20 – Episode 20. Runaway Ninja vs Yakuza (2)
Fortunately, Muka sang just one song and disappeared like the wind.
‘Encore!’ If he had said that, I would have gone crazy.
After resting and getting ready, I headed straight to the lord’s mansion with my companions.
Diana was still too young to experience real combat, so she was in charge of guarding the mansion.
“I am Joanna Goldon, the Baroness of Goldon. Thank you all for coming.”
The lord appeared to be in her early thirties.
I heard that she was the only survivor of the Goldon family in the civil war, but she dressed more like a librarian than a lord.
With dark circles under her eyes that were as deep as 0.5 Orpheus, it seemed like she had been through a lot.
“This is the only knight of Goldon, Sir Trent. He is in charge of both military command and my personal guard.”
A young man stood beside her, bowing his head briefly like a true knight.
Unlike the knights of the Ironclad Order or someone like Irene, he seemed like a rookie knight without the characteristic gallantry.
“Could I at least hear a brief introduction? I would like to hear the names of all of you who have come to protect Goldon.”
It was time for the self-introduction session of the group project.
“I am Leonard, a freelance knight. I came here in search of the final battlefield.”
An old man in shining copper armor, like the Grand Commander of the Space Army that I sometimes saw in the subway, stepped forward.
He was an ignorant inspiration, emphasizing the “final battlefield” without any tact.
What’s the difference between saying we’re all going to die?
“Well, well. Thank you, Sir Leonard.”
The lord’s complexion darkened in an instant.
“I am Robin, the wandering swordsman. I came to protect Goldon with my comrades.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Robin.”
Continuing, Orpheus tried to speak up, but a woman clad in worn armor and a helmet spoke first.
“I am the adventurer Seline. I have come here to dispose of criminals. There is no other reason.”
Yakuza Slayer?!?!
I thought she would spit out something like that instantly.
I was so overjoyed.
Though her eyes were hidden behind the helmet, it was clear that they burned with intense hatred towards the yakuza.
So it was Seline, not Orpheus, who was the Yakuza Slayer?
I felt a slight sense of betrayal.
Feeling somewhat wronged, I glared at Orpheus.
“Why, why are you doing this?”
“You deceived me.”
“Huh?”
I pretended to be disappointed and turned my head.
Startled, Orpheus glanced around at the people and began introducing herself.
“I am the adventurer Orpheus. I am…”
After that, I couldn’t hear her voice well because I was getting sleepy.
Only after the delinquent family finished their introductions did I regain my senses.
“Kehehehehe, everyone, look this way. These are the key members of a gang of thieves threatening our village.”
Tren spread out what looked like wanted posters on the table in the center of the noble’s room.
A rookie knight who had been muttering something raised his finger to one of the wanted posters.
“The name of this guy is ‘Wicked’ Delbanas. He was a promising knight of the Incomplete Swallow Order, but his wicked personality got him expelled. Now he is the leader of the Band of Thieves, trying to unite nearby thieves and plunder their wealth.”
She was a woman with an eyepatch on her right eye, giving her a venomous appearance.
Even just looking at the picture, the inherent wickedness of the Yakuza was evident.
This woman won’t stop until she kills me.
“The strategist of the Band of Thieves, Smithyo. They say he used to be the deputy commander of the Gazan Mercenary Corps.”
He was an ordinary glasses-wearer with no special characteristics.
Those mediocre guys always stick with the Yakuza and suck the blood of the people.
“This guy is… ‘Torturer’ Doren, the executioner of the Band of Thieves. He enjoys beheading people and hanging them in the streets. He is a dangerous villain with excellent combat skills.”
He was a muscular man wielding a battle axe.
Whether he had a personal grudge or not, Trent sharpened his knife while looking at the picture.
Honestly, I’m not particularly curious about what happened.
As Trent’s explanation continued, Celine spent her time casually, thinking that these guys weren’t that important.
I have to find an opportunity to strike up a conversation.
“…These individuals are dangerous.”
“I see. Do you have a question?”
Leonard, who had been quietly listening, asked Trent.
“How many enemies are there?”
“…250. We estimate that there are more.”
The surprised Agui and Kojubu slumped down.
“Oh, damn it!”
“We’re screwed!”
“Quiet down!”
Thunk!
It was too noisy, so I briefly fell asleep.
“Huh?!”
Youngju, startled, made a strange sound.
Is it because he’s not used to violence?
Now he should get used to it, so let’s show him an example.
To become a noble Oblige human, you have to become strong.
“Sigh… How many troops capable of combat are there within the territory?”
Celine sighed. Honestly, I’m curious too.
The soldiers I saw when I came didn’t seem to be that many. Maybe around a hundred?
“…About 60 or so. There are about 20 soldiers who have received specialized training, and 40 have voluntarily joined.”
The expressions of everyone in the house stiffened.
Like they heard the fact that virgins are rare in the world, they covered their mouths with both hands, as if to shut them tight.
Even that delinquent girl is probably not a virgin.
It seems like the only solution is “surround and annihilate.”
“Now it seems like my fate has been decided.”
Renard laughed bitterly.
If you’re going to die, then just die alone, you idiot.
“Your Grace, this is not just a simple eradication of a band of thieves, it is a war.”
The reliable Yakuzaslayer began his story calmly.
“No matter how inexperienced these thieves may be, they will swing their clubs lightly. It is not easy to wage a siege on a fortress with a broken gate. We must resort to forced conscription.”
Forced conscription? Suddenly, Gungeon’s face flashed before my eyes.
Even if it was a disguise to hide his identity, it would be difficult to live as an insignificant soldier for two years.
“F-Forced conscription, you say? Are you sending people who know nothing to their deaths?”
“We cannot leave them to die in ignorance, can we? Besides, helping in the battlefield is not the only way to assist. After cutting down trees and making pillars, they can also be assigned to reinforce the gates.”
Knowing that his words were reasonable, Lord Yeongju could only sigh without responding.
“That is my specialty. If Your Grace intends to do so, I will assist you wholeheartedly.”
Finally, Leonard spoke with useful words.
“If we can just complete the gates, even if I only teach them basic fighting skills, it will be enough for one person’s contribution.”
“…Very well. Let us start by rebuilding the gates.”
***
“No! The spirit of the trees! No!”
The boy’s screams echoed through the forest.
Swoosh, swoosh.
But the young ones’ cruel chopping did not stop.
In order to achieve peace and safety, adults must trample upon the innocence of children.
Paradise is still far away.
“Yo-ho! Yo-ho!”
Thud!
The boy’s lime orange tree fell down.
“Uh uh…. uh uh…. kkiyeee~! Kkiyeee~!”
In this desolate world where there was no Porto Gama to comfort him.
A man who couldn’t bear the sound of a wounded dragon’s cry attacked the boy and left.
“If I cut down just one more tree, I can make a gate.”
“There’s another tree over there. Let’s try using that.”
Lennard and Celine exchanged words, watching over the labor of the people.
Honestly, it’s quite a breeze for me since I’m taking a break.
Somehow, I don’t have the motivation for such simple labor.
If that tree had been a formidable monster, I would have been the first to run away.
“How do you plan to train them?”
“I intend to teach the young and healthy ones how to handle a spear. I’m not sure how many weapons there are in the territory.”
“Oh, there’s Tren Kyung coming over. Let me ask him.”
I have no idea what they’re talking about.
I just played around with the rascals.
It’s fine since Orphe is listening attentively.
“Boss. We really messed up. We committed a deadly sin. Please send us away… my fiancée is waiting.”
“I am the third generation head.”
“Grandmother will be here today or tomorrow.”
“My mother is very ill.”
It was just an excuse I heard every time during group project presentations.
“They will all think proudly. Fight with pride. Otherwise, die for me.”
I firmly nodded.
“I’ll scout and come back. Chase Orpheus well. Good luck.”
According to Trent, there are also spies inside Goldon.
First, I have to deal with those bastards using helicopter tactics.
Celine seemed busy, so it was a bit awkward to ask her, but I had to spend time doing something like this.
“Barkeep, one beer here.”
I sat down at the only bar that seemed somewhat popular.
All the strong people had left because of the castle construction, so it was very quiet.
Shiba, how do ordinary humans scout?
The runaway ninja Shinobin just goes into any house and digs around.
But now I am Ronin, a wandering swordsman. I can’t move like that.
I’m just observing people in the bar as I’ve seen in movies, but there are only tired-looking middle-aged women and men.
I tried to listen closely, hoping to catch a suspicious conversation.
“The price of diapers has gone up a lot.”
“Goldon, is it okay like this?”
“Young people these days.”
“The old days were better. Now even if I want to leave, I can’t.”
It’s really just a trivial conversation.
“…”
In the end, I sat there for five hours, lost in thought, before going home.
Orpheus was busy writing something on paper, while the gang family was receiving basic training from Leonard.
I feel a bit strange, but it doesn’t matter.
On Earth, there is a Chinese idiom called “Ju Madeng”.
It means that the protagonist appears at the end.
It’s okay because I’ll be playing more than a hundred roles as a runaway ninja.
With that in mind, I waited only for dinner.