Chapter 180 - The Truth Behind the Easygoing One
Driving the jeep with Valeria by my side, I pondered the battlefield we were about to face. Our destination was the Clad Family’s main house. The Clad Family is the largest organization among the Five Great Families of Exembra. Not only do they have a vast number of combatants, but they also boast several powerful fighters, including the wielder of Cloud Cutter. Their financial resources are abundant, rivaling even those of the nobility. They have connections in both the open and the underground, and their influence extends into politics and business. With money and connections, most things are possible. Their network and alliances are said to span beyond their territory, reaching into other countries. While the size of their territory in Exembra is on par with the other Five Great Families, their level of development is unmatched.
The Anastasia Union, which has already withdrawn, and the Snake Head Society are both originally from other countries. The McDallian Family is said to have split from the Clad Family long ago, and the differences in their organizational strength are likely due to the different foundations they have built in this city.
The Clad Family is strong in many ways. Even within the Kikyo Society, we might play around with them, but we’d avoid a serious fight. No matter the outcome, the damage would be catastrophic.
This top-tier family in Exembra has now allied with the ultra-militant organization, the Anastasia Union. Despite the absence of their primary combatants and the weakening caused by the Gandrault Gang's surprise attack, the high individual combat strength of the Anastasia Union makes them a formidable partner.
The true strength of the Gandrault Gang, however, remains a mystery. They, like the Clad Family, have been around in Exembra for ages. But compared to the Clads, their presence is somewhat lacking. They are known for their overt use of violence to instill fear, but there are no reports of exceptional strongmen or powerful connections to nobles or guilds. Their primary involvement seems to be in human trafficking, stolen goods, and illegal drug transactions. They are essentially a local thug organization in a backwater town.
Before the conflict began, it was estimated that their numbers were less than half of the Clad Family’s. However, the current situation is unclear. There must be a reason for their bold attack on a superior force.
Given that the attack on the Anastasia Union involved a poisonous mist generated by magical devices, it’s likely they have similar traps set up at the Clad Family’s estate. This could render any numerical advantage irrelevant, and even the strongest fighters would be incapacitated by the poison. Their confidence in launching an attack makes sense in this context.
I think the Anastasia Union might have provided information about the red mist, but if they couldn’t neutralize it in time, the outcome would be the same. Moreover, the setup of such magical devices might not have been communicated even to my younger sister. There’s a possibility that the Kikyo Society, which had already neutralized the traps, moved in before the Gandrault Gang did. We, who can move freely through the toxic mist, would be their worst enemies.
“Hmm, this doesn’t seem good,” I muttered.
“What’s wrong, Onee-sama?”
Valeria’s usual demeanor, sitting beside me, has a calming effect. I’m not the type to get easily flustered, but the presence of a soothing influence makes a difference. My younger sister’s calming effect is quite potent.
“Just a bad feeling. And this sound...”
As I was about to voice my vague premonition, the signs of a battle appeared. We had just entered the Clad Family’s territory, and our destination was still far away. Yet, a battle was already underway. I initially thought it was an unrelated conflict, but it piqued my interest enough to change course. The sounds of sword clashes indicated that this was not a civilian dispute but a fight involving armed groups. I usually ignore brawls between drunk adventurers, but this seemed different.
As we turned a corner, a spell exploded, blowing up a store a few dozen meters ahead. It looked like no one was inside, but the storefront was in shambles. Spells continued to fly erratically, and it seemed like stray shots were landing. Despite it being late at night, these troublemakers were incredibly disruptive.
The sight of the reckless destruction was unmistakable: the Gandrault Gang.
I stopped the jeep to observe the situation.
“What are they doing here? I thought they were attacking the Clad Family’s main house?”
“A diversion, perhaps?”
A diversion. It’s possible, but it doesn’t align with the reports of a swift attack on the main house.
Upon reflection, the Clad Family has a considerable number of members. It’s unlikely that all of them are at the main house. Most are probably scattered across other locations, guarding various territories and key points. They have the manpower to defend all their areas simultaneously, so there’s no need to concentrate their forces at one location.
From the Gandrault Gang’s perspective, it’s impossible to face all of the Clads at once. Attacking only the main house would leave them vulnerable to reinforcements. A simultaneous, multi-pronged attack is more effective. By disrupting communication and coordination, they can isolate and overwhelm the Clads. The Gandrault Gang is known for their ruthless tactics and have no qualms about causing chaos in other territories. Their primary target, Balgar Clad, is likely to be assassinated in a swift strike. Even a large organization would be thrown into disarray without its leader, and they aim to end the conflict quickly.
There are probably more traps and diversions. Sigh, it’s not worth my time to worry about the details. I’ll leave that to the experts. The Intelligence Bureau should be monitoring the situation.
The battle in front of us isn’t our concern. This is the Clad Family’s territory, and they can handle it. We decided to continue to the rendezvous point with the Ninth Combat Unit as planned.
We drove the jeep, occasionally hearing distant sounds of battle. Just as we were following the route Josephine had given us, we sensed something amiss.
Bad feelings and predictions often come true. Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising.
“Look, Onee-sama, there’s a red mist. It’s huge.”
“Yes, I see it. The Gandrault Gang did this.”
The Clad Family’s main house is vast, similar in size to the McDallian Family’s and the Anastasia Union’s headquarters. A massive red haze envelops the entire area. From a distance, it looks like that’s the case.
Compared to the previous incident, the scale is much larger. Multiple magical devices must be set up. Even if they were brought in secretly, it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t be detected with so many.
From the Anastasia Union’s perspective, falling for the same trick twice is inevitable. Once they realize it, their only option is to flee. Whether they can do so safely is another matter.
As we approached the Ninth Combat Unit’s rendezvous point, we heard more battle sounds. Exchanging glances with Valeria, we decided to hurry.
Our destination was a high ground, a relatively large park within the Clad Family’s territory, offering a good vantage point to observe the situation. There was a chance we might run into the enemy, but it was a risk we had to take.
When we arrived at the park, the battle was in full swing. We needed to time our intervention carefully. If they were at a disadvantage, we would intervene. But if they were holding their own and had a solid formation, it would be difficult to join in.
“It shouldn’t take long. Should we observe for a bit?”
“Sure, but we should also be wary of reinforcements. The rest can be handled by Liliane and the others.”
We decided to watch the battle, particularly the performance of the Ninth Combat Unit’s leader, Liliane.
Liliane, a former adventurer and a gentle-tempered elf, specializes in high-powered magical combat. Her gentle demeanor is a misconception; she’s a formidable fighter.
Albert, the leader of the Third Combat Unit, is a wild elf who uses a hammer as a hobby but is an exceptional archer, fitting the elf stereotype. Liliane, on the other hand, can’t use a bow and instead wields a baton, making her a unique fighter.
Elves have multiple magical aptitudes, but Liliane excels in wind magic. While her support magic is weak, her offensive magic is highly specialized. She can create tornadoes and powerful downbursts, and her skills in close combat have improved since joining the Kikyo Society, making her even more deadly.
The Ninth Combat Unit, centered around Liliane, forms a square formation, using defensive magic to block the Gandrault Gang’s ranged attacks. Despite the close-quarters combat, the Ninth Combat Unit’s advantage is clear. Their counterattacks are diverse, powerful, and precise. The enemy is tough, but the one-sided nature of the battle doesn’t require our intervention.
Among the various attacks, one spell stands out for its terrifying effect. The enemy’s bodies swell and burst, a result of Liliane’s wind magic.
“Amazing, as always...”
“I agree. That spell is nearly impossible to counter on first encounter.”
While common wind magic involves compressed air projectiles, Liliane’s technique compresses a continuous stream of wind, similar to a pump and hose. She sends a high-pressure blast of wind into the enemy’s body, causing it to swell and explode. Her precision and accuracy are unparalleled. Without knowing the mechanics, it’s hard to imagine how it works.
Many fighters open their mouths to cast spells or shout, making them vulnerable. Even full-face helmets offer little protection against this terrifying spell, which could be one of the strongest in a first encounter.
Liliane rarely uses such spells, but I ordered her to stand by for vengeance. She might be venting her anger here.
She is indeed strong. As a leader of a combat unit, she has earned her position through sheer skill. In the Kikyo Society, where combat prowess is essential, only the most capable can lead. Talent is irrelevant; only constant effort makes it possible.
The camaraderie and rivalry among my teammates push them to become stronger. They teach each other new skills, strategies, and the potential for unknown magic.
I am strong, and so are my team members. But our strength comes from working together. That’s why I have confidence in the Kikyo Society. We are strong, and I have no doubt we can prevail against any opponent.
At a critical moment, one of the unit members created a strong cocoon to enclose the enemy. This is a tactic the Ninth Combat Unit excels at. The cocoon, though not extremely durable, only needs to hold for a short time. The dense cocoon blocks air, and the air is rapidly extracted through a small hole, creating a vacuum. Once the enemy is trapped, the cocoon is compressed and burned with fire magic. The execution is flawless.
After the battle, we approached Liliane to gather information.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Yukarinowe. We were caught off guard.”
Don’t be fooled by her troubled smile and gentle demeanor. Liliane, with her calm voice and droopy eyes, is a seasoned warrior. She is one of the most formidable fighters in our Kikyo Society, a gentle-tempered but deadly combatant.
Her baton, rarely used in close combat, serves as a conductor for her magic. When necessary, she can use it to cut through enemies while casting spells, making her a formidable dual-threat.
Liliane’s gentle appearance is genuine, but she is a true warrior.
“You handled it well. By the way, Josephine said the Gandrault Gang attacked. What’s the current situation?”
At first glance, the Clad Family’s estate, filled with red mist, shows no signs of intense conflict. It doesn’t seem like the battle has ended.
“They had already retreated by the time we arrived. We could see the red mist while en route, so they must have left by then.”
I see. A hit-and-run attack, with the magical devices already set up. They might have brought in additional devices during the assault.
The red mist is a toxic poison that weakens the enemy over time. Once released, it causes the enemy to deteriorate and eventually die. The Gandrault Gang can sit back and watch.
Unlike the attack on the Anastasia Union, there are no obvious long-range attacks. The enemy is hiding, waiting for the Clad Family to weaken. They must be nearby, preparing to deliver the final blow.
The mist causes hallucinations, and once inhaled, it spreads through the bloodstream to the brain, quickly incapacitating the victim. Most are likely already affected.
Without a powerful anti-toxin device like the ones the Kikyo Society and my younger sister have, no one, no matter how strong, can survive the mist. The poison affects everyone equally, regardless of strength.
“Jumping into the chaos without knowing the enemy’s movements is a bad idea. What should we do?”
“Should the Ninth Combat Unit act as a decoy?”
Liliane’s casual suggestion is unsettling. She would do it without hesitation. However, I don’t think the Clad Family can handle this on their own. We don’t need to rush. My younger sister has already experienced this and will likely find a way to change the situation.
“Hmm, let’s observe the enemy’s next move. If they don’t act, we’ll consider sending reinforcements. For now, can you scout the area? They must be hiding somewhere. If we can find and attack them, it will improve the situation.”
“Of course. We’ll strike immediately upon finding them.”
Her calm and determined demeanor is always a bit off-putting, but she is genuine.
The Ninth Combat Unit left to scout, leaving Valeria and me behind. Now, where are they hiding?
As I observed the red mist, a powerful magical surge caught my attention.
“They’re moving.”
We’ll soon find out what’s happening and who is behind it.