Chapter 526
Chapter 526
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 526
Chapter Title: Useful Guy
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The out-of-the-way warehouse district was dark, but it still carried the scent of humanity. Here and there, men huddled around fires they'd lit, or groups wandered about puffing on cigarettes.
—It's pretty spacious.
We followed Hildegarth deeper into the area. The further in we went, the scarcer the signs of people became, but we still spotted a few. Were they attendees of the gathering?
"Looks like those are the gathering folks. Seems they're holding it pretty deep in today."
"I see."
The warehouse district felt almost like a maze in the darkness. Anyone who didn't work here would get lost for sure.
As we ventured deep inside, we caught sight of people gathering up ahead.
"Is that it?"
Claudy said.
"Yeah, looks like it... I can sense demonic energy nearby. Katt, you planning to kill them the second we get there?"
"Nah. Investigation first."
Killing them right away wouldn't let us grab the tail of the operation.
Sure, with Hildegarth's abilities, we could hunt down every last demon easily, but these guys had bosses too. If their partners started dropping like sausages one after another, they'd catch on quick.
In the worst case, they might shut down the whole business and bolt.
I needed to smash as many of these demonic bastards as possible, so that wouldn't do.
"Everything I said was true..."
Hildegarth muttered, sounding depressed as he hung his head.
"Not that. We gotta figure out what these fuckers are up to before we kill 'em."
"Ah! So you believe me now?!"
"I believed you, so shut up already."
"Hee hee hee."
Since the gathering spot was legit, he'd perked right up at my words and started giggling again.
"Goddamn, you're so obvious. Cut it out. It's pathetic."
Winia snapped at the giddy Hildegarth.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll stay quiet."
"Ugh..."
The guy bowed politely, still grinning like an idiot.
Anyway, people who'd been milling about nearby were trickling one by one into the building up front. Time for us to head in? There was a guard-type guy posted at the entrance. From his silhouette, he looked burly.
"Hey, Hildegarth."
"Y-yes?!"
"Any qualifications needed to get in there?"
"Seems limited to human laborers. But with me here, no problem. Those humans can't resist my ultimate hypnosis spell."
What a damn demon.
"Let's go."
I put Hildegarth out front and approached the building. We watched a few people go in, then stood at the door.
"...Three women?"
The guard, arms crossed and leaning against the wall, eyed us and spoke up.
"Where you from? Tea house waitresses?"
"Shut up."
The guard's head drooped as Hildegarth casually formed hand seals. Drool leaked from his mouth. He mumbled like he'd smoked something heavy, convulsing as he spat out words.
"Ugh, uuuugh. Aaah... Pfft hee hee. Drak-chaat! Meat—meeeat!!!"
What the hell did he do to turn the guy into this mess?
"What'd you do?"
"Nothing much. Just the hypnosis spell you saw last time. He'll snap out of it soon, so let's head in."
This guy's got skills.
We waltzed inside with a free pass.
A staircase led down into some basement, orange light and voices drifting up from below. Makes sense—if you're holding a gathering, you light a fire in an underground spot like this.
We headed right down.
"...More people than I thought."
Winia said, scanning around. The basement was bigger than expected. Probably an old warehouse building. This must've been for storing goods. Empty now, so perfect for a gathering spot.
"Yeah."
And it was packed pretty full, given the size. The sporadic lanterns and torches revealed the attendees' ragged appearances—clearly hard-luck folks.
Worn clothes, everyone looking beat.
This reminded me of the time Elise and the holy lady went to that slum gathering. Of course, these laborers were way more upstanding than those paupers back then. Unlike those hopeless wrecks, these guys at least had the will to work.
Wonder what Elise is up to these days?
No way to contact her, so it's frustrating.
With all the demon chaos around, she's probably busy with those paladin pals of hers. Peak demon season means they're slammed.
—Murmur murmur.
Anyway, the gathering was noisy as hell.
With so many kids around, the chatter was loud. I grabbed Claudy and Winia's hands and wormed into a corner, shielding them with my body.
Women were scarce, so we'd stand out.
"Oh my, Katt. Protecting mama right now?"
"Obviously."
Claudy and Winia drew eyes too easily from the start.
Pink hair popped up now and then on both guys and gals, but purple? Never seen it. Both were stunning beauties the likes of which you'd never forget, and Winia's massive rack pulled aggro everywhere. Even hoods couldn't hide that allure.
"Me too, I wanna be protected by you, Katt. Can I get behind you?"
With Claudy and Winia tucked behind me, Hildegarth piped up.
Protected, my ass. Not punching you in the gut right now is protecting you.
"You stick by my side and warn me if any fuckers crawl out."
"Yes, sir!"
We kept watch and waited a bit. Then someone appeared on the platform.
—Silence.
The murmurs died instantly at the signal.
"..."
Even boot camp grunts can't shut up during group brainwashing, yet they pulled off this level of hush. Impressive.
Meant the attendees took this gathering seriously. If it was demonic power at work, that was dangerous as hell. Sure, this world had superhumans, but sheer numbers like this spelled trouble.
"Greetings, heroes of the city."
The man on the platform scanned the crowd with that vague bullshit.
"Oh, oooh!"
"Long live the workers!"
"Long live!"
Cheers erupted here and there. Shills? The hype spread like wildfire, filling the basement with roars in seconds.
"Fuck me, so damn loud."
"Katt, that guy's borrowing demonic power."
Hildegarth whispered in my ear.
"Borrowing demonic power?"
"Yeah. You might not notice, but he's captivating them with just a few words. Probably got a boost from that side. Maybe he already leaned that way, and demons approached him?"
"Huh."
"Bet there's an amplifying ritual circle somewhere in this basement. Add the atmosphere, a bit of faith, and some silver tongue, and lowlifes like these are easy to sway. Demonic power seals the deal."
Guy talks like a pro.
Hildegarth must've gathered some solid intel.
"Know anything about that fucker?"
"Tracked him since he speeches nonstop. Seems he's gunning for mayor of this city. Borrows demon power just for that? Total loser."
That was Hildegarth's take on the speaker.
Pretty scathing—makes him credible.
Demons only dangle power or authority anyway. Probably sweet-talked him with that bait. The guy on stage hushed the crowd, then rambled about today's message and education and shit.
"Today too! Odville's heroes have sacrificed from dawn till dusk, boosting the city's economy! Bones aching! Muscles screaming! Exhausted! Yet the heroes overcome all to be here! Solely for the city's peace!"
His words sounded slick, whipping up a frenzy.
"Ooh! Yes!"
"That's right!"
"Long live Odville!"
But they worked to eat, not some noble city-saving bullshit.
Just pumping up communal spirit or whatever.
The vibe amplified his speech. People love being praised.
"Woooah!"
The horde of laborers seemed convinced they were truly sacrificing for the city.
That's why smooth-talkers are scary.
Drown 'em, and their mouths float longest. Most dangerous fucks around.
"But! What our heroes earned today was a pittance! Bodies and time poured out, lives sacrificed—yet the city doesn't care, just exploits you! A little more give, and we could eat fuller meals!"
Such bullshit!
He's right!
Fucking Adventurer's Guild! Gimme more money!
"Right on!"
"Damn straight!"
"Fucking bastards!"
Laborers went wild, spewing curses.
"Son-of-a-bitch motherfuckers! Tiny-dick cocksucking cunts!"
I joined the yells, raging at society's injustices. Adventurer's Guild, pay up more! Winia poked my side amid the shouting.
"Darkie...? What're you doing?"
"Blending in. Standing out otherwise."
"Oh, gotcha. Thought the dummy darkie fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
"Heh heh, as if."
Just messing around.
"It's all because the city's mayor is incompetent and corrupt! We must resist! For our rights! For the workers' world! Lend me your strength!"
"Waaaaaaah!!"
The gathering ended in that manic frenzy.
How the hell do they elect the mayor here? Voting? No way poor bastards like these have votes.
Mass fanatic support might sway things, though... Needs more digging.
"Katt, let's go."
"Yeah."
Time had passed. We slipped out amid the laborers quietly. They paired off, griping about their woes as they headed to bars.
"Hmm."
Looks serious from what I saw.
This otherworld I live in seems like a blood-soaked hellscape at first glance, but it's fairly peaceful.
That demon gate incident let hell's reds—er, agents—flood in big time.
They're seizing the chance to flip the human world for their gain. This ain't the only case... Paladins are around, but manpower's short.
Might blow up soon?
Manipulating folks into cult-like groups is bad news. Any outfit with shady aims at the top is a bomb. Demons could swallow it whole at a key moment.
Demon power sparked instant cult vibes. Gotta nip this early.
Essential for the report to Lady Cardia. Inflate this shit into a massive crisis.
"What do you think, Katt? Big deal, right? Solve it, and you'll score huge rewards."
Duh.
"Heh heh heh, when you get those rewards, even briefly, think of me once."
"Already grateful."
"Ow... That makes me even happier. So, what's the plan now?"
Wait till the basement empties, then go back for hard evidence. Log what I saw and heard today. And that speaker ain't the only one borrowing demon power.
"Need more investigation."
"Same time tomorrow then?"
"Yeah. Nothing more useful than your help right now."
"Uwahu! Thanks, Katt! See you tomorrow!"
"Wait. Gonna check the basement again soon."
"Yes, yes. Hunting evidence? Trust me."
This guy's actually helpful.
Behind the building, people finally cleared out.
Time to head down.