35
My Villains Chapter 35
9-2. The Request (2)
After pondering for a moment, I shook my head with a sigh.
"I'm sorry, but I have something I need to do right away."
"...Something you need to do?"
"Yes."
I gestured with my chin towards the second floor of the Ship's Horn Inn, where ashes were still fluttering.
"I need to take revenge for this incident."
"Revenge? Most of the bandits are already dead. The few who escaped will be caught soon."
"Those guys were just beggars hired for a few coins. I need to deal with the mastermind who hired them."
"Mastermind? Who are you talking about?"
I hesitated for a moment, observing the guard captain.
Although I couldn't judge by appearance alone, the guard captain gave off the impression of a loyal soldier.
Even in the game, he was an NPC who remained loyal to the lord until death, so it's unlikely he'd be in cahoots with some back-alley thugs.
"It's Ubar."
To be honest, attacking Ubar is quite a hesitant task.
I hardly read any text while playing Dark World. As a result, I barely grasped the overall flow of the scenario.
In this situation, if I attack Ubar and the scenario gets tangled up, completely messing up the order of events?
My hazy foresight would become completely useless.
But...
"Ubar? You mean the gangster?"
"That's right. I need to deal with him first."
I can't just ignore Ubar's threat and go down to the sewers. I can't make such an irresponsible choice.
Because of me, fifteen innocent people, including a young boy, died. Besides revenge for them, I had to prevent more victims from appearing.
What if Daria or Ellen are targeted next? Rather than trembling with anxiety and guilt, it would be wiser to strike Ubar first.
"I know Ubar well too. Why would he attack an innocent inn?"
"To be precise, Ubar was targeting me."
"You?"
When I explained about dealing with Ubar's subordinates a few days ago, the guard captain let out a mirthless laugh.
"He did all this for such a reason? Attack an inn just to get at you? Nonsense. Ubar may be scum, but he's not that reckless or stupid."
"Isn't it common for gangsters to obsess over grudges?"
"To an extent, yes. But causing such an incident inside the city? Isn't that cutting his own throat?"
...That's quite a convincing argument.
Come to think of it, I didn't even kill Ubar's subordinates, did I? Why is he seeking revenge to this extent?
"This is just an attack by hungry bandits. The idea of a gangster's instigation is an absurd conjecture."
"...Let's say those beggars were just that. Didn't you see the bodies in front of the inn? Ubar' action squad members and his right-hand man, Poison, should have been lying there."
"Poison? You mean 'Poison in the Cloak'?"
"Yes, that's right."
The guard captain looked surprised for a moment, then furrowed his brow.
"He's Ubar's hidden blade. Even the guard barely knows his name. How did an outsider like you recognize him? Did he kindly introduce himself?"
...This is an unexpected reaction.
Well, this isn't 21st century South Korea where they publicly wanted gangsters with organizational charts and photos.
Still, I thought someone of the guard captain's rank would know the faces of back-alley gangsters, but it seems Poison was more secretive as an assassin.
"I, I overheard them talking amongst themselves. And I guessed he was Poison when I saw him using poison."
"Hmm."
It was a hastily made-up excuse, so it might have been a bit flimsy. He doesn't seem to believe it much.
"Well, that could be possible. I've heard your speculation."
The guard captain stroked his chin beard for a moment, then gave a slight bitter smile.
"But you seem to be misunderstanding something."
"...Misunderstanding?"
"Yes, a misunderstanding. I thought I had explained clearly enough. Let me clarify again."
The guard captain heaved a sigh and continued.
"First of all, you don't have a choice."
"What do you mean,"
"Did you think you could refuse the Count's request? You're not unaware of the city's situation, are you?"
"The Count, in his consideration, arranged for mercenaries you're familiar with to accompany you. If you succeed, there will be rewards. Isn't this a reasonable proposal?"
Even so, it's clearly a dangerous and important request, and they're forcing it on an outsider?
The lord in the game seemed to be a thoughtful nobleman, albeit a bit stupid.
Is it that they don't need to care about wandering mercenaries?
Feeling irritated, I asked bluntly.
"A request that can't be refused. So that's why you called it an order?"
"Given the situation, please understand."
"What happens if I don't accept?"
"Are you perhaps offended? Let me say again, this is not a simple request. The fate of the entire city depends on..."
The fate of the entire city, he says. If it's such an important matter, why don't the noble sirs do it themselves instead of passing the responsibility to others?
I hardened my expression, feeling annoyed.
"I asked what you'd do if I said I can't do it."
Silence.
The guard captain, faced with unblinking eyes, gulped dryly.
Then, after moistening his dry lips, he answered in a small but firm voice.
"...I guarantee, you will die."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Every army except the defense force, even the elite guards protecting Salt Castle, will come to kill you. We can't overlook one person's deviation in a situation where the entire city could crumble. Also, we need to keep the secret of the underground passage confidential."
Silence again.
If I were to fight against the lord's army, could I really survive?
Obviously impossible.
The small fry might not be a big threat, but the lord must have several skilled individuals like the guard captain before me under his command. The captain of the elite guards, the training commander, the military officer would be quite strong too, and there would be a few mages as well. There would also be many crossbowmen and archers.
...Come to think of it, this is more infuriating. With so many subordinates, why are they bothering me?
"Think carefully. Either die miserably chased by the army, or follow orders and achieve merit. There are only two choices."
At that clear declaration, Ellen, who had been quiet until now, spoke in a cold voice as if spitting out words.
"I don't think so."
"......"
The guard captain turned to Ellen with a puzzled expression.
Despite Ellen's cute appearance, his eyes were shining with deep wariness. He seemed to know that she was a mage.
Ellen, meeting my eyes, flashed her blue eyes for a moment before turning back to the guard captain with a sneer.
"Only two choices, you say?"
"...That's right."
"That's just your thinking. We have a third option."
"A third option?"
"Yes. We kill you and all your subordinates, burn you with the inn, and escape through the sewers."
...This kid, can't she speak more politely?
Whenever Ellen spouts harsh words while fidgeting with her pink lips, I feel a sense of duty rising, thinking 'As an adult, I can't just stand by and watch!'
Is this how everyone becomes an old fogy?
Even while thinking this, I didn't bother to stop Ellen. I didn't want to be forcibly dragged along under threats either.
I placed my hand on my falchion, estimating in preparation for any eventuality.
The guard captain and two soldiers, Grania and Arnal... With Ellen's support, it seems doable.
As I exuded an aura as if I might draw my sword at any moment, the guard captain's face tensed with nervousness. He turned back to Ellen and asked in a calm tone.
"...Calm down. That is, if you're not planning to face the lord's entire army."
"We don't need to face the entire army. There are about thirty soldiers nearby, right? We just need to wipe them out and escape."
"You, do you know Phoenix's nickname? It's the Bloody Swordsman. Want to find out why?"
"Ugh......"
While the guard captain was swallowing hard, Grania stepped back slightly and showed me her palms.
"Wait. All we were instructed to do was deliver the request details to you and move together. If you're going to refuse the request, we'll quietly withdraw-"
"Cut the crap and stay there. Unless you want your head cracked open."
Ellen, who spoke coldly, naturally moved her steps. She had retreated to my right rear and was already gathering a breeze over her palm.
Grania and Arnal stood still with stiff expressions, and the guard captain hurriedly tried to dissuade Ellen.
"Wait a moment, mage. Why use magic for something that can be easily resolved through dialogue?"
"Easily resolved through dialogue? Is that why you threatened my master while trusting in that idea?"
"Aren't you the one making threats now? I'm just stating facts-"
"Ah, right. I'm just stating facts too. I'm just notifying you that we might choose the third option if pushed."
As she said this, Ellen created a transparent magic sphere over her fingers, but showed no signs of firing it.
Seeing her just putting on airs like this, it seemed she had no intention of attacking. Not yet, at least.
Hmm. Should I go along with Ellen's rhythm for now?
"Do you really think you can survive by escaping like that? If you don't know where the secret passage is, you'll just wander and die in the sewers. Or get caught by the pursuit team!"
In response to the guard captain's threat, Ellen burst into laughter and replied.
"Do you think we'd move without a plan? We've roughly figured out where the secret passage is."
"...Such bluffing won't work. If people who haven't been in the city for even a month could find it, we wouldn't call it a secret passage."
Ellen closed her mouth at the guard captain's confident words.
She looks quite troubled. It's my turn to step in.
"Well, it is hard to imagine that such a huge cave would exist under the ancient empire's sewers."
"...!"
Of course, I don't know exactly where the secret passage is. But I can roughly guess based on the information I got from the game.
In Dark World, the sewer is a kind of mini-dungeon with at least 5 floors and up to 8 floors, divided into upper and lower levels.
The people of South Harbor think the upper level, that is, the ancient empire's sewer, is all there is.
But in fact, there's a lower level, a cave, below it.
From what I learned from a talkative guard protecting the sewer, I confirmed that the ancient empire's sewer extends to the 4th underground floor.
Then the cave must start from the 5th or 6th underground floor.
And the secret passage leading outside is always located on the first floor of the cave.
"The terrain suddenly changes, so I'm not sure exactly which floor to call it. Should we say the 5th underground floor?"
Judging by the guard captain's widened eyes, I must be right.
After a moment of internal conflict, he sighed as if admitting defeat and slumped his shoulders.
"Huh, alright. I understand that you and your companions... Might make an extreme choice. Now, tell me what you want. I'll accommodate as much as I can within my authority."
Good. I was worried our attitude might have been a bit too much, but fortunately, we've managed to gain some concessions. The city's situation must be more urgent than I thought.
Hmm, but... What's the extent of the guard captain's authority?
"...We'll strike at Ubar, so provide us with support. After dealing with them, we'll go down to the sewers."
"The Count wants you to start this task immediately. There's no time to waste roaming the back alleys."
"Then can the guard suppress Ubar while I'm working?"
"I can't put my men in danger without solid evidence. Besides, didn't I say that we're assigning this request to you because we're short on manpower in the first place?"
Damn it, then what exactly are you offering to do?
Just as I was about to lose my temper, the guard captain beat me to it.
"How about this? I'll ensure your protection while you're above ground."
"...What do you mean?"
"Aren't you worried that Ubar might attack again? I'll make sure you're not threatened by them while you're above ground. Yes, if you complete the mission well and the situation improves, I'll thoroughly investigate this attack incident and even take revenge on Ubar on your behalf."
It sounds okay at first glance, but...
Wait.
"Preventing gangsters from running amok and properly investigating the attack incident? Aren't these things the guard should be doing anyway?"
"...Well, that's true."
This guy. Is he trying to get away with just words?
"Cut the wordplay- Alright. Protect this place, the Ship's Horn Inn."
"The inn?"
"Yes. It's where I'll be staying, and there was an attack today, wasn't there? We can't let innocent people get hurt."
The guard captain nodded readily at my words.
"Hmm, I see. Then I'll double the patrols in this area."
"No, that's not enough. Station soldiers here permanently. Hmm, about twenty should be appropriate."
"Twenty? That's too many."
What followed was a process similar to negotiation, and we agreed to make the Ship's Horn Inn a temporary patrol post.
As long as Ubar's threat isn't completely gone, twelve soldiers will be stationed at the Ship's Horn Inn.
In addition, the guard headquarters planned to send six replacement soldiers every two hours to patrol around the inn.
Hmm. This should be enough to prevent worrying about being attacked while sleeping. Unless the gangsters are crazy, they won't attack a guard post.
"Then let's write up a contract."
"...A contract, you say?"
What's with this reaction?
Don't tell me they were planning to give such an important request without a contract? This could be trouble.
Ignoring the guard captain's reaction, I started writing various things on the parchment I received from Ellen, dividing it into three parts.
I don't know much about contracts in this world... But writing it like a service request form should work, right?
"Let's just include the most important points briefly."
"You, you know how to write?"
"Yeah, well. What should be included- hmm, the advance payment and compensation, post-mission safety guarantee, confidentiality, details related to guard support..."
I wanted to fill the entire parchment, but I should limit it to this much in case it might offend the lord. The guard captain's expression is getting weird, which is a bit unsettling.
"This should be enough."
"Ugh..."
The guard captain, who skimmed through the completed contract, furrowed his brow as if he had a headache and expressed doubt.
"But why are there three copies of the contract? Shouldn't it be enough for you to have one and me to have one?"
"Wait. I thought the Count, not the guard captain, was my employer."
"Ah, right. That's correct. The Count is your employer."
"Right? I plan for the Count and I to each take a copy, and the remaining one will be left with the church for notarization."
"Notarization?"
The guard captain muttered that, opening his mouth as if dumbfounded.
"Yes. Notarization. Uh, does the church not notarize mercenary contracts?"
"...Well, if you pay an appropriate donation, I suppose there's no reason they wouldn't."
"Then there's no problem. Here. Quickly check it and get the Count's seal."
"Ah, alright."
The guard captain, with a bewildered expression, accepted the bundle of parchments. Then, as he was about to turn around, he suddenly threw a question at me.
"By the way, are you really a mercenary?"
I slightly smiled and shrugged my shoulders.