Chapter 209 - Entrance to the Dark Side
The Forest of the Underworld behind us, things have been relatively smooth.
I never realized how much I'd appreciate sunlight and a gentle breeze, and it naturally lifts my spirits.
Thanks to the change in weather, we haven't encountered any sudden downpours, and the road conditions, influenced by regular use, are decent.
We're not on the Abandoned Road but on local paths, so we haven't lacked for food either.
Continuing our journey normally is a real blessing.
Yesterday, we took down two strongholds of decaying nobles in the middle of nowhere.
Just like the first ones, we didn't kill them, only causing injuries. We freed the captives, took their money, weakened them, and left them be. There will likely be some repercussions, but that's not our concern.
The nobles will be busy tending to their numerous injured and rebuilding their forces, while fearing retaliation from the villagers they’ve wronged.
It wasn't out of mercy; we just couldn't carry everything. We left them with enough funds to rebuild, I suppose. If they change their ways and start acting as proper stewards, they won't have to fear retaliation. But that's a tall order, isn't it?
The villages we visited were in terrible shape, not because of raids from the barbarians outside the territory but because they are supposed to be loyal subjects.
When we first entered one village, we were greeted by a row of severed heads at the entrance.
Even we, seasoned travelers, were taken aback and braced ourselves.
Cautiously, we let our vehicles enter the village, only to see more bodies. Hanging, impaled, they looked like gruesome displays.
At first, I thought the village had been recently razed, but people were still living there.
The villagers looked dead inside, and I couldn't bring myself to speak to them. We passed through without stopping, wondering if the villagers had done this to each other. It seemed more likely the work of the Legisamo Cartel or the Snake Head Society.
The borderlands here are known for drug-producing villages, and the cartels that run them are ruthless buyers. Given the situation, it's probably due to some kind of power struggle or trade dispute. It was a truly uncomfortable and ominous place. We didn't even try to investigate and quickly moved on.
The next village we visited, though free of severed heads and displayed bodies, was just as bleak. It was a village of junkies, and the atmosphere was no better than the last.
We didn't even attempt to negotiate for supplies or gather information, just kept moving forward.
The last village was no different. More dead bodies and drug-addicted villagers.
Everywhere we went, the villages were oppressive and grim. Maybe we just had bad luck, but I doubt it. They all seemed to be in the same state.
Thinking back, the people we freed from the nobles seemed far more spirited than those living in these desolate villages. It’s a bitter irony that having something to hate gives them more energy.
These villages are typical of drug-controlled communities. According to the nobles, the main income source for these villages is the production of drugs, with the Legisamo Cartel or the Snake Head Society as the buyers, each having their own territory.
The villagers don't just produce the drugs; they also use them, leading to a dire situation. It’s a case of self-inflicted misery.
The most common drug is a powdered form, inhaled through the nose. Cheap and easy to produce, it’s a poor person's drug. It’s widely produced here and distributed throughout the continent.
When inhaled, it separates the brain from the body, creating a sensation of traveling to another world, like being in a dream. It’s a hallucinogen, used for entertainment.
As both a production center and a place where people are desperate for distraction, the number of users naturally increases. The drug is cheap and easily accessible, so people use it casually.
But it’s a dangerous drug. Once you start, it’s a straight path to addiction. The effects last only about twenty minutes, but once they wear off, you crave more. Just one more hit, then another. It’s a classic trap into a downward spiral, with severe side effects.
No matter how harmful it is, once you're addicted, drugs become the center of your life, taking priority over everything else.
You'll spend all your money on drugs, and producers will use their own products. Consumers will do anything to get money for their next fix. Anything.
Men will steal, rob, and even kill. Women will sell their bodies to fund their drug habit, and in the worst cases, commit murder.
Not only do you face the consequences of crime, but the physical toll of drug use is severe.
Drug use can lead to organ failure, respiratory issues, and brain damage, which can be fatal. Even if you survive, you may suffer from severe disabilities for the rest of your life. Regret comes too late.
Worst of all, it often affects those around you—family, lovers, friends. The temporary pleasure comes at a high cost.
In the countryside, there are rarely healers, and recovery potions are hard to come by.
Some use drugs to escape the pain of illness or injury, and being in a production area, they may use them without much hesitation, even knowing the dire consequences.
But in the countryside, producing drugs is one of the few ways to make money easily, and the local conditions make it hard to resist the cartels.
We passed through these villages, determined never to return, while taking down the nobles who kidnapped people.
After several days, we finally reached the meeting point agreed upon with Exembra.
"There's no mistake. This is the only large town in the area."
"It's been a long journey..."
Yeah, it really has been.
A sense of accomplishment and reflection washed over me. It had been a tough road. Everyone fell silent, gazing at the town gates approaching.
The only thing that bothered me was that this town was run by the noble who was the head of the nobles we took down. But we’ll deal with that later.
At the entrance, with no waiting line, we intimidated the lax gatekeeper and paid him extra silver to avoid trouble.
"Fine, go on through. Don't cause any trouble."
The silver was a bribe to keep him from asking for more. It worked, and we entered the town without incident.
Ignoring his grumbling, we drove through the gates, taking in the town’s atmosphere while looking for our meeting place. We were slightly late, so the Crimson Knights were already there.
Despite being in the provinces, the town had a vibrant energy, unlike the villages we passed through.
The slums might be different, but at least the town's streets were normal. No bodies or junkies in sight. The contrast with the villages was stark. This ordinary town felt unusually peaceful.
"Finally."
"We made it..."
Entering the lively town made it feel even more real. The journey was truly long. What was supposed to be a simple mission following the Crimson Knights turned into a series of unexpected adventures. Everyone’s murmurs were filled with a mix of relief and reflection.
Looking back, it was a journey that could have driven anyone mad. We did well to make it through unscathed.
The meeting place was the higher-grade of the two inns in town. We easily spotted the prominent inn and parked in the open lot.
The higher-grade inn had guards in the parking lot. We gave them extra tips to ensure our valuable items were safe. Moving them to our rooms would be a hassle, and we might not stay long. We might even leave immediately.
No matter how many tips we gave, they might still try something if they knew we had valuables. Trusting them wasn’t an option. So, some of our members would stay in the lot. It was a rude gesture, but we had to do it. If anything happened, we’d deal with it.
Though we’re women, we look like fighters, so the guards would likely take us seriously.
There were a few other vehicles in the lot, but most of the Crimson Knights and the Clad Family were camped outside town. Armed groups from other countries can’t just enter, so only representatives would be here for the final meeting.
"Valeria and I will go to the meeting. The rest of you can explore the town."
We weren’t sure if we’d stay, so I let everyone roam freely. It’s been a while since we’ve been in a proper settlement. A bit of downtime would be good. If we stay, I’ll secure rooms for everyone.
"I’ll check out a restaurant I saw on the way. Anyone want to join?"
"I don’t have anywhere specific in mind, so I’ll come along."
"Sure."
"I’ll stay with the vehicle."
"Me too."
With everyone’s roles decided, we entered the inn.
Inside, we found our contacts without asking the receptionist.
They were in the back of the attached restaurant, easy to spot.
Flannel, with her blue hair and androgynous features, stood out even without her crimson armor. Her companion seemed familiar too. They didn’t have matching gear, but they had a knightly air about them.
Besides Flannel and the other knight, I recognized two burly beastmen as members of the Anastasia Union. The two intimidating figures were likely from the Clad Family. The Cloud Cutter wouldn’t be here for the meeting, which was expected.
They were all formidable, trying to blend in but failing miserably. It was exasperating.
Wearing sunglasses and a long, field coat, I approached the table with my companion.
The men were silently drinking wine, creating a gloomy atmosphere.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
They looked puzzled at first but quickly recognized me.
"...Late."
"Order!"
Ignoring Flannel’s complaint, I ordered some snacks and water from the waiter. I devoured the sandwiches and ordered more, ignoring the silent, intense gazes of the men.
After finishing the sandwiches with Valeria, I took a deep drink of water and faced them.
Before discussing the plan, I had a question.
"Before we get to the plan, how did you get through the Forest of the Underworld? I can’t imagine you getting through without any losses."
I doubted they had encountered multiple undead dragons, but even regular undead were a significant threat. They must have taken a different route, but they couldn’t have made it through unscathed.
Instead of a story of hardship, I got a puzzled look.
"What are you talking about? The beasts caused some trouble, but the Abandoned Road was more of a hassle. You were supposed to follow, so you shouldn’t have had any trouble. Surely you didn’t struggle with those creatures?"
Huh? I kept my mouth shut. This was strange. They acted as if there was nothing unusual.
The Forest of the Underworld, with its countless undead, shouldn’t have been easy to navigate, even for church members. They seemed to have no clue about it.
"Onee-sama."
Valeria and I exchanged glances at the discrepancy. It was best to stay silent. They wouldn’t believe us if we told them.
"...We had our own issues. Never mind. What’s the plan? When do we start?"
They seemed suspicious of our silence but didn’t push it. I moved the conversation forward. There was no point in arguing.
We had a pre-planned strategy for the drug cartels and the Empire. If there were no changes, we’d follow the plan. This meeting was for final confirmation and adjustments.
"The plan is unchanged. We’ll strike two nights from now, at midnight. The Anastasia Union will start applying pressure today, and we’ll move when the time is right."
It seemed they had already discussed everything. Flannel’s response confirmed the plan. It was a carefully crafted strategy, likely obtained through special intelligence channels in the Royal Palace. I didn’t know the details, but they probably had spies.
Finally reaching our destination was a relief. It was a long journey.
Next time, we’ll delve into what the Kikyo Society, the Crimson Knights, the Clad Family, and the Anastasia Union will do. The upcoming operation will be the largest and most intense battle yet.
Stay tuned for the next episode, "The Town of the Country Lord."