Chapter 22: You Crossed the Line with the "Mom" Comment (1)
Chapter 22: You Crossed the Line with the "Mom" Comment (1)
“So, you’re losing?”
“That bastard Billy played dirty and brought in outsiders. Three of them, and they’re all 3-Star Level swordsmen on par with me.”
“People who get their asses kicked always have an excuse.”
“Grrr….”
“The bottom line is that you’re losing, so you want me to help, right? Isn’t that it?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you as well, Young Master, if I took over the guild completely intact?”
“Hmm….”
As Patrick pondered, Red spoke in a serious tone.
“A Thieves’ Guild Master whose forces have been cut in half, or a Thieves’ Guild Master who has absorbed an entire faction whole. Which would you prefer?”
“Obviously the latter. Why even ask?”
“There you have it.”
“Haaa. What a pain.”
Patrick scratched his cheek, weighing his options.
He had intended to ignore and refuse any request from a common thief if possible. However, hearing the explanation, he couldn't simply brush it off.
He’s a thief, but he has a point.
Just as the man said, a Thieves’ Guild that had completely unified its power would likely be more efficient. In the worst-case scenario, if this guy lost the war, the information network Patrick had worked so hard to secure might vanish entirely.
“Ugh, getting involved in a dispute between Unorthodox Faction bastards is the sixteenth thing I hate most in this world.”
“What’s an ‘Unorthodox Faction’?”
“It’s a thing. Don’t worry about it.”
“…….”
Patrick scratched his head vigorously, but the answer was already decided. Fine. In life, you have to do things you dislike sometimes. You can’t just do the things you enjoy, can you?
“I have no choice. Just this once.”
“Really?”
“Once I’ve made a decision, I don’t go back on my word.”
“Thank you, Young Master.”
“You know where they are, right?”
“Yes. I’ve been keeping track of Billy’s location at all times.”
“Good.”
If he was going to do it, it was better to get it over with quickly. But wait…
“If you knew where the enemy leader was, why haven’t you attacked yet? You should’ve charged in and taken his head immediately. Why leave him alive?”
“…….”
Is this really how a ten-year-old thinks?
“Ahem, as I mentioned before, the outsiders he brought in are the problem.”
“Are they strong?”
“I’m confident I could beat any of them one-on-one. But he hired three mercenaries who have reached the 3-Star Level.”
“So there are three guys roughly as strong as you?”
“Yes. But if you and I join forces, Young Master…”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You’re so weak. You were groveling because you couldn’t handle that?”
“…….”
“And you even dressed up as a woman? Good grief. You might as well just chop it off, man.”
“No, the cross-dressing was strictly for the necessity of concealing information. It wasn’t because I was trying to hide.”
“Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“No, Young Master, I’m serious!”
“Whatever. Just lead the way.”
Patrick gave a smirk.
“I’m going to go kick that bastard’s ass.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare immediately.”
Later, Red would reminisce:
Having a madman on your side is surprisingly reassuring.
* * *
“Hehehe. This is the life, isn’t it?”
“Hohoho. You seem to be in a good mood, Master.”
“Of course I am. Expensive booze and beautiful women. This is the life a winner deserves. Don’t you agree?”
“Hohoho. You’re absolutely right, Master.”
The man was bald with a sly, rat-like face. His fingers were crowded with rings set with thick gems, and various other jeweled accessories hung from his body.
A decadent beauty in provocative clothing sat by his side, while his other hand gripped a bottle of quite expensive, high-end liquor.
This man, who acted like the textbook definition of a villain, was Billy. He was currently one of the two men who split the underworld of Parmas between them.
Actually, calling it a split was a bit of a stretch. In terms of sheer power, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had taken over three-quarters of the territory.
The woman beside him spoke up.
“Master, you really have so much money. Even for a Thieves’ Guild Master, you weren’t always this rich, were you?”
“Khehehe. That’s because the previous Master was far too stifling.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Of course. There were so many things he told us not to do.”
No drug trade.
No dealing in smuggled goods.
He even placed limits on the interest rates for private loans, which were a legitimate source of income. Furthermore, he spent guild funds on the health of the women managed by the taverns and took in vagrant orphans to feed and house them.
When Billy had pressed him on why he did such things, the old man’s excuses had sounded plausible enough.
[The reason the authorities turn a blind eye to our blatant existence is because they know we maintain the hierarchy of the back alleys. Therefore, we must not do anything too dangerous and stop at a point where we can take a reasonable cut. All while appealing to them by saying, ‘We do good deeds occasionally.’]
In fact, the previous Master’s management policy had been effective. During his reign, clashes between the soldiers of House Parmas and the Thieves’ Guild could be counted on one hand. However…
“How are you supposed to make money like that? Why should a back-alley life be so cautious in the first place?”
As soon as Billy became Master, he completely pivoted the direction of the Thieves’ Guild. He raised the interest rates on loans and significantly increased the protection taxes collected from merchants. By engaging in various other dangerous businesses, he had raked in an astronomical amount of money.
“A man needs guts, after all.”
“You’re so cool, Master.”
“Hehehe. You little minx.”
Billy pulled the woman closer into his embrace, his hand beginning to slide stealthily under her clothes.
Suddenly, the urgent voice of a subordinate came from outside.
“Master! It’s an emergency!”
“What? What is it? If it’s nothing important, you’re dead!”
Billy, interrupted at the peak of his enjoyment, was deeply irritated. However, his expression turned grave at his subordinate’s next words.
“It’s a raid! Red is leading his men here personally!”
“What!?”
“Eek!”
He scrambled to his feet, shoving the woman aside so hard she tumbled to the floor. Ignoring her, Billy asked with a grim face, “A raid? How many of them?”
“It looks like he brought almost everyone. Red is with them.”
“Dammit! Get our boys ready! And call the mercenaries we hired for protection!”
“Yes, sir!”
He hadn't expected Red, whose forces were inferior, to attack first.
Or is it because his forces are inferior?
Perhaps this was Red’s final act of desperation. Since it was obvious he would be swallowed up eventually, he was trying to have one proper fight while he still had the strength.
“Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got. Do you think I’ll be scared just because you know how to swing a sword?”
Billy didn't have the confidence to beat Red in a one-on-one fight. However, there were other ways to win. He judged that even if they fought here, he had a sufficient chance of victory.
* * *
A handsome man with his red hair tied back tightly in a ponytail valiantly cut down enemies with a broadsword. He let out a thunderous shout.
“Strike! Make these traitors pay the price!”
“Yes, sir!”
Inspired by him, his subordinates also pushed the enemy back fiercely. And…
“Ooh, he fights well.”
Patrick was standing a step back, leisurely watching the spectacle. He was munching on a piece of jerky as he watched thieves slaughtering other thieves.
Watching a fight really is the best entertainment.
To think a person like this was once called a "Great Hero."
In any case, Patrick would step in if necessary, but for now, it didn't seem like he needed to act.
Having shed his waitress uniform and tied his long hair back neatly, Red looked like a completely different person. He had become a gallant, handsome man, standing out as he fought bravely at the front with a sword in one hand.
“Come out, Billy! I’ll make you pay for your betrayal!”
Patrick watched from a short distance away, impressed. He had stayed back to see what the 3-Star Level was like, and it was certainly on a different level compared to Brian.
They say you need to be at least 3-Star to handle a Troll comfortably, right? At that level, he could definitely take down a Troll with ease.
In Patrick’s estimation, a 3-Star Level was a guaranteed win against one Troll, and while two would be difficult, it seemed winnable. Three or more was a bit of an unknown, but he would at least be able to escape with his life.
Regardless, seeing him lead his men from the front was quite impressive. He had a handsome face, great skill, and the charisma to lead his subordinates effectively.
If a guy like that went to the Central Plains, he’d be called a ‘Fair-Faced Swordsman’ or something and spend his time seducing women.
Patrick couldn't understand why someone with that talent and those looks would want to be a thief.
In any case, Red was fighting well enough to earn Patrick’s approval. As if proving his 3-Star Level wasn't just talk, he overwhelmed the enemy at the front and boosted his allies' morale. Thanks to that, Red’s subordinates were dominating the battlefield despite their smaller numbers.
“You bastards!”
At least, until that moment.
A booming voice echoed from the second floor of the building. Red looked up at him and gritted his teeth.
“Billy. I see you didn't tuck tail and run.”
Bald with a somewhat thin frame, the man’s face was practically dripping with treachery. That was Billy.
Wow, even from a physiognomy standpoint, he has every single element a villain should have.
Whether he noticed Patrick’s fascinated gaze or not, Billy focused his eyes on Red.
“The brat has grown up quite a bit. You even learned how to strike first.”
“I wasn't hiding because I was afraid of the likes of you.”
“You’ve got a silver tongue. I suppose you thought you had a chance of winning since you came all this way. However…”
At Billy’s gesture, several men appeared behind him. Their equipment was different from the start. While the men inside the building were at best wearing leather armor with shortswords or longswords, these men were quite well-armed.
It wasn't full plate mail, but they wore chain mail with steel plates covering their vital areas. They wore helmets, carried maces or longswords in one hand, and light round shields in the other.
So those are mercenaries. They sure carry a lot of junk around.
Having seen mercenaries for the first time since being born into this world, Patrick looked at them with curiosity. In the Central Plains, it was rare for people to wear armor. He had heard of assassins wearing thin protective gear under their clothes, but they didn't wear armor openly.
But these guys were wearing armor and even carrying shields in their other hands. Since they were the first mercenaries Patrick had ever seen, he was observing them with great interest.
However, unlike Patrick, Red’s expression darkened.
“Five… Dammit, did he hire more?”
This was a situation Red hadn't anticipated. As far as he knew, Billy had hired three mercenaries who were at the 3-Star Level, just like himself. But now, there were five mercenaries before his eyes.
According to the original plan, he would take on one, and Patrick—who was stronger than him—could easily handle two. But now there were five.
Even if he pushed himself to handle two, Patrick would have to face three 3-Star mercenaries alone. He knew Patrick was strong, but it was uncertain whether he could handle three 3-Star mercenaries at once.
“Hehehe. What’s the matter, brat? Is there a problem?”
Seeing Billy’s triumphant attitude, Red furrowed his brow.
Should he retreat? But it was doubtful they could retreat safely, and more importantly, if he backed down now, he would never get another chance to reclaim his position.
If I go to a completely different city and start over… No, that won’t be easy either.
“Hey…”
Should I pretend to surrender and then launch a surprise attack? No, that cunning bastard would never trust me.
“…Are you listening?”
Should I try to negotiate with those mercenaries directly? Mercenaries who take requests from back-alley factions probably don’t have high credibility anyway…
Thwack!
Lost in deep thought, Red was suddenly struck hard on the back of the head and stumbled forward.
“Ugh… Who was—!? Oh… What are you doing?”
“I’m doing this because you didn't answer when I called.”
“…….”
“Why no answer? Huh? Being ignored when I’m talking is the thirteenth thing I hate most.”
Why does this kid have so many things he hates?
Red was about to snap at him for not realizing the gravity of the situation when Patrick spoke.
“I just have to take care of those guys, right?”
“Can you do it?”
“That’s why I came here, isn't it? So I have to.”
Red looked at Patrick with wide eyes. A monster of this caliber should be able to sense the enemy’s level to some extent. Yet, for him to show such a relaxed attitude…
Does he really have a chance? Against five 3-Star mercenaries?
Looking at the stunned Red, Patrick gave a small smirk.
“Well, just watch.”
Then, Patrick gripped a longsword in each hand and headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
“And who’s this shrimp?”
A massive man spoke to Patrick as he tried to head up the stairs.
“Hey, kid. Go home and suck on your mom’s—”
Slash!
Before the man could finish his sentence, two flashes of light flickered.
One horizontal, one vertical.
The flashes, forming a perfect cross, sliced the massive man who had been mocking Patrick into four pieces.
Then, Patrick spoke coldly.
“You crossed the line by bringing up my mother.”