Chapter 305 - Endless Trouble
A deafening explosion and a blinding flash temporarily incapacitated the Deputy Mayor and his gang. Moreover, the combination of mineral magic and drug magic produced a noxious tear gas. The damage from the sound and light would take minutes to recover from, and the gas would continue to affect them for several more.
Even though it was non-lethal, the effect was more than enough to immobilize and assist the Vigilantes.
The deafening noise would have been heard by the nearby Vigilantes, who would surely rush over.
"Wow, President, adding tear gas was intense!"
"But we won't get to do much, will we?"
"Should we withdraw already?"
It's too early to feel like it's over.
With so many people involved, there might be some unexpected resistance. We can't afford to be sloppy.
"Not yet. I'll give the Deputy Mayor and the fishing boss a good beating, and you girls should flatten the car tires."
Knocking out the ringleaders and destroying their escape route would be a solid wrap-up. If the Vigilantes let them escape after all that, they'd be useless.
"Understood. Once we do that, should we quickly leave?"
"Yes, I don't want to stick around for the aftermath or questioning. We'll escape through the window when we're done. Meet up outside on that side."
She pointed to a window. It seemed to be for daylight, and several frosted glass windows were installed high up in the garage. They weren't easily reachable, and no one would bother to open them. Breaking through would be easy for us. We could even break through the wall if we wanted, but there's no need to cause unnecessary damage.
"Alright, let's get moving!"
Amid the lingering tear gas, the three of them charged forward, relying on the Purifying Engraving magic embedded in their coats. I went to where the Deputy Mayor and the fishing boss were lying and swiftly crushed their ankles and knees. They won't be moving after this. My boots, hardened by magic, easily shattered their unprotected bodies. The only unpleasant part was the sticky sensation on the soles of my shoes.
This punishment is still light for the trouble they've caused. However, I've decided to leave them to the town's people for judgment. No killing.
"Damn, this is still infuriating."
Unable to calm down, I kicked the Deputy Mayor's side. He flew a short distance, spitting blood and convulsing, but he probably won't die. Probably.
The combination of the Stun Grenade's light and sound damage, plus the tear gas, made it difficult for him to breathe or even speak. Even a single curse would be impossible in that state.
Hmm, I want to kick him one more time, but I might kill him if I do. Let's go.
Once the minor tasks were done, I grabbed the jewel box I had my eye on and escaped. After a light run-up, I jumped up, shielding my face with my arm as I broke through the window. I landed gracefully and waited for the others.
While waiting, I used my magic to sense the surroundings and found that the Vigilantes were already advancing through the cemetery.
Running into them wouldn't be a problem, but some kind of exchange would inevitably occur. To avoid that, I planned to return unnoticed.
As I was communicating with the lookout to start withdrawing, the sound of windows breaking signaled that everyone had gathered.
Looking at their hands, it seemed they had all managed to secure some kind of spoils. These girls are quite resourceful.
I instructed the lookout to stay and watch over the scene, and we withdrew.
The town was unusually noisy despite the late hour, with the Vigilantes and the Newspaper Guild active everywhere. To avoid getting caught up in the commotion near the harbor, we took a roundabout route back to the slum warehouse.
"Welcome back, Yukari-dono. Violante just returned a moment ago."
I briefed the members still awake in the warehouse about what happened at the crematorium. On the way back, I had only given a brief summary of the results to avoid over-exhausting our magic or having the conversation heard by everyone within range. Long explanations could interfere with ongoing operations.
Though not a long story, I recounted the hidden room in the crematorium and the drugs disguised as corpses, summarizing everything I had seen.
"I see, the Deputy Mayor and the fishing boss, along with their cronies, have been completely subdued."
"This clears out the troublemakers. All that's left is to bring the Mayor and the maritime trade association on board."
Siegclune is handling the negotiations, so I don't need to worry.
"Good work, Yukari-san."
"Violante also did a great job."
"Still, it's surprising that the fishing boss was there. When did he escape? He's not someone to let his guard down about."
"True. But the surveillance was focused on the ship, and their main goal was to prevent departure. Since we ultimately caught him, it's not a problem."
He's definitely not an expert in stealth. The most plausible explanation is that he disguised himself and swapped places with a decoy. We must have been fooled.
It's hard to identify someone by magic alone, and surveillance can never be foolproof. Even if he managed to evade surveillance once, I believe he would eventually get caught somewhere. And that's exactly what happened.
Unless we're dealing with a powerful unknown force or a formidable organization, a mere corrupt fisherman wouldn't keep us on edge. We don't even aim for perfection.
While we were talking in the warehouse, reports from various lookouts kept coming in.
It seems tonight's incident is drawing to a close. Dawn is approaching, and I'm getting sleepy.
"Siegclune, should we let everyone withdraw now?"
"Yes, it's enough. Then—this is Siegclune. Everyone, withdraw when the time is right."
As I listened to the Vice-Commander's orders and the responses from the communication targets, I cut off the communication and removed my earring. Time to sleep.
After washing my face and changing clothes, I lay down next to Valeria, who was already fast asleep.
Tonight's operation will likely be recorded in Rigaheim's history. The Vigilantes' heroic performance and the Newspaper Guild's exposure of wrongdoing will keep the town buzzing for a while. For days, the newspaper will be filled with the misdeeds of the Deputy Mayor and the fishing boss.
But I have no interest in the small-time criminals we've just dealt with.
Eliminating the obstacles is just the first step. We still have a lot to do, like bringing the Mayor on board, dealing with the fishing gang, and searching for the maritime trade association president. Negotiations will be more challenging than simply taking down the enemy.
Well, I'll leave the negotiations to everyone else... Ah, whatever. Time to sleep.
—Later.
The capture of multiple high-profile criminals in Rigaheim shook the town's established order. Our Kikyo Society, working behind the scenes, will continue to operate discreetly.
By eliminating the Deputy Mayor, who had plotted to assassinate the Mayor, we have gained the trust of the Mayor and his inner circle. This success is largely due to Siegclune's efforts in the negotiations.
Her dignified and composed demeanor, far removed from the suspicious and rough air of underworld figures, inspires trust even from those who don't know her personally. Her reputation as a holder of the 'Negotiator Insignia—Gold' is well-deserved.
While our senior members were busy with negotiations and adjustments, the team searching for the missing maritime trade association president returned with news.
The next day, after hearing the report, we managed to arrange a meeting. Yukari, Siegclune, and I, along with a member of the Combat Support Unit driving the vehicle, headed to the association.
"I never expected they'd be held captive when they sought help."
"In a collapsed state, everyone is struggling in some way. The other party must have been desperate too."
We had suspected they were involved in some kind of incident, but being held captive by relatives was unexpected.
The maritime trade association president and his son were rescued by our members and safely returned yesterday. They are in good health and seem interested in our proposal.
After all, we are their rescuers. They will at least listen to what we have to say as a formality.
While escorting them back, our members had already conveyed the situation in Rigaheim and our requests. Now, it's a matter of answering their questions.
They are still emotionally unsettled and will need time to consider. We won't press for an immediate response.
Today's focus will be on introductions and Q&A. We also want to observe their character and attitude.
"But it's impressive that the association president resisted captivity. He has strong willpower."
"Yes, but how that willpower will translate into working with us is the question. They might refuse to work with an underworld organization."
"True. The association has never been involved in dirty business. It's a possibility."
The maritime trade association's business had been severely impacted by pirates, and their new ventures weren't going well. The president had sought help from relatives in Rigaheim.
However, his relatives lacked the resources to help without expecting something in return. They demanded maritime transport.
"While it's common to offer shady deals to struggling businesses, drug trafficking is a high-risk proposition."
"Pirates won't overlook cargo ships. Even if their business is struggling, the risks are too high. He seems to have a strong aversion to dirty work."
"That's true. They must have felt desperate to kidnap and force him. We're more humane in comparison."
"Yes, we don't tolerate betrayal or enemies."
Our Kikyo Society only seeks a monopoly on port operations. We have no intention of involving them in smuggling or illegal activities. We just want them to conduct their maritime business normally. When we need to do something shady, we'll handle it ourselves.
The biggest challenge is dealing with the pirates, but we have the will and the means to address it. If the association is struggling financially, we can be somewhat accommodating. It's a generous offer.
The only sticking point is that the Kikyo Society is an underworld organization. Whether they can accept that is the question.
While our claims about dealing with pirates might seem like empty boasts, a merchant must be able to trust promises. This is a weakness on our part. However, I'm optimistic about the negotiations if we can eliminate the pirates.
Still, the favor of rescuing them from captivity is significant. A merchant who values loyalty wouldn't ignore such a debt.
It will work out somehow.
So, we arrived at the maritime trade association building. The president had returned and was already at work. He must have been worried about the association, and it's understandable that he couldn't just take a break.
We parked the vehicle in front of the large building and entered, leaving the driver behind. The return of the association's top executives and their heir must have lifted the mood.
As we approached the reception desk, a figure approached us, and we stopped.
"Welcome, members of the Kikyo Society... Please, come this way."
The man who greeted us seemed extremely nervous.
We weren't wearing sunglasses, weren't carrying weapons, and weren't being overly intimidating. I don't see why he should be so nervous.
Maybe the news of our rescue has spread, but the atmosphere didn't seem particularly welcoming.
"Who are you?"
"I—I'm the chief manager..."
His unusual behavior caught our attention. However, this isn't the place for a conversation in the lobby. He seems to be here to guide us, so we'll follow and see what happens. He might just be a naturally anxious person.
Siegclune and Valeria also sensed the strange atmosphere but followed without comment.
As we rode the elevator and walked along, I noticed that the spaces that once held furniture now stood empty. The overall atmosphere was somewhat dilapidated, reflecting the association's financial struggles. They must have tried to maintain a good appearance in the main lobby and entrance.
At the top floor, in a secluded room, we finally met the maritime trade association president.
As I had seen in photographs, he was an elderly gentleman with a distinguished air, fitting for a town's influential figure. However, this was only true in peacetime.
His face was pale, and he looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
His captivity must have been harsh, but something else seemed off.
A man who would usually greet us with dignity was now stammering. It was painful to watch, and I decided to take the initiative.
"Something's off. I'm the president of the Kikyo Society. If you have something to say, speak now."
"Yes, we're still developing a trusting relationship, but there's no need to hesitate about speaking. We keep our word."
Saying that, Siegclune and I sat down on the sofa, and Valeria stood by the entrance.
This arrangement made it unclear who the guests were.
"I'm sorry to cause you such inconvenience..."
The president sighed, moving from his desk to the sofa across from us. He skipped the formalities and dove straight into the matter.
"I need to ask you to keep this confidential."
"Just talk, we can't move forward otherwise."
"We keep our word. If you don't want to talk, that's fine too, but we won't force you."
The atmosphere was such that we couldn't have a normal conversation unless he shared his concerns. We wanted him to speak up if he had something to say.
His hesitation and our frustration pushed him to finally speak.
"...Last night, my grandson was kidnapped."
Oh. I see. That's a serious situation. It's understandable that he looks so concerned.
He has a young granddaughter, and if she's kidnapped, he wouldn't be able to stay calm. For him, one problem after another. His luck is really bad.
"Was this right after you returned? Do you have any idea who did it or why?"
"Just a moment ago, we received a demand from the kidnappers."
"What did they ask for?"
The demand turned out to be an offer to transport drugs. It seems the relatives who had held him captive took his grandson as a hostage in case of emergency. Given their persistence, it might be their last resort. I'm impressed by their quick action.
It's one thing after another. Completely troublesome.
"From their tone, they probably don't want you to report this to the Vigilantes. But you've come to us. Do you seek our help?"
"...Can you help?"
After seeing the skills of our members who rescued him, he must feel inclined to ask for our help.
The Intelligence Bureau members reported it as a straightforward task, but objectively, their ability to track and rescue him is impressive. He has seen this firsthand and recently, so it's understandable that he would turn to us.
However, we don't intend to be used for convenience.
We've already made an exceptional offer, and we've saved him and his son from captivity. Now he's asking us to rescue his grandson too?
The Kikyo Society is a group of criminals, not do-gooders.
I think he understands that.
One difficulty after another, but we're close to a good stopping point.
Next chapter: "Port Town Mission, Next Phase!"
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