SWNOVELXO Chapter 86
Chapter 86. Akira’s Resolve In The Wilderness
“If that’s the case, Mr. Melvin, I’ll ask for treatment and for Narnia.”
“But…”
“It’s about Cherina. She might escape on her own and come back here. Besides, if you’re not here, who will run this guild?”
As I talk, I make preparations.
Using the SHOP for new approvals.
SIG SAUER P229 Magazine = 4,800 yen
I’ll take two of these and add 50 more rounds of ammo.
9mm Parabellum Rounds (50 rounds) = 1,600 yen
It’d be nice if they had a .357 version of the P229… Well, if I want power, I can use the light sword. I considered the M4A1, but it’s not easy to handle. Besides.
I’m not planning to go easy on them this time.
I’m going to kill… no, I will definitely end up killing. But I won’t hesitate anymore.
My remaining balance is 4,773,561 yen
I load the three magazines with the additional rounds and insert them into my pouch.
Next time, I need to read the manual slowly while disassembling and maintaining it.
Assuming I make it back alive, that is.
Since I’ll be retrieving the light sword from the container, I’m not particularly equipped.
“So, Melvin. Cherina was abducted after leaving the Fishing Guild?”
“Yes. Bacharl-sama and his men from the Fishing Guild tried to recover her immediately, but they were outnumbered. The soldiers divided their forces, with half suppressing the guild members and the other half escorting Miss Cherina.”
“It’s fortunate that you’re alive.”
“No! I… I wanted to save Miss despite risking my life! Even if it meant sacrificing myself, I couldn’t protect her…!”
I grind my teeth until they crack and pound the ground. Blood oozes from my fist, but I don’t feel like stopping.
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely save her.”
“Please… I beg of you.”
I don’t know much about his relationship with Cherina, but surely they have a family-like trust. Regret is evident in Melvin’s expression.
“So, Hagg, Yaralai. Are you really okay with this?”
“Yeah. I don’t mind causing a ruckus. Besides, it’s also a thank-you for Miss Veliero’s delicious meals.”
“Friends help friends, and women too. It’s natural.”
Without needing confirmation, the two of them flex their shoulder muscles together. They’re reliable but awkward.
“Akira-sama.”
“Huh?!”
Suddenly called from behind, I jumped in surprise.
“What is it?!”
“It’s Cherina-sama’s shadow.”
“Oh, uh… you startled me. Could you speak to me more normally?”
“This is how I am. If you’re going out, why not start by visiting Guild Master Mile Bacharl of the Fishing Guild?”
“The Fishing Guild Master’s place?”
“Yes. He was the most proactive in the uprising. He has sufficient military strength and connections. I believe there’s a high possibility Miss Cherina was taken to the royal castle. To conquer a besieged castle, you need the necessary power.”
Though her voice is small, it strangely lingers in my ears. Is this also a feature of shadows?
“I see… Melvin, is there a possibility that Cherina was set up by this Bacharl guy?”
“It’s not zero… but there’s not much merit to it.”
“Why is that?”
“One reason is simply that he was seriously considering the revolution. There’s no advantage in sucking up to the royal family at this point. This city is already a lit fuse. And the other reason is…”
He hesitates a little there.
“What is it?”
“The other reason is probably that Lord Bacharl has feelings for Miss Cherina… Although it seemed she was completely unaware of it.”
“Is that so?”
If it’s Cherina, she might even use the other party’s love for business negotiations.
“You two have been childhood friends.”
Ah… the pattern of not being noticed despite being together since childhood. I can sympathize a bit with this Bacharl guy…
“Got it. Let’s start by going to this Bacharl guy’s place.”
“I’ll guide you.”
As the shadowy figure stands up and starts walking silently, I feel like I’m chasing a ghost.
And so, finally, we leave the guild building behind.
――――
The situation outside was worse than imagined.
Even though it’s said that the sky is already dark, there are fires everywhere, making it quite bright.
“What’s going on here?”
“Prisoners who escaped with Akira-sama, actions by the guards, and riots breaking out in the city have created chaos.”
“Seriously…”
It might have been an emergency, but resorting to means like releasing prisoners wasn’t the best idea.
At that time, I thought many people were being held on false charges, so I chose such tactics, but there might have been many ordinary criminals as well.
…No good. I’m a man who can only protect myself.
I shouldn’t think any further.
What I need to think about is rescuing Cherina.
I wonder if Cherina felt like this when she came to rescue me…
But when I recall the story I heard in the hidden room earlier, I feel like there’s a fundamental difference in our feelings.
Cherina seemed willing to use almost all of the guild’s assets to get me back.
That shrewd merchant, Cherina?
And despite the argument, she eventually convinced the guild executives to acknowledge it.
I don’t understand.
Why did that happen…
“That way, Akira-sama.”
As I mutter, my thoughts unravel, and when I raise my head, I see about thirty soldiers surrounded by men wielding spears, hand axes, and nets. There are twice as many fishermen surrounding the soldiers. The fishermen are far outnumbered and are fighting like they’re in a war.
But I remember seeing a similar scene somewhere. That’s right, I saw something similar in a riot video from rural China.
Mobile footage of hundreds of people fighting each other with primitive weapons like sticks and farming tools. I was deeply shaken when I saw that.
The same kind of fear grips me now, but I have resolved this time.
I breathe slowly. It’s wave breathing. I can feel the energy circulating inside my body.
“All right, let’s scatter those soldiers first. Can you capture that most arrogant one alive?”
“Easy!”
“No problem!”
Hagg is enveloped in a wave, and Yaralai, leveraging spirits, leaped like jumping beans towards the soldiers like a storm.
This time, I’m not just silently watching.
I hold the SIG firmly with both hands and fire each shot accurately into the soldiers’ bodies.
Die, you bastards who dare to abduct women!
The fishermen were surprised by the sudden gunfire from behind, but when they realized it was a projectile weapon. A powerful weapon, they create a gap between me and the soldiers and provide cover fire.
However, before the Ten Commandments of Moses are complete, the enemy soldiers are completely wiped out by just the two.
“Hey Akira, you’re starting to look more like a man!”
“Yeah, the face of a warrior. A good face.”
Approaching, they each say something like that. Should I be embarrassed or sad?
“…When we escaped from the city gate, I didn’t feel it, but this time, I definitely killed with murderous intent…”
Whether they died instantly from a gunshot is unclear, but they’re 100% dead. The reason is simple: the fallen soldiers were being beaten to a pulp by the fishermen.
“That’s the condition of a warrior.”
“Yeah. But the next step is not to drown in it. Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Yaralai nods strongly in agreement with Hagg’s words. Just that makes me feel much better.
“So, what should we do with him?”
Looking, I see the leader of the enemy, who seems to have been crushed by Hagg, spewing insults.
“You bastards! Don’t think you’ll get away safely by defying the royal family! You’ll all be hanged!”
“…Huh, who’s going to make that judgment?”
From among the fishermen, a tall, dark-skinned man emerges.
“Akira, I’m grateful. We were in trouble with these skilled soldiers.”
“That’s good. I came to see you, Mile Bacharl.”
“It’s about Cherina, right?”
“Yeah. I want to help. Will you lend me your strength?”
“Straightforward, huh…”
Bacharl chuckles bitterly.
“Do you know the situation?”
“I don’t. Are you involved in some revolutionary organization? I’ll help, so lend me a hand too.”
I step up to Bacharl.
“…Let me talk to you for a moment.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? Right now…”
Bacharl interrupts my words with one hand. Being taller than me, I feel like I’m being looked down upon.
“We’re using the sea dragon’s undercover agents to encourage supporters to rise. Representatives from each block will gather here soon. It’s better to increase the odds a bit before starting anything.”
“…You’re the one who let Cherina be easily taken away.”
“There’s nothing to say to that… Let’s talk about the situation around here from now on.”
Since Bacharl entered the building in silence, we reluctantly followed suit.