Chapter 90

A group of ninjas launched an attack.

Incidentally, "ninja" is a unique occupation in the Eastern world, specializing in espionage and assassination. They are probably all Easterners. It seems that the so-called Imperial Nation has extended its influence to the East.

Anyway, that's beside the point.

"Wh-What!?"

Suddenly, their movements stopped.

"What is this?"

"Hands are coming out of the ground...!?"

The hands that grabbed their ankles were the earth arms I created with yellow magic. Taken by surprise, several of them fell face-first to the ground.

"You can even use magic!?"

"That can't be...! There must be someone else around here!"

While getting up and looking around, there was no one else.

"Hmph!"

"Oh!"

The first to destroy the earth arm was a small girl who seemed to be leading them. Her name was Kaede. She swung a dagger at me, but I easily dodged by twisting my body.

I dodged the second strike that followed without hesitation and took advantage of the brief opening to deliver a palm strike to her forehead.

"Ugh!?"

She flew back again. Being small, she flew quite far. She then collided with another ninja who had just escaped from the earth arm, and they both rolled on the ground.

"How dare you!"

The other ninjas, showing their anger, attacked one after another. But, perhaps due to their blood boiling, they were not coordinating at all. I neutralized them one by one.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Hurry! If we don't, that guy will steal the credit!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

A woman was running through the city, urging her subordinates.

She had animal ears on her head and a long tail extending from her buttocks. She was tall for a woman, yet her movements were as agile as a cat. Sharp fangs were visible in her mouth when she raised her voice.

This was for a reason. She was not just a human.

She was a type of sub-human with animal characteristics—specifically, a beast person. Among them, she was a member of the tiger clan, known for its top-tier combat abilities.

Her name was Tina, one of the Eight Generals of the Imperial Nation.

"That damn brat! This is my territory!"

She roared in frustration while running at full speed.

The city was already under the control of the Imperial Nation, and Tina was in charge of its management. She had just received information that the person the Empress was looking for was here.

If she brought him back, the Empress would praise her! She was as happy as a trained dog, but she also received disturbing news.

One of the other Eight Generals, Kaede, had already made contact with the target. Not only did she send her subordinates into Tina's territory without permission, but she also did not inform Tina at all.

"What a joke! I won't let you get away with this!"

However, Kaede was a "top-tier" ninja, skilled in covert operations. While Tina would not lose in a direct confrontation, it would be difficult to catch her if she escaped.

She had ordered her subordinates to stay and wait, but it was uncertain if they would succeed.

Finally, she approached her destination.

"Tina-sama!"

She met one of her subordinates, who seemed quite flustered.

"Tsk, did they already escape...?"

Tina spat out an unpleasant guess and then—

"Huh?"

She noticed something.

"What is this...?"

There were black-clad people lying all over the road. Tina knew who they were.

They were the group of ninjas led by one of the Eight Generals, Kaede.

The only one standing was a young man. His features matched the description of "Al" perfectly.

"You did this...?"

◇ ◇ ◇

I had neutralized the group of ninjas.

Still, it's strange that no one came despite all this commotion. They probably used some method to keep people away. It's convenient for me that no onlookers gathered.

At that moment, a large presence approached at high speed.

A female beast person appeared. She was likely a tiger person, breathing heavily, as if she had rushed here.

"What is this...?"

She looked stunned at the ninjas lying around, some unconscious and some groaning. It didn't seem like she had just happened to pass by.

"You did this...?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Wh-What a joke..."

"Are you one of their allies? Don't worry, I didn't take their lives."

At that moment, she noticed a girl lying on the side of the road and rushed over.

"Hey, what happened!?"

"...Well, as you can see. I tried to catch him first, but I was beaten."

This was Kaede, the leader of the ninja group.

"Why did you all get wiped out!?"

"I lost."

"The opponent is a 'Jobless', right!?"

"I don't know."

I interrupted their conversation.

"I am 'Jobless'."

"...That's what he says."

"Tch, just a claim, huh."

"No, I really am. ...Hmm."

More presences approached, and more beast people appeared, surrounding me.

"...Well, whatever. Thanks to you, I didn't have to let you steal the credit."

The tiger beast person snorted and looked at me, ignoring Kaede.

"I am one of the Eight Generals of the Imperial Nation, Tina. Unlike these sneaky ones, we are pure warriors."

It seems I will have to deal with this group of beast people next.