Chapter 294 - Make Allies in Unknown Lands!
When I ordered her to take down whoever was hiding, Mary moved with calm precision, not a trace of tension in her posture.
To anyone respecting private property, her actions would seem outrageously brazen.
And of course, the homeowner wouldn’t just stand by and watch as she casually headed toward the back rooms.
Just as the Vigilante Captain opened his mouth, face twisted in anger, Siegrune cut in with perfect timing.
"Good sir, I ask that you remain quiet."
Her calm words carried an unmistakable weight—an overwhelming magical force impossible to ignore.
She hadn’t done anything overt. Just released a surge of potent magic. A simple verbal cue, a sharp glare—enough to freeze both speech and movement. Only someone with immense magical power and the confidence of long experience could pull that off.
The Vigilante Captain, on the receiving end, must have felt the impact like a physical blow.
In the tense silence, Mary moved as if nothing had happened.
Her steps were unnervingly silent—so quiet that unless you watched her walk, you wouldn’t sense her presence even if she stood right beside you. Objectively speaking, her movement was terrifyingly refined.
The sheer skill hidden in the simple act of walking—only those who truly understood could appreciate it. The Vigilante Captain probably grasped at least part of it.
Moments later, Mary disappeared into the back room and reappeared about ten seconds after. During that time, not a single sound escaped.
True to her word, she returned to her original position within thirty seconds, saying nothing. There was no need to state the obvious.
To the Vigilante Captain, her silence only amplified his unease, stirring dread and worst-case scenarios.
Under the weight of our four silent gazes, he remained frozen for several seconds before suddenly snapping back to reality.
"Hey! Answer me!"
He turned his sweat-streaked face toward the back room and forced the words out, his voice raw and strained.
But no reply came. His shock and frustration twisted into anger as he glared at us.
"...What the hell did you do?"
His expression flickered between imagining the worst—had they been killed?—and disbelief that we’d go that far.
Intimidation is part of our job. We’re well accustomed to making people feel fear and anxiety.
From his perspective, the complete lack of screams or sounds of struggle, followed by the sudden incapacitation, must have seemed not just shocking but almost impossible to believe.
Caught between disbelief and the undeniable silence, his mind struggled to catch up, showing clear signs of confusion.
Just who were we, standing before him?
At the very least, he now understood in his bones—we were no ordinary group.
"Just put them to sleep gently. If you're worried, go check for yourself."
"Damn it!"
The Vigilante Captain shot to his feet and stormed into the back room, calling out to confirm his comrade was unharmed.
Mary, vastly superior in strength, wouldn’t have made a mistake. No exaggeration, no embellishment—she’d cleanly knocked the man out and laid him down.
Yet when the Vigilante Captain returned moments later, he was holding a sword.
Let me make one thing clear—we came here to talk, so we’re unarmed. If you’re that uneasy, feel free to keep your sword or spear.
"You were the ones who made the first move!"
He held the large blade, but hadn’t drawn it from its sheath. Angry, yes—but not completely unhinged.
Just as I’d expected, he still had some composure. That meant negotiation was possible.
"This was just a light introduction. You started it by spouting nonsense about not talking big. If you won’t listen unless we show a little strength, what choice do we have? Now that you’ve seen what we can do, can we finally start talking? Or would you rather send us away? Just so you know—if you plan to attack, be ready to face the consequences."
We’d come bearing gifts as a friendly gesture—but we weren’t here to grovel.
First impressions matter. It’s best to establish our positions clearly from the start. The Kikyo Society fears no vigilante group—has no reason to. And after this exchange, that should be perfectly clear.
"Yukari-dono, we can’t talk while standing. Vigilante Captain, surely you’re not so flustered you can’t sit? You may keep your weapon, but please, take a seat."
Siegrune took control of the situation, gesturing for me to join her on the sofa. Valeria and Mary remained standing behind us.
"Well? What are you just standing there for? Sit down."
"...You know, this is my house."
I sank comfortably into the sofa and crossed my legs. The Vigilante Captain stared, stunned by our bold demeanor and relaxed attitude. After a moment, as if deciding it was pointless to be truly angry, he finally sat.
I didn’t see the time spent getting him seated as wasted. These kinds of situations happen all the time—better to treat it as free advertising for the Kikyo Society.
"I am Siegrune, Vice-Commander of the Kikyo Society. First, let me offer my apologies for yesterday’s incident. I’ve brought fourth-grade compound healing potions. If anyone was injured, please use them."
Siegrune held out a crate of potion vials she’d prepared earlier.
Few people take offense at a gift—especially not one this valuable. Fourth-grade compound healing potions were extremely rare, high-end items. Even with money, you couldn’t buy them without connections. The fact that we casually handed over an entire crate spoke volumes about our resources and network.
Of course, for us, it was no big deal. With me and Rosabel-san leading the Healing Bureau, we could produce these potions like water. And since it’s already widely known that Rosabel-san is affiliated with the Kikyo Society, giving rare healing potions as gifts wouldn’t raise eyebrows. Besides, handing out fakes would damage Rosabel-san’s reputation—so no one would suspect us of doing so.
Incidentally, this gift wasn’t for the scene earlier or our walk this morning. It was an apology for yesterday’s forced entry. Not that we actually felt sorry—but since we’re trying to work together, we had to offer a token of goodwill. A social formality.
"...Fourth-grade compound healing potions... I... I understand. I’ll accept them gratefully."
From yesterday’s encounter, I doubted anyone on their side was injured. If so, it was probably just minor—someone tripped and twisted an ankle, or took a bump to the back.
A single gift like this should make it clear—we weren’t here to start a fight.
The preamble had taken quite a while. After Siegrune introduced herself and received the Vigilante Captain’s name in return, the conversation could finally progress.
"Let me ask again—what’s your business here? This isn’t just a social call, is it?"
"I thought I already said—I’m offering to solve your problem as a greeting. Right at the start."
"What kind of logic is that? You’ve clearly been snooping around, but I never asked for help."
"Exactly. A welcome gift. We’re newcomers, after all. We’re making an effort to get along with the local power players."
According to our prior investigation, the Vigilante Captain was in serious trouble. Not just rival merchants—this was a problem he couldn’t solve on his own. That’s what the Intelligence Bureau believed.
So even if he found our offer suspicious, he couldn’t help but be interested.
"Don’t play dumb. I don’t know how much truth there is to the rumors in Exembra, but people like you don’t stick your necks into other people’s messes just to say hello. What do you want in return?"
"Cut right to the chase, I see."
"See? I knew it! Whatever you’re asking for in return is bound to be more trouble than my own problems!"
Ah—after showing off such overwhelming strength, no wonder he’d dread our demands.
"No need to worry... though I suppose you wouldn’t believe me. Honestly, we’re not asking for anything in return."
"Then what is it?"
If I didn’t clarify, things might spiral. He probably wasn’t connected to the pirates, but better to keep that part hidden for now.
Technically, as an underground organization, it wouldn’t look good for us to openly say we were acting on behalf of the Kingdom. That would embarrass the royal side, and we didn’t want people thinking we were doing this for the country.
"Well... our only request is non-interference. We plan to start port-related business after summer, and we just want you not to raise objections when that happens. That’s all we’re asking of you."
We’d likely bring some indirect benefits to Rigaheim, but no harm. Even if outsiders stirred things up, most people would stay quiet if the vigilantes didn’t complain.
"The port? With those damn pirates, merchant ships can’t sail. If you want fish, go talk to the fishing cooperatives, not me."
"We’ll visit them later. But we’re not getting into fishing, and this pirate situation won’t last forever. You understand that, right?"
"...Wait. Is this related to war? There are rumors Brenark will invade soon—don’t tell me you’re involved in that?"
Any merchant with sharp logistics sense would notice if war preparations were underway. Even non-merchants with wide networks might hear whispers.
In truth, war was drawing near. Beyond just the most perceptive traders, the information was spreading. Through media like the Newspaper Guild, rumors might already be turning into concrete details.
I estimated the invasion would begin in about a hundred days. We were already at that point.
"Sharp as expected of a local leader—you’re connecting the dots. Yes, it’s only a matter of time before the Kingdom of Brenark occupies the former Retnark Kingdom territories. When that happens, Rigaheim will fall under the rule of Brenark nobles. No way the pirates will be left unchecked. All rights and privileges will be overhauled. The status quo—convenient only for locals—won’t survive."
Of course. When rulers change, the upper ranks shift—and their allies come with them. Even a fool could see that.
"...So you’ve already made a deal with the Brenark nobles?"
When interests are at stake, powerful figures can easily imagine an organization like ours teaming up with the ruling class. He seemed to grasp that such a shift had already begun.
"I’ll leave that to your imagination. Even if someone’s pulling strings behind the scenes, all we want is the freedom to use the port. We have no interest in the vigilantes or your business."
"Thinking ahead, it’s better to stay on your good side. But there’ll be plenty who won’t tolerate outsiders acting big—whether at the port or in town."
"Of course. That’s exactly why we’re making these courtesy calls. We wouldn’t lose if we fought everyone, but infighting would be a hassle. Getting along benefits us too."
Mutual benefit was key. If only we gained, they wouldn’t accept it. If only they gained, they’d grow suspicious.
"Tch. Still talking big, huh? But if the country changes, things can’t stay the same anyway. Fine, fine. I get it. Fighting you would just get the vigilantes wiped out. No choice then. But what about the others? There are plenty of loudmouths, and not all of them are reasonable."
He was pretending to accept, but I doubted it was his true feelings. Still, at least we’d reached a point where dialogue was possible. That was enough for now.
A promising start, I told myself. But problems remained. With so many so-called influential figures competing, his concerns were natural. Siegrune answered.
"We don’t plan to get along with everyone. That’s why we’re offering to solve your problem."
Some people wouldn’t listen. Some wouldn’t respond to threats. In those cases, force was the only option.
And there were people we simply didn’t want to talk to. We’d crush the obstacles, and force favors onto people like the Vigilante Captain.
"Solution, huh? You planning to start a war?"
"Put simply, yes. We’ll eliminate your enemies directly, no tricks."
"Well, I suppose your muscle isn’t an issue..."
"Then let’s confirm the details. We’ve done our own research, but mistakes could lead to lasting grudges."
A warning: if there were errors, he’d be the one to suffer the fallout.
This way, he’d have no choice but to share full details—better than acting recklessly on his own. Once involved, we’d be in it together. His chances of betrayal would drop.
"I see how it is. But don’t leave things half-done."
"Needless to say."
Every town in the former Retnark territory was about to plunge into new power struggles. With a change in rulers, this wasn’t limited to Rigaheim.
The Vigilante Captain seemed lost in thought, but then straightened his posture, as if making a decision.
"...My problem, simply put, is drugs. Something you’re probably familiar with."
For a moment, the junkie I’d seen in the port slums flashed through my mind.
"Here, it’s called Crack. You know—the trend is heating it and inhaling the smoke?"
"The method isn’t unusual, but I’ve never heard of a drug by that name in Exembra."
A street name, maybe. Same substance, different name—hard to say.
"Right. It’s a nasty one—extremely addictive. Amateurs selling their bodies just to buy Crack. Some idiots even commit murder over it. The pleasure district’s a mess because of it. I know it’s pointless to complain to people like you, but damn it, someone brought in a real monster."
Drugs didn’t just destroy the user—they dragged others down too. The fate of such people was much the same everywhere. Nothing unusual, really. I understood his frustration, though.
"Since you probably don’t know—drugs are strictly forbidden in the Kikyo Society. Anyway, do you have any leads on the pharmacy?"
"Pharmacy? Catching street dealers is pointless."
"What about those supplying them? Any clues—people or places, even minor connections?"
Cutting off the source was the only way. If we knew the root, we could end it today.
"To be honest, I have suspects—but no proof. I’ve got places under suspicion too, but the vigilantes’ movements are probably leaked. Raiding them would turn up nothing."
"So if nothing’s found, it becomes your failure?"
"Worse—they might be counting on it. Clever bastards."
Hmm. According to the Intelligence Bureau, dozens were involved in the drug trade in Rigaheim. The Vigilante Captain himself was one of the main distributors.
As a figure in the pleasure district, he dealt in so-called ecstasy-type recreational drugs. The level of addiction and side effects varied, but to me, they were all the same breed. Apparently, it was in a gray area legally, at least in this town.
The Kikyo Society didn’t care—legal or illegal—about what anyone sold outside our territory. Harsh as it sounds, we weren’t messiahs or reformers.
If something unpleasant happened out of sight, it was just another scene from the world’s daily script. As long as it wasn’t forced, drug use was self-inflicted—none of our business.
"Yukari-dono, what’s your call? We could pick fights with every suspect one by one. The pleasure district’s full of the vigilante captain’s rivals anyway."
The Intelligence Bureau hadn’t dug deep into the specifics. No point being cautious here—better to go in loud and fast.
"True. Even without evidence, picking fights and beating people up is one of our strengths. Let’s handle it the usual way—quick and dirty."
"Hey! If you cause chaos in town, the vigilantes will have to step in!"
"Don’t worry—we’ll finish fast. We’ll avoid crossing paths with you, but you make sure to hold back your forces too. Now then—tell us everyone you suspect."
To the thugs lounging in their warm baths, a violent organization from the underworld’s den had come to play.
Exembra—the massive city ruled by the shadows. Let’s show them why the Three Great Families weren’t just for show.
Fight! Fight!
Let’s make a scene. Spice up the pleasure district just a little.
After hearing the Vigilante Captain’s list, we left the room with light steps.
Next time: "Low-Key Community Work—Hunting Dealers"