Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 87. Headquarters In The Wilderness

Inside the room, it smelled of life, with nets, ropes, spears, and giant fish bones decorating the walls.

A massive barrel served as a table, surrounded by smaller barrels acting as chairs.

As we sat down, they poured us cheap wine.

According to Cherina, for sailors, cheap wine was as good as water.

It was strange to have wine in a land where grapes didn’t grow, but they must be importing it from somewhere.

Since it didn’t seem too alcoholic, I decided to have a sip. I’m naturally strong against alcohol anyway, being a dwarf like Hagg.

Yaralai, the elf, drank without changing her expression. I wonder if elves in this world are strong against alcohol.

“Now, let’s talk a bit about the Sea Dragons. Originally, Sea Dragons was a mutual aid organization formed by people dissatisfied with the country’s policies.”

Huh? A mutual aid organization? Isn’t it a resistance organization?

“Of course, they weren’t initially hostile to the country despite their dissatisfaction. At first. Sea Dragons had three leaders called the Triumvirates. Myself, Paul Molmore, and Cargol Veliero… Cherina’s father.”

“Huh?”

Unexpected figures made my thoughts pause.

“Initially, it was an alliance to help each other survive under oppression, but gradually, more radical opinions emerged. Well, I was the one mostly stirring things up.”

Bachal chuckled bitterly.

By the way, who was Paul Molmore again?

Oh right. He was the chairman of a trading company that was almost crushed by the country’s imposed waste disposal. I remember now.

“I couldn’t stand being treated like insects. In fact, many people who supported Sea Dragons began to lean that way. Then Cargol Veliero said he would withdraw and left a proxy behind.”

“Hmm… so Cherina’s father is not involved in this incident?”

“The proxy, he was a mysterious man from the start, but the information and funds he provided were too tempting.”

“How did you end up appointing such a suspicious man as an executive?”

“Without Cherina’s father’s recommendation, we wouldn’t have hired him. But Cherina’s father gave him his full approval.”

“Still… wait a moment, you don’t mean to say that this incident involving Cherina…”

Bachal slammed his cup of cheap wine against the wall. When a dark-skinned man does it, it looks cool, damn it.

“I’m not that stupid. I was always wary of him. …But.”

“But?”

Suddenly, Bachal threw the cup against the wall. The giant fish bones shattered.

“The one who betrayed us! Paul Molmore! That bastard! He sold out Cherina, forgetting all our past favors!”

If my cup were glass, I would have crushed it too. My head feels like it’s boiling.

I took out a cigarette and lighter from my pocket and lit it.

After inhaling nicotine deeply, I finally felt a bit calmer. I dropped the ash on the floor, but nobody complained.

“So, what happened to that Molmore guy?”

“He pretended to be innocent at the Triumvirate meeting. He said he would rise with Cherina as the leader. But then he kept verifying detailed plans excessively. Looking back, it was probably just a stalling tactic. Thanks to him, this place got surrounded.”

“Hmm…”

As I inhaled the cigarette smoke, it turned into ash. While lighting my second cigarette, I spoke.

“But isn’t it strange?”

“What is?”

“This is supposed to be the headquarters of the resistance. There are three leaders. Why would they only kidnap Cherina?”

“Hmph. It’s plausible if it’s that pig of a king.”

Bachal had started drinking grape wine directly from the pottery bottle.

“He’s completely blind to the situation. He probably thinks he can crush us anytime. So he kidnapped Cherina only to satisfy his desires. Oh, by the way, that bastard Molmore went with the soldiers who took Cherina, talking about rewards.”

“Trash.”

“Yeah, scum.”

Burning gazes crossed. He must really like Cherina. I hope things work out for you after all this mess, Bachal.

“Captain!”

A fisherman dressed in arms barged in through the entrance.

“The representatives from the areas have gathered!”

“Alright, let’s go.”

And thus, with new allies, the operation to reclaim Cherina and overthrow the state began.

Huh?

Why does it smell so sweaty here?

――――

“First, let’s head to the square!”

A dark-skinned, well-balanced, muscular man shouted.

The city was filled with chaotic noise to the point where one couldn’t hear without shouting.

“Missouri! Suppress the riot-like fools over there! You continue to kick around those fools as a vigilante!”

“Understood!”

A young fisherman named Missouri gathered his young comrades and charged into the rioters trying to smash up the shops.

“Hmm? He has a gentle side.”

“…What are you talking about?”

It’s so obvious he’s pulling out the young ones from the front line. He’s a hothead but doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Cherina might have a good guy close by. If he’s the guildmaster of the fishing guild, his status isn’t bad.

The main street ahead was crowded with people more than one would expect.

“The slum folks are gathering here too. Just right.”

Bachal, the dark-skinned fisherman, smirked wickedly.

“What do you mean?”

Before I could get an answer, we arrived at the square in question. It was a circular square lined with freshly erected stalls, still bearing the marks of being kicked by sandals.

For some reason, several carriages were gathered in the center, surrounded by fishermen and armed men.

“Are we ready?!”

“Um, well…”

The man Bachal called out was flustered as he stepped forward.

“Is there a problem?”

“I don’t know how to put it into words…”

The man Bachal pointed his thumb at seemed to be moving his arms and legs vigorously but wouldn’t speak.

“Let me explain.”

Another man emerged from behind the first man.

Another man… all men, huh?

He was wearing a jet-black robe, looking suspicious… no, downright shady.

“It’s you. I entrusted the organization to you, didn’t I?”

“Yes. I have completed everything necessary.”

He’s acting all high and mighty. Not someone I’d want to be friends with.

“But seeing this guy, there seems to be a problem?”

Bachal sighed.

“You owe this man an apology.”

Despite using the word ‘apology,’ there was no trace of apology in the black-robed man’s demeanor. Bachal gestured with his chin to continue.

“I deceived you as the interim for my master. I apologize for deceiving you.”

Bachal sighed again. He clearly seemed to say, “I knew that already.”

“And? Who is the real representative?”

I heard about this from the fishing guild. This guy must have come as a substitute for Cherina’s father. He seemed to be a patron with abundant funds and information.

“Akira… ka?”

“Huh?”

Turning towards the peculiar call, there (of all people) stood that man.

“Your Excellency?!”

Yes. Peeking out from between the carriages was none other than Baron Rettell himself.

“Why are you here?”

The least fitting person for this place to be at the center of this uproar was none other than that man.

“I… I am… the real… Triumvirate.”

“Seriously?”

I nudged Bachal with my elbow.

“I had considered the possibility. But it was the least likely. To be honest, I had my sights set on Blow Sower, the Minister of Special Affairs…”

He whispered softly.

“Why would Blow’s name come up here?”

It’s an infuriating man’s name.

“He is so capable, yet he’s being mistreated in the palace. Especially King Pilatus seems to be increasingly dissatisfied day by day. Frankly, if Blow were an executive, this revolution would have been a breeze.”

“Couldn’t you have checked beforehand?”

“Are you telling me to go and ask, ‘Are you an executive of the Sea Dragons?’? This is a secret organization, you know.”

He said while subtly emitting a touch of chuunibyou.

“Baron Rettell is cozy with King Pilatus. You can tell from the various privileges he enjoys despite his low rank. But his financial and informational resources are impeccable.”

After a few seconds of exchanging glances with Bachal, I glanced at the creepy baron’s face.

“W-what?”

“Well, why would someone as distinguished as Baron Rettell participate in such a scheme?”

“I… I… I…”

Is he an otter or what?

“For… for Miss… Cherina.”

“Cherina’s?”

The conversation was getting more confusing.

“In truth, I… I… I wanted to marry her, but… She dislikes me… I think… But she… she’s still…”

He seemed to understand.

“She still hates me, I’m sure… But probably it’s impossible.”

The creepy fatty shrunk back. He’s surprisingly interesting.

“But, for the sake of… the lady… I can do my best!”

From what I heard at Cargol… was Cherina’s father. He seemed to be quite reliable, providing funds and information…

“Your Excellency… the lady’s… bride…”

“They’re all… broken.”

“Broken?”

I unintentionally blurted out.

“Both… body and… mind… ohh?!”

The baron screamed. Realizing my expression, he said.

“I’m sorry. Got a bit carried away.”

He must have made quite a face. Calm down. Despite being rude in front of the baron, I took out a cigarette and lit it.

“I was surprised. But it’s so terrible…”

“…Trash.”

“Yeah, scum.”

I spat out sharply.

“Yeah, just the lady… to protect.”

I, Bachal, and Baron Rettell expressed our strong determination.

“Then let’s execute the plan.”

Bachal and the baron climbed onto the makeshift platform in the center of the square.