Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: An Unwelcome Reunion
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The group was guided to an office inside the main building.
Although it was a Union branch office, it didn't seem to be used as one.
A glance at the displayed goods and stacked documents gave the impression of a merchant company's office.
The Runner from the Practical Division introduced himself as Boris.
"I am the only full-time member stationed at this branch."
Oscar, Sienna, and Loan nodded as if this were expected.
Lucas, the only one who didn't, couldn't help but ask.
"I heard Dighton was a small city, but can you really handle it all by yourself?"
Just like with the Stability Division, he really didn't know anything.
As Oscar sighed, Loan answered.
"The Practical Division operates by blending into the daily lives of the local populace. They're a unit specialized in gathering information and monitoring situations that way."
“…”
"Blending in means living as an ordinary citizen, not a Union member. It's easier to move around without drawing attention if you're alone."
"So that's why you're not in uniform, and why this place looks like a merchant company's office."
This time, Boris answered.
"That's right. This is the office of a trading company involved in intermediary trade. We actually conduct business, too. And to add, under normal circumstances, I can handle it alone."
Because of this, the Practical Division had to be skilled in various odd jobs, and their combat style was specialized for one-versus-many situations.
It was why they primarily used throwing weapons.
"We've wasted enough time. Continue."
At Oscar's words, the briefing resumed.
From what they heard, Le Tell had completely vanished from Dighton.
This was always the way of the Dark Cult.
They would sow their seeds across the continent, and if a problem arose, they would quickly disappear without a trace.
It was easier to take over something that already existed than to start from scratch.
Like mold.
"However, Libertha is now filling the void left by Le Tell."
"Just as I thought. I heard rumors on the way here. It seems those bastards have moved up quite a bit."
Libertha was one of the Graves gnawing away at the continent.
They called themselves a free mercenary corps, but in reality, they were a coalition of villains who committed heinous acts.
They revered only military might.
They believed that ignoring order and indulging one's base instincts was the most natural way to live. The number of murders and rapes they committed were treated like medals of honor.
Scum that shouldn't be left in this world had burrowed into the space Le Tell had left behind. In that way, a balance was somehow maintained.
"Yes. They've absorbed the local criminal organization in Dighton and are operating in the shadows of the city, causing trouble. It seems they've been rapidly expanding their influence lately."
Loan, after respectfully greeting his senior, cautiously spoke up.
"When you say the criminal organization that was here, are you perhaps referring to the Manson Gang?"
"Hm?"
The young Oz's expression seemed to ask how he knew such a minor detail.
Loan answered immediately.
"I'm from the orphanage here."
"Ah… so you're Loan."
"You know of me?"
"It'd be stranger if I didn't. I thought there was something uniquely striking about your appearance."
His words managed to put down the other two men in one fell swoop.
Realizing this, Boris immediately apologized to Oscar.
Oscar stroked his beard unnecessarily and said.
"Isn't it stranger for you to apologize to me? How do you manage a branch office with such a lack of tact…"
He trailed off, but a faint smile graced his face. Seeing that it was a joke, Boris was able to relax.
He turned the topic back to Loan.
"It's been a while since you've been back, but we didn't even give you time to look around. Besides this office, the main building is completely empty. The old dormitory is still in operation, though. Is there anyone you wish to meet?"
"No. There isn't."
"Hmm. I see."
Those with whom he had shared affection, and those who had tried to use him—none of them remained.
Noah, his old roommate, or the other children he had lived with might still be there, but he had no particular desire to see them.
Loan asked.
"How strong are they?"
"We've managed to keep them under control so far, but we need to clean them up once before they get any bigger."
Evil was bound to seep in one way or another, and if they weren't rooted out in time, the region would slowly be eaten away.
Only ordinary people would suffer.
If left alone, it might turn into another Le Tell situation, which had dominated the orphanage for years.
"Is the Dighton crossroads the main area where they commit their crimes?"
Boris gave a slight nod and spread a large map of Dighton on the table.
Looking at the layout, the days he had spent wandering the alleys naturally resurfaced in Loan's mind.
Boris pointed to a spot on the map with the end of a stick.
"As Loan said, the Libertha gang, which has absorbed the local criminal group known as the Manson Gang, is currently setting up its headquarters near the Dighton crossroads. Their numbers are constantly increasing."
After explaining that they had abandoned unprofitable ventures like begging and completely switched to robbery.
"Their leader is a seventeen-year-old boy, said to have been personally taught swordsmanship by a high-ranking member of Libertha."
"Just a boy?"
Oscar, having asked the question, glanced unconsciously at his own son.
They were the same age.
Lucas's mouth formed a small 'o', his eyes filled with considerable admiration.
"I happened to face him two years ago, and even then, he was at a considerable level. It was my mistake not to have rooted him out completely."
Two years ago, he would have been fifteen.
No matter how evil the opponent, it wouldn't be easy to raise a hand against a boy.
But Oscar showed no mercy.
"To think the Practical Division would hesitate."
"I am still reflecting on my actions."
Loan whispered to Lucas.
"The Practical Division is so ruthless that assassination is one of their specialties. Their roots are in Rhodes."
"Rhodes…"
Sensing the conversation was about to get lengthy, Oscar asked Boris.
"What is the description of this boy, the leader?"
"He looks old for his age, enough to pass for an adult. He has a large build, too."
"His name?"
"He is known only as Balder."
"Huh?"
Loan let out a sound of surprise.
Boris nodded and said.
"Yes. There's a rumor that he's from the orphanage. Do you happen to know the name?"
"I do."
A strange connection.
It was surprising that he had become a leader, but at the same time, it was understandable.
When no one could handle mana, there wasn't a single peer who could beat him.
If his cunning and quick-wittedness had caught someone's eye, and he had learned mana and swordsmanship, it might just be possible.
"Loan, does this connection trouble you?"
To Oscar's question, Loan answered calmly.
"No, sir. If he is the leader of such a group, I cannot let him be, even if we have a past."
He was a full-fledged member of the Union.
Oscar turned his gaze to Boris.
"If you think you might hesitate again, you can rest at the branch."
"That was two years ago."
As if spurred on by the Oz from another division, a rather firm reply came back.
Oscar nodded, satisfied.
"Then we will completely clear Libertha out of Dighton before they grow any larger, and then we'll move on."
Without even time to recover from their journey, they immediately launched into a meeting.
Boris pointed at the map and said.
"Here, here, and here. These three are their hideouts, and all three can be considered main bases. The leadership shows up randomly at all three. They usually wear red mufflers around their necks, a symbol of Libertha."
"What are their numbers?"
"More than twenty at each location."
Oscar nodded, then looked around at everyone and said.
"I'll take point one. Sienna and Lucas will take point two. Lucas, do not disturb your senior with useless questions. Boris and Loan will take point three together. As this is a Faith Division mission, Boris, you will focus on support rather than hierarchy."
A truly simple and rational deployment of personnel.
Considering the numbers, it was the obvious choice. They had to strike all three simultaneously to uproot them.
It was the way the Faith Division always operated.
Oscar stood up from his seat and said.
"Leave no one behind."
The Vice Commander's order was for complete annihilation.
There was no time to waste.
* * *
A Runner from the Practical Division and an Oz from the Faith Division ran side by side.
Their speed was unbelievable.
Boris was inwardly shocked that Loan was keeping pace with him.
Due to the nature of their division, the Practical Division excelled in movement techniques. It was a necessity for a single person to cover a large area.
He had considered his own movement skills to be second to none…
Boris understood that the bold spirit Loan had shown during the meeting was backed by real skill.
And Oscar's words, which seemed to rely on Loan more than on him.
While scouting the surroundings from a low roof, he was about to offer a word of praise.
"The Practical Division is truly amazing. I heard your mobility rivals that of the Faith Division, and your movement technique has a remarkable depth, senior."
Instead, he received praise from Loan.
"Ahem. Yes. I was just marveling at your own achievements."
"I suppose it's because the streets are familiar to me. I spent my childhood here, after all."
In fact, the place they were about to strike was in an alley that remained vivid in Loan's memory.
Loan had eaten ice cream for the first time at a cafe at the entrance of that alley.
It was now empty, seemingly out of business.
"It used to be a rather clean alley. There were high-end restaurants and cafes, too."
"The famine has been long. When commerce ceases, spaces change."
The abandoned buildings were covered in graffiti, and the street was incredibly dirty.
Naturally, a few vagrants were sleeping in the corners.
"I don't see any beggars."
"After they absorbed the Manson Gang, you could say their line of work completely changed. They're the type who believe villainy is their job."
"Then, let's go."
Loan urged Boris on, who wanted to observe the atmosphere a little longer.
For him, who could see mana, the current situation was just a waste of time.
Boris said in a serious tone.
"It's better not to rush and mess things up…"
"If things go wrong, I will be the one to take responsibility. We are in the middle of a Faith Division mission."
“…”
Seeing his companion's silence, Loan immediately leaped off the roof.
With Convection under his feet, his landing was incredibly soft. The sleeping vagrants didn't sense a thing.
*CRASH—!*
Not until Loan kicked the door down with a loud noise.
"H-Hey!"
The startled Boris immediately threw himself down, but by then, Loan had already made his move.
The heart of the man running toward the broken door was completely pierced.
Loan's Sheville formed a long tail and shot forward like a snake slithering through the air.
As another man, startled by the loud noise, came out, the Sheville flew toward his neck.
With a slicing sound, a head rolled on the ground.
Without even glancing at the falling corpse, Loan went up one floor, and then another.
After eliminating two more, he finally set foot in Libertha's hideout.
Over a dozen men were just starting to move, weapons in hand.
Loan stood still and straightened his clothes.
"Union?"
He paid no mind to the sound.
He simply stared at the man in the center of the room, who was lounging with his arms draped over the back of a large sofa.
Only then.
As if he'd seen a ghost, Balder's eyes went wide.
Loan smiled and spoke in an incredibly soft tone.
"Balder. Could you stand up and face that wall over there?"
Balder suddenly started to rise from his seat, to move his body.
Unconsciously, reflexively.
As the gazes of his men gathered on him, Balder finally understood his predicament and suddenly shouted.
"You crazy bastard!"
Loan's smile slowly faded.
"That wasn't a request this time."