Chapter 122 - Owning Our Identity
Despite being relatively minor, the Kikyo Society steadily gains a reputation, attracting applicants from all over the world. Their backgrounds, races, experiences, and ages vary widely, but most are ambitious women. Some are just down on their luck, while others come seeking protection from authorities they can't trust.
We have our fair share of bad press, but we're far from a large organization. Still, a steady stream of visitors comes through our doors. The Kikyo Society doesn't turn anyone away. If they ask for help, we do our best to provide it, though we do turn away those who misinterpret our mission.
We explain the dangers, the job responsibilities, and the benefits in detail. Few are scared off, but a fair number drop out during the initial training. For those who knock on our door, we do our best to find them work if they so desire.
No matter how talentless they may be, anyone who completes the Kikyo Society's rigorous training period will undoubtedly gain a certain level of strength. Not only do they receive physical training, but they also gain a solid foundation of knowledge through lectures. Some even discover unexpected talents here.
Most importantly, they must develop the will to overcome difficulties. Without it, they won't make it. Even those with poor physical condition can improve with consistent training, and their efforts will yield results.
That's why we don't give up on them. As long as they don't give up, we'll support them, even if it takes time. The standards for becoming a full member of the Kikyo Society are high, and if someone ultimately can't meet them, we'll have to let them go. So far, no one has reached that point. If they have a place to return to, it's for the best.
Our training might be harsh, but it can also be nurturing. New members are rarely placed on the front lines of danger. Unlike other underground organizations, our apprentices are never used as expendable pawns. Our leaders take the lead in dangerous situations.
Leaders protect the apprentices, who grow stronger by following their example. Strong leaders inspire trust, and apprentices strive to become like them. It's a virtuous cycle that you won't find elsewhere.
Today, we're celebrating another graduation. As a symbol of their new status, we give them black and off-white coats emblazoned with the Kikyo Society's crest.
"Brillonvest just delivered the coats we ordered. Should I call the apprentices?" Frederica reported as I entered the office from my room.
"Sure. They must be excited. Let's get them their coats."
This marks the birth of new Kikyo Society members, officially making them part of our family. It's a happy day.
"Yes, I'll start the preparations," Frederica said, beginning to set up.
Even after graduation, the rigorous training continues. No matter which unit they join, they'll face challenges. Especially those assigned to the Combat Unit, where the real combat training begins.
The Combat Unit members must be strong; we won't tolerate anything less. If they're satisfied with mediocrity, they'll die quickly. I won't allow anyone who bears the name of the Kikyo Society to die. They must survive any difficulty and achieve their goals.
The standards are high, but those who complete the training have the potential to grow. They've already gained significant physical abilities and increased magical power, making their progress in training smoother.
They're promising talents, and we have high hopes for them.
However, good news is often followed by something troublesome. One afternoon, a man came to us with a plea.
"P-Please help me! President, can you avenge my daughter!?"
It was a plea from a stranger. I'd rather ignore him, but he apparently does business in our territory, making it hard to turn him away. According to him, his daughter was brutally killed by a notorious rogue adventurer.
It's a sad story, and if we'd been there, we would have dealt with it immediately. The problem is, people shouldn't think they can ask us to do anything just because they ask. Especially not for a killing. Revenge, essentially, means finding and killing the perpetrator.
I don't like being asked to kill. We don't shy away from dealing with enemies, and sometimes it results in death, but the Kikyo Society isn't a group of assassins.
It's not like I'd do it just because a stranger asks.
"...Do you consider me a close friend to make such a request?"
The Kikyo Society, and I as its president, have no reason to oblige a random man. It's unusual for me to even engage in this conversation. I'm just bored today.
"I-I just moved here recently."
"Since when have you been doing business in our territory?"
"Money! I paid last time, didn't I? I thought you'd protect me. If it's not enough, I'll pay more. Just do it!"
Even if he gets angry, it doesn't change anything. If something bad happens in our territory, we might feel some responsibility, but protection money doesn't mean we'll protect everyone all the time. We certainly don't owe this man a personal favor.
However, we can't let anyone cause trouble in our territory, whether they're rogue adventurers or not. We'll deal with them eventually.
We often get requests from people in our territory. Most are for resolving disputes or mediating conflicts, which helps build trust and benefits us. The Kikyo Society can usually settle things quickly when we step in.
But revenge isn't something we do lightly.
"I'll refuse. We'll increase patrols to deal with the rogue adventurers, though."
"Why not! I'll pay more!"
"How much more?"
"Wait a minute, you're asking the Kikyo Society to do a killing?"
His daughter might have been killed, but we can't let killings be seen as cheap.
"Only if it were someone close to me. You're not a friend or even an acquaintance. Imagine if someone asked you to kill someone out of the blue."
"So, you'll just let those rogue adventurers run wild!?"
It's annoying. The man's complaints are tiresome, but I sympathize with his loss.
"Hey, old man. Why don't you do it yourself if you're so desperate?"
Bonnie, who had been listening from the side, chimed in. She's right, but it's a harsh thing to say to someone unfamiliar with violence. The rogue adventurers are dangerous, no matter how despicable they are.
The man couldn't respond, so Bonnie continued.
"Too scared to do it yourself, huh? So you came crying to us. How much money have you brought?"
Her words are rough, but Bonnie is a kind-hearted woman. She's a fighter, but she's not a bad person. She's not stupid, just a bit rough around the edges. I'll leave this to her.
After a moment of silence, the man spoke, seeing a glimmer of hope.
"I don't have much on hand, but I can offer everything I own. Three million Gist, I can get it quickly."
Three million? That's nothing. It's not about the money, anyway.
"You think I'll do a killing for that measly amount? I'll kill you instead."
Her threat was genuine, filled with lethal intent. The man, trembling and pale, tried to plead.
"I know I can't do it myself! I have no other choice but to ask you!"
Hmph, it's a reverse temper tantrum, but I can feel his desperation.
Bonnie, who had been staring at the man, turned to me.
"Yukari, let me handle this. I'm off today, so it's fine, right?"
"If you're willing to deal with the pests, it'll be a help. Do as you see fit."
"Heh, I'll expect you to buy me a drink when I get back."
With a swirl of her black coat, the fighter left. Her destination was obvious.
The man, looking bewildered, stood there in a daze.
"Regardless of your reasons, we'll deal with the rogue adventurers in our territory. They might include your daughter's killer. That's all I can say."
"What about the money!?"
"We don't need it. Frankly, the idea of us moving for such a small amount is insulting."
Such a paltry sum shouldn't be enough to make the Kikyo Society do a killing. We don't want that rumor to spread.
I'm not being malicious. We have our reasons, and I'm being honest.
The personal revenge of a stranger isn't important to us. There are countless people whose families have been killed by criminals.
The Kikyo Society could have killed this man for asking, but we have bigger issues. Rogue adventurers causing trouble in our territory are a bigger concern.
We don't care about the specific circumstances. The rogue adventurers will be eliminated, whether for revenge or not. If Bonnie hadn't taken the job, I would have dealt with them myself.
In short, he should have just asked for help with the problem, not for personal revenge. If he had said, "There are rogue adventurers causing trouble, can you help?" we would have acted naturally.
Even if it's complicated, we have our reputation to uphold. The Kikyo Society isn't a group of do-gooders, and neither am I. We can reject anything that doesn't suit us, no matter how righteous it seems.
We're kind to our own, merciless to our enemies. We help the wicked if we like them and silence the annoyingly loud. If that gives us a bad reputation, so be it. So what?