95 – 95th Episode. Completely Annihilated (2)
“Have you achieved what you wanted?”
There’s a groaning sound. Celine must be wearing armor and a helmet like she used to. It’s the mysterious part where you can’t guess her face that I like.
“Well, you could say that. I brought the party with me too.”
“It must be some kind of work for you to come here.”
“It was a coincidence that our paths crossed. I didn’t know you were still here. I was in a place where external contact was cut off for about six months.”
“What’s the matter?”
“To suddenly call it a matter. It’s a bit disappointing.”
Maximus laughs in a friendly manner. It’s a sociable laughter.
“I haven’t come if there was no matter to discuss.”
“Isn’t it inevitable that we’re busy? Don’t think too negatively.”
The two exchanged trivial small talk before getting to the point.
“Do you know about the largest crime organization in this city?”
“Wow, is this also a coincidence?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“I’m investigating on their behalf as well.”
“What’s the nature of the request?”
Judging by the direct question, it seems their relationship isn’t ordinary. Perhaps they’re like pseudo-couple?
“It’s about rescuing a husband who was dragged in by those guys. His wife personally made the request.”
“Alright. Let’s cooperate. As long as we take care of their leaders, we’ll be fine.”
“That’s right. It won’t be easy though.”
Is it paperwork? Celine flips through some thin, light papers in the direction of Maxime, who has a serious expression.
“Horned eel mafia?”
Maxime asks, flipping through a few pages.
“It’s a working title. The organization’s executives have horned eel tattoos on their waists.”
Horned eel mafia. It’s a naming sense befitting of the Yakuzas’ sense of doom.
“Horned eel… It reminds me of the Deer Tortoise Pirate Crew.”
“Oh, those guys.”
“I think it was about symbolism. They raised a horned turtle with a horn on it.”
“They don’t raise cannibalistic horned eels, though.”
“Such a shame.”
There are horned cannibal turtles?
Well, in a world where there are boar yokai with fangs optimized for suicide, nothing should be surprising.
“Murder, robbery, plunder, human trafficking. Sometimes they even commit arson. They’re the kind of people who do whatever profitable work comes their way. They operate in the slums, so the security forces don’t pay much attention to them.”
“They sound troublesome. Do we know how many members they have?”
“There are about 30 of them traveling in packs. In total, I believe there are fewer than 70.”
“And any notable individuals among them?”
Notable individuals. I suppose that means if there are any famous ones.
“Not really. There’s ‘Clawfoot’ Roodley, ‘Uninvited Guest’ Toran, and ‘Blazing’ Luksau, I guess?”
“Just a bunch of small fries. They should be easy to handle.”
Maximus snickers and smirks.
“But that’s not the issue. There seems to be a knight order watching their backs.”
“A knight order?”
“They’re called the Moon Rabbit Knight Order.”
“Moon Rabbit? The order affiliated with the Order Maintenance Corps?”
Order Maintenance Corps. It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name.
I nearly wiped them all out, but it seems there are still remnants. I was too focused on Monica, the Thousand Demons, to finish them off for good.
“That’s right. They don’t have much influence since they have no inspectors or twelve disciples, but they’re still a knight order.”
“How many members do they have?”
“Thirteen.”
In the grade chart, there are only 13 knights with a score of 3 or higher. It’s a number that even the Yongjugol ninjas would find difficult to dismiss lightly. To ensure a clear advantage, Lunnos and Maximos would have to eliminate about half of them.
With Heidi as a variable, their win rate is not low either.
“The real headache is on our side.”
“Not really.”
“What?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but the Night Sword Guild might be keeping an eye on the back of the Moon Rabbit Knights.”
“Night Sword Guild? I’ve never heard of them.”
“They’re the Seven Sword Guild appointed a few months ago. They’re currently in charge of Neo-Neo-Solitron’s security.”
I killed three of them, and Orphe killed the Fallen Sword Guild member, so there are many vacancies in the Seven Sword Guild.
Putting that aside, the relationship is damn complicated. The Night Sword Guild watching the Moon Rabbit Knights who watch the Blowfish Guild.
It feels like lyrics pouring out in a rap battle.
And here we have the Talju Ninja watching Maximos, who watches Celine, who watches the Night Sword Guild. It’s not that strange, or so it seems.
The world is naturally entangled in complex relationships.
“He was the deputy commander of the Seolpyo Knights.”
Celine starts to reveal information about the Night Sword Guild.
“The Seolpyo Knights? Their deputy commander wasn’t that skilled.”
Maximos says it as if he’s met them before. He’s secretly the king of connections.
I’ve heard of the Seolpyo Knights. They were a female knight order that led the Red Whale Matap before it was renovated.
I heard they were disbanded now, but their boss was a villain, and the knight order itself was not a problem, so I just brushed it off.
“They obtained the Night Sword of the Fallen Sword Guild by climbing up the black market and became stronger.”
“The Demon Sword? Byunggeom-kyung doesn’t use the Demon Sword.”
“They say it’s the sword Byunggeom-kyung used when he fought the deserter ninja.”
This sounds like a story about the Black Dragon Sword.
During the Battle of Sorrowful Shogunate, Jade created a sword that I split in half. It seems like it was repaired by bonding and applying ointment.
Did Byunggeom-kyung power it up with his item skills? Somehow, it reminds me of Orpheus.
“…?”
After giving a hint to Orpheus and shaking my head a few times, I focused again.
‘Look, aren’t we the same?’ I wanted to say, but I barely held back.
“It is certain that the Night Rabbit Knight Commander and Byunggeom-kyung have some kind of relationship. If you look at this information…”
“It is presumed to be a romantic relationship… That is the most certain. How can these busy knights meet people anywhere other than the battlefield?”
“Anyway, he’s a tough opponent. We found the main base of the Horned Eel Faction, but it wasn’t easy to take action. There was no one to help.”
“There’s no need to think it’s difficult. We just have to take care of everything before the Night Rabbit Knights step in.”
Their conversation ended like that.
…I wonder how things are going on the merchant’s side?
***
“It’s cheap! Really cheap! Sanghoe doesn’t lie, nor is it suspicious!”
Ninjas from Yongjugal disguised as merchants were gathering customers on the market floor. Perhaps because there was no one with merchant experience, they just hesitated with strange expressions and awkward lines.
The goods they were selling were also in disarray. Milk, vegetables, and daggers were placed on the same table.
Is it a suggestion to have a simple breakfast with milk, a salad for lunch, and a dinner of assassination with a dagger, all paid for with that guy’s wallet?
I knew I shouldn’t interfere, but still, it was too extreme that I couldn’t decide whether to step in or not.
“I’ll give it a try.”
Choker, who had been watching silently, stepped forward. After clearing away the displayed daggers, he placed Oculius on the corner of the table.
“Organically grown vegetables nurtured with top-grade fertilizer and milk sterilized with magic!”
Top-grade fertilizer and magic sterilization. Obviously a lie. There’s no way such things would be found in a remote village.
“It’s also good for children and pets! Oculius!”
“Ugh.”
Oculius moved towards the vegetables on the table. It sucked in the self-proclaimed organic vegetables with its beak-like mouth, moving it energetically.
“What’s wrong, it’s Oculius.”
“Was it a herbivore?”
“Probably a vegetarian.”
“It’s cute when it behaves.”
One by one, people started to gather, finding pleasure in the annoying creature.
“For today only! Special offer! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Choker raised his voice, trying to seize the moment. Speaking clearly and confidently, he definitely had the air of an actor.
“The benefits of milk! Milk contains a lot of calcium! It helps increase bone density, aiding in the growth of children and preventing and treating osteoporosis! If you drink a glass of milk three times a day after meals, it’s good for your health!”
Even mentioning unheard-of benefits. He must have made up all that nonsense on the spot. He certainly has ninja-like talent.
It’s a bit frustrating that he can’t fight, but as a regular ninja, not a runaway ninja or a super ninja, I can cut him some slack. As long as he’s good at gathering information, causing distractions, and infiltrating, he’s doing his part.
With a face that looks half and half, he could even pass as a beauty.
“Robin.”
Orphe, who had been sent to the other side, returned and sent a signal, so I moved to a different spot.
“How are Hook and Lunox?”
It’s a deserted place, so you can speak quietly.
“Hook joined a criminal organization… no, the Yakuza clan. He’s not selling hornfish.”
“What?”
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why did he suddenly become a Yakuza? He used to be a passionate guy. Did the fresh air change his mind?
“He killed someone and came back?”
Even if he was treated like a son, even Hook should not betray. Dealing with corrupt ninjas is the rule of Yongjugal.
Orpheus raised his head.
“That’s not what you think. I think he infiltrated to gather information.”
“Information?”
“There must be information that can only be obtained from there.”
“But why did Maximos say he would do it?”
“Maybe he wanted to be helpful in case of emergency. Listen.”
Infiltrate a small Yakuza clan, gain the boss’s trust, and obtain information about a large clan… something like that.
Listening to the rough explanation, it seems plausible.
“What about Lunox?”
“He’s practicing swordsmanship. I overheard other ninjas saying he swung his sword all day today.”
So he likes helicopter swordsmanship. It’s just satisfying to see his skills improve day by day.
“He’s a friend you really like, right?”
“I don’t like him.”
Suddenly?
“Why?”
“You’re staring too obviously.”
“What?”
“Oh, never mind. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear.”
The flow suddenly broke, but we smoothly transitioned to talking about what food to eat today.
Anyway, since everyone is working hard, I think things will turn out well.