I rented a place not too far from Rainbow Sherbet and let out a small sigh.
Being inside the red-light district, this place wasn’t exactly top-notch either.
“Hmm… soundproofing is terrible.”
“Uh…”
The sounds of wild antics were still echoing through the walls. While it was to be expected in this kind of area, couldn’t they at least have decent soundproofing?
Regretfully suppressing my irritation, I unfurled my aura.
“Better now.”
“Shouldn’t I just cast a soundproofing magic? That’d probably be better.”
“Nah, this works fine.” With that curt response, I immediately pulled out the crystal orb. As I infused mana into it, it flickered briefly before Theron’s face appeared within.
“Good timing. I was just finishing dinner. Have you all eaten?”
“Yes. The seafood dish was quite delicious.”
“Heh… while you’re enjoying yourselves, I’ve been stuck looking at those tiresome old faces. Quite the pleasant trip for you, huh?”
“Work isn’t supposed to be fun. I haven’t reached the point where I can indulge like that yet.”
“Hmm, fair enough. Anyway, did you find the heir?”
With a shrug, I replied.
“We found someone.”
“Hmm… seems like there’s an issue.”
“Our prince doesn’t seem interested in ascending the throne.”
“Reason?”
“Dunno. It seemed trivial, so I didn’t bother asking.”
“Ah… well, you are you, but still… shouldn’t you have at least asked? We might’ve been able to help resolve it.”
“In my haste to wrap things up, I skipped that step. I told him to think about it until tomorrow; I’ll ask then.”
“It’s okay to take some time. Just make sure to persuade him properly and bring him back. It’d be mutually beneficial for us to maintain good relations with the Arion Kingdom.”
“I understand.”
I was about to ask what would happen if we didn’t bring him back, but one look at Theron’s expression told me it was non-negotiable. Bowing slightly, I turned as Earl called out to me.
“Commander! I’ll be right back!”
“Don’t you see I’m talking to His Highness? Handle it yourself.”
“But if I don’t say anything, you’ll scold me later for leaving without saying anything! Anyway, I’ll be back!”
Creak!
With that energetic declaration, Earl stormed out.
He could’ve left quietly, you know.
Sighing inwardly, I gave Theron an awkward smile.
“My apologies. I’ll remind him to be more mindful next time.”
“No worries. Between friends, it’s nothing. Still, this lodging doesn’t seem too great. Didn’t you find a hotel around here?”
Did the crystal orb really have such a wide field of vision?
Scratching my cheek, I responded.
“There might be one if I looked harder, but being close to the target area seemed more convenient.”
“Ahh… seeing my precious subordinate stay in such subpar conditions pains me.”
“It’s not that bad. Just the soundproofing leaves something to be desired.”
Even now, if I let down my aura, the room would likely fill with embarrassing noises. Thinking about sleeping here made me wonder how I’d handle it. Maybe I should ask Earl to draw a magic circle.
“Red-light district, you said?”
“Yes.”
“A fitting choice for the High Priest of Lust. Did you find any traces of heresy?”
“I didn’t check thoroughly, but nothing suspicious nearby. At least the heir seems safe.”
“Thankfully. Please don’t bring back someone who’s already become a monster. I’m tired of dealing with unnecessary headaches.”
“Is it that difficult?”
“Not as hard as your direct battles with the High Priest, but it’s taxing nonetheless. The Empire keeps wasting effort on irrelevant matters, giving me a headache.”
“Just hang in there a bit longer. I’ll bring the heir back tomorrow.”
“As I said earlier, there’s no need to rush. Better to avoid messing things up…”
Just as Theron began his lecture, the door suddenly burst open.
BANG!
“Commander! Shit’s hit the fan!”
Startled by the sudden curse, I let out an involuntary sigh.
How am I supposed to explain this to the Crown Prince?
Exercising patience, I apologized to Theron.
“My apologies. Looks like there’s an emergency. I’ll contact you again later.”
“Understood. Seems urgent. Good work.”
Fortunately, Theron ended the communication without reacting much to Earl’s outburst. Pocketing the dimming crystal orb, I addressed Earl.
“What the hell, cursing in front of His Highness?”
“That’s not important. We need to move fast.”
Seeing the urgency in Earl’s expression, I silently stood up. This guy doesn’t act like this unless it’s serious. What happened?
As I stepped toward the door, I asked.
“What’s going on?”
“Some random person – maybe a staff member or cook – came by and said…”
I had a feeling what he was about to say. Moving my aura faster, I quickened my pace. Earl’s voice continued beside me.
“Some strange guys showed up, killed all the girls, and kidnapped the heir and Lucy.”
“…Shit.”
Gritting my teeth, I kicked off the ground and leaped out the window.
CLANG!
Eliminating the obstructive glass shards with my aura, I activated my divine power.
[Divine Power: Forced Harmony]
Art of Wind and Clouds
Ignoring the murmuring crowd’s stares, I stepped into the air. Please, please don’t let things get worse from here.
***
My modest hope shattered the moment I arrived at Rainbow Sherbet.
The unpleasant smell of blood greeted me from the store entrance.
Pushing past the loitering bystanders, I headed inside.
“Hey! You can’t go in there!”
Someone grabbed my shoulder. Though it didn’t hurt, their rough touch annoyed me. Why must I be interrupted when I already have a headache?
Turning my head slightly, I scanned the man grabbing me. Chain armor and a worn spear – clearly a city soldier.
“What… what is this?”
Without responding, my silent gaze made the soldier remove his hand and take a step back. Can someone scared this easily even do their job properly? Looking around, I saw only spectators. Was I the only one sent to investigate?
Suppressing my boiling emotions, I asked.
“Alone?”
“Eh… y-yeah… wait, who are you?”
“Isn’t basic patrol supposed to be in groups of three? Though I guess that’s Imperial standard. Things must be different here.”
“Who are you?! Answer me!”
As the soldier suddenly shouted and pointed his spear at me, I sighed and swung my arm with slight anger.
CLANG!
The broken spear clattered noisily against the floor.
“Eh…?”
Staring at the fallen spear tip, the soldier stumbled backward, muttering incomprehensible words. Giving him a light warning as I loosened my wrist, I advised.
“Next time, come with backup. If you want to live.”
“W-who…?”
Maybe I should reveal my affiliation. He was just doing his job after all.
“Commander Allen of the Sirius Empire Special Task Force.”
“Why is an Imperial soldier here…?”
Ignoring his question, I entered the shop. The sight that greeted me was horrifying. The once-atmospheric bar tables were shattered in the center, and the liquor shelves had all crashed, drenching the walls and floor.
“Damn…”
Scattered tables and chairs, cold lifeless women covered in wounds. Especially prominent were the injuries on the woman who tried to protect Heffner. She must have acted similarly to how I would have.
“You bastards…”
What regret must she have felt to maintain such an expression until the end? Despite the pain, her eyes reminded me of comrades from past battlefields. They too died with similar gazes.
Thinking back on those days, my teeth ground together involuntarily. Suppressing my rage required swearing under my breath.
“Damn it all…”
Silently kneeling, I gently closed their eyes. I wanted to tell them not to worry. Though I couldn’t save them, I would definitely exact revenge.
“It’s getting bloody.”
Black Wolf was already by my side as usual.
“Can you track them?”
“They tried to erase the trail, but they’re no Blackwater.”
“Let’s go.”
“Right.”
That exchange was enough. We quietly exited the store. Outside, a middle-aged man was panting heavily, while Earl stood casually beside him.
“Th-there…”
The bartender who was bustling around when we first arrived. Struggling through coughs, he tried to speak to me.
“My wife…! Cough…!”
I understood what he meant. Civilians were taken too, it seemed.
Nodding, I reassured him.
“Don’t worry. We’ll rescue them. Please keep the shop secure.”
“…I entrust it to you.”
With a bow, the man entered the store with a determined expression. Turning to Black Wolf, I requested.
“Count on you.”
“No problem.”
“To you, Earl: prioritize the hostages. Do whatever it takes to save them.”
“Got it.”
And thus, we moved to chase after those damn kidnappers. Their origin and nationality held no interest for me. They’d all die anyway.
