you know where some kind of magical talisman is located?"
"A talisman? Yes, I know where they are. Follow me," Tsubaki replied, and Alex invoked an invisibility spell on her as well, making her invisible and able to see Alex once again.
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