Chapter 84

Thanks to everyone, I've finally surpassed 300,000 characters.

While the number of words isn't everything, I wouldn't have been able to get this far without your support.

I would be very happy if you could continue to support me in the future.

---

"Damn, when will our job get any easier?"

Soldier A sighed outside the iron bars.

"There's no help for it. There are too many prisoners, and there's no reinforcement."

Soldier B responded to the complaint. Both were equipped with seasoned leather armor and swords. By the way, A and B are just names I made up.

"The cells are so full that we have to cram them in, and it's dangerous to even pass out food."

"They all claim they're innocent."

Soldier B leaned against the wall.

"Is that really the case? Prisoners keep being brought in, but are they really all guilty?"

"How should I know? Even if they were innocent, what could we do? Are we supposed to release them?"

"Of course not, but it would be a real pain if they were."

"Exactly, I don't do this job for fun... but since we've been assigned, there's nothing we can do."

"Hmm... how many years until your conscription ends?"

"Eight months left, what about you?"

"I have a bit over a year. I can't stand it. I'll rot if I stay here for another year."

"If I had known, I would have joined the regular army..."

"But even regular soldiers don't get paid much, right?"

"True, but the work is a bit better. Being a patrol guard in the city would have been better."

"Don't be silly. I heard from the bar that it's the worst job, with no time to sleep. The security in the slums has also gotten worse recently."

"Is that so? I don't go out much since I live in the barracks."

"Yeah, if you go out at night, you're bound to get caught up in a crime."

"That's rough... but if that's the case, shouldn't everyone being brought in be criminals?"

"Those kinds of people don't end up here."

"Oh, the prison outside the city...?"

"Hmm... I wish my conscription would end soon..."

Their sighs overlapped.

"How about volunteering for the buffalo hunt during the hunting season? I heard it might shorten your term a bit."

"That's just a rumor. Besides, people always die during the buffalo hunt. I can't do that."

"Well, it's supposed to be the first test for regular soldiers."

"We haven't had proper training like regular soldiers."

"Idiot, don't say that here. If someone hears and starts a rebellion, what will you do?"

"It's fine. We're in the back, and he's sleeping."

Soldier A seemed to be pointing at me, but I was curled up on the straw bed facing the wall, so I couldn't see.

"Hmph. Just leave him alone. Let him sleep as much as he wants on his last day. After all, it's going to be 'that' tomorrow."

"Is the public execution really happening?"

"Yeah, it's for sure. It was strange from the start, with Minister Blowe Sora being present during the interrogation."

"That was a shock. I thought my heart would stop."

"Me too. I thought it was a joke at first."

"It was my first time talking to a minister."

"You just guided him, right?"

"Of course, but I was so nervous..."

"By the way, Minister Sora said more prisoners would be brought in today."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I heard the captain talking about it, so it's for sure."

"Ugh, then right about now..."

A different voice came from the back.

"Hey! You two! Give me a hand!"

"They're here..."

Soldier A muttered in a low voice.

"What's the matter, Captain?"

"A group of thieves was just brought in, and we're moving the prisoners around, but it's taking a while. I need your help."

"I'd love to help, but Minister Blowe Sora ordered us to guard this prisoner directly..."

"I know, but it won't take long."

"But..."

"The minister doesn't understand the field. The country can't run without the people on the ground making quick decisions."

"Right..."

"Alright, alright. One of you can come. You, come with me."

"Understood."

Soldier B responded.

"Let's go."

The sound of metal and footsteps faded away.

"We were supposed to guard him together during the day..."

Soldier A muttered.

---

Is this a chance?

I thought.

It can't be, can it? Am I being invited?

No, there's no point in setting a trap for someone who's going to be executed tomorrow.

So they must really be struggling with the new prisoners.

The lack of noise suggests that the soldiers have gathered in other underground cells.

From the soldier's words, I know it's noon.

I had planned to move at night, but is this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Fortunately, I have enough energy.

After a moment of contemplation, I made a decision.

Alright, let's do it.

I quietly equipped my 'weapon' so the soldier wouldn't see.

This might be a one-time chance. If it goes well, I can buy some time at the start.

If it fails, I'll have to break through by force.

Either way, it will come down to brute strength. I gripped my weapon tightly and began my plan.

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

I groaned in pain.

"Huh?"

After a while, the soldier finally noticed.

"Ugh... ah... ugh... my stomach... ugh... it hurts... I'm going to die..."

I clutched my stomach and moaned, trembling slightly.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?"

Please, take the bait!

"My stomach... my stomach... I'm going to die... I'm going to die..."

"Hey, are you serious? What should we do... If he dies, it'll be bad. It's a public execution, and if he dies... it'll be my responsibility, right?"

"It hurts... it hurts... I'm going to die... help me..."

"Wh-what should I do? Hey, are you okay?!"

"I can't... I'm going to die... it hurts... help me..."

"Hey! Don't die! This is a problem!"

"I'm going to die... it hurts... die... die..."

"Hey! Answer me! Hey!"

"..."

"Wh-what? Hey! Answer me! Hey!"

"..."

"Shit, what should I do... Is he really dead?"

The soldier panicked for a moment.

What are you doing, idiot? Just come over here! Check if he's really dead!

It's a cliché in stories, but in a world without books, it should work!

"Should I tell the captain... or is it the third section now... Is he really dead?"

The soldier glanced at me, but I was in the dark corner, and he shouldn't be able to see me clearly.

"Hey, answer me. It's a joke, right?"

"..."

"Really... really... I guess I have to check..."

The soldier swallowed hard, took out the key ring trembling, and slowly opened the iron bars.

Come on, come closer!

The soldier slowly entered and first nudged my back with his toes.

"Hey, answer me. You're alive, right?"

He shook my body several times, confirming there was no response, then bent down to shake my shoulder.

This is it!

I spun around and pressed my 'weapon' against the soldier.

"What?!"

"Take this! 10 million volts!"

The weapon made a terrifying sound and instantly knocked the soldier unconscious.

"Phew, I almost hit his neck. It was just on his clothes..."

I pressed the taser against the fallen soldier's neck again and flipped the switch. The soldier's body twitched and then lay still.

"Don't hate me, even if you die..."

I laid out all the equipment I had prepared on the floor.

Taser - 21,900 yen

Non-lethal rounds x 100 - 600,000 yen

Rifle - 224,000 yen

Handgun - 129,000 yen

Bullets x 50 - 1,600 yen

US military equipment set - 68,000 yen

Magazines x 2 - 39,600 yen

Stun grenades x 10 - 260,000 yen

This equipment cost me nearly 1.3 million yen.

First, I changed into the US military equipment set and put on a jacket with magazine pouches.

I inserted the magazines loaded with non-lethal rounds.

I equipped four stun grenades on my jacket and stored the rest in a container.

I took out the rifle. I'm not very knowledgeable, but when I wished for a rifle, this is what appeared. The shop list described it as follows:

[M4A1 Carbine - 224,000 yen]

The stun grenades were listed as:

[M84 Stun Grenade - 26,000 yen]

I recognized the M16A1, but I was unfamiliar with the latest models. However, when I saw the actual rifle, I remembered it was the successor to the M16. I'm sure there are better carbines, but I'll stop thinking about it for now.

I inserted the magazine with non-lethal rounds into the M4.

I also bought a handgun:

[SIG SAUER P229 - 129,000 yen]

I specifically requested this one because I had fired a real gun in the U.S. and found it easy to use. I loaded it with 9mm live rounds for emergencies. I'd rather not use it... but a 9mm version...

Who would have thought that the experience of accompanying my gun-enthusiast boss to a shooting range in Hawaii would come in handy.

I put the handgun in a holster on my belt, slung the M4 over my shoulder, and held the taser in my hand.

The gloves were a bit bulky...

But the boots were a pleasant surprise.

Equipment complete.

Next, I took the key ring and sword from the fallen soldier and stored them in the container.

As expected, the shop list had updated.

[Key ring for Pilatus Castle's underground cells - 12,630 yen]

[Standard sword for Pilatus Kingdom soldiers - 36,200 yen]

Great!

I quickly bought ten sets of key rings and attached them to my jacket.

Remaining balance: 8,404,901 yen.

Alright. Let's go.

I finally burst out of the cell.

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