Chapter 157: The Educating Guard (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: The Educating Guard (12)
After capturing the ninja alive, I used the net to tie him up. I gave it a tug to see if it would tear, but it was incredibly tough.
It felt like I’d need to channel my Aura at full power just to cut through it. To be honest, I’d started to look down on them because the fight ended easier than expected, but if I hadn't noticed the danger of that net, I’d be the one unconscious right now.
That aside, I couldn't just leave the bodies here. The alleys in this eroge world are a lawless zone. The moment I disappear, the slum dwellers will swarm like vultures and strip them bone-dry.
And they wouldn't stop at the clothes. They might even sell the corpses. I’ve only been to the back alleys once, but I know the reality from what Mehya and Serika told me.
If an ignorant wanderer wanders in, they kill them, sell their belongings, and then sell the body as an experimental subject for a Magic Tower or as bait for low-life hunters.
In the past, they used to chop them up and disguise them as meat, but after that was banned, they started disguising them as general rations. Apparently, the sales to the Magic Towers are impossible to monitor anyway.
So, I decided to stay put and find a way to bring other guards here. Humans are creatures of curiosity. No matter how dangerous it is, there are always crazy bastards who come to watch when a fight breaks out.
The slum dwellers are always looking for scraps, so there were bound to be some lingering nearby. As I expanded my Ki Sense, I felt a presence hovering just across the alleyway.
"Come out."
"..."
The beggar flinched, his body trembling. Did he really think I wouldn't notice him? Before he could bolt, I leaped onto the wall and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.
"Hieeeek! I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please, spare my life!"
"Using such polite honorifics? You must be quite educated, huh?"
"Huh? Yes, yes! I've eaten plenty! I've eaten until my stomach's bursting!"
"What are you even talking about?"
Does he think 'ink' is a type of food? While ink pasta exists in the modern world, I don't think that's what this beggar meant.
"Whatever. Go and call the other guards."
"Huh? Oh, understood!"
The beggar looked delighted. Seeing the glint in his eyes, it was obvious he’d just run away if I let him go like that.
So, I squeezed his shoulder. The beggar let out a scream.
"Aaaagh! Save me!"
"I’ve planted my Aura inside you. If you don't return within twenty minutes, that Aura will explode."
"Hieek!!"
"You know what to do if you want to live, right?"
"I'll be right back!"
The beggar scrambled away in a panic. How naive. If I had an ability like that, I’d be a mage, not a guard.
While I was sending the beggar on his errand, other slum dwellers started creeping closer. They seemed to be eyeing the ninjas who had fallen over the wall. I rounded them all up without exception and sent them off to call more guards as well.
I considered gathering the ninja corpses from over the wall into one pile, but I decided to leave them to preserve the scene as much as possible. In police dramas and mystery novels, they always try to keep the scene intact.
Since a guard in a fantasy world serves a similar role to a modern-day policeman, shouldn't I preserve the scene? However, Gorubau, who came running breathlessly, shattered my common sense.
"Pant... pant... I brought them, so please..."
"Right."
While I patted the beggar on the shoulder, Gorubau, who was surveying the scene, gasped in shock.
"What in the world is all this?!"
"Senior Gorubau. It’s been a while."
"This isn't the time for greetings! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
I thought he’d be jealous because I took Mehya, but he’s actually quite kind. He’s got the makings of a real pushover.
Of course, I have no intention of letting Mehya go, so Gorubau will have to remain a "pure-hearted man" forever. Since I fought ninjas, I decided to use a bit of Japanese.
"Sumimasen."
"Did you hit your head?"
"No. I'm perfectly fine."
I dodged his hand as he tried to check my head. As if I’d let a man touch me. I have no intention of letting any human who isn't a woman lay a hand on my body.
Left clutching at thin air, Gorubau stared blankly at his hand. Then, after confirming the ninja corpses scattered around and the Mid-Rank Ninja wrapped tightly in the net, a look of hollow disbelief crossed his face.
"You... you're strong."
"I'm a bit powerful."
"I felt it when you beat that knight, but really... you're probably much stronger than me. Mehya did say she liked people stronger than her..."
Why the sudden TMI? I have no desire for a long conversation with a man.
"Senior. Let's deal with the ninjas first. I'm curious why they attacked me."
"Ah, sorry. I shouldn't be saying this to someone who just went through a hard fight. Please forget I said anything."
"Sure."
Gorubau gathered the ninja corpses into one spot and tried to tear the net, but eventually gave up. While he glared at the beggar, the other slum dwellers came running back.
"Huff... huff... I brought them!"
"What's going on?"
This time it was Bruce. They really do stick together like a proper senior and junior. Since all the beggars I sent had returned, I pretended to deactivate the Aura I'd "planted."
Meanwhile, Gorubau stripped the beggars of some of their rags, covered the corpses, and set them on fire. I thought human bodies didn't burn easily, but they went up in flames quite well.
"Is it okay to do this?"
"We have one captured alive, so it doesn't matter."
I guess I worried about preserving the scene for nothing.
"Where are you taking this one?"
"These are ninjas, spies from the Stejaishi Kingdom. They’ve likely been trained to resist torture, so I plan to hand him over to a professional inquisitor."
"Could I perhaps observe?"
Gorubau gave me a look that was a mix of exasperation and pride.
"Aren't you tired?"
"No."
"Still, there might be aftereffects, so rest for today. A ninja won't escape just because you take a day off."
When someone tells you to rest, you rest—that’s the mark of a true worker. You aren't a real employee if you pass up a chance to take a break without even using your vacation days.
"And go to a clinic or a temple immediately to get treated. You might feel fine now, but complications could arise later."
"Ah, as it happens, a priest who came for my housewarming party yesterday is staying over. I might as well get treated by someone I know."
"I have to take the ninja in. Bruce, you support him."
"Yes, sir!"
"No. I'll head back alone."
"I can't allow that. You’ve been attacked once; it could happen again."
"Then that’s all the more reason not to."
I drew my longsword and manifested my Aura.
"Bruce might get put in danger, right?"
"Sma..."
Don't look at me with that touched expression, you're a man. Even if we're colleagues, I might just punch you.
"Anyway, I'm going back alone."
"Are you really sure you're okay?"
"Yes. I'm an Aura User, remember? Trust me."
"Then... take care of yourself."
"Get back safely, Senior."
I headed back to the mansion in high spirits. Yahoo! This is great! There are probably many women who haven't left yet, so I should have some celebratory sex!
However, my wish did not come true.
"Sma! What is all that blood on your clothes?! And why is your coat in tatters?!"
"What happened? Who attacked you?"
"Oppa..."
"Senior!"
"Disciple!"
With so many people firing questions at once, my head started to spin. The shouting of women really is enough to shatter glass. To think they could rattle a mind that remained clear even while fighting ninjas.
"Everyone, calm down. I'm fine."
"What do you mean, fine?! Who was it?! Who dared to attack my disciple?!"
"Ninjas."
"What?"
Rainie, Serika, and Elizabeth were shocked. The other women looked puzzled.
"What's a ninja?"
"Even if the clouds of war are gathering, to think they’d attack a guard in a foreign city... This could be seen as a declaration of war."
"There were signs, but to think my disciple would be the one targeted. Is your body alright?"
It was hard to tell who was saying what since Serika and Rainie were taking turns. Elizabeth didn't join the conversation but instead showered me with Holy Arts.
"Heal! Great Heal! Touch of Goddess Dite! Dite’s Vigor Enhancement!"
"Wait, why the virility boost?"
"Ah... I thought you might be a bit low on energy... Anyway, is there anywhere that isn't healed? Are you okay?"
"I told you, I'm fine. Since it’s come to this, everyone gather 'round. I'm going to tell you an epic story."
I tried to sound cool, but the women just sighed.
"I wonder when Sma will ever grow up..."
"But isn't he cute because he's like that?"
"That's right! Lord Sma is cool!"
"I thought I was the only one wearing rose-tinted glasses, but you girls are even worse. Is it because your names both end in 'ja'? Junior-Junior, do you feel the same way?"
"To think Senior defeated ninjas... I want to catch a ninja too..."
Mehya pressed a hand to her forehead. Cathy, who arrived late after smelling the blood, was horrified, and the maids who ran over from the garden after hearing the commotion were also in a panic.
"Master!"
"Mawster!"
I made a mental note of the maid who used that cutesy lisp. She was a bit cute, so I’ll have to take her later.
After gathering all the women, I told the story of my ten-on-one fight. I told it to show how amazing I was, but it only added to their worries.
Rainie and Serika, looking grave, said they had to report this to their superiors and the royal family and left. I, surrounded by the remaining women, was forced to go to a clinic.
And it wasn't the commoners' clinic I went to when I first arrived in this world, but a high-end clinic frequented by the wealthy.
"I heard you were attacked by ninjas while on patrol."
"Yes!"
"He was attacked by ten of them!"
The women who followed me all the way into the examination room chirped like sparrows. The strange thing was that Elizabeth, the most qualified expert here, remained silent.
Is this healer really that skilled? As I looked closely, he seemed somewhat familiar. Have I seen this healer before...? Ah!
"You're the clinic director who treated me before, right?"
"So you remember me?"
"You were quite impressive. Unlike other healers, you had an air of elegance, so I remembered you."
"Ho. You have a sharp eye..."
Why is he talking like he's evaluating me? After being lost in his own world for a moment, the director ushered out the women who were still chattering.
"I need to examine him, so everyone except the patient, please leave."
Finally, some peace and quiet. I was enjoying the silence when the director, instead of starting the exam, brought up something strange.
"Let's talk about the ninjas in more detail."
Ah. He wanted to hear the story. A man simply can't resist hearing a tale about a ten-on-one fight. I excitedly began my explanation.