Chapter 126 - The Fate of the 'Heroes'
I bundled up the culprits we caught underground and tossed them into a classroom, then just gave a quick greeting to the Chairperson and left the rest to them. After all, this is a school in the administrative district, so the Kikyo Society shouldn't be the ones taking over. No, I'm not running away from trouble; it's just that everyone has their own jurisdiction.
First, I needed to inform my team that the situation was under control, so I returned to the classroom where we had first stormed in.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Everything's taken care of. Nothing happened on your end?"
In the classroom Verone and the Young Master were guarding, the faculty members were still waiting.
"Everything's fine. They seem a bit worried, but they understand the chaos we were in."
I'm grateful for these reasonable adults. If they weren't, we would have had to use force to silence them, and that's something I'd rather avoid if possible.
"Are you the president of the Kikyo Society?"
A well-dressed gentleman had chosen this moment to speak. He looked like a middle-aged man, but he exuded a commanding presence.
"Right, I'm the president, Shinogami. And you are?"
"I'm Schmidt, the Chairperson of the school. I would like to speak with you privately, if possible?"
Hmm, so this is the Chairperson. He seems to have the grace to handle my rude gaze and demeanor.
"Sure, I don't see why not. It's safe now, so everyone else can move around freely. However, we need to clean up the enemies we've taken down first. Verone, some of the captured enemies are in an empty classroom on the first floor. Can you gather the rest and bring them there?"
"Got it. We'll get right on it. We also need to collect the bodies from the roof."
"Right, and while you're free to move around the building, please don't let anyone leave yet."
"Understood."
The enemies weren't just delinquent adventurers. There could be a traitor among us, and they might be in this very classroom. All the faculty members have been gathered here, but it's also possible they weren't at the school to begin with. Either way, it doesn't matter.
Verone and the Young Master carried the delinquent adventurers and started the cleanup. As the faculty members began to move, only the Chairperson and I were left behind.
"Looks like it's just the two of us now. What's on your mind?"
"No, let's move somewhere more private. Follow me."
We were led to the Chairperson's office on the first floor. It was a spacious room with a set of reception furniture, likely used to entertain guests. The decor was tastefully high-end, striking a balance that avoided the garishness of nouveau riche. Even with my limited knowledge, I could appreciate the quality. The room alone gave me a sense of the Chairperson's competence, though his failure to prevent this incident was a significant oversight.
While walking, I gave him a brief rundown of what happened underground, and it seemed Verone and the others had already informed him about our involvement.
We sat down on the luxurious sofas, and he started the conversation.
"First, I want to extend my gratitude. We all appreciate your swift resolution of the situation."
"This was for my own people. No need to thank me."
It's the truth. If he insists, I won't refuse, but I won't ask for it either.
"Still, the fact remains that you helped. Without your immediate action, the kidnappers might have escaped with the personal information."
Indeed, we managed to stop them just in time. We prevented the theft of valuable personal data and secured the culprits. If we had waited for the rescue team from the administrative district, the hostages might have been saved, but the personal information would have been lost, and who knows what would have happened to Sarah-chan.
"So, what do you want to talk about? If it's about what we saw underground, I have no intention of disclosing it."
"Your suspicion is understandable, but that's not an issue. What I need is a bit more of your cooperation. I believe you already know what I mean."
The traitor. By keeping everyone together, we ensure no one escapes. This also puts pressure on the traitor.
"If that's all, consider it done. No one will escape, and no one will get in."
Of course, no one will escape, but it's equally important that no one gets in. Anyone could be a hitman sent to silence us.
"Thank you. Please wait a moment."
"Hold on. If you're going to interrogate them, I have one more request."
I'm not particularly interested in the details of the incident, but there's one thing I need to confirm.
Was Sarah-chan's kidnapping accidental or intentional? Her magic aptitude is like Sophie's, a suppressive magic. It's not particularly valuable, and even with the aptitude, it takes a lot of practice to master. Naturally, Sarah-chan can't use advanced magic yet.
Was it a coincidence that she was kidnapped, or was she targeted because of her connection to the Kikyo Society? I need to know for sure.
"Additional questions won't be a problem. Please go ahead."
Good. With that said, I'll leave the rest to the Chairperson.
Speaking of which, will he conduct the interrogation himself? He seems like a gentleman, but he also seems capable. Still, I doubt it.
Until the Chairperson's business is done, the Kikyo Society will secure the school, both inside and out.
Our surveillance is extremely thorough. We have visual and magical surveillance, and even high-level illusions can be detected.
We have guards at the main gate, the back gate, and the hidden underground passages. I'm keeping watch from the roof. If anyone gets past this, I'll have to take my hat off to them.
Since I started my surveillance, a crowd has already gathered at the main and back gates. They're mostly parents and officials from the administrative district, who have come after receiving messages from messengers.
I want to return the children to their parents as soon as possible, but we can't let anyone leave yet. There might be a hitman among them, and we can't risk what might happen at the last minute.
As a substitute, I've asked Sophie and Lily, who are popular with children, to help the teachers take care of the kids.
Some of the parents are trying to push past Angelina and Brittany, but they don't flinch.
The Kikyo Society's Combat Unit isn't intimidated by anyone, but it's a tough job for them.
We don't want the Kikyo Society to be mistaken for terrorists, so we're having a trusted teacher explain the situation to the parents. However, since our members are doing the guarding, they're getting a lot of flak.
As we wait, a new group of guests arrives.
A group of men who look well-suited for rough tasks are approaching. Their equipment clearly marks them as adventurers. Their confident approach from the front suggests they've been officially dispatched for a rescue mission.
However, no matter how skilled and free-spirited these adventurers might be, their demeanor is highly questionable. I can confidently say they are allies of the delinquent adventurers.
I place a hand on Violante's shoulder, who has been alerting the surroundings.
"Can you pick up the voices of the adventurers who just arrived?"
"From this distance, I can pick them up clearly. Would you like me to relay your voice to Angelina as well?"
"Yes, please do that."
Violante is a skilled mage with a wind magic aptitude, capable of not only attacking but also relaying and intercepting voices.
With a slight adjustment, we should be able to hear their conversation, while my voice will only reach Angelina.
"Connecting now."
Let's see what they're saying.
"Hey, you big hunk of muscle. Get out of the way, or I'll kill you!"
"We were officially dispatched by the Adventurer Guild. Can't you see this document? Huh?"
"All you women are so unfriendly. Maybe I should show you some affection. You might look a bit better then."
"Shut up! We came all the way here to help!"
"Is it over already? I don't care. Just shut up, or I'll really kill you!"
"Who asked you to block us? You should be the ones to disappear! We'll investigate the scene and hand over the criminals!"
"Shut up, you outsiders! We'll break every bone in your bodies!"
"Old man and old woman, get lost! We were asked to come here. If you get in our way, we'll kill you!"
"Who cares if it's the Kikyo Society or whatever. This isn't a place for women to meddle. Move aside, okay?"
"This is getting annoying. Should we just kill them all...?"
"How about I have some fun while we're at it?"
"You idiot, the job comes first!"
This is bad. They seem frustrated and are showing their true colors.
Not only are our members, but even the school officials are being insulted. I can hear even more vulgar language.
The aggressive adventurers are openly intimidating everyone, and the non-Kikyo Society members seem intimidated. It's understandable.
As for Angelina and the others, they remain silent. No one says a word.
The saying "the weaker the dog, the more it barks" rings true here. From this distance, I can't see their expressions, but I imagine they're looking at these men as if they were vermin, standing silently and resolutely.
The adventurers are numerous, and soon someone will lose their patience.
When that happens, it will be our chance.
"Angelina, can you hear me? Let them make the first move. If they have official documents from the Adventurer Guild, we can't afford to make the first move. But if they attack first, it's a different story. There are plenty of witnesses, and we're just following the Chairperson's orders to secure the school. We won't let them complain about a fight they started."
"Leave it to me."
If it comes to it, we're ready to face anyone or any organization. But it's best to avoid unnecessary risks.
I could easily knock them down without hesitation, but I don't want to carry the burden of a conflict with the Adventurer Guild. They are a global organization, and making an enemy of them over this incident wouldn't be worth it.
"Hey, you damn amateurs!"
Suddenly, one of the adventurers drew his sword and lunged at Angelina.
The leader of the Kikyo Society's Combat Unit, standing guard, reacted in a simple yet effective way. She didn't even move.
She didn't draw her weapon or dodge. She just let the sword bounce off her dark cloak, which, infused with mana, was more durable than any heavy armor.
After deflecting the sword, she delivered a powerful punch to the adventurer's jaw, knocking him out cold. The adventurer, with his jaw shattered, writhed in pain, but considering the consequences of his actions, he had no right to complain.
The fight quickly escalated into a chaotic brawl, but the Combat Unit members didn't fall behind.
They quickly subdued all the adventurers, and for a while, no one in the crowd said a word.
Later, when the Chairperson requested the end of the surveillance, the children were finally reunited with their parents and the crowd dispersed.
Before leaving, I asked the Chairperson about why Sarah-chan was kidnapped.
"From the interrogation, it seems to have been a coincidence. They only saw her as a hostage during their escape."
"Hmm, that's good to know. I'll leave the cleanup to you, right?"
"I can't burden you further. Did something happen outside?"
"Yes, the Adventurer Guild sent a rescue team, but we took care of them. Can you handle the aftermath?"
"They are colleagues of the ones we captured. I will formally protest to the Guild."
So, it was planned. That's why you had us secure the school. This guy reminds me of Rosmerta in the Royal Capital.
As long as we can settle the score with the troublemakers, we don't care about the identity of the traitor. It's someone I don't know anyway.
"Let us know if anything happens. We won't let the Adventurer Guild off the hook either. See you."
Well, let's go home.
On the way back, we walked slowly, surrounding Sarah-chan.
Despite the frightening experience, she seems unchanged. She's as bright and cheerful as ever.
Sophie and Sarah-chan were holding hands, and Verone, curious, asked her a question.
"Weren't you scared?"
"Not at all! The sisters are much scarier when they're angry."
...Ah, I see. I didn't think we looked scary in front of Sarah-chan, but she must have seen us during combat training or when we've had to deal with troublemakers in the store. It makes sense.
"Eh? Really?"
Verone seemed a bit shocked, but the others, aware of their own intimidating presence, laughed.
The school arc ends here.
There will be a few more short episodes before a recap chapter, followed by new developments. (Planned!)
Also, due to a move, there's a possibility that next week's update will be delayed. (Possible!)
Everything is planned to go smoothly, but anything can happen.