Chapter 156 (1/2)
To be a Power in the Shadows -7-
Info
I translate from the source here
The number in front of the chapter correspond to its URL
I can be reached via e, nor do I care if anyone hosts these translations anywhere I have no plans on hosting it myself
Here are links to EPUB and PDF (Not co)
I lurk in /a/ isekai threads soht to reveal rough spoilers of untranslated sections
Frooshi+ HQ, they get annihilated easily of course
Gettan decides to focus his efforts on Mitsugoshi+
Alexia drags Cid to the dojo to show her sword He realizes she's gotten a lot stronger He says it's a good sword It's a dry convo but cute
Cid becomes John Smith to check up on Yukimi She has the counterfeit notes ready and tells him to check thea Yukiet revenge on Gettan John says revenge is ok
John's job is to secure the area of their oshi+ Co sends in the 664 teaate John uses thread arts to defeat theo
Next, they send in Delta She realizes it's Cid by scent right away He prooes to Outlaw City to take care of Juggernaut She's on a Super Duper Secret Mission so she can't report back to HQ John doesn't want Alpha to know he's John just yet
The report reaches HQ The presume Delta is dead Alpha is super mad
Beta reports to Cid He notes down all the details related to Mitsugoshi+ Co He uses soes Beta asks to learn it and he hands over a note with the script for theone Cid tells her that she's just in a far away place now
Gettan finds out about the counterfeit cash He suspects Mitsugoshi+ Co
Alpha finds John S care of souild to check for counterfeits
Alpha vs John S va into mist Eventually, Alpha realizes it's Shadow John removes the mask Takes out his sword Alpha is defeated John says that 'That had to be done' when asked about delta and 'I areater cause Alpha is left there, abandoned
The counterfeit scheo bankrupt Yukimi decides to truly reveal her past
She and her e Gettan was her fiance Soe burned and stuff She and Gettan escaped He reveals that he wanted power and takes out a red lozenge Yukimi refuses and he reveals that he was the one who killed her mother She loses consciousness and when she wakes up there's a lot of (not her own) blood and she's alone Reminder (?): Gettan is blind with his eyes slashed Yukiry, they're going to go bankrupt He suddenly suspects Yukies into the dojo where her sister Iris is training She reports the matter of the counterfeits Iris says it's none of their business and none of hers That she needs to train so she doesn't lose anymore She's a touch frantic Alexia is sad and disappointed
The Seven of Shadow Garden are the only ones who know of their Master's sudden betrayer Alpha is broken Gamma decides she needs to pick up the slack herself Suddenly Beta bursts in The note froains her smile It says that he's sorry but he'll betray them He talks about his plan to counterfeit the old they will accumulate via the scheme Finally, he says that this will save thea all around! With the gold he has in that vault, only the oshi+ will survive Suddenly, Delta comes back Says she was on a Super Duper Secret Mission Alpha thinks she's just being a retard again Her Master would never say that They set off to collect the gold froot to becoh money to last him a lifetime He wants to bask in it and so checks the vault It's eets a report that Yukimi was kidnapped by Gettan He's mad now
Gettan accuses Yukimi of the counterfeit money and she says yes, it was her Gettan vs Yukimi Yukimi reveals deepest lore nine tailed fox power Gettan says that it's this power that blinded him so e Gettan defeats Yukimi
She wakes up on horseback behind Gettan Gettan says he's going to get that gold froether all those years ago Gettan says that there are sos ordinary people can't handle He says that he's a 3rd of the Order now He getsher John S precious to hioes doki doki John keeps telling Gettan to Say what he has to say while su hies into hisberserk
John beats super ain Gettan, returning to sanity by dying, says that John a good guy who protects his loved ones He points at Yukimi and mutters Yu…ki (Note: Snow Also re John heals the scars on Yukimi's back and tells her to be on her way, he has stuff to do
Yukioes back to find her vault empty Alpha reveals herself She reveals the identity of the true eneoshi+ and proposes a partnershi+p with Yukimi's Snowfox CoThey shake on it (sexy vixen joins the haree has yet to end
Last chapter of Arc 6 Mitsugoshi+ has the gold to back up their fiat one bankrupt John is digging through the snohere Gettan pointing, thinking the gold is under there Delta is helping Delta wants to call in on that favor He talks about Santa, and how he's an asshole that never gave him what he truly wanted Delta calls him out and wants that favor He decides to bullshi+t his way out of hit Says he's going on a journey and to think up what she wants for when he returns In truth, he doesn't want to see Alpha right now cause she's probably mad at him He decides to let time resolve it and heads for Oriana for his winter break…
End of spoilers
144 That Ordinary Boy is Revealed to be—!
In a back alley within the Oriana Kingdom, now occupied by the Doerunts basically
”He's looks shi+fty Kill him” Said one of them while another pulled out his sword
I immediately lowered my head subone”
My pleas were all but fruitless and a sas already hed, and kicked it away
The sword broke off in the
”—Wha!?”
”Coone ”He looks shi+fty, capture hi eyes wide
”What in the fuck are you talking abo—!?”
”All I wanted to be was a no-na rolled up in the domestic turmoil”
An ordinary boy unjustly accused and captured
However, soon after they captured hian to disappear in the dark of the nights Slowly at first, then more and more, until only that no-name boy and the leadershi+p of the army re, right?
”On your guards, heuys are the 10 group already This is getting botherso soldier came up front and said, ”Am I supposed to believe you're responsible for the recent assassinations of our men? A kid like you… no matter, we shall make sure now”
”Too late That won't make me a 'no-name' boy” I told the aze, that of a decapitated head, turned to the sky The moonlit sky from a back alley tainted with blood splatter
”F-fiend! Kill hiet lucky with the 11th…” I runts
This kind of felt like being a secret assassin I guess
The fight was over fast and the smell of blood permeated around me I checked my clothes
Good Not a drop on thee to get soe
Currently, this royal capital was being occupied by so assassinated as of late
That, et captured under suspicions that I'm a spy or assassin Of course, I'll still be a lowly falsely charged otten soain, that itself couldout of the alley while thinking, when I sensed
I deternatures… 7 of the for the bunch I left back there
”Oh, this could work”
I fell on my ass in front of the alley and waited
Soon—
”D-dead, in the alley, they're…!” I pointed down the alley and croaked in a terrified voice,sure the soldiers ithin earshot
I took especial note to be on the verge of sobbing, like a helpless mob
”What!? Dammit, don't tell me—”
The soldiers rushed into the alley
”Da!”
”fuck, once we catch him, I'm swear I'll!”
”Oi, kid! You see who it was!?”
One of theiven out
”I, I, no… I didn't see, nothing…” I said, shaking like a frightened pup
”You, you look like an outlander” The soldier's eyes turned sharp
”I, yes I'ar eh Why would someone like you be here now…?”
”I, I caht… I swear, please, please believe me!”
The soldier's eyes re— Why would you be walking the streets in the dead of the night?”
”I, uh, needed some air…”
”Soo out on a pleasure walk in the current state of this country? And here in the capital no less?”
”I-it's true! Wait, please don't tellthat!? I, I could never do solance at me, the soldier turned his eyes towards the alley ”All 9 of theht You don't look the type to have done all that but… show me your sword anyway”
”Yes, of course” I presented my blade As a mob, I make sure to equip a normal sword at my hip
”Cheap iron… and it's clean”
”D-do you believethem all is very low”
”T-thank you…”
”But you're still a suspect, and the fact that you're here itself doesn't sht at all”
”Wait, no…!”
”Oi, capture him!”
”Come on, please believe me! I'm but a simple and plain, innocent civilian!”
Nice I went the mob-but-kind-of-suspect route and it worked out like a chared away
145 Concentration Cadom of Oriana was in a state where war could break as early as tomorrow They obviously don't have ti collar put onin this ca the Royalists Prisons are all full”
”I see”
”Well, good luck, kid Whether you can live or die in here all depends on your choices”
”Huh, what choi—”
The soldier guiding e iron door and shoved me inside
The door was shut behind s
What I'd been ieon of solid stone, but this was certainly not that
In very feords, it was a big courtyard surrounded by tall walls
The floor was paved with stone, and the place was packed with prisoners
So in tattered clothes, some just sat there with dead eyes and looked ator other Seems they've made factions here
Our jailors stood atop the tall walls, overseeing everything
Actually, those walls looked like they had rooranted free entry into theined
First of all, I needed to secure a place to sleep I began walking with that purpose in mind
And, ”Ho, newcomer”
Caishright away
I was 100 positive This guy was a bandit
”You are…?”
”The nauy who teaches new blood like you hoorks around here” Said Zack, eyeing me like prey
”M-my name's Cid Thank you so much, I really don't knohat to do…”
”I feel ya, buddy Them fuzz catch you and throw you in here and there's nothin' you can do about it I totally get that you're scared” Zack said while patting my shoulder
He then closed in and whispered so only I could hear, ”Listen, Cid Food, bed, fun, none of that's equal in this here caroup of people huddled in a corner All of theely divvied up into 3 groups Those ones you see over there are the worst off and also has the most people They're e call the Trash Useless trash who aren't worth a daulps of water and even less food Just waiting to die They're trash who have no power, or smarts, or even info… Now, look over there”
Next, Zack pointed at a group of people ere standing and talking ast each other
”Those are the Royalists They're all idiots ent against Lord Doeet the bare ets”
”Our?”
”Yeah, our group The Doeot people who betrayed the Royalists to people like ood food, coes?”
”I'll give you and exaive one damn if he beat and kill any of the Trash— like this!” Zack kicked down a nearby uards on the walls watched the whole thing happen
They said not a word of warning to Zack
Making a beain cahts and killing each other are allowed in here But the guys up top will ignore it Still, doesn't ives us the stink eye Even Trash can be useful once in a while And needlessly antagonising theht? Hoe can get aith all this”
”Y-yeah, it is”
”Here's hoorks… it's all 'cause we keep an eye on those Royalists and leak any info we get to the guards Do that, and we easily get food, bed, and those nice privies Sweet deal, yeah?”
”By, uh, info…?”
”Anything they don't want us to know Get us soood info, and you're on the Doeood, useful even, you can soot whores”
”B-but, how aet it, really do How're you supposed to know anything? Think Jog that noggin a little Only Royalist traitors have that kind of inside intel, right? No did soet in?”
”I, uh…”
”Honestly, there's a lotta ways to go about it One, you could try capture one of theood ol torture Well, they're also on guard lately, so that o overboard
”Two, you could try getting in their faction and glea like that can take some real skill
”Three, eavesdrop They won't make it easy, but you can definitely try
”And four, there's that fact that they likely have people who're pretty willing to sell Really, anyone would get tired of it eventually They'd want food, booze They'd want to get their dicks wet But alas, they're still Royalists and the guards aren't exactly inclined to believe anything they'd say That's where we coet that food, booze, and whores they're starving for”
”I, understand…”
”I'm sure you do, Cid You now understand very well that if you do nothing, you'll be part of the Trash Useless, worthless trash The only you can survive in here is either get us soet the Royalists' trust”
”B-but, how…”
”I'uy, Cid So this is all I can do Tell you what, you get anything good, and you couards, so we can definitely work sorin
”Thank you, thank you so much, Zack!”
”Best of luck, kid”
”Oh, uh, Zack, please wait!” I called as he was about to walk away
”What's up?”
”I— Actually, I ood” I said in a whisper
”… Huh You know, if that info's sous, those jailors won't let you off with just a little beating How about I hear you out, before you go to the Followafter Zack, I went beyond the walls
Inside were hallways of stone with cells on either side, containing prisoners here and there
”The only guys who get private quarters are us Doeet to huddle down in the hallways, or just sleep outside That said, we have our own territory in these halls and outside You sleep there just cause it's eht not wake up Get it?”
”… Of course”
”In here” We walked some ways into the hallway and Zack opened a door
”This here'sthe door
It was the size of an average bedrooh for one person to live comfortably There was a clean bed, a few sets of clothes, books, a board gas and a shelf with snacks
”Well, this isn't the even close to what the big shots have Heck, they say our boss held a stripper show at his place” Zack sad with a dirty grin
”There we go, coood info… yeah, I got nuthin”
”Huh— wh!?”
With a single step, I got into arrabbed his neck and lifted hion, pay, for…” Zack croaked in pain
”Can't work the body without food Ifor a et a little weaker if I do So I really don't want to skipoutside isn't really a probleuess” I spoke while gradually tightening rip
”St-stahhhp…”
”Mr Zack, you have two choices Live, or die Choose wisely now”
146 [New Volueno Minoru [Cid's Past Life]
Nishi+no Akane, an 11th grader in Sakurazaka Senior High, had a classmate she didn't like
He had black hair and eyes and a plain face, yet he always looked tired, with deep bags under his eyes
His naeno Minoru He was the boy that Nishi+no Akane really didn't like, and to ht next to each other
Kageno Minoru, as his na into the background
With below average grades in academics and athletics, this boy had zero participation in extracurricular clubs, had al with others
He was normal, ordinary, the type of student you'd see anywhere
Akane hadn't disliked him at first But neither did she hold any special affection towards him She had assumed to know hi interacted with him on multiple occasions, Akane had discovered an aspect to their relationshi+p that she absolutely loathed
This aspect being, their first greeting of the day
Both Kageno Minoru and Nishi+no Akane would arrive to school each ates were closed Barely on tiates and exchange greetings
”Good reeted this , Nishi+eno in his usual monotone
It's Nishi+no, da her smile as she situated herself to her shoe locker
They'd been in the saone on every ured that he'd correct it eventually, so when this pattern had continued past Golden Week, she had all but run out of patience
She still remembered that conversation
◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇
”Ueno-kun My naeno blinked, several ti out of this world
”Wait, wasn't it Nishi+mura?”
”No, it's actually—”
”Wait wait, I remember now You're technically not an NPC, after all”
”NPC?”
Akane wasn't faon
”Uh, nevermind Don't worry, I make sure to remember the names of any major players, but I tend to mess up at times, sadly”
”It's fine, anyone can etic
That s at all
”I'm so sorry, Nishi+tani-san”
Akane wanted to knock the daylights out of this idiot Her hand was balled up in a tight fist, barely baring it
”… Nishi+no”
”… Huh?”
”My nairl looked at each other in aard silence
Akane then turned away to her shoe locker, refusing to speak any further to Kageno for that day
— The next ates
After sleeping on it, Akane thought that shebad by it, and it was silly to get so worked up over so all that, Akane eno-kun”
”Good , Nishi+no!! What is WRONG with you!!
Akane wanted to scream, but her perfect s that Kageno was acting as if the talk yesterday hadn't happened at all
He si her Nishi+ at her
Any ti, any ti at her, but his eyes always see past her
She hated that
That was the crux of it It was never about getting her na
What Akane hated was the fact that he would never look at her
That realization hat led her to completely detest him
Hence, she decided that he was not worth her tis but that was all
Akane had given up on correcting hile conversation passed In cases where they absolutely had to speak to each other for classwork, Akane would keep it to the barest nore him But she couldn't Due to her own circu too obvious
Nishi+no Akane was a very popular girl
Her beautiful black hair and stunning looks irls alike
In addition to being a fulltih schooler, she was also an actress
The people in her class of course knew of this extravagant occupation of hers So if it was known that she, Akane, was in bad tereno, there was a chance that ru up Akane wanted to avoid that
Akane's acting career began in her childhood However, due to a certain scandalous event in junior high, she had to take a break froht
That incident had led to Akane alearing a rades so that teachers would like her, she was sociable as can be, so her classmates wouldn't hate her She made sure no one would dislike her
As such, she couldn't let that hateful Kageno hate her back She couldn't let anyone else find out either She killed her own eoal
And she'd maintained the facade each and every day
◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇
Today as well, Akane said nothing as Kageno got her na for the umpteeth time
With that piece of conversation over with, Akane spent the rest of her day in the classroom without another word to the boy
Akane didn't participate in clubs She would usually go home as soon as classes ended Today however, she had remedials Due to her job, Akane missed many days, and so she needed toreations, by the tiht had fallen
”Aaand ates
She would usually call their chauffeur to pick her up, but her batteries had alas, run out
Walking would take her 30 ht breeze felt good on her skin, so Akane decided to walk
To be honest, it had been a long ti bus back in ele froed a car and driver for her, and she had gone and went like that ever since
So, after so long, walking on her oo feet felt nice, refreshi+ng even She didn't even care that it was dark out
That had made her complacent
Suddenly, a black van was behind her, and a burly man came out She had noticed it all too late
”—Eh?”
Before she was even aware of her situation, the ht, and within a few seconds, she was out cold
The last thing she saas an all too fa her way
◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇◆ ◇
”…Ugh”
Akane woke up in a dark warehouse
Her hands and legs were tied down and her ht, black van, the big , she seemed to recall
”M didn't help
”Oh? She's awake” said a voice from behind her
The instant she heard that hoarse voice, Akane froze
”Keep quiet Wouldn't want to get hurt noould we?”
He was a big man, perhaps over 6 feet tall His clothes stuck to hi a trained, muscular body
Behind hiled and kidnapped her
”We already send the ransoet out in one piece Very si hter of the Nishi+no Conglo the bad ly while approaching Akane as utterly unable to move
”Mmm!!”
Get away!
She failed to screas, desperate to distance herself frorabbed Akane's slender leg and pulled her to hiazed down on her face close
”Well I'll be That's the face of an actress for you Pretty girl”
”Mm! Mmmm!!”
She tried to shake him off
”Don't testsaid, none of that!”
Akane felt the texture of blood inside her mouth Tears held back until now streahly as he moved his hand from her chin to her neck, froirl like you shouldn't be so careless Ah right, this isn't your first tiht?”
Akane's movements stopped with a snap
”Yeah, back when you were in junior high, right Wasn't it soet resurfaced in her mind
Akane's whole body shook in trepid anxiety
”Heck, I can even relate, with how pretty you are Cootten you so scared?”
”… M here”
Akane used every bit of her strength to struggle, to resist the largearlass shattering echoed throughout the warehouse
”Who's there!?”
Turning, the h the broken , shi+ning down on the individual standing atop the broken glass
He wore a black hoodie and sweatpants with black work boots, in addition to a black ski mask that hid his face
This extreht as well have been one of the kidnappers
Clack, clack, clack
Clacked his boots as he slowly approached
”th'fuck are you!!” The big uy Slayer” He stopped walking to adjust his skiman ordered, and his partner, who had sneaked up behind the ski ht from the blindspot— yet, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, the ski ed it easily
”—What the!?”
”I could see your shadow in the inner mistake” Said the ski ed the men behind hi other things), his punch was practically invisible
There was a low thud, and the kidnapper accoht punch to the jaw You… you're no a man released Akane and stood up He loudly cracked his neck and glared at the skiman drew his knife and lowered into a stance He too was no aht a military man”
Said the ski mask man as he also lowered into a stance A practiced stance
The two ht
They slowly closed their distance, then—
”Die!!” The big man slashed
As expected of a veteran, his speed belied what his large fraest His movements were swift and minimal
The skifor his neck
The knife connected, with a sharp clang
”How!?”
The ski maskcloser, he was holding so a black… crowbar
The ski mask , a crowbar!?”
”Crowbars are great Super tough, hard to break Easy to have it in hand, and even if you're taken in for questioning, it's just inconspicuous enough to ood excuse Best of all— I can use it just like a tonfa”
”What!?”
The next instant, the skian arc just like a real tonfa and struck the bigman was disarstance
Crowbar met fist
Hardened ed blows underground Each tier man, he would draw back Step after step
”Heh I can ith his”
The big man said after a handful more punches
”You're not bad I can tell you've been in hts But you can't win here You're barely 5 foot 5 130 pounds tops Me, I'ht have a crowbar, but I'o down if you take just one ofrin
The ski mask man replied calmly ”Correct As I aet serious”
The ski reat potential in the crowbar It's alh, it's portable It truly is a weapon with great potential Night after night, I bashed this against the biker gangs, finally to discover its true worth…”
”— Wait! You, you're the freak going around bashi+ng biker gangs with a single crowbar, you're the Ski Mask Berserker!?”
It's been said that it's because of hi helmets The helmet would protect their heads at least
”The truth of the crowbar that I reached after countless biker gang bashi+ngs… that is, that rather than using it like a tonfa, it's better to just bash it!!”
The ski, but incredibly fast
Al man raised his arms to block— there was a dull thud
”fuck,his left arm
”Broke, didn't it? This is the true potential of the crowbar The trick is to bash with the corner of the L The force gets concentrated like that”
And so he bashed
”Gah!! Wai, no…”
And he bashed
”Sto, shtapid alre…”
And he bashed and bashed soh… oof…”
And he just kept on bashi+ng and bashi+ng and bashi+ng!
Dull thuds echoed continuously within the warehouse
It was a veritable stor on, and at so anyh… I can't even beat a veteran yet… I need, power…”
He turned to face the moon outside the broken
”I need more power…”
He uttered bitterly
It was as if he was reaching for the moon itself with his bare hands, an iainst the harshness that is reality
He then picked up the knife the bigas if her life was in danger, Akane struggled in futility to escape, but the knife was already on its way
”Ms
Now freed, Akane looked up at the ski , all in back shady individual
He also looked at her
”Take more care on your way home” He said to her, and then left
Akane could only watch hione that she realized that he'd saved her
”Stylish Badguy Slayer… just who is he…”
The only sound in the warehouse was that quietday, despite her parents' worries Akane attended school as usual
She still felt frightened recalling the events of the previous day, but then, reuy Slayer caused her to suy Slayer, so laain, there he was, that detestable boy
”Good , Nishi+no-san”
”—Huh?”
Stunned, Akane stopped in her tracks
Kageno passed her by and headed for the shoe lockers
He, Kageno, he didn't mistake her na at her that time
”Could it be… nah”
Akane seno-kun!”
She figured she ht as well try to talk to hi hard with his throat in hrr…”
Finally seeing fear welling up in the otta do…”
”Right… I'ht away I'll need a month”
I looked into his eyes as he spoke He didn't seeetting myself a room will make me stand out I just need a roof over uess”
”Sure thing I'll get you a spot…”
”Also, I'll need et that, I'm afraid I won't need you”
”Y-you won't need rip momentarily
”Oh, Ok, ok ok! I can do meals, three meals a day, no problemo!”
”Thanks a bunch Next… info yeah, I'll need that This place looks like it'll be fun Lots of intrigue”
”… I'll answer anything I know”
”Then, let's talk about our relationshi+p You said you're with the Doem Camp, yes? I don't want to pick a side just yet I'll be Trash”
”… Then I suggest you don't talk toyou the food?”
”I'll have it in this roo, so it's not an issue”
”… Sure”
Zack had on an extreh for now I'll find you when I need soo of his neck He sat down and looked up athis throat
”Who the hell are you? How co e're not supposed to have mana…”
”Who can say…”
”You're no student A spy… no, someone from the underworld…”
”Perhaps, but would I really reveal that?” I said, putting soaze
”…Tsk” Zack tsked and looked away
”fucking politics… whatever, I ain't involved, just do whatever you gotta do”
”That I will, Mr Zack That I will”
”… Yeah, sure”
I turn rab the door handle
”Ah, right I don't think I need to tell you, but do keep this on the hush hush”
”… I know”
”Just a friendly warning You see, I honestly don't care if I have to kill you and everyone else in your little Doe of mana and bloodlust
”—Wha!? But your mana's supposed to be…”
”As if this trinket can sealthe rooeham in to Zack'sfrom the other side, I did another h Calories At All
The Trash in the concentration caents would line up in the in the courtyard and await their share On the menu today, we have hard bread and soup
As I tookon tothey'll pick it off ofit obvious, but it's really obvious
Ifor et it taken from me, but I'm just a little curious about this too
Welp, whatever happens
Iit and quicklythey can take it, but I'll put up a fight
I ed to cross the courtyard without incident and made it to the spot of hallway Mr Zack reserved for …”
I started with the soup
It was garnished with vegetable scraps and just a few beans Tasted… slightly salty
Like, it was bad, but I could eat it
The bread was also bad, kind of bitter too The bigger pieces were sort of better
Tolerable if you dipped it in the soup first
In sum in protein The only source of protein would be these tiny beans
And not enough calories at all A paltry 500 Cals at h to cover a day's worth of energy
No wonder they're all skin and bones… I can understand the desire to steal
”Ho, newco
They were both thin and ragged, but their eyes still had a glint to them
”Do us a solid will ya?”
”W-what do you want?”
Ito defend itself
”Nothing much, just hand over the food”
”Eh, uet today…”
”Shaddap and hand it over!”
So the threats began
”Hand over the food, and you don't get hurt Try anything and you're still in for pain after we take your food Get ic? Now let's just make it easy for all of us”
”N-no, I…”
”Tsk… fucken retard”
One of theet it after a punch or three” He said and raised his fist
”You will stop” Interrupted the voice of a girl
”fuck off, bitc—!?”
”Wait, that's…”
Standing there in the hallas a beautiful girl She had on prisoner garb like the rest of us, and had pink blond hair She kind of reseo, now”
The twothem down
”Tsk, we're done here…”
”Uh, yeah…”
My collar was released and the men scurried away
”T-thanks so ht now” The pink blond beauty sly
This camp had few female prisoners Most of the this girl here wasn't one of those
”Food is quite scarce for everyone You'd best eat your fill quickly”
”Th-, yes…”
”You —”
”Lady Clara, this boy was seen speaking to adude came up from behind pink blondie He looked like he didn't like me
”Was he… but he surely didn't know”
”Be that as it may, we must tread with caution…”
”… Of course”
”Um, I, uh, Zack just told me about a bunch of stuff and, so…”
”That is fine Um… this isn't exactly the kindest place to be, so stay safe”
The girl, along with the tough dude, then left As he passedscared out of one
Then I ht there”
Mr Zack should be able to tell me who that is while I eat
Her naht, her
She looked a lot like Miss Rose Maybe she's related to Oriana royalty?
149 When it's All Over
I breached Zack's room with him completely unawares
”—!? Oh, it's you How'd you even do that…”
Once he noticed I was there, Zack's eyes bulged in shock
Hehehe, nice reaction I really liked this guy and his totally cliche reactions
”Here's thatme a plate full of food
”Thanks I'll borrow the table”
”Be uest”
Time for the moment of truth
On thewith steak and vegetables
Simple and plentiful
The bread was actually white on the inside and sies and lots of chicken in each spoonful Not bad at all
The steak was big An 18 ouncer I reckon The meat was lean with little fat, cooked soft and juicy Just how I like it
It was a far cry froourmet food, but it was delicious in a normal way Best of all was the fact that there was so ood served at a concentration camp”
”The country may be fucked, but it's still the Country of Art Our average quality of food is on the upside”
”Makes sense”
In the future, when it's all over, it ht not be so back to move here
I have a dream A dream, to be a power in the shadows
But once I do that, once I'm satisfied with it to the fullest extent, I wonder what I'll do with the rest of
I could become a power outside of the shadows, I could beco the world, or I could becoht on a lot of possibilities and ended up on soood food every day and sleep to my heart's desire I'd be happy with just that much
I'd spend my whole life at full throttle only to end up at a slow cruise
Yes, that, just makes sense to me
”What if I poisoned you?”
”Who do think you're dealing with? I can tell poison by smell”
I really can't
Doesn't really matter when I can break down any poison with mana
”Good nose on ya Wish I had one Especially that one time, back when I was still in the business yeah, one of my boys tried to poison me Not a fun time, let me tell ya Made it out of that alive, but as you can see, it all went to shi+t and here I a despondently
”Giht This daiswords aren't worth a da for soht I'd ive a daiswords and it bit 'em back in the ballsack when Doem used 'em to take over Soirl”
I was done eating now, so I went on to the otta ask me You should know all there is to her a lot better”
”Sure I do, butabout the here and now No loss inelse Apt diligence, leads to a longer life…” I narrow fully
”Tsk, you know your stuff I really can't tell you a lot”
”Not a proble ”Should be obvious from the name, but Clara Oriana is that infaainst the Doeht, ended up here Still, she's royalty, and they can't execute her right away Even Lord Doe trouble on how to deal with her, but that ain't the real story at all apparently”
”Go on…”
”Clara Oriana is a big face of the anti-Doe to her Even here in the camp…”
Zack raised a corner of his mouth in a sather in the people opposed to hiet rid of 'em all at once That's it What did I tell ya, it's not a lot Don't you know a lot ers and, with serious eyes, stared directly at Zack ”Care to know…?”
Naturally, I didn't know a thing, so I used some instmana release to add on the 'pressure'
”—!! C-cut it out, I said I didn't give a damn about the politics!”
”—Wise decision”
My smile was a smile that implied dark, terrible secrets…
With an attitude as if I see all and know all, I acted the part of a power in the shadows It's not a matter of ertips
This is it, this is perfection!
”Coood forup and got up
”I got business to take care of Boss called”
”Your boss…?”
”Yeah… Doem Ca the roo to do other than tail hih e past aged corridors that stank of rusted iron, he stopped before a large door He retrieved a key fro behind him to make sure he hadn't been tailed, Zack entered the room
I heard the lock click as soon as the door was closed
I too checkedno one there, I revealed myself
I turned the door handle Locked, as expected
I jutted so is so I learned in my past life so it was a breeze What's a power in the shadows if he can't open a few closed doors?
Incidentally, I haveeven with a full pat down
I checked the presences on the other side and, deter it to be safe, stealthily entered the rooe, dimly-lit room A celler of sorts
At the back of the rooathered around it
I sneaked closer and hid behind a crate I checked and the crate was e in the dark roo them
”Boss, we're all here like you ordered”
”Seems so…”
The man who the others seeined hirunt, but he turned out to be a lot younger
In his early 20s,down to his shoulders and ell featured He was no grunt In fact, he even looked sort of intelligent
From his musculature and posture, I could tell that he was trained in martial arts
He didn't have the air of an prisoner at all
I like it Breaking the mold and all that
”Well met, brothers The Doem Faction is pleased with your various contributions”
The boss said with a practiced voice, casting his gaze over the surrounding men
He then proceeded to ask each one of the it to a guard was a lie
”Zack, what about you?”
”I want— food Good food and h for two people at least”
Nicely done Mr Zack!
”Gonna put on 'e jeers
”Boss, let's have another stripper shoith the boys!”
”That shi+t's great, boss!”
”Again? …Try to keep it in moderation, men”
Like that, Mr handsome bossman listened to everyone's requests one by one
And once he was done, his face turned serious for the first time
”Brothers, we are in difficult times Lately, there have been more atte officers was assaulted, resulting in 7 dead”
For aabout me, but I didn't leave the camp yesterday, so it must be someone else
”He's skilled Every time he's killed, he's done so without a sound We've taken to calling him OWL”
OWL, eh… sounds ins that this bastard OWL is in this caht reaction out of Zack
”Zack, soaze to escape fro stare
”This OWL likely wants to get in contact with Clara Oriana We must find him before he does Is that clear?”
All the men nodded
”Then that is all for now… no, there is one last st us”
The bossman drew a knife and poised it towards Zack
”—You”
And with surprising speed, he threw it
Other than e a throw like that
The knife grazed past Zack's ears and sunk into the face of the man behind him
”This is the fool who dared to leak our info to the Royalists”
The other men simply looked on silently as the traitor bled and died
”That is all You all may leave”
And leave they did without a moment to spare
”—Zack”
Zack, however, was the only one told to stay
”You're— not hiding so, are you?”
The bossman looked at Zack with chilled eyes
”N-never, boss” Zack squeaked while seating bullets
”—All right I will believe you” The bossman patted Zack on the shoulder once, and left the celler
Now left alone, Zack heaved a shuddering sigh and wiped off his sweat
Which is when I decided to also pat his shoulder
”Oo, ooooahh!? Wait what!! You!! What the actual fuck!!”
Mr Zack got extrery
”Oops, didn'tthe secret”
”Like I have a choice He'd kill me soon as I told”
”Likely, yes”
”But damn, so you're really that OWL…”
”Truthfully, I'm really not”
”… Wait, you're not?”
Zack didn't seem very convinced
”I never went out yesterday This OWL is likely someone similar to me”
”Yeah, sure You think you can pass any info about OWL to ht? Bossman's suspicious ofto find out who OWL is I can't guarantee if I can have you knoever There are few people in my line of business… those of reputable skill often turn out to be acquaintances…”
I said this so he doesn't ask any more questions Since I had no clue who OWL is
”fuckruthless, you saw hiot nothing'”
”Oh, by the way, your boss'ser than you?”
”—What do you think?”
I did the instant ust
”Uh, yeah, maybe not…”
”It doesn't really… oh? What's this…”
Due to the sudden wind, a sot a brilliant idea
”— Interesting”
Ion?”
”A note froood idea who this OWL really is”
”What!? That's way too fast!”
”Take a look”
I handed over the blank piece of paper
”I, can't see anything!”
”It only responds to very specific e”
”Seriously… looks coe fro, even a hint?”
”… You're sure?”
I closed in and whispered to hi the first of nuulped
”—All will begin at last”
I said while siht super fast
”— HUH!? He's gone!? fuckin hell, the door's still closed, how…”
Inside the empty crate, I stayed hidden until Zack left
151 Who Do You Think You're Dealing With?
I was genuinely curious about OWL so I walked all around the ca at it blindly
The only thing I know is that OWL is supposed to be so
I couldn't check each and every person in the camp, but I was about to deterht fit the bill
I did this by looking at how they walk and how they handle themselves, but that didn'tguy is unexpectedly powerful, or when a ht actually be a really weak
So basically, I gave up With so few clues, I couldn't do it
Maybe I should go out into town tonight and ask around?
I'll think about it later
Okay, that out of the way, I went ahead and had the breakfast that Mr Zack so graciously prepared, and was currently out on a walk under the refreshi+ng sunlight pouring down on the camp courtyard
I very much liked the cool winter air coupled with a beautiful, sunny sky
The sky was clear, and, I can't explain this well, but it sort of felt likepast the hobo-like prisoners having their bad soup and worse bread, I noticed that I didn't look like aI can pull off the mob role no problem in a town
But coh Well, I' in should co
”How dare you accuse us!?”
A crowd had foroing to get fun and I wanted front row seats
”Don't you dare deny it”
Said Clara Oriana facing a uy was soht
Behind Clara stood people ere probably from the Royalists camp, and behind the no-na them, I could see Zack and also their boss
”Royalists and Doeet bloody…”
The rabble chattered
”One of ours was ns of an assault and torture”
Mother of crap Since I was out looking for OWL, I missed a key event
”We dindu nuffin!!”
”He was tortured! You're about the only people who'd resort to that, confess at once!”
Clara cried furiously
”Serves hiood fuckin' riddance!!”
”—Knave!!”
In her anger, Clara slapped the no-naot quiet, as if time had stopped
— Then
”Done it now, bitch!”
The guy who got slapped grabbed and raised the club at his waist
Yeah, this be no good
Clara can't handle that Worst case, the club cracks her head open and she's dead
Yeah, sorry, but I don't like it if some no-name mob suddenly kills a major character
”—Huh?”
Muttered Clara, her eyes wide in shock
Right before her eyes, thedoeapon at her, had spontaneously collapsed The club he was holding was flung high into the air
”—HUH!? What just happened!?”
”How'd he just!?”
The rabble were scared and confused
”It can't be— OWL?”
”Find him!! He's here souard
I was the culprit though
It was simple I had a piece of sliround Then I had it shoot out frouy and hit hiht there was very ht, by Mr Zack was glancing at me with suspicion
I made a cryptic smile, and purposefully looked away— Perfection
Now that's what I call a job well done
Which hen I noticed it The club that had been sent flying was co down my way
And suddenly, I had a eureka moment
— Show ain't over yet!
My role of that of a power in the shadows is done for now
However, I have yet to fulfil my role as a mob!
I took only an instant to determine the club's trajectory, and as it wouldn't actually hit me in my current position, I swiftlyexpected I'd need it at some point, I placed a small blood back in ht on my nose
”Bhoorfff!?”
I blew the prepared blood in my mouth from out my nose and fell back
The blood sprayed out like a fountain, glistening in the light of the sun Quite artistic if I do say so myself
Mob Arts: Nosebleed Splasher
This is a pretty high level technique
”Ugh! I'hh, it's on e, I present to you a fountain of nose blood
— And there you have it
While the power in the shadows aids the MC, so collateral!
”Wait, you're hurt!?”
I was collapsed onover, I quickly pretended to be out cold
152 The Princess's Mob Friend
I was carried into a room and laid down on a bed
The blood from my nose had dried due to the cold air outside, and so it clean
I took that as an opportunity to wake up
”Ugh… where a around everywhere confused
It was another private room While the di, this roo only necessities and no leisure items
Clara was beside the bed, and one of her factionht You were struck hard so try not to ht away”
”Huh, aren't you…”
”Oh pardon h it's likely you already know, I'eno I, uh, see you took care ofmy best not to offend the royalty before ht In the first place, you were unluckily caught up between our dispute”
”No, I—”
That hen the ue
”Lady Clara, I believe you've done enough We have no need to concern ourselves with hier”
”Guin… I understand, but he's still not able to ht be a ploy to approach you, s We have a duty to our people, do we not?”
The guy called Guin was looking at , Guin, but that doesn't ht in front of h Guin, he doesn't know anything And to my eyes, he seems no criminal Is that not so?”
Clara turned her eyes to me
”I, yes I accidentally ran into bodies left in alley by OWL They said I was suspicious and…”
”If I can't even help a single injured boy, how could I possibly try to protect rasped my hand
”—By your will I shall be outside” Guin said and then left the rooaveit incorrectly, it wasn't just at me, but also towards Clara
Once the door was shut, Clara let out a sigh
”I apologize He ht”
”Everyone's under a lot pressure Even I… The one who's supposed to have this role isn't even lumly
”Um…”
”Don't worry about that It's really none of your concern after all You're, not froht I'isword Acadeisword Academy? Then, do you perhaps know of my sister?”
Clara turned and faced me curiously
”Er, yes, I do know Miss Rose I've spoken to her before”
”You have? Then do you know about the incident where she killedthe spectators when it happened”
”Are you sure? Was it really her who did it…?”
”Yes, it was definitely Miss Rose”
”So it was…”
Clara's shoulders drooped in defeat
”Father had been strange for so for the cause Really, why did it have to end up like this… Everyone is calling her a traitor to the nation now I couldn't believe it, I didn't want to…”
I was soh and decided to just speak what's on my mind
”The way I saw it, she had an i what she did I don't knohat that reason was, and I can't say if you'll be able to accept it even if you knew her reasons What I do know is that Miss Rose had done it with the utmost of resolve”
”Resolve… is that how it looked? Haha, thank you, that made me feel somewhat better You know, I really lovedI looked up to her So when I heard of the tragedy, I couldn't, I still wanted to believe in her…”
Clara shook her head side to side, as if driving away the negativity
”Youwith her well”
”Well actually, I faced her once in the Senbatsu Tourna the God of War Festival”
”You have! What happened?”
”I completely lost”
”Well, you do look terribly weak”
Clara said with a rin
”Cid, may I call you Cid? You can simply call me Clara as well”
”That's kind of…”
”Oh, no need to be shy In here, I'm a prisoner same as you”
”Uh, well… then sure But only when in private, please?”
”Right If Guin were to find out, I'd never hear the end of it That aside, tell me more about how my sister was at the Academy”
And that's what I did for the next few hours
This , but not to worry I can fix it I am simply one of Miss Rose's many mob friends and because of that fact, I a
After leaving Clara's roo the halls, I sensed people approaching
Expecting a story event happen, I stayed in place
”Newcoraces!” Said one of the my shoulder
These men, no-names from the Doem Camp, had surroundedat the back with an aard face
”Listen kid, we need you to do us this favor” Said theclose to my ear His breath reeked
”W-what favor…?”
Not only wasas if I was a lowly Slion
”No need to be scared now You do us this favor, and we'll be best buds”
”O-Okay…”
”Here's the deal We want to talk to the princess is all, but the bastards around her keep getting in the way That's where you coet her to meet us”
”Y-you need me…?”
”Yeah, you're the best et it done You knohat, here's a little soht help”
He then took out a powder
”This here's a little drug that helps you get a good night sleep Mix it in they drinks and ba like babes”
”Wwait, no, I, I can't…”
”Listen you little shi+tstain!! I'm trynna be yer friend and ya won't even listen to one favor!? Got'a fuckin' death wish do ya!”
”Hiyipe…!!” I curl in on et too violent, yah guys?” Zack spoke up from the back in a stiff expression
”The fuck, Zack You finally goin' soft on us?”
”No, uhh… anyway, I don't think it's a good idea to, uh, do soet nothin' done like that!! We'r gonn take the bitch hostage and that daht where ant'ied me in the face
The moment the punch connected, I loosened my neck, and let ood punch to the head can cause a concussion, but knowing how to get hit can prevent that with surprising success
There's tays to get hit One is stiffening up and absorbing the strike, and the other is what I did just now, floith the i away by that punch, it also doesn't detract froet knocked off my feet and fell on the floor
”Hey, I told the away, as if to say he wasn't involved
”You know your job Now do it We'll wait 3 days You get us the girl, and I'll get you good food Don't do it, and…”
The man put his foot on my chest and pressed
”Yer dead, kiddo”
He said finally, and they all left
”I see, that's how it is Take Clara hostage so OWL comes out to play”
How smart of them
I stood up and brushed off the dirt onthat, Zack came back
”I know you're unhurt, but we still cool yeah? I was just there, I didn't do nothing”
Mr Zack looked awfully frightened
”It's fine This is all within predictions”
”What… fucking hell, you knew this'd happen!? Iwith the princess, but you even predicted… that we…!”
”The gears of destiny are finally into plan, of course…”
I casted a sidelong glance towards Mr Zack, and grinned cryptically
”…!! Y-you, who are you…! Y-you're on the Royalists side right? You don't look like you're on our side…”
”… I'm neither really”
”Nei, ther…?”
”I support neither the Royalists not Doeot out of sight, only leaving echoes
”Is the Evil that lurks in the shadow of the divide…”
”He disappeared!? But I can still hear hi around every which way in shock
Nohatever shall I do
154 —Looks like We're Done
5 round cellar
”You think he'll pull through?”
”Kid didn't look too bright to me Whatever, he fails, we kill 'iht It's alo?”
”In 'is room Stomach pains, he says”
”The hell? bastard's been acting strange lately You don't think, he's leaking intel to those Royalists—”
”Oi, it's tinalled one of them as the door to the cellar opened
In the dark, decrepit rooure's identity was slowly revealed as he approached the light
”You're alone Where's the girl?”
”Tsk Didn't pull through after all”
The men were badly disappointed
The black haired boy standing before these inti prisoners looked the definition of ordinary
His dark eyes were looking down, staring at the shadows extending across the floor
”Hey, you better not say you got cold feet”
One of the men pulled out a knife
”Hey! Talk! Where's the princess!?”
He threatened, holding the knife at the boy's throat
The boy began treined
The boy didn't do that He didn't shake, he didn't evenat the shadows below
”The princess, Clara…”
He muttered softly
His voice wasn't loud but everyone could hear it clearly
”Isn't colued to the floor
However, his lips held a tiny grin now
”The fuck are you talkin' about, huh!? Ya got cold feet and came here alone, that it!?”
The boy was silent
”What now? We kill 'im?”
”Gotta at least show hiain”
The men all stood up and surrounded the boy
”Messin' with us, eh dipshi+t?”
The rabbed a fistful of his hair with his other hand and pulled his face up
What thein e annoyed, thethe boy's neck
A line of blood escaped the shallow cut
”I said, I don't like that look”
But the boy didn't co blankly
No, not quite The srin
”What're you laughin' at!!”
The man smacked the boy's face with the butt of his knife
But the boy's smile didn't falter, not in the least
”You don't seem to realize you're in deep shi+t, brat”
Another sh to break the cheekbone, maybe even knock loose a tooth
Still no reaction fro at the oin' easy on 'im or what?”
From the side, one of the man's comrades came up and punched the boy in the face
”That's how ya punch a face Leave 'em half dead and they'll never— Huh!?”
That punch was meant to knock the boy out cold
But the boy just stood there as if he felt nothing The spot where he'd been battered had remained spotless
Those e them out
”— Is that it?” Finally said the boy
”—!! You'll regret that!!”
Furious, thethe boy with ferocious fists
He punched like no toh
”See, this is what happens when you— HUH?”
”— Are you done?” Said the boy, ever s
His face revealed not one bruise
”This kid's fucking strange”
”Tsk Gimme the knife”
The man from the side took the knife and stabbed the boy in the ribs
— But,
”What, how—!?”
The knife, penetrating only the boy's clothes, stopped there Even putting th into his arm, the man couldn't cut the boy's skin
”O-oi, what're ya playin' around for?”
”Stab hi in!!”
The ain
The knife never penetrated even skin deep
His breathing had gone arid as the man stepped away His eyes couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed
”W-what, the hell are y—”
”— So you're done?”
That's when the boy swung his fist
Yet, no one saw it move Such was its speed
What they saas the result only
The boy's fist had punched through the man's chest and come out the other side
”Ah… ahyauu…”
The e pool of blood
”Wha!?”
”N-no, fuckin…”
”D-did this guy just punch a hole through…”
”Hyai…!”
Splich, splich
The boy walked on the the bloody floor
”— Done?”
He taunted themens' faces stiffened
”Goddamn… e'll take 'im doith all of us!!”
”D-don't mess with me!!”
”D-Die, fucker, dieeee!!!”
”H-hyi-hyeeeeeeee!!”
Four shadows converged on the boy The fla shadows
Once the flaained its calm, on the floor of the cellar lay 5 corpses with holes for a chest
”— looks like we're done”
No one answered now
Splich, splich The boy stepped over the blood as he walked away
155 Soul Searching
I had left the kingdoar where I was born and raised, and now, have ended up in a concentration camp in Oriana In this unknown land where not a soul knew ht to find myself
That's what this was after all I journey of soul searching