Chapter 3: Solution?
Rocks and the two guards were waiting outside, trying not to spread the story. For some reason, Shenley and Dean were also standing nearby.
“Hmm, is it over… I hope they’re alive,”
Rocks muttered softly, but I couldn’t hear it clearly, so I ignored it.
After confirming that everyone was facing me, I asked Rocks,
“Why are Shenley and Dean here?”
“Apparently, they were waiting for us,”
Rocks answered.
Shenley stepped forward and began to speak, “We heard that Dean’s friend hasn’t returned since yesterday, so we waited for Teacher Aoi to come back with Senior Rocks. We thought you might have found some clues…”
Next to Shenley, Dean stood with a worried expression, his eyebrows furrowed.
I nodded reassuringly to both of them.
“We’ve found some leads. Now, we’re going to confirm them directly.”
Hearing this, they both nodded back with relieved expressions. Then, Rocks spoke up, looking troubled.
“Are you going to have the Nevis family guide us? The Knights’ interrogation and investigation…”
“Can’t we somehow gloss over that?” I asked.
“G-gloss over? No, that’s not possible…”
Rocks’ eyes widened at my words. Certainly, from the perspective of the Knights or guards, this couldn’t be overlooked, but we can’t afford an immediate arrest in this case.
“Rocks. Are there any other places you were planning to investigate?”
“No, there aren’t…”
Seeing Rocks shake his head in confusion, I decided on a more forceful approach.
“We don’t have time. There’s a possibility that students from our academy are with other organizations. We need to storm into each organization’s hideout and negotiate directly. For that, we need the Nevis family’s cooperation.”
“…At least after the Knights’ interrogation…”
“If they truly control the underside of the city, they should be gathering information faster than anyone else. The news about the Nevis family being attacked and a relatively well-known organization being crushed in a day will probably spread immediately. Before the other side considers the possibility of the Nevis family switching sides, we’ll grab their tail.”
As I explained our future plans, looking straight into his eyes, Rocks blushed for some reason and averted his gaze.
“…I-I understand. I’ll impose an information restriction.”
I nodded in response, having secured his agreement.
Now that I knew our only concern was taken care of, it was time for action.
I called Shenley and Dean and returned to the research room.
Kalila Nevis worked quickly. When I told her I wanted to contact other organizations, she immediately set her subordinates in motion.
Kalila herself was walking with me through the back alleys of the city, but I wondered if her subordinates were aware of this movement.
“…Where are you planning to take us? If you’re thinking of escaping or setting a trap for us…”
Rocks, following behind, showed his wariness and drove the point home. Kalila frowned at this and glanced at me.
“Don’t be stupid, Prince. It’s too late for us to go against you now. If we show you how useful we can be, we might avoid execution, right?”
“…You’re quite brazen. To say that to us.”
Kalila snorted at the exasperated Rocks and shrugged her shoulders.
After walking for a while, one of Kalila’s subordinates appeared silently and gave a report.
He whispered something in a low voice to Kalila and then left.
“…The White Ash Garonne wants to meet. They’re a pretty big faction based in the Kingdom of Carvan. If we go, there’ll be at least fifty people there.”
“…Wants to meet? What does that mean?”
When Rocks asked, Kalila smiled sarcastically.
“I just told them there’s a huge profit opportunity, but the Knights might move. We’ll share the profits if they lend us some people… That’s not a lie, is it?”
“It’s obviously a lie no matter how you look at it.”
“It’s just a difference in interpretation.”
Kalila shrugged at Rocks, who was furrowing his brow.
“So, where is the location?” I asked.
Kalila pointed to the depths of the alley.
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“I don’t know the details, but apparently Garonne’s subordinates are waiting in their territory down there. Sorry, but the Prince and the Knight can’t enter. Famous people are likely to be recognized quickly.”
“…Then we could just take off our armor and go.”
“You’d be recognized even with a hood on. They’ll check your faces before guiding you… Besides, you’ve been arresting thugs left and right, so your faces are known. Just wait quietly, Prince.”
Rocks showed frustration on his face after being flatly denied by Kalila. But unable to retort, he could only glare back silently.
I lightly patted Rocks on the back and walked towards Kalila.
“It’s alright. I’ll make sure to negotiate properly. Please don’t worry.”
“…If anything, I’m worried about Teacher Aoi going too far…”
“I’ll be sure to exercise restraint.”
As I answered, Rocks made a sour face.
Then, Shenley and Dean, who had been quietly following until now, spoke up.
“W-we’re not known by face. We’ll help Teacher Aoi.”
“Eh, m-me too?”
Shenley with a determined face and Dean with a desperate one. Although their magical skills have improved, they’re not suited for such a brutal scene. Above all, I can’t expose them to danger in the dark.
“Shenley and Dean, please keep watch at the building’s entrance with Rocks. It’s fine if it comes to a fight, but if they scatter and flee, we might miss some. If there’s a back door, please watch that as well.”
Hearing this, perhaps realizing her own lack of strength, Shenley looked down frustratedly. Dean looked relieved.
Smiling at them, I turned my toes towards the depths of the alley with Kalila.
After walking for a while, two men appeared from the shadows.
“…You’re Kalila Nevis from the Nevis family. Who’s the girl next to you?”
As one of them asked, Kalila grinned fearlessly, pointed at me, and answered.
“This is the source of profit. We’ll talk more when we meet Garonne. Guide us.”
As Kalila stated boldly, the men frowned but reluctantly nodded.
“…Follow us.”
Saying that, the men started walking ahead. Kalila laughed and gestured for me to follow, then started walking. The word “girl” bothers me, but complaining now would ruin everything. I have to endure.
We turned several corners and proceeded down the narrowest path yet. There was no cobblestone; instead, gravel was spread out. Making crunching sounds with our feet, the four of us headed to the end of the passage.
In front of us was just a dark stone wall.
“…It’s a dead end, isn’t it?” Kalila said angrily.
The two men turned around.
“It’s the rule to check for safety before meeting the boss. First, we’ll take your weapons. Then, we’ll check for any tails.”
Hearing this, Kalila irritatedly pulled out two curved swords from his back and dropped them at his feet.
“This is ridiculous. I’m here. If you want to prevent my subordinates from doing anything rash, you just need to surround me with multiple people. Has your brain turned to ash too?”
As Kalila pointed at the swords while cursing, the men clicked their tongues and approached.
“…The Nevis family, recognized even with small numbers. We don’t underestimate you. Especially you, Kalila. We’ve heard your combat skills are first-class.”
“…You, small woman. Show your weapons.”
When told this, I showed the palms of both my hands.
“I have no weapons. I’m not carrying a sword or a staff.”
As I said this, I turned around once on the spot. When I looked up at the man, he visually checked my body from top to bottom as if observing.
“…It seems to be true.”
“Alright, we’ll let you meet him.”
Just after the man said this, I heard the sound of stone scraping against stone from behind.
When I turned around, there were five large men. Two of them looked like beastmen.
“This way,”
one of the five men said, roughly brushing away the gravel at his feet with his foot.
What appeared was something like a small iron lid.
“The boss is waiting underground.”
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