Chapter 89

"Then I'll leave the treatment and Narnia to you, Melvin."

"But..."

"It's about Chelina. She might have escaped on her own and returned here. Besides, who will run this merchant guild if you're not here?"

I continued to prepare myself while talking.

I used the SHOP to get new approvals.

[SIG SAUER P229 Magazine = 4,800 yen]

I took two of these and added 50 rounds of 9mm Parabellum.

[9mm Parabellum (50 rounds) = 1,600 yen]

It would have been nice if there was a .357 version of the P229... Well, if I want more power, I can use the light sword. I considered the M4A1, but it's cumbersome. Besides...

I have no intention of going easy on them this time.

I will kill them... No, I will definitely kill them. But I have no intention of hesitating.

Remaining balance: 4,773,561 yen.

I loaded three magazines with the bullets and put them in my pouch.

I should take the time to read the manual and disassemble and maintain it.

If I survive, that is.

The light sword's etheric tool will be taken out of and put back into the container, so I'm not carrying it specifically.

"So, Melvin, Chelina was kidnapped right after leaving the Fishing Guild, right?"

"Yes. The members of the Fishing Guild, led by Bahaar, tried to rescue her immediately, but they were outnumbered. The soldiers split their forces, with half suppressing the guild members and the other half taking Chelina away."

"At least you're still alive, which is a stroke of luck."

"No! I wanted to risk my life to save her! I would have been fine if anything happened to me, but I couldn't protect her...!"

He clenched his teeth so hard that he hit the ground with his fists. Blood was coming from his fists, but he didn't stop.

"Relax, I'll definitely save her."

"Ugh... I beg you..."

I don't know the details of their relationship, but they must have a family-like trust. Regret was evident on Melvin's face.

"So, Hagg, Yarai. Are you really okay with this?"

"Aye. I don't mind a bit of a fight. Besides, I owe Veriello's girl a good meal."

"Friends, women, saving. It's only natural."

Without needing to confirm, the two of them flexed their shoulder muscles in unison. They were reliable, but a bit too enthusiastic.

"Akira-sama"

"Whoa?!"

I jumped when I was suddenly called from behind.

"What is it?!"

"It's Chelina-sama's shadow."

"Oh... I was startled. Could you call me a bit more normally?"

"This is my nature. If you're going out, why don't you go to the Fishing Guild Master, Mile Bahaar, first?"

"The Fishing Guild Master's place?"

"Yes. He was the most proactive in the uprising. He has the necessary forces and connections. I think it's likely that Chelina-sama was taken to the royal castle. You'll need the power to take down a castle that has entered a siege."

His voice was small but strangely memorable. Is this a characteristic of shadows?

"Right... Melvin, is there a possibility that Chelina was set up by this Bahaar?"

"It's not impossible, but I don't think there's much benefit for him."

"Why?"

"One reason is that he was a man who seriously considered the revolution. There's no point in currying favor with the royal family now. This city is already a lit fuse. And the other reason is..."

He hesitated a bit.

"What is it?"

"The other reason is that Bahaar probably has feelings for Chelina-sama. ...Chelina-sama doesn't seem to have noticed at all."

"Is that so?"

Chelina would probably use someone's love in a negotiation.

"They've been childhood friends."

Ah... The pattern where they've been together since childhood but can't get noticed. I feel a bit sorry for Bahaar...

"Got it. Let's go to Bahaar first."

"I'll guide you."

The shadow person stood up smoothly and started walking quickly, almost like a ghost. It felt like I was chasing a ghost.

Finally, we left the merchant guild building.

---

The outside was worse than I imagined.

Even though it was dark, fires were burning everywhere, making it quite bright.

"What the hell is this?"

"The prisoners who escaped with Akira-sama, the guards, and rioters have caused chaos in the city."

"Seriously...?"

Even in an emergency, it might not have been a good idea to release the prisoners.

At the time, I thought there were many people wrongly imprisoned, so I chose that tactic, but there might have been many ordinary criminals as well.

...No, I can't think about that.

I can barely protect myself.

I shouldn't think about it any further.

I need to focus on saving Chelina.

I wonder if Chelina felt the same way when she came to rescue me...

But when I recall the conversation in the hidden room, I feel there's a fundamental difference in our thoughts.

Chelina was apparently willing to use almost all the guild's assets to get me back.

That thorough merchant, Chelina?

And even though there was some disagreement, she eventually got the guild's executives to agree?

I don't understand.

Why did it come to that...?

"That way, Akira-sama."

His whisper-like voice broke my thoughts. I looked up to see about 30 soldiers surrounded by men holding spears, hand axes, and nets. The fishermen outnumbered the soldiers by about two to one. The fishermen had many more injuries. They were in a war.

The sight of them, bleeding from their heads, arms, and chests, screaming and attacking the soldiers was completely terrifying.

No, wait, this scene looks familiar... Yes, I saw something similar in a video of a riot in a rural area in China.

A mobile video of hundreds of people fighting and beating each other with primitive weapons like sticks and farming tools. I was shaken to my core when I saw that.

The same kind of fear hit me, but I have a resolve now.

I slowly regulated my breathing. It's the wave breathing. I can feel the power circulating inside my body.

"Alright, let's scatter those soldiers first. I want to capture the one who looks like the leader, can we do it?"

"Easy!"

"Piece of cake!"

Hagg, with a light wave, and Yarai, using the power of a spirit to leap like a jump, attacked the soldiers like a storm.

This time, I'm not just watching.

I firmly held the SIG with both hands and fired each shot accurately into the soldiers' bodies.

Die, you bastards who kidnap women!

The fishermen, initially surprised by the gunshots from behind, realized they were projectiles and powerful weapons, and created a gap between me and the soldiers to provide support.

However, the enemy soldiers were already wiped out by just the two of us before the Ten Commandments of Moses were completed.

"Hey, Akira, you're looking more like a man!"

"Indeed. The face of a warrior. A good face."

As I approached, they said such things. Should I be flattered or sad?

"...I didn't feel it when we escaped from the city gate, but this time I killed with complete malice..."

I'm not sure if one bullet killed them instantly, but they were definitely dead. The reason is simple: the fallen soldiers were beaten to death by the fishermen.

"That's the condition of a warrior."

"Indeed. The next step is not to be consumed by it... But I think you'll be fine."

Hagg and Yarai nodded strongly. Just that made me feel much better.

"So, what do we make this guy say?"

The enemy's apparent leader, who was being crushed by Hagg, was spewing curses.

"You bastards! Don't think you'll get away with defying the royal family! Your whole family will be hanged!"

"...Really? Who will hand down that judgment?"

A tall, dark-skinned man appeared among the fishermen.

"Is that you, Akira? Thanks. I was having trouble with these skilled soldiers."

"Good. I came to see you, Mile Bahaar."

"It's about Chelina, right?"

"Yes. I want to save her. Help me."

"Straightforward..."

Bahaar gave a bitter smile.

"Do you know the situation?"

"No. You're talking about a revolutionary organization called the Sea Dragon or something, right? I'll help you, so you help me too."

I pressed up to Bahaar.

"...Let's talk a bit."

"What are you saying? Right now..."

Bahaar cut me off with one hand. He's taller than me, so I feel looked down upon.

"Right now, I'm using Sea Dragon sleeper agents to encourage supporters to rise up. Soon, representatives from each block will gather here. If we're going to act, we should increase our chances as much as possible."

"...That's what you're saying after easily letting Chelina be taken?"

"I have no words to say... I'll explain the situation as we talk."

Bahaar silently entered the building, so we had no choice but to follow him.

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