Chapter 30

So, waiting for night to fall, I headed for the town of Slanita with Samyue.

Equipped with the [Hermit's Robe], [Cat's Hand Gloves], [Rabbit Hare Boots], and [Perception Bell], I was ready to handle any rough situations.

We arrived outside the town, at a spot surrounded by trees along the outer wall.

"Is this place okay?"

"Yes, Lady Rini. Here, there are no people around, and we won't be noticed."

"Then, let's dig."

"…Are you really going to dig an underground passage all the way to Shurtem's mansion from here?"

"Yep. I want to go underground."

That's right! I intended to create a passage underground that would lead to Shurtem's mansion.

"Shurtem's mansion has a suspicious basement. According to the calculations, it's a straight line from this spot, but it will take too much time to dig an underground passage. Of course, I will help too…"

"Leave it to me, Rini."

I responded confidently to the worried Samyue, puffing out my chest. Then, I took out the [Pickaxe (Special)]. While there is a [Pickaxe (God)] that can dig up gems, it breaks after one use and is not very practical. In comparison, this one digs faster, is more durable, and is much more user-friendly, making it the mainstream choice in the game.

It was big for a three-year-old, but thanks to the [Cat's Hand Gloves], I was stronger than usual and could lift it easily.

Gripping the handle tightly, I thrust it into the ground with a "Heave!" The soil disappeared with a "Pock!" and a path formed diagonally downward.

"…Amazing…"

Samyue, watching this, was speechless.

She continued, "As expected, Lady Rini… such incredible strength. Truly out of this world… I was ashamed of myself for doubting you even for a moment."

"Are you okay, Samyue?"

"I apologize. I was ashamed of myself. Anyway, with this, we can quickly reach the mansion. I will keep watch behind us and give directions."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Yes, Lady Rini, please dig a bit more downward."

"Understood."

With Samyue's instructions, I thrust the pickaxe into the ground again with a "Heave!" The soil disappeared with a "Pock!"

"Next, dig straight ahead."

"Okay."

After digging diagonally downward twice, the underground passage was about 4 meters long, with a diameter just wide enough for an adult to walk through without bending. It wasn't very large, but it was enough for Samyue and me to pass through.

Moving forward in the underground passage, I thrust the pickaxe into the wall of soil in front of me with a "Heave!" The wall of soil disappeared with a "Pock!" just like the ground.

Following Samyue's instructions, I repeated this process about a dozen times. When the soil disappeared with a "Pock!" there was a rumbling sound. What appeared was not a wall of soil but a room—

"Arrived. Good."

Samyue's precise measurements and my [Pickaxe (Special)] were perfect. Entering the room, I pointed in all directions to confirm. There were several women inside, likely those who had been forcibly bought by Shurtem.

"What!?"

"What's happening!?"

Everyone was surprised and looking at us. Yes, that's understandable. If a hole suddenly appeared in the wall, anyone would be startled. I had been careless.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

Since I wasn't suspicious, I quickly removed the [Pickaxe (Special)] and took off the hood of the [Hermit's Robe]. I greeted them politely. With the [Cat's Hand Gloves], I had cat ears, so they would see me as a catgirl, and my disguise was perfect. It didn't matter if they saw me.

"Huh?"

"…A child?"

"What's going on?"

Seeing my young appearance, the women seemed relieved. However, their faces quickly turned anxious.

"Don't come here, it's dangerous."

"You should go back before you're found."

"Before it's too late…"

One of the women approached me, trying to make me leave.

Then, Samyue, who had been waiting behind, stepped forward.

"Don't worry. We're here to help you."

"Help us?"

"Yes. Shurtem has the documents and promissory notes that bought you. We will return them to you one by one. The underground passage leads to outside the town of Slanita, so you can return to your villages or towns."

"But… how…"

"Don't worry. We will take care of Shurtem. We have already informed your families about you. You can return home safely."

Samyue's calm words. Yes, Samyue had identified the people who had been taken and informed their families, preparing a place for them to return to.

Even if we rescued the women from Shurtem's mansion, it would be meaningless if they had nowhere to go. Samyue had thought of everything.

"Really… that you can do such a thing…"

"Then, I will call your names—"

The women, still unsure if this was real, were called one by one by Samyue. As they received their documents and promissory notes, they began to believe that what was happening to them was real, and their faces brightened.

"Here, take this too."

I handed each of them a small cloth bag that they could carry with both hands.

"What is this?"

"Inside are sweet potatoes, meat, and bread. Eat them if you get hungry."

"Really?"

"Yes, they're delicious."

I had packed a little food and a few silver coins. Some of them had to return to places that were far away and could only be reached by carriage. After discussing with Samyue, I included enough to get them home. The money came from selling the herbs I had.

"The sweet potatoes were made by my mom, and the meat was made by my dad."

The dried sweet potatoes made by my mom and the dried meat made by my dad were very delicious. When I asked my parents for some, they gave me a share.

So, I told them to eat it, and they all accepted it. Saying their thanks, they left the room through the underground passage.

Finally, only Samyue and I were left.

I put the hood back on and spoke to Samyue.

"Samyue, is Shurtem upstairs?"

"Yes. This was where the women lived and slept. There are showers and toilets, and from there, stairs lead to the master bedroom."

"I see."

That's strange. A direct passage from the master bedroom to the basement. …A basement that can only be accessed from the master bedroom. The women who had escaped were all very beautiful.

I clenched my fists. As I tightened and loosened my grip, my paw pads made a "mew mew" sound.

Then, a man's voice echoed—

"Who should I choose today? That rebellious new one, perhaps!"

It was a sticky, high-pitched, and utterly tasteless voice.

The door to the room opened with a creak—

"It's you today!—What!? She's gone!?"

The man who entered was wide-eyed with surprise.

A flabby body and a flabby mind. He needed to get back in shape.

"Everyone has gone home."

"…!? Where are they!? Where are they!?"

"Does it matter? Mayor Shurtem."

"What! Who are you…!"

I was invisible, but Samyue was visible.

The man was surprised again when he saw Samyue emerge from behind the furniture. But his expression quickly changed. This was Shurtem.

"…However, what a beautiful elf… I must make you mine…"

No way.

Taking advantage of Samyue's distraction, I quickly approached Shurtem.

Then, I punched his flabby stomach with a right straight!

"Cat punch!"

Since it was underground, there were no stars.

"Turn to stone!"