Chapter 69

After giving it some thought, I realized I should have contacted the police myself, so why did I expect the store clerk to do it?

Maybe I panicked because my dad and mom were there.

Anyway, I need to get Ako Shandela's attention.

"Would you like to move to another location? You're causing a disturbance in the store."

"Everyone here is just a commoner, right? I don't care what happens to them. I could even kill a few if I wanted to. If you don't want to die right now, then die immediately!"

This is not good.

I thought I needed to buy some time until the police arrived, but it seems impossible.

However, thanks to the attention I drew, the customers are gradually escaping from the store.

Still, I don't know when she might start shooting at the customers.

I picked up a silver tray that happened to be on the ground and, as soon as I stepped out from the corner, threw it at the pink-haired woman to block her vision and aimed for her right thigh.

I should have aimed for the hand holding the gun, but I don't have the skill for that.

If I aimed for the torso, and if she was wearing a heat ray reflective suit, the beam would reflect and cause collateral damage.

The heat ray reflective suit covers the entire upper body except for the neck and hands, so aiming for the face would blind her and possibly cause her to faint, even if I missed. However, there were also parents and children around, so I decided not to aim there.

The pink-haired woman knocked the tray away with the butt of her gun.

At that moment, my heat ray gun successfully hit her right thigh.

"Ugh!"

She screamed and lost her balance.

Of course, that alone wasn't enough, so I planned to approach her as she lost her balance, shoot one of her legs to make her fall, and then knock the gun out of her hand.

However, as she screamed and lost her balance, a beam hit her head.

She rolled her eyes and fell to the ground.

"John! Are you okay?"

Seeing the pink-haired woman fall, my dad approached worriedly.

"I'm fine! More importantly, we need to preserve the scene and make sure no one gets close to her in case she wakes up!"

I also asked the other customers to stay back to preserve the scene.

There was a possibility she might regain consciousness.

I secured her gun using a napkin from the table.

Then, I looked in the direction the beam had come from and saw a woman in a tight skirt suit putting her gun back into the holster of her jacket and walking towards me.

"I'm sorry for the delay. It was difficult to shoot from my initial position, and I had to move."

The woman, who was quite beautiful, had long, wavy hair of a color close to gold, tied around her neck, and blue eyes.

"No, thank you for your help."

I put away my gun and thanked the woman.

Sirens sounded, and police and ambulances arrived.

The pink-haired woman was restrained and carried away on a stretcher.

As the forensic work began, a detective approached me.

"Excuse me, who is involved?"

"It's me."

"Your name and occupation?"

"John Uzos. I'm a mercenary."

The police probably suspected that there was some cause on my side.

Well, that's understandable. It would be strange if they didn't.

"Who is this?"

The detective then asked the woman standing next to me.

"I am Lunaris Bloodwell. I hold the rank of Imperial Army Rear Admiral and Baron, and I serve as the Commander of the 5th Fleet of the Central Fleet's Task Force. Today is my day off, and I was having a meal with a friend."

Upon hearing this, both the detective and I were surprised.

So, this was Rear Admiral Lunaris Bloodwell, the Commander of the 5th Fleet.

"Then, I'll need to take a little of your time to hear your story."

Following the instructions of the detective, who seemed to be in charge, several detectives and police officers began to take statements from the customers and staff.

Finally, I had a chance to talk to my parents.

"Are you okay, John?"

"Did you do something to that woman?"

"It was just a tantrum because I got a higher reward for my job."

I told my worried parents the truth.

"That was a disaster..."

"Unusual people, indeed."

My parents seemed to believe my story.

In the mercenary guild, many people only listen to their own assumptions, so my parents' understanding was truly appreciated.

"Usually, my work is mainly in boats, and I rarely get into such physical confrontations."

"I wish you could quit, but I guess that's not possible, is it?"

"For me... this is the only thing I can do."

Mom looked worried, but I couldn't quit this job now.

I can't let this go, even if it worries them.

"If you get tired, come back. But until then, do a good job."

Dad's expression seemed somewhat pleased.

After the statements from all the customers and staff, everyone agreed on the following points:

- The pink-haired woman pulled out her gun first.

- She called them commoners and said, "I could kill a few if I wanted to."

Apparently, the store's security cameras had recorded the entire incident.

Moreover, thanks to the testimony of Rear Admiral Lunaris Bloodwell, the Commander of the 5th Fleet, and the fact that a search warrant for the pink-haired woman had already been issued within the police, my self-defense and innocence were confirmed.

Incidentally, the gun that the Rear Admiral had was a NeoSouth Corporation's "Tri-Shot," which can switch between a laser gun, a heat ray gun, and a paralyzing gun. The Imperial Army has the authority to arrest in emergencies, so they officially adopted the "Tri-Shot" which can switch modes depending on the situation.

However, most people use the "Tri-Shot" as a backup and carry their preferred guns.

The Rear Admiral used the paralyzing function of the "Tri-Shot" because there were children present.

The manager of the family restaurant "Pegasus Meteor" in front of Parbear Station, where the incident occurred, offered to waive the bills for all the customers involved and promised to strengthen the building and security measures, expressing gratitude and determination to continue serving the community.

Thus, all the situations were resolved, and we were finally released.

Self-Proclaimed Tragic Heroine Side: Ako Shandela

When I regained consciousness, I was in water.

A breathing mask was on my mouth.

It seems I was in a regeneration treatment capsule.

To treat the leg I was shot in by a commoner.

It might be a bit much, but as a noble, I deserve the best treatment.

Because of that commoner, I was treated as a criminal.

However, right after I was imprisoned, someone helped me escape and provided me with clothes, funds, a gun, and a heat ray reflective suit.

The commoner who offered these to me asked me to meet their leader, but if they're commoners, they should come to greet me.

Anyway, the fact that someone reached out to help me means I am truly chosen by the gods!

My father, who held the rank of Baron and owned the excellent Shandela Company, was arrested on false charges, and his rank and company were taken away.

Because of this, we had to sell our mansion and live in a shabby apartment, and our life became poor.

Fortunately, I was confident in my skills with guns and combat boats, so I decided to become a mercenary.

With my abilities, I could reach the highest rank, the King class, within a year.

And when I reach the highest rank, I will make the Emperor grovel on the ground for falsely accusing my father!

But the mercenary guild refuses to promote me from the Knight class.

The conditions for the promotion exam?

Why should I have to meet such conditions!

The receptionist at the guild is an agent of the Emperor, preventing me from taking the promotion exam!

As soon as this treatment is over, I need to launch an attack.

By the way, there was a commoner named "Hane Kabuto" who was promoted ahead of me.

I will allow them to join my ranks.

They will be overjoyed and cry with happiness.

The tragic heroine's grand revenge drama is just beginning!

Then, a voice came from outside the capsule.

It was the voice of the commoner who had offered me various things before.

Their immediate response to my call is a sign of great loyalty. I will praise them.

What? What are you saying!?

Wait? Something's wrong? My heart is... beating... violently...

Somehow... my vision... is... going... black...

Self-Proclaimed Tragic Heroine Side: End

UNKNOWN Side: Suspicious Men

"Is it okay to destroy a disposable asset?"

"She didn't follow our orders. Useless assets must be destroyed. Besides, she was seen by the 5th Fleet Commander, so we can't use her for a suicide mission anymore."

"Then, we have no choice but to dispose of her. Is this the one you mentioned?"

"Yes. Injecting this into the treatment solution will make it look like she died of a heart attack, and there will be no trace of the drug. ...Injection complete. Let's go back and have a drink."

"Sure."

UNKNOWN Side: End

Pink Exit

The Commander is extremely strict with her subordinates but is polite and kind to civilians (except for criminals and trash).

Thank you for your comments, opinions, and any typo reports.