Chapter 172: The Guard Uses Clone Technique (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172: The Guard Uses Clone Technique (2)
Infiltrating the ninja safe house was as easy as pie. It was disguised as an ordinary private home and lacked any real security, so I just smashed through the wall with my bare body and charged in.
The ninjas faltered, caught off guard. So these bastards are turning into public enemies now, huh? Unable to contain my joy, I threw out a greeting.
“Domo! Ninja-san! I am the Guard-desu!”
“You crazy bastard...”
“Which one of you just said that?”
A Low-Rank Ninja, his face hidden behind a mask, trembled. You’ve barely got a speck of Aura, and you’re acting tough! I lunged forward to grab him.
“Intruder! Kill him!”
The ninjas activated their secret techniques. I thought they only knew how to breathe fire, but they were spitting water and whipping up wind—it was a total shitshow.
“Pick one. Are you ninjas or mages?”
“We are ninjas!”
“Bullshit.”
I slit the throat of the Low-Rank Ninja who had cursed at me, but as I turned around, I felt a sting in my own neck. My vision floated upward before plummeting down.
“He’s finished!”
I opened my eyes to the last voice I heard. Even though it was a clone that died, it felt incredibly realistic. I rubbed my neck, feeling as if I had actually been hit. Serika, who was standing beside me, asked with concern.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. It’s my first time dying, so it’s a bit of a strange sensation.”
I closed my eyes again to survey the other safe houses. I could create two clones. The Prince had assigned me the safe house where a High-Rank Ninja was located, but after hearing that I could use the Clone Technique, he suggested using a clone first to gauge their strength before a full entry.
His reasoning was that if the enemy was stronger than expected, we could deploy backup to minimize casualties and ensure the targets were captured.
“It was a good idea to follow the Prince’s suggestion. Even if the clone is weaker than me, it died way too fast. The one I sent elsewhere is doing just fine, kicking ninja ass, so this must be the most important location.”
“Then we must attack immediately.”
“Exactly. I guess I’ll get to see your skills today, Captain.”
I also glanced at the middle-aged man standing next to Serika.
“Guard Captain Ohwan, I’m counting on you as well.”
“Right... you little punk living with my daughter-like Serika...”
He’s been acting like that since the moment we met. Just you wait. I’ll show you exactly what 'elderly attack' means.
Since I was currently the weaker one, I had to play nice.
“I’ll head in first!”
I created a clone and smashed through the roof simultaneously. The ninjas, already in a state of confusion, were horrified to see me.
“A real Clone Technique!”
“How the hell can a guard use clones...?”
“Was he a ninja?!”
I clicked my tongue in disbelief.
“What’s so hard about a Clone Technique? You just pour in some Aura and move around a bit. Why make such a fuss about being a ninja or whatever? That’s why you guys are small-fry.”
“What?”
Some of the ninjas flared up in anger. I didn't miss the opening they exposed. Moving my clone and my main body simultaneously, I slaughtered two of them, looted the shuriken and throwing stars from their robes, and scattered them.
“Aaargh!”
“Traitor or guard, it doesn't matter! Kill him!”
The ninjas swarmed me. There were dozens of them. How the hell were they all hiding in a single-story house? I counterattacked while dodging with divine skill, but with two High-Rank Ninjas in the mix, it was difficult to evade every strike.
“Captain! When are you coming in?!”
“Thanks to you, Ohwan has seized the ledgers. Leave the rest to me.”
Serika, having burst out from the basement, smiled. My heart throbbed like a boy in his first love. To think the day would come when my cute Serika looked this cool.
“Behold. This is the sword of the guard who protects the Hugo Kingdom.”
Serika’s sword swung in a great arc. She performed a feat known in martial arts as a Sword Curtain. A wide expanse of Aura, spread thin like a veil, occupied the space and pulverized everything it touched.
Flash—
One High-Rank Ninja appeared to die upon touching the Sword Curtain, but in the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind Serika, aiming for her neck.
The glint on his dagger made it clear it was coated in poison.
“Captain!”
Just as I threw my clone forward to protect her, Serika’s body vanished. My inner narrator instinct momentarily kicked in.
“Phantom Movement?”
“And what is that?”
Serika, appearing behind the High-Rank Ninja, muttered as she swung her blade. The High-Rank Ninja’s head flew off cleanly.
“I’m just saying you’re cool, Captain.”
“Hehe. Are you only realizing that now?”
“Actually, I’ve known since the day we met. I fell for you then, which is why I made you mine.”
“Hmph... Watch the time and place.”
The blushing Serika was as cute as ever. The blood on her cheeks and uniform didn't diminish her charm in the slightest.
“M-Monster.”
“Let’s catch the ones running away before we talk more.”
“I’ll take the High-Rank Ninja.”
“I trust you.”
I quickly pursued the High-Rank Ninja. One was dead, but I had a feeling this remaining one was the same guy who had tried to stop Akisa.
“Don’t follow me!”
“That just makes me want to chase you more!”
“You’ll regret following me!”
For someone running away, he sure had a big mouth. He was a High-Rank Ninja, but unlike Akiko, who was a Mid-Rank Aura User, this guy was at the same level as me, making it difficult to close the distance.
It didn't seem to be a clone, so I kept up the chase, but it wasn't easy. Wait? This route?
“Hey, Ninja! Look to your side!”
“You can’t fool me...”
My clone, which had popped out from the side of the High-Rank Ninja, launched a full-body tackle. Of all the escape routes to pick, he chose this one.
“What was that?”
“Something fell from the sky.”
The eyes of the people on the street where the High-Rank Ninja crashed were drawn to the scene. I quickly leaped down from the roof and shouted.
“Everyone, get back! He’s a criminal!”
“Hieee! It’s a guard!”
“No, wait. That’s Lord Sma! Lord Sma is fair and just!”
“Woooah! It’s Lord Sma!”
No, I told you to run away, so why are you cheering? Still, it makes me feel proud, like I haven't lived my life in vain. Come to think of it, I’ve done quite a lot for the residents of this eroge world...
I fucked Iruna, I fucked Tanya... Why do these people like me? This is why media manipulation is so scary.
It was about time for the ninja to react, but his lack of movement was suspicious, so I sent the clone in first. As expected, the High-Rank Ninja’s body vanished and simultaneously took the clone’s head.
“Chiksho! Another clone?!”
“Peek-a-boo. Fooled you, didn't I?”
That’s the end of the clones. They’re useful for deception, but their performance relative to Aura consumption is a bit ambiguous. Instead, I’ll settle this with my main body.
“Ninja, you who disturb the peace of the Kingdom! I am placing you under arrest!”
“Woooah!!”
“Sma! Sma! Sma!”
Even I felt cringey saying it, but the residents loved it. I channeled the residents' desires into my sword.
Meaning, I flared my Aura out over a meter. Seeing the glowing blade, the High-Rank Ninja swallowed hard.
“I will never...”
BOOM—
Something massive crushed the High-Rank Ninja. A crater formed in the ground. Ohwan, standing nearly two meters tall, looked down at me while holding the bloodied ninja.
“Ah, my apologies. Did I take your kill?”
“No... Finders keepers, I suppose.”
“Indeed. Sorry for stealing the achievement of the man Serika loves.”
Seriously, this old man. Just wait until I reach the Highest-Rank. I’ll show him the true meaning of Korean filial piety.
* * *
The ninja subjugation ended in success. For starters, my clone had completely decimated one ninja safe house. In the safe house raided with the Guard Captains, we captured a High-Rank Ninja who was a key intelligence agent for the Stejaishi Empire, and we also discovered ledgers they hadn't managed to destroy.
Among them was a list of names of those who had collaborated with the Stejaishi Empire to leak information from the Hugo Kingdom. Using this as a basis, the Hugo Kingdom purged the internal enemies and simultaneously issued a public statement condemning the Stejaishi Empire.
—What is the reason for stockpiling weapons and training troops lately? Why have you deployed forces near our borders? Why have you shamelessly infiltrated a large number of spies? All of this points to one thing. Stejaishi was plotting a treacherous scheme to launch a surprise attack on our Kingdom. The Empire must explain itself immediately! Otherwise, we will declare war.
It was something along those lines. I wasn't interested in the statement. My interest was in the award ceremony to be held in a few days.
“You’re amazing, Oppa. Your face is plastered all over the front page of the Kingdom’s newspaper.”
I was enjoying my vacation earned from the ninja subjugation, sitting on a rocking chair in the garden, when Iruna came running with a newspaper. My eyes were drawn to her breasts, which were swaying under her thin dress—thinner than the fluttering piece of paper catching the wind.
Are those watermelons or breasts? Maybe it’s because she’s pregnant, but they seem even bigger than watermelons. After her breasts bounced a few more times, Akiko appeared.
“Running is not good for the fetus.”
“Elizabeth said moderate exercise is fine. In fact, she said staying still all the time will lower my stamina and make childbirth harder.”
Iruna had started speaking informally to all the women. She had refused at first, but it was forced upon her, with the others insisting she be respected as the first wife.
“Our Goddess presides over love. Love includes marriage and childbirth. Therefore, I know more about childcare than anyone else here.”
Serika, who had been busy harvesting Mint Choco Pineapple Herbs nearby, brushed off the dirt.
“I’ll have to seek Elizabeth’s help when I get pregnant as well.”
“Captain Serika, you said you’re receiving a commendation this time too, right?”
“That is correct. Though Sma will receive the greatest honor. Iruna, could you give me that newspaper?”
Her speech was informal yet polite. Iruna had asked her to be comfortable, but Serika insisted on that tone out of respect for the first wife.
“Here!”
“Ho. He truly is handsome. As expected of our man. Since the photo is so dashing, women who fall for it might start sending marriage proposals.”
Serika chuckled, as if she found her own words funny.
“Though I doubt any will actually come through. Not with so many people already here.”
Serika was right. Just looking at the people in the garden now: Serika, Iruna, Elizabeth, Akiko, and... not in a doghouse, but Cathy, who was purring in the garden villa.
“Lady Cathy. It is time for your afternoon meal.”
“Ah. Isn't that the scary woman-nyan? I’ll enjoy the food today too-nyan.”
“I am not scary...”
“Funyahahat! With Aura that thick, how can you not be scary-nyan! You’re good at joking!”
Akisa was here too. Since Akisa was still bad at maid work, she had been put in charge of Cathy’s meals.
“Once everyone is gathered, it’ll take an entire day just to embrace everyone.”
“That’s true.”
Serika and Iruna gave me a light scolding. Normally, I’d have no excuse, but now I had a secret weapon.
“Can you still say that after seeing this?”
“Wait, there are two of me?”
“I can even make three.”
As I used the Clone Technique, my body split into three. The women’s eyes began to sparkle.