Chapter 295 - Quiet Community Activity: Dealer Hunting
The target for cozying up to the Vigilante Captain was set.
We just need to take down whoever is dealing the worst drugs and their base of operations. It’s odd for outsiders like us to do something so out of line for the head of the town’s Vigilantes, but that’s precisely why we can do it. We’re outsiders, so we can be ruthless.
We can simply eliminate anyone who gets in our way with brute force. It’s simple and effective.
While we’re at it, if we take out a few of the Vigilante Captain’s competitors, it’ll clear up some of the power struggles in town. It’s annoying when these extra people come sniffing around, and this is a good opportunity to deal with them.
"It’s too early to go to the club that’s known as a pharmacy. It doesn’t open until evening. Should we go around and shake down some people to gather information?"
"It apparently doesn’t open until evening. We can shake down some people in the area to gather information."
After leaving the mansion, we quickly reviewed our plan on the street.
The best approach is to get things done as soon as possible. Otherwise, tasks just pile up.
It would also be good for our mental health and for some moderate exercise to get it over with quickly.
"We could split up and wander around the red-light district. As you mentioned earlier, drugs are sold on the streets too, and we can take out anyone who isn’t part of the Vigilante Captain’s network. It might even lure out the main target."
Mary’s suggestion made sense.
Besides the main target, there are many nuisances we want to get rid of. Everyone shares the same sentiment.
"True. If we shake down a bunch of low-level dealers, they’re bound to retaliate. If we crush each of those retaliations, the Vigilante Captain’s competitors might self-destruct. At the very least, it will be a significant blow to their forces. If they come after us, we won’t have to search for their hideouts."
The Vigilante Captain deals with a specific type of drug. Any dealers selling something else can be taken out without hesitation.
We can provoke them, create a pretext for a conflict, and use traditional methods to send the first wave of attackers.
By repelling the provoked fools, we can weaken the unnecessary forces effectively. It’s a very beneficial situation for the Vigilante Captain’s forces.
Our main target is the dealers of Crack, but at this point, we might as well take out anyone who can be eliminated.
However, if we think about it, if we take everything out ourselves, it might not be favorable for the Vigilantes.
No matter how dangerous the drugs are, if we rely on our power or even take the lead, the Vigilantes might be seen as incompetent. This could tarnish their reputation.
Regardless of the details, the Vigilantes must take some responsibility at the end. Even if it’s troublesome, we need to give them a chance to show their strength.
We can weaken the enemy, and then let the Vigilantes handle the rest. Since we plan to work together from now on, it’s important to preserve their dignity. It’s also beneficial for us if we can avoid the tedious task of hunting down the remnants.
We can treat all the targets the same, but we’ll stop short of finishing them off and leave the rest to the Vigilantes.
"The competitors' forces are estimated to be dozens of people at most. The larger organizations might have fifty to sixty people, while the smaller ones might have a handful. If we hit them hard, we can crush them. Mary and Yukari-dono, your points make sense. We’ll focus on the Vigilante Captain’s main concern once the store opens."
"Right, let’s do it that way. Let’s head to the location."
We all got on our bikes and rode to the red-light district in the middle of the day.
Despite the early morning, we didn’t care about the curious or annoyed looks from the townsfolk. We confidently made our way to the red-light district, which occupied a part of the town.
The red-light district was more than just a cluster of seedy-looking shops. There was an arch on the main street, clearly marking the entrance to the district.
The first thing we noticed upon entering was how busy it was, even during the day. It seemed that some places were open at this hour.
"This is Siegrune. Let’s use that café as our temporary base. The adjacent vacant lot can be used as a parking area."
The café we found had a pleasant atmosphere, even in the seedy district, with an open terrace.
It would be difficult to confront people on the narrow streets while on bikes, so we needed a place to park. The vacant lot was perfect.
We parked our bikes and decided on a plan.
"Pair up and spread out. When you see a dealer, confirm what they’re selling, then provoke them and beat them up. Make sure to take the drugs. Our goal is to provoke retaliation, so we’ll take the drugs to ensure the people behind them won’t stay quiet."
"One more thing. If anyone complains, tell them to come to Café Daisy. It’s better if they have a specific location."
Siegrune added this while looking at the café’s sign.
"That’s a good point. Siegrune, you stay here and greet anyone who comes. I’ll walk around the town and provoke people."
"I’ll go with Onee-sama."
"Right. Mary, divide the Second Combat Unit. The defense group will also guard the café and bikes, so it’s better to have a reserve force."
"Then the officers and assistants will stay here."
The temporary base, the café, would be guarded by Siegrune, Mary, and two Gochous with three assistants. This force should be enough to handle both defense and interception.
"Onee-sama, won’t we get reported for fighting in such a conspicuous place?"
"Yes, but the Vigilante Captain understands what happens in the red-light district, so he should overlook minor issues. He’ll probably explain it to his men, too."
"I’ll apologize to the owner and slip him some money as compensation."
"Just the café owner. There are other shops around, but we don’t need to involve them actively. We’ll just be staying here, so they won’t think we’re involved."
There have been power struggles in this town for a long time, so minor conflicts are not uncommon.
The owners of shops in the red-light district are probably used to violence and don’t want to get involved in trouble. They’ll likely stay out of it as long as they’re compensated. We’re just occupying the place, so the locals won’t misunderstand.
"Let’s spread out and start. Report the situation periodically using the communication magic device. That’s all."
The communication magic device can be heard by all Kikyo Society members within range, but it won’t reach the hideout in the port. If any members in town hear it, they’ll either understand the situation or come to check if they’re curious.
The members of the Second Combat Unit immediately moved, and my pair with Valeria also started near the café.
We didn’t have to search far to find a dealer standing in an alley.
Even though it was still daytime, there were already drunk men and women soliciting customers. The area would probably be even busier at night. There were more people than expected.
As we entered an alley off the main street, we caught the eye of a flashy young man.
Maybe he was a shrewd businessman or just friendly, but he approached us slowly. We had removed our sunglasses and put our Skill Insignias in our pockets.
"I’ve never seen you before, lady. Looking for some Romance?"
A miss. The drug he mentioned is one of the Vigilante Captain’s. This guy isn’t an enemy.
I tried to walk past Valeria, ignoring him, but a well-built man called out from a bit further down the alley.
"Hey, cool lady. Got something stronger. Why don’t you try this?"
His attitude was provocative, and the drugs he was selling were different. This one is an enemy.
"Nah, I’d be careful. Who knows what’s been mixed in?"
"What do you mean!"
"Aren’t you gonna try, eh?"
They were noisy, standing in the middle and bickering.
Now that the target appeared, we might as well get it over with.
We kept arguing, and the well-built man started to get in our faces. I kicked him in the side without warning.
He flew about two meters and rolled to the ground. Valeria approached and kicked him in the side again.
It was a casual but powerful blow. He floated a bit in the air before landing, gasping in pain and struggling to breathe. He was writhing in agony, and Valeria ignored him as she looked around.
I roughly searched the man’s bulging inner pocket and pulled out a paper bag. It contained several small packages, which were almost certainly drugs. There was no need to check the contents.
"You can hear me, right? If you want it back, come to Café Daisy."
He could hear me, even though he was struggling.
I left the flashy young man without a backward glance. He wasn’t worth our time.
We repeated this process. When a dealer approached, we confirmed what they were selling, and if they were a target, we beat them up and took the drugs.
If they didn’t approach, we asked and did the same if they were a target.
It wasn’t time-consuming. A brief conversation, a beating, and taking the drugs—simple work. After repeating this with six or seven people, we heard a loud noise from the red-light district. It was probably magic.
"Onee-sama, it’s coming from the café."
"It seems so."
The retaliation for the dealer hunt was too quick. We hadn’t even been there for thirty minutes, and the members who went deeper into the district had just started their work.
Even if the higher-ups of the opposing forces had been informed quickly, they wouldn’t have launched a magical attack so soon without hesitation.
"This is Shinogami. Siegrune, what’s the situation?"
"...This is Siegrune. It seems there was an explosion behind the shop, but the details are unclear. I’m going to check it out."
"I’ll return shortly. Everyone scattered, come back for now."
I listened to the response from the earring-type magic device and ran towards Café Daisy.
When I returned to the café, the area was quiet. No onlookers had gathered, and the customers who were supposed to be there had fled.
The members of the Second Combat Unit were on alert, and Siegrune walked in from behind the café. The perpetrator had apparently blended in with the crowd and escaped.
"Siegrune, any injuries?"
"Our members weren’t directly targeted. The old lady owner was injured, though."
"The owner? Was she the target?"
"No, a piece of glass hit her neck by chance. We used a recovery potion, and Mary is calming her down inside."
That was unfortunate. But it was a strange situation.
The magic attack was a single blast and didn’t seem to target the Kikyo Society members. It was too weak and too early to be a retaliation for the drug seizures.
I asked my reliable Vice-Commander, who also thought it was strange.
"What do you think was the target of the attack?"
"...It’s unlikely it was unrelated to us. It might have been a warning."
"A warning? We’re provoking them, but a warning seems too leisurely... No, something’s off."
Siegrune also thought it was strange and spoke after a moment of thought.
"It’s probably not a direct retaliation for the dealer hunt. Maybe the people of Rigaheim didn’t just sit idly by, knowing we’re the Kikyo Society."
So, it’s a warning or a show of force, then?
They must have thought the Kikyo Society had set up in Rigaheim.
Mercenaries from the notorious Exembra were here, ready to take over the town. It’s understandable that they would send a preemptive strike.
"It seems the timing coincided with us starting our provocations. It’s a silly situation, but it makes sense that the attacks don’t align."
In most places, established forces already control the territory. There are few new areas to claim. But in a collapsed nation where power dynamics are shifting, things are different.
The forces controlling or vying for control in the old Retnark Kingdom’s towns are on edge.
They’re wary of when forces from Brenark, Donditch, or the south might extend their reach.
Now, here we are, the Kikyo Society, known for our infamous origins in Exembra. It’s not surprising if some groups decided to strike first.
"President! What’s going on?"
The returning members were briefed by the Vice-Commander. Whether the guess is correct or not, the attacker is considered an enemy.
Even if we’re not involved and it was just a nuisance to the café, it’s convenient to treat it as a provocation.
"Alright! They thought they were provoking us, but we’ll show them what we’re made of. We’ll give them a taste of fresh air in this sleepy town!"
"That’s right! The dealers you took down and the retaliation from their backers are about to come. Let’s give them a warm welcome. We’ll light up a big firework show!"
Hehe, it’s a good thing the Vice-Commander is on the same wavelength.
It’s unusual to be excited about being provoked, but it happens naturally.
And just as we were talking, a group of about forty people was heading our way.
It was time to leave our mark in Port Town Rigaheim. Through this, they would finally understand who we are. They will learn firsthand about our experience and the level of the battles we’ve faced, which are in a different league altogether. They will know the difference in dimensions.