Chapter 36

It was the weekend. On the day of our outing, I waited for Yulia, dressed in maid attire. The purpose of this outing was partly to prepare for the overseas trip I had mentioned to Lilian, but I also wanted to establish a contact network with the thugs I met during the last outing. Because of that, I had to separate from Yulia for a bit, but I still had no clue how to do that.

Hmm, while I was pondering, a woman approached. She was a striking beauty with bright blonde hair tied up like sunlight. Yulia, who had come to me, looked on with a radiant smile. I wondered what she was thinking. I understood she was somewhat obsessed with me, but I wasn’t sure what kind of emotion that was.

For example, it could be a friendship obsession. After all, at the academy, she only had me and Lilian as friends. Ah, there was the prince too. But they seemed a bit distant. When I asked Yulia about the prince, she tilted her head.

“Hmm? Well, he does treat me well, but honestly, I don’t really know him that well?”

Yulia’s face had no sign of worry. After boarding the carriage I had reserved at the nearby station, we headed toward the city outskirts of the academy. The city of Albius Free City was so vast that it was basic to travel by carriage. After about an hour of riding, we finally reached a general store for preparing for our overseas journey.

“So, what are we buying?”

“Well, I’ve got a rough idea of what we need from the general store.”

Really, while the store had all sorts of items on display, they were not really suitable for a lady of the House of Portus. Thus, most of the things I bought were for my own use. After gathering everything we needed, I paid and stepped outside.

“Uh…. Why are you buying stuff like that?”

“Because I need them.”

“Really? Those things?”

“Yup.”

I dragged a flabbergasted Yulia along to the tailor. It was for buying the trendiest clothes for the school’s first event. Naturally, I headed there since it was the tailor I had dealt with before; they were skilled and convenient. Gradually, I made my way into the back alleys.

Initially, I was going to leave Yulia behind, but I felt it wasn’t necessary to keep it a secret. Striding confidently into the back alley, I began to look for the thugs who had approached me. Not that bunch, not those guys either… Ah, maybe those?

Recognizing faces I had seen before, they approached me slowly, visibly startled. Seeing them, Yulia grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her. Oh… while looking at Yulia’s face full of caution, I gently patted her shoulder.

“No need to be so wary.”

“W-Why not?”

“Just chill.”

“Okay?”

With Yulia positioned behind me, I looked at the man in front who was eyeing me suspiciously. His name was… Esher, right? A man skilled in imperial swordsmanship, strong for a back alley thug.

“I figured you forgot about us since we hadn’t heard from you in a while.”

“Not a chance. I came today to establish a contact network.”

“Do you really think we’re useful?”

“Absolutely.”

Of course, to make full use of them, I needed to tidy up the back alley first, but they were certainly suitable men for a job. They were decently sized, and Esher, leading them, had the power to manage this back alley.

Once I reorganized the back alley and absorbed the surrounding factions, the organization would run smoothly. My goal was to gather information from outside the academy to assist the lady. Some might question why I’d bother to go to such lengths just to collect academy intel, but the current academy was practically a small political arena.

With the princess at the forefront, the imperial faction and the anti-imperial faction were fiercely battling beneath the surface, and to protect the lady, who did not belong to either side, outside information was crucial. I whispered to Yulia, who was staring at me blankly, that I’d explain later, and followed them to their hideout.

“Uh, is there anyone dissatisfied? I could settle it here if you want.”

“…Settle it? Is that something you say to a person?”

“What’s the problem? It’s the truth.”

I casually tapped the twin swords hanging at my waist. They were my main weapons. Usually, I preferred to hide a dagger beneath the maid outfit, but in the past, the twin swords were what I used when I battled against the captain of the imperial order.

“Nope. I keep a firm hand on my subordinates. There’s no way I’d have grievances against the maid who defeated me.”

“That sounds like sarcasm to me.”

“If that’s how it sounds, then it’s your twisted perception.”

“Hmph.”

I snorted lightly and gently squeezed Yulia’s hand. Startled, she looked at me blankly before tightly gripping my hand back. It wasn’t painful, but there was something odd about Yulia’s slightly rough hand. As I held Yulia’s hand, we arrived at the hideout where dozens of thugs were gathered.

“Hmmm, are you really okay?”

“If it’s not okay, I’ll still protect Yulia, so don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about…”

I gave an assuring nod to the anxious Yulia standing behind me and faced the thugs.

“Greetings, thugs.”

“Are you that new lady?”

“…Lady?”

“That’s how I introduced you.”

What the heck did they call me? No, the thugs I thought would be wary were gazing at me with envious eyes. I could skip unnecessary procedures, but this was a bit frightening. What on earth had I done?

“I didn’t say much. I only mentioned that I defeated your elite members and even managed to send you running.”

“Oh, really?”

Since I saved some time, I figured I’d get down to business. I scanned the thugs around and singled out the fiercest-looking man.

“You.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Which organization around here is the most wicked?”

“That’d be us.”

The man answered confidently, leaving me momentarily speechless. Yulia beside me looked at him with wide eyes. After a brief moment of shock, I shook my head and spoke.

“…Not you guys. And from today onward, all criminal activities are banned.”

“What? Then how are we supposed to make money?”

“Between illegal and legal, you’ll figure it out. Now, excluding you guys, who’s the most wicked?”

“There’s a bunch called the Shark Gang, who are sponsored by Count Rasmus around here.”

The name alone was something. I took a moment to check on Yulia and quietly asked.

“Are they nearby?”

“Yep. We haven’t crossed paths recently, but our territories are close.”

“Alright. Then we’ll go there. Yulia?”

“Uh, what? Catherine?”

“Follow the straight road after we leave, and you’ll see Cal’s tailor up ahead. Here…”

I scanned the area and pointed to the gentlest-looking man. He raised his hand excitedly.

“Jeremy at your service!”

“Jeremy, I’ll need you for protection.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Hang on, is this really okay?”

“Sure. Just don’t worry about me and go ahead.”

I flashed a peace sign to Yulia, who watched me with worry, maintaining a flat expression as I focused on Esher.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

“Where exactly?”

Esher’s flabbergasted face made me pause for a moment. What had he been listening to just now?

“The main base of that Shark Gang.”

“…Uh, are you really okay? Their leader is pretty strong.”

“That said, they haven’t even held a sword; they’re just thugs. What’s there to worry about?”

“Uh, fair point.”

Esher nodded in understanding and grabbed his spear. It didn’t look that impressive, but it seemed like he had taken care of it well; the blade was shining bright.

“Guys, grab your gear.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Are we going to see the lady’s skills in action?”

“Like how she took down eighteen people with a single swing?”

I overheard the whispers of the thugs following closely behind, looking at Esher. Despite his typically expressionless face, it seemed like he was catching on to the absurdity of what they were saying, and he averted his gaze slightly.

“What on earth are you spreading?”

“…Well, you know, sometimes stories get a bit exaggerated along the way.”

Even so, that was way too exaggerated. Whatever, it probably didn’t matter. I thought as I double-checked the sword hanging at my waist. The proper weight fit perfectly in my hand. After receiving it as a present from the lady, I hadn’t used it much, but it seemed I’d be shedding blood after a long time.

And that was human blood. Most of my battles had been with monsters, so it had been quite a while since I’d struck down a human. The cold feeling of the first murder settled in my heart. He may deserve to die, but having lived in modern society, I found that my mind could accept it, but my heart struggled.

And that feeling was the same even now. I was trying to find and slay the worst of the worst, but my heart still felt heavy. Yet, that didn’t mean hesitation would linger at the tip of my sword.

Slowly calming my mind and body, I began to follow behind Esher, who was walking ahead.