Chapter 390 - Your Intentions and Theirs
As we neared our destination, I started wondering how I should handle this. I'd told Gradena that a raid was fine, but I had no intention of making things more complicated. We'd accept any fight picked with us, but we weren't looking to sell one. Still, I wondered if they'd actually be willing to talk.
The Scion's faction especially wouldn't be calm. I could only imagine a scenario where seeing our faces would lead to violence. We didn't care, but for the side that lost the fight, it wouldn't be so easy. But this was their headquarters. If they were to act lawlessly against guests who visited the front gate just because they lost a fight, it would look incredibly bad. It would be a headache for the Leader's faction, so I felt like they wouldn't let things turn violent so easily.
Well, whatever. There's no point in agonizing over it. If a fight is necessary to talk, we'll fight. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If anything, it would be more troublesome if the moderates on their side turned us away at the gate to avoid trouble. We couldn't exactly force our way in.
However, as we approached the vast grounds of the Union headquarters, the gates began to open of their own accord. I stopped the vehicle nearby to wait, but no one came out.
"...What's their plan?"
"The gates opened when we approached. Doesn't that mean we should enter?"
I felt like something similar had happened a long time ago. I didn't remember well, but was the Union in Exenbra like this? Maybe it was their own style. Instead of turning people away, they welcomed them in and decided how to respond afterward. It showed their confidence—they believed they could handle any enemy who entered their lair.
"If they're welcoming us, we have to go in. Looks like a lot of people are out to meet us."
There was a massive crowd on the grounds. I thought they were seeing off some VIP, but no, they were there for us.
"Exactly. Besides, we should be welcomed by everyone except the Scion, right? We are Sigurdnot's bodyguards, after all."
I guess so. To the Leader's faction, we weren't the enemy. Regarding last night's mysterious attackers, we were potential allies. All right, no point in just sitting here. We were the ones who visited, so if the gate is open, we go in.
As our two vehicles entered the grounds, we were met by a sea of beastmen waiting for us. There must have been several hundred, maybe over five hundred. However, the atmosphere suggested this wasn't a genuine welcome; it was intended to intimidate. We knew that when we entered, but anyone with normal nerves would have turned back or fled immediately upon seeing this.
"Quite the turnout. Do they really think this is enough to scare us?"
"This is the headquarters of the famous Anastasia Union. After the attack last night, they're on edge. Well, just ignore the petty provocations. If we react to every little thing, they'll think we're cheap."
We didn't intend to fight, or at least, I expected they wouldn't be the ones to strike first. The Scion's faction might be impulsive, but the Leader's faction would be keeping a sharp eye out to prevent any accidents. I felt a strong tension between their own factions, not just directed at us.
I parked the vehicle casually and acted with deliberate leisure. When the vehicle stopped, everyone stayed inside as planned. The five members other than Gradena and me got out first, scanning the surroundings before opening the doors for us. Normally, I'd find this a pain and wouldn't have them do it. But this was a situation that required some posturing.
We had to silently declare that the Kikyou-kai was an organization on equal footing with them. We showed it through our attitude, not just our combat power. Whether we were on the grounds of a famous organization or they had gathered hundreds of men, we wouldn't even acknowledge them unless they brought out a true powerhouse. We weren't afraid at all. That kind of high-and-mighty attitude is easy to understand, so even the idiots would get the message.
We carried no visible weapons and simply stood there with dignity. To the Union members, we likely looked insufferably arrogant.
"So? Isn't someone going to lead us to the mansion?"
Gradena spoke with a smirk, her tone utterly condescending. Shortly after arriving in Berriza, Gradena and her group had visited this headquarters once. I heard they'd delivered a letter from the Leader to the former boss's widow. They hadn't exactly exchanged friendly greetings and had some friction. I wondered if they were still holding a grudge, as they maintained a delicate distance from us. Maybe I should have brought the little sister.
Anyway, we weren't going to get anywhere if we just stood there staring. Since they welcomed us in, they needed to show us some proper hospitality.
"Staring like that is creeping me out. What are we waiting for?"
"Haha, exactly. Is there anyone here we can actually talk to?"
We looked around and intensified our mana intimidatingly. We weren't so bored that we could afford to waste time. In the vast yard, a staring contest began. I wondered how it had come to this.
Just as I thought a fight might be necessary to move forward, a new development began. And it looked like a fairly bad one. I felt a fresh wave of hostility.
"What's with those guys? Are they really going to do this? It looks fun, but... what's the call, Yukari?"
"It's a bit of a pain. If they don't want to talk, they should just say so and we'll leave."
A group of over twenty powerful presences was approaching from the building in the back. Every one of them had mana stronger than the Scion. Likely executive-class. As expected of the Union headquarters. If all of them could use Martial Soul Transformation, we'd have a very slim chance of winning in a direct confrontation. Did they really intend to take us down? I wondered if we could escape using my magic tools.
Being realistic, it would be difficult. They had too many people. So what now? Tch, I didn't expect them to be so unwilling to even talk. My foresight was too shallow. I exchanged a look with Gradena; we both realized things were about to get ugly.
As professionals in this industry, we're already at the veteran level. We can tell the difference between a mere threat and genuine hostility. I didn't think the little scrap last night was enough to lead to a total confrontation, but... yeah, this is bad.
"Yukari, if it comes down to it... leave this place to me. If I really go wild, I can draw the majority of them. I'll take at least ten of those executives with me. In exchange, I'm counting on you to take care of the rest."
Gradena whispered secretly. Her light tone actually conveyed her seriousness. If Gradena was prepared to die, she could likely draw the crowd and allow us to escape. In this specific situation, it might be the rational choice. But in the end, it was meaningless.
If we escaped at the cost of Gradena's life, we would absolutely retaliate afterward. We wouldn't stop until the Anastasia Union was annihilated. That would mean making the country of Berriza our enemy, and the Three Families system in Exenbra would collapse. It would surely result in many casualties among our own members. I might even be killed along the way.
Putting aside a little fight, the Anastasia Union was an opponent you really shouldn't go to war with. It would be a disaster for both sides. Our Kikyou-kai, the Clad family—it's a relationship of mutually assured destruction. We all know that a full-scale war between the Three Families would inflict such damage that it's clearly not worth it. That's why the system persists.
Putting aside the Scion's faction, I hadn't expected this kind of 'welcome' at the Union headquarters. This wasn't the time for this. No one had been killed yesterday, and I didn't remember doing anything else to earn this much hatred. Regardless, they surely didn't think they could defeat us without taking damage. Were they really that confident?
Anyway, we'll get through this using whatever means necessary. Yes, any means.
"...Think about it. Do you really think anyone here would run and leave you behind? Besides, if I throw away all restraint, I can slaughter these fools, even in my current state."
My voice, raised in volume, drew nods from every member. Naturally. We are the Kikyou-kai. There's no place for those who value their own lives above all else. And our organization has always been one where the leadership stands at the front. For me, as the President, to sacrifice someone and run would be disgraceful—I'd have to take down the flag or retire. I'd regret it until the day I died. Leaving a comrade behind? Just the thought made me sick.
"I'd like to say 'Bring it on,' but you've got Valeria and the others. You have to be the one to survive, Yukari."
"Why are you getting weak? I'm not going to die, and I won't let anyone die in front of me. The ones seeing hell will be those guys."
I haven't forgotten the many sacrifices I saw in the past. I'm never going through that again. I won't do things halfway. If they're coming to kill us, we have to do the same. I'll use the filthiest tricks available. Even if I can't use Martial Soul Transformation, there are many ways to kill people. With my mineral and drug magic, it was possible.
I steeled my resolve as I felt the powerful presences approaching slowly with confidence. Oh, I'll do it. I'll turn this whole area into hell. Let them hate me. I don't care if I'm hated or cursed; it's too late for that anyway. I won't regret living as a great sinner. It's better than running and sacrificing a comrade.
"...You have a move? But if it's a trump card you haven't used until now, it must be something seriously dangerous. Can you do it in your current state?"
It was a dirty magic that I could do but didn't. It didn't require particularly complex mana manipulation, so I could pull it off even while cursed.
"No problem. I'm just going to use poison. But it's the worst kind. A toxin that kills instantly if inhaled, and ends you if it touches your skin. There are things even worse than that."
"That's terrifying... but they must have poison countermeasures. Won't it just be purified?"
The engraved spells on our coats were excellent, capable of purifying even the dense miasma of an Evil Dragon. High-level magic had such extraordinary effects. I didn't think ordinary thugs could use similar magic or tools so easily, but this was the Union headquarters, and these were likely executives. I could assume they had specialized tools, and it wouldn't be strange if someone could use high-level purification magic. However, that was only if I used a single, ordinary poison. Purification isn't perfect.
"If I were just scattering one normal poison, yes. But by combining two or more, I can generate extreme heat or cause an explosion. A devastatingly cruel magic. It would easily blow away this whole estate. It could probably even shatter barrier magic."
That's why it's a trump card. I can't use it lightly. Furthermore, magic is often influenced by the user's image, so I can use substances that wouldn't be classified as poison. As someone who uses poison, countermeasures against purification are a must. Chemical reactions were something I'd been thinking about since my days in the detention center.
"Wait, won't we be in danger too?"
"Fufu, don't you dare die."
Even with such a destructive suicide tactic, if we stayed low, covered our heads with our coats, and put up shields to dampen the impact, we wouldn't die. Probably.
"Did you hear that, everyone? It looks like we're in more danger of being killed by Yukari than by the enemy."
"We're all in this together!"
"I'm actually curious about that magic. Go ahead and fire it off!"
"I'd prefer not to die if possible, but it's much better than being taken down for nothing."
"Should I secretly dig a hole for us?"
"If we're going down anyway, I want to take at least one of them with me!"
The Kikyou-kai members are prepared to die. I knew that. It always felt good to know no one was flinching even at this point.
"You're quite chatty for being in this situation. You seem relaxed."
"They're underestimating us."
"Stop messing around. We'll butcher you slowly."
"No, it's their end anyway. Let them resist as much as they want. Give us some entertainment."
The executives, who appeared with such pomp, were now within speaking distance. We stopped talking and focused on the aura of magic. The others were likely more wary of my magic than the Union.
What a bunch of fools. Underestimating? Which one of us? I funneled mana through my charcoal-colored coat, combat suit, and boots, increasing our defensive power while focusing on the numerous engraved spells. I touched my eyepatch with my left hand and concentrated my mana to a high density. First, I'd meet their intimidation with my own. The others followed suit.
Including Gradena and me, there were only seven of us. Imagine the casualties if we really clashed. We came here with a small group; don't tell me you never imagined that we might use any underhanded means if things went south.
And... I wonder which of us really has the advantage. We are prepared to exert every ounce of our strength to take as many of you as possible with us. Think about that. We are in your lair, so we don't care about anything. We'll completely ignore any non-combatants or nearby residents; I value my life and the lives of my comrades far more than those of strangers. In a pinch, I'll ignore or even use the lives of others.
What about you? Can you maintain that resolve when you have the advantage of numbers and location? In a real fight, there are only two options: kill or be killed. Do you have the resolve to be killed? Do you really have the will to sacrifice your own life and the lives of many of your comrades just to kill an enemy?
Who's the one being underestimated?
Surrounded by the gathering executives, we were in a situation that looked dire to any observer. I scanned the perimeter, memorizing every face. Remember my face too. You can boast in hell that the woman who killed you was a beauty.
Oh, the Scion wasn't there. I thought he'd be the first to show up. Was he absent?
"...Phew. First an outlaw in the Empire, and now in Berriza too. This wasn't worth the trouble."
If our expansion into Berriza failed and I couldn't stay at the Academy, our results would be zero. Not only that, we'd make the Union in Exenbra our enemy. All the connections we'd made would be wasted. Truly the worst.
"What are you muttering about?"
"Has she gone crazy?"
"Quiet down. There's no escape."
"No, it's more fun this way. Resistance is fine."
The ones who thought they'd won were in for a surprise. I'd already grasped the entire grounds with my secretly permeated mana. Your lives are already in the palm of my hand.
"Haaa... fine. Let's do this."
Life is everything. We are still young and have so much we want to do. I'm not dying in a place like this. I cleared my mind and focused purely on the fight. Then, I began deploying multiple spells.