Chapter 90

The room smelled of fish, and the walls were adorned with nets, ropes, harpoons, and giant fish bones.

A large barrel served as a table, surrounded by smaller barrels that seemed to function as chairs.

When we sat down, we were served cheap wine.

According to Cherina, cheap wine was like undrinkable water for sailors.

I found it strange that there was wine in a place where grapes didn't grow, but it must have been imported from somewhere.

It didn't seem particularly strong, so I took a light sip. I was pretty good with alcohol anyway. For Hagg, a dwarf, it was probably like water.

Yaralai, the elf, drank it without changing her expression. I wondered if elves in this world were good with alcohol.

"Alright, let me tell you a bit about the Sea Dragon. Originally, it was a mutual aid organization formed by people who were dissatisfied with the country's policies."

Huh? A mutual aid organization? Not a resistance group?

"Of course, even though they were dissatisfied, they didn't intend to oppose the country. ...At first. The Sea Dragon had three leaders called the 'Three Commanders': me, Paul Mollmore, and Cargue Verrier—Cherina's father."

"Eh?"

My thoughts paused at the unexpected name.

"At first, it was an alliance to help each other survive under oppressive rule, but gradually more radical opinions emerged. I was the one who mainly stirred things up."

Bachar chuckled wryly.

By the way, who was Paul Mollmore again?

...Right. The guild leader whose guild was on the verge of collapse due to being forced to handle unclean materials by the state. I remembered.

"I couldn't take it anymore, being treated like insects. Many people who agreed with the Sea Dragon also started leaning in that direction. Then, Cargue Verrier said he would step back and appointed a proxy."

Hmm... So Cherina's father isn't involved in this?

"This proxy, though he seemed suspicious from the start, provided us with attractive information and funds."

"You trusted such a suspicious man?"

"He wouldn't have been appointed if Cherina's father hadn't recommended him. But her father vouched for him, saying he was reliable."

"Even so... Wait, could this be related to Cherina's situation?"

Bachar downed the cheap wine in one gulp from his wooden cup. It looked cool when a dark-skinned man did it.

"I'm not that stupid. I was always on guard against him. ...But"

"But?"

Suddenly, Bachar threw the cup at the wall, shattering one of the giant fish bones.

"He betrayed us! Paul Mollmore! That bastard! He sold out Cherina, forgetting all the favors we did for him!"

I probably would have crushed the glass in my hand if I had one. My head was boiling.

I took out a cigarette and lighter from my pocket and lit it.

After inhaling deeply, I finally felt a bit more composed. I dropped the ash on the floor, but no one complained.

"So, what happened to that Mollmore guy?"

"At the meeting of the Three Commanders, he was playing it cool. He said he agreed with us and that we should rise up with Cherina as our leader. But he kept asking for detailed plans. Looking back, it was just a stalling tactic. Thanks to him, we were surrounded here."

"Hmm..."

I inhaled deeply on my cigarette, which turned to ash in one breath. I lit a second one as I spoke.

"But isn't that strange?"

"What's strange?"

"Because this is the headquarters of the resistance, and there are three commanders. What's the point of just kidnapping Cherina?"

"Hmph. That pig of a king could do something like that."

Bachar was already drinking the grape wine straight from the clay jug.

"He doesn't see the bigger picture. He probably thinks he can crush us anytime. So he just took Cherina to satisfy his own desires. By the way, that Mollmore guy was rubbing his hands together while following the soldiers who took Cherina. He was talking about some kind of reward."

"Trash."

"Yeah, a scumbag."

Our burning gazes crossed. He must really care about Cherina. I hope things work out for you, Bachar, once this mess is over.

"Captain!"

An armed man dressed as a fisherman burst in through the entrance.

"The representatives from the area have gathered!"

"Alright, let's go."

Thus, with new allies, the plan to rescue Cherina and overthrow the state was set in motion.

Hey, it smells really sweaty in here, doesn't it?

---

"First, we head to the square!"

The dark-skinned, well-built, and slim-muscled man shouted.

The street was so chaotic that it was hard to hear him over the noise.

"Missouri! Suppress that mob over there! You and your group will act as a vigilante force and disperse them!"

"Got it!"

Missouri, a young fisherman, gathered his friends and charged at the rioters who were trying to smash stores.

"Hmm? You have a soft side, too."

"...What are you talking about?"

It's obvious you're keeping the young ones out of the front lines. He seems to be a good guy, despite his muscle. Maybe Cherina has a good man around her. Being the guild leader of the fishing guild isn't bad, either.

The main street we ran through was packed with people.

"Looks like the slum dwellers have gathered. Perfect."

The dark-skinned fisherman, Bachar, grinned wickedly.

"What do you mean?"

Before he could answer, they reached the square. It was the circular square with the market stalls that had recently been cheated by the sandal sellers.

For some reason, several carriages were gathered in the center, surrounded by fishermen and armed men.

"Is everything ready?!"

"Well, that's..."

The man Bachar called out to stepped forward, flustered.

"Is there a problem?"

"It's... hard to explain."

The man was moving his limbs frantically, but not his mouth, so it was hard to understand.

"Let me explain."

Another man appeared from behind the first.

Just men...

A suspicious man in a pitch-black robe.

"You. I thought I left the arrangements to you?"

"Yes. I have completed all the necessary tasks."

He sounded overly important. I wouldn't want him as a friend.

"But it seems there's a problem with this one?"

Bachar pointed at the first man with his thumb.

"That's your subjective opinion. There is no problem."

"But it looks like there is."

Bachar sighed.

"I have something to apologize for."

Despite using the word "apologize," the man in the black robe didn't seem sorry at all. Bachar gestured for him to continue.

"In fact, I am only a proxy for the master. I apologize for deceiving you."

Bachar sighed again, clearly unimpressed.

"So? Who's the real representative?"

From what I heard at the fishing guild, this man must have replaced Cherina's father. He was said to be a generous patron with ample funds and information.

"Akira...?"

"Huh?"

At the strange call, I turned to see (of all people) that man.

"Your Excellency?!"

Yes, the man who cautiously peeked out from between the carriages was none other than Baron Letter.

"Why are you here?"

The most out-of-place man in this chaotic scene was right in the middle of it, which was quite bizarre.

"I... I... I am... one of the true... Three Commanders."

"Really?"

I nudged Bachar with my elbow.

"I considered the possibility. But it was the least likely. To be honest, I thought it would be Special Minister Blow Soar."

He whispered in response.

"Why would Blow's name come up?"

It was the name of a man I disliked.

"Despite his competence, he is neglected in the palace. Especially King Piratus is said to be increasingly dissatisfied with him. If Blow were one of the commanders, this revolution would have been a breeze."

"Couldn't you confirm it beforehand?"

"Would you have asked, 'Are you a commander of the Sea Dragon?' This is a secret organization, after all."

He frowned, sounding a bit too dramatic.

"Baron Letter is close to King Piratus. Despite his low rank, he enjoys various privileges. But his financial and information resources are impeccable."

Bachar and I exchanged glances for a few seconds before looking at the creepy baron.

"What... What is it?"

"Um, I was just wondering why a distinguished person like Baron Letter would join such a plot."

"O... O... O..."

You're a sea lion.

"For... For Miss Verrier."

"Cherina?"

The conversation was a bit unclear.

"Actually, I... I want to marry her. But... Miss Verrier doesn't like me..."

So you understood.

"Of course, I still want to marry her. But I think it's probably impossible."

The creepy fat man slumped. He was unexpectedly interesting.

"But... I can't allow her to marry... His Majesty... King Piratus II!"

His face was serious. Creepy, but... it was a man's face. Not bad, Baron Letter.

"I received the offer to become a commander from Cargue to protect Miss Verrier... I can do anything for Miss Verrier!"

Cargue... Cherina's father.

This guy is more solid than he looks.

"His Majesty's... brides... are all... broken."

"Broken?"

I couldn't help but speak out loud.

"Physically... and mentally... Oh!?"

The baron screamed. He must have seen my expression.

"Sorry. I got a bit heated."

I must have had a scary look. I tried to calm down and lit a cigarette.

"I was shocked. But it's that bad..."

"...Trash."

I spat out the words more sharply than I intended.

"Yeah, a scumbag."

"I will... protect Miss Verrier."

Bachar, I, and Baron Letter expressed our strong resolve.

"Let's execute the plan."

Bachar and the baron climbed onto a makeshift platform in the center of the square.

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