Chapter 57

After finishing the explanation of the evacuation site to all the girls, I headed towards the building where the boys were being detained.

Honestly, I really don't feel like it, but explaining the evacuation procedures is a matter of life and death, so I can't just skip it.

As I approached the building, the atmosphere was chaotic, and I could hear someone shouting.

"Damn it! Let me go, let me go!"

"Idiot, hold him down properly!"

"Pull him! Drag him along!"

"Sure, put it on."

"Stop it! Traitors! Damn it!"

"Remember this, you guys!"

The box held by the guard who emerged from the building, pushed out by the shouting, contained a black bracelet.

It seems they had put a subservience bracelet on the classmates who were being detained.

"This is ridiculous. If we get these things on, we'll be at their mercy."

"Don't be an idiot. It's to suppress their magic and prevent them from using it. They said they'll take them off when the sentence is over."

"How can we believe that? We'll just be used again."

"Then why is Kukufu free to move around?"

"Of course, he's betraying us to make us slaves."

"Considering how much we've been helped, are you guys really that stupid? If you hadn't caused a commotion, we wouldn't have these things on!"

"Exactly. Swinging swords around like some delinquents, where are you from?"

"Shut up, can we just take this lying down?"

"It's because Takanishi used magic without thinking that this happened, right?"

"Why? It was complete self-defense, they were the ones in the wrong!"

It seems the ones who actively caused the commotion and those who were caught up in it are now at odds.

I greeted the guard at the entrance and was allowed to enter.

The moment they saw me step into the hallway, the reactions were clearly divided.

"Kukufu! Get this traitor out of here!"

"Shut up, Kukufu has a reason to be here, so be quiet."

"What? What does a womanizer who's all over the local girls want?"

"Shut up, you guys!"

Since there's no point in dragging this out, I decided to get straight to the point.

"I'm going to explain the evacuation procedures in case of a monster attack. If you don't listen and get left behind, that's on you."

Everyone, having experienced a monster attack on the way to Volzard, listened reluctantly but attentively.

"Yesterday, you probably heard the alarm. A horde of orcs attacked. There were 374 of them. The guards are currently disposing of the bodies, which will take about five days."

"Three hundred and seventy... Is that for real...?"

"This time, the activation of the Dark Forest is on a much larger scale than before. There's a possibility that thousands, even tens of thousands, of monsters could come."

"Ten thousand... Are we going to be okay?"

Hearing numbers they hadn't expected, the previous conflicts were forgotten, and everyone started whispering anxiously.

"Of course, I intend to have my subordinates do their best to protect Volzard, but there's a chance that monsters might invade the city. By then, I assume most of you will have finished your sentences and be living normally in the city. So, listen carefully to the evacuation procedures."

I explained that the guild's mark, a crossed sword and hammer, would be displayed on buildings designated as evacuation sites.

"I'll leave a map of the evacuation sites with the guards. Once you're allowed to move around, make sure to check it. If you think it's the same as the evacuation centers back in Japan, you might end up dead."

I expected them to listen quietly up to this point.

The problem was whether to tell them about the punishment, but I couldn't keep it from them.

"Next, I'll talk about the punishment. You will be assigned forced labor according to your crimes. In simple terms, it's construction work on the city walls, and it's going to be tough, so be prepared."

"Wait a minute, 'according to your crimes'...?"

"Yeah, the idiot who swung a weapon will have more days than the others."

"Are you kidding? It was those guys who—"

"Yagi, I heard Kondo said something unnecessary after they calmed down. What were you thinking? We're outsiders here, and you need to consider how people will perceive us. Buying weapons you can't even use properly is what got us into this mess."

"But we were trying to help—"

"How were you going to help if you caused a commotion and got locked up?"

Yagi finally fell silent, though he still looked unhappy.

Kondo spoke up next.

"Sorry, Kukufu. I tried to stop it, but I got angry and—"

"Well, maybe it was too much for Kondo to handle alone..."

Kondo had apparently thrown his opponent to the ground and been kicked from behind, ending up beaten up.

"Sorry, Kukufu. I was a bit too excited..."

"Kind of felt like we were on a school trip..."

"We'll follow the guards... Please go easy on us."

About half the boys apologized.

While I wished they hadn't caused the commotion in the first place, it was too late for that.

The other half, however, glared at me with hostility.

"Kukufu, what's with these bracelets? Did you sell us out?"

"What do you mean by 'helping us'? How much did you sell us for?"

"Whether you believe me or not is up to you, but if I remove these bracelets without permission, we'll all be kicked out of Volzard."

I relayed the information I had heard from Klaus, including the fines imposed on the Volzard boys, the lack of assets to pay the fines, and the prohibition against me taking responsibility for them.

"Lord Klaus has allowed those who have completed their sentences to use the temporary barracks, but he forbade me from providing financial assistance, including rent and food."

Naturally, those who had been complaining wore bitter expressions, but I had no sympathy for them.

"Also, I intended to pay for the damages to the burned-down shop, but that was also rejected."

The gazes of the detained boys turned to Takanishi.

"What do you mean? You're not saying I have to pay, are you?"

"Whose fault was it that the shop burned down?"

When I asked, everyone pointed at Takanishi.

"Wait a minute... But they—"

"Takanishi will have to work until the damages are paid off."

"Are you kidding? Why should I be the only one to suffer?"

"Anyone who feels responsible for the fire and wants to work with Takanishi to pay it off, raise your hand."

To my surprise, Kondo and a few others raised their hands.

"I couldn't stop the commotion either, and I think it's too much for Takanishi to handle alone."

While I appreciated Kondo's sentiment, it was meaningless if Takanishi showed no sign of remorse.

"Thanks, everyone. I can pass this on to the guards if you want, but I was also forbidden from taking responsibility, so don't get your hopes up."

"Wait, but they started it first."

"Hey, I've seen Takanishi's magic. Using it in the city is a bad idea."

"But they—"

"Using that magic could have resulted in fatalities, you know?"

Most of the detainees nodded in agreement.

Firing basketball-sized fireballs at high speed in the city is practically an act of terrorism.

"Are you thinking that because we're not in Japan and this is a different world, it's okay to kill people?"

"No, of course not..."

"In Reisenburg, you were treated as a hero, but here, you're just a regular person with a bit more magic power."

I wanted Takanishi to understand his situation, but my words backfired.

"Damn, you're such a smug bastard. Are you that proud of your cheats?"

"What? What do you mean?"

I was genuinely confused, but Takanishi, his face red with anger, lashed out.

"Don't play dumb! You're still bitter about being the only one left behind and are jealous of me. You want to be the savior of Volzard and be adored, don't you? I see right through you."

His level of paranoia was astounding.

"What? When did I ever frame you? I warned you not to cause trouble. Starting a commotion the day after we arrived is just stupid."

"Shut up. If you had prepared properly, we wouldn't have needed to go shopping, and I wouldn't have been involved in the trouble."

I was furious.

He had no idea how much preparation I had done, and his words were absolutely unacceptable.

"What? I asked Lord Klaus to accept us, secured temporary barracks, arranged for identity documents, and even provided money for necessities. What are you talking about? What more do you want? How much do you plan to take from me?"

Takanishi, his face red, sputtered.

"Shut up, shut up, don't act like you're doing us a favor! I didn't ask for your help!"

"Really? Who was it that asked me for money after the guild registration yesterday?"

"Shut up, I only took it because you prepared it!"

"I never asked you to take it, though?"

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

Takanishi, his face red, was stomping his feet like a tantrum-throwing child.

"Really, Takanishi, you're all talk. When we fought the kobold horde, you attacked recklessly and had to be saved by Honmi..."

"Shut up, I would have been fine without their help. They just—"

"Hmm... You were shaking and couldn't use your magic properly, though..."

"Shut up! I'll kill you someday! Just wait, you little brat!"

Takanishi, gripping the iron bars, glared at me with hatred.

In Japan, I might have been scared and apologized, but after my experiences in Volzard, I felt more angry than afraid.

"See? You're all talk. You're in jail with a subservience bracelet. How are you going to kill me? If you want to kill me, pay off the damages and get the bracelet removed."

"Shut up, I'll earn that money quickly."

"By the way, the total damages are one million helts, and the daily wage for the forced labor on the city walls is 350 helts. Even if you work without a break, it will take over seven years. So, good luck with that."

"Seven... years..."

He was clearly shocked by the length of time.

"I'm planning to rescue the rest of the group in about a week and start negotiations to return to our world. We might be able to return to Japan soon."

"Really? We can go back to Japan?"

"Hey, Kukufu, is that true?"

"Please, negotiate to get us back as soon as possible."

The prospect of returning to their world made not only Takanishi but everyone else pay attention.

"Wait, wait, I haven't rescued the rest of the group yet, and negotiations haven't started. It's just a possibility if everything goes smoothly."

"Ha, you're just talking big, aren't you?"

"What? Do you think Takanishi came to Volzard on his own? Are you that stupid about who set things up for you to be here?"

"Shut up, shut up! You won't be able to return to the original world, so stop wasting time and find a way to get us back!"

He really had no self-awareness, criticizing others so harshly.

But I had something to teach Takanishi.

"Of course, I'll start the negotiations to return, so don't worry. But even if everything is ready, if you haven't paid off the damages by then, you might be the only one left behind."

"What... What are you saying..."

He really didn't understand his situation.

"I'll do my best, but you should think about how to finish your sentence faster. I can't do much to change your current situation."

"Are you kidding? I'm innocent, it was complete self-defense! They were the ones in the wrong!"

"If you keep saying that, you'll never be released. The others will be out before you, so don't forget about the evacuation procedures. I'll focus on the rescue operation, so don't cause any more trouble for the guards..."

"Wait, Kukufu, the conversation isn't over! Hey, hey!"

Takanishi still had more to say, but I cut the conversation short and left the building.

Honestly, I didn't expect Takanishi to be this stupid.

His treatment as a "mediocre hero" in Lastock might have been an ideal situation for him.

Should I send him back with the Reisenburg bracelet?

But Camilla might say she doesn't need it.

After finishing the explanation to the boys, I returned to the boarding house as the sun was setting.

I climbed the city walls, and the guards were still disposing of the orc bodies.

The sheer number of orc bodies made it a heavy task, and the more bodies there were, the more likely it was that monsters would be attracted.

"Malt, can you call Reinhardt for me?"

"Of course, Master."

Malt went to fetch Reinhardt, who returned shortly.

"What is it, Kent-sama?"

"Can you transport the orc bodies to the depths of the forest via the shadow realm by tonight?"

"I see, that makes sense. Leaving them here would attract more monsters. We'll take care of it once the guards finish their work."

"Thanks. How's the training going?"

I was also concerned about Reinhardt's training, as it directly affected the success of the rescue operation.

"So far, it's going well. Zae and the others are still adjusting, but Alt and the others are used to hunting in groups and can adapt quickly."

"Good. I want to finish the rescue operation as soon as possible. How many more days do we need?"

"Three more days should be enough for a smooth operation."

"Then, let's plan to execute the operation on the night of the Dark Day. Can you prepare accordingly?"

"Understood. I'll return now."

I asked Reinhardt to handle the orc bodies and decided to return to the boarding house for dinner before visiting the committee chair.

The dining hall would likely be crowded, so I planned to spend time with Malt and the others in my room until dinner.

As I walked through a side street, I noticed something unusual in front of Amanda's shop.

It was around the time when the queue usually starts forming, but a man was shouting loudly in front of the shop.

"It's not a lie. The recent monster attacks on Volzard are the work of a kid named Kent who's staying here."

"Stop spreading lies! Kent would never do such a thing!"

"It's true, you're being deceived."

"You're the one trying to deceive us!"

I recognized the man arguing with Meisa. He was the leader of the adventurer party we met in the Dark Forest, Chozari or Cesari, a Seeker.

"It's true. A famous adventurer, the leader of the Flame Hound, A-rank adventurer Baltor, said it. It's not a lie."

"Who's this Baltor? Kent is a pervert, clumsy, a crybaby, and a pervert, but he would never do something that bad!"

I was touched by Meisa's earnest defense, but why did she say "pervert" twice?

"No, no, the kid who caused the commotion at the shoe shop was one of Kent's group."

"Kent wasn't in Volzard when the commotion happened."

"No, no, he gave orders to his minions and stayed out of trouble. You're too young to understand, right?"

"I can tell that I can't trust a punk like you from another place!"

Meisa's words made the customers waiting in line laugh.

"This kid... Trying to act tough, huh?"

"See, that's your true nature, punk!"

"This kid!"

I never expected a small girl like Meisa to face physical violence, but my Dark Shield deployed almost automatically.

Chozari's leg, which was about to kick Meisa, hit the Dark Shield and he writhed in pain.

I used Shadow Step to appear in front of Meisa.

"Ouch... Damn it, what is this? Who are you?"

"Kent!"

"Meisa, thank you. It's okay now."

"This guy... So, you're Kent, everyone, listen up, the monster attacks are all his fault, and he's the one who burned down the shoe shop."

Chozari's shouting didn't get much of a reaction from the crowd.

"What? What a terrible kid. Should I teach him a lesson for the shoe shop owner?"

"Exactly, a terrible kid..."

Chozari and the handsome man with a bow, who I recognized from the adventurer party, approached me.

Meisa, clinging to the back of my shirt, was trembling.

I couldn't let this situation continue.

"During the day, I met Marcel from the shoe shop. He said Kent is amazing and that he's grateful for his help in recovering so quickly."

"Yeah, I heard the same from Herman, who's rebuilding Marcel's shop. Kent is a great guy..."

I couldn't face Marcel after this.

Chozari and the handsome man looked embarrassed.

"Flame Hound, right? You guys seem to have a lot of free time..."

"What did you say, kid?"

"You're talking big, but I'll beat you up!"