Re:Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World [Finalized Version]

Kiyotaka walked to where Sirius was.

Kiyotaka: (She's gone... but how? Did I underestimate her?)

Kiyotaka then looked around to see the spiked steel ball he had given the child on the ground.

Kiyotaka: (He wouldn't leave it here... unless he was... taken captive again? How? He should have had plenty of time to run away. Something else is going on here.)

Capella: [Hello, meat scraps. Pristella now belongs to us. The Witch's Cult! So grovel and beg on your knees for mercy! There is one thing we want. The remains of the Witch in this town.]

Kiyotaka: (This city is a trap. As I heard, it caught a witch, and now they want that Witch's remains?)

Kiyotaka sighed.

Kiyotaka ran off towards the Muse Company.

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Kiyotaka arrived, and he walked in to see Anastasia and Crusch taking charge. Al and Wilhelm were also present. Anastasia stopped as she saw him and looked shocked.

Anastasia: [I've never seen ya look so dishevelled, Ayanokoji-kun.]

Kiyotaka: [Not the time for jokes, Anastasia. What's the situation?]

Anastasia: [It isn't good. They got control over the four control towers for watergates and the city government office.]

Wilhelm: [I've been informed that if the gates were opened, the city would be flooded and underwater within moments. We've received reports that they've put Witch Cult flags on the towers.]

Beatrice walked into the room, saw Kiyotaka and walked over, hugging him as Kiyotaka patted her head in response.

Beatrice: [I was very worried about you, I suppose.]

Kiyotaka: [I'm glad you're okay, Beatrice. I was worried about you, too.]

Then Al walked in.

Al: [Seems like you're okay, brother. Though I never thought you wouldn't be.]

Kiyotaka: [Looks like you're fine as well, Al. Any idea where Pricilla is?]

Al: [The Princess will be fine, though I am a bit worried.]

Kiyotaka: [I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about what she might do while she's out there. Gaps in information are where disasters go to fester and grow. Unfortunately, there are quite a few of those right now.]

Anastasia: [As pragmatic as ever, Ayanokoji-kun.]

Kiyotaka: (While I'd prefer to know her location, I doubt she'll do anything drastic or negative to our cause. Everything should be fine even if I leave her to her own devices.)

Kiyotaka: [Do you have knowledge of its whereabouts? The witch's remains, I mean.]

Anastasia shook her head.

Anastasia: [If anyone knows about 'em, it'd be the『Council Of Ten』.]

Kiyotaka: [Not good. If it were three or four people, it would be much simpler. Now we need to protect ten people. As for your decision to use this place as a base of operations. It's foolish at best and blatantly idiotic at worst.]

Anastasia sweated.

Kiyotaka: [This is the first place the Witch Cult would come looking. After all, they're fanatics, so they won't wait for you to accept their terms. If they can, they'll try to kidnap one of the『Council Of Ten』and force the information out of them. Kiritaka is one of them, so this place is a target. Move as soon as possible.]

Anastasia gritted her teeth.

Anastasia: [You're right.]

Kiyotaka then turned to Crusch.

Kiyotaka: [Capella Emerada Lugunica. She has Lugunica in her name. Is she a royal?]

Al: [She probably meant it as a taunt.]

Kiyotaka: [There is no reason for that. The Witch Cult are fanatical and illogical, but they've never had personal grudges with the kingdom. They've always just followed along with their plans. Crusch. Tell me. Is there anyone who goes by that name?]

Crusch: [Not Capella, but there was a royal by the name of Emerada Lugunica. She lived over fifty years ago. It is said she was a very beautiful, intelligent woman; however, she was also just as cruel.]

 As Crusch was talking, a mirror started flashing as Kiyotaka looked at it.

Kiyotaka: [Sorry, Crusch. Could we stop for a second? Your input is appreciated, but we need to prioritise current events.]

Crusch nodded as Kiyotaka answered the mirror to see Julius.

Julius: [Kiyotaka... you look... dishevelled.]

Kiyotaka set down the metia so everyone was in view.

Julus: [Can you all see me?]

Anastasia: [I was worried when you didn't get in touch. How are things lookin' outside?]

Julius: [Things are looking alright for now. The『Sin Archbishops』aren't acting up for now.]

Kiyotaka: [Then, for now, let's move this base of operations, and then we can...]

Capella: [Hey there! Hey There! Hey, hey, hey there! Are all you meat scraps doing good? Are you all aflutter at the beautiful sound of my voice? The truth is... some bad people have attacked the city government office...]

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door as Garf walked in with Mimi beside him.

Capella: [And I'm just utterly heartbroken.]

Kiyotaka: (Garf and Mimi. They look uninjured. Good.]

Garf: [Boss, there are two really strong ones at the City Government Office.]

Capella: [Really, you ignorant meat scraps disappointed me so much, I'm just completely dumbfounded!]

Mimi: [It was really close. If Garf hadn't been there, Mim would be...]

"'Garf blocked the cloaked man's attacks as he grew two more arms, but it was too late as Garf went into a stance, shoulder throwing him into a far-off building as the wall cracked from the impact, collapsing on top of the cloaked man. The cloaked woman ran towards him as Garf saw Elsa and froze on the spot.

Elsa: [Weakling. Running away with your tail between your legs. Any other tiger would be ashamed to see it.]

The cloaked woman slashed at him, only for Mimi to jump in.

Mimi: [Heave-ho!]

She formed a shield protecting him as Garf snapped out of it.

Garf: [Gotta focus to make it work. Just like Boss taught me.]

He let out some mana into a very messy string as he grabbed Mimi and ran. The string formed a proper one as the cloaked woman made chase and swung her blade. Garf felt her there and turned for a second, punching at her. The woman's sword was close to his neck, but Garf's arm then transformed, increasing the speed, range and impact of his attack and sending the woman flying back as she stabbed her sword into the ground to stop herself. She and the cloaked man stood next to each other, watching as Garf and Mimi got away.

Garf: [I did it. I actually did it. I usually can't manage it.]

Mimi: [Mimi's so proud of you, Garf.]

Garf blushed and then shouted.

Garf: [I ain't a kid to praise! Now come on, we gotta get outta here!]

Garf let go of Mimi and looked away, feeling ashamed of himself for running. For barely managing to create a proper mana string after being taught to make it for an entire year.'"

Mimi walked over to Anastasia, who smiled, knowing Mimi was safe as she turned to Garf.

Anastaisa: [Thank you, Garfiel.]

Garf: [No, I just...]

Kiyotaka: [Garf. Come with me for a second.]

Garf: [Boss?]

Kiyotaka grabbed his shoulder and pulled him out of the room.

Kiyotaka: [Going to the Government Office was reckless. There must be a reason, right?]

Garf: [Ma mom is alive... here in this city. Her husband works there.]

Kiytoaka: [I see.]

Garf: [I know it was stupid. I should have tried to find you and then...]

Kiyotaka patted his head.

Kiyotaka: [It's alright. I can understand how you were feeling in the moment.]

Garf: [Boss. If something happens to him...]

Kiyotaka: [I know, but choices can't be taken back. Don't blame yourself, and instead move forward. Remember this frustration and use it to remind yourself of what happens when you don't think things through.]

Garf [Boss...]

Kiyotaka: [Still, you finally managed to create a half-decent mana string. After you manage to create one, making the others becomes easy work. As your teacher, I'm proud of you for taking that step.]

Suddenly, Capella's voice rang out.

Capella: [I hope you raiders are realising by now that it's done you no good!]

She began laughing manically.

Capella: [As representatives of those raiders, I'll start by slicing the ones who are still in this building into even tinier meat scraps.]

Garf's eyes widened in horror as screaming could be heard. Then the noise became unbearable as people shielded their ears.

Capella: [If you don't like that, I have but one demand! The witch's remains! That's it! All done!]

Kiritaka walked into the room

Kiritaka: [Good. Everyone is here. I'm afraid everything you've heard is true. We haven't a moment to spare in saving the hostages.]

Kiyotaka: [The remains.]

Kiritaka: [We can't move them. Therefore, we cannot give her what she is demanding.]

Kiyotaka: [When you say "We can't move them" I'm assuming you're referring to it in a literal sense?]

Kiritaka: [Indeed. It's physically impossible. The Witch's remains house a special power. If we move them, the damage would rival that of the time when the city was flooded to kill the witch... no, it could be even worse. It would destroy the city.]

Kiyotaka: [Giving them the remains of a Witch is not agreeable in the first place.]

Ricardo and Julius stepped into the room. Hetaro and Tivey ran, hugging their sister.

Ricardo: [Exactly. We ain't givin' in to their stupid demands.]

Kiyotaka knelt down to look Garf in the eyes.

Kiyotaka: [Garf. You need to get up. If you stay there, many more will die. Maybe even your mother. So from here on. Keep going, doing your best. Your strength is still needed.]

Kiyotaka gestured to the triplets.

Kiyotaka: [You still have many more people to save.]

Garf stood up and gritted his teeth.

Garf: [You're right, Boss.]

Ricardo then looked at Garf.

Ricardo: [I haven't thanked you yet. Thanks for taking care of Mimi. So.. we owe you. Thank you. Thank you so much.]

Garf: [I'm gonna kick that bastard's ass!]

Ricardo: [A fine howl.]

Suddenly, Wilhelm felt pain in his shoulder as he rubbed it.

Kiyotaka: [Are you alright?]

Wilhelm: [I just feel a pain in my shoulder. I have my suspicions, but that should be possible.]

Kiyotaka: [Tell me. What are your suspicions?]

Wilhelm: [Kiyotaka-dono. Is my wife truly dead?]

Everyone's eyes widened.

Julius: [Wilhelm-sama?]

Kiyotaka: [She died fighting the『White Whale』but her body was never recovered. You have faith in your wife, right?]

Wilhelm nodded.

Wilhelm: [Absolute faith.]

Kiyotaka: [Might I ask her abilities? In case Is something going on here? It's possible, after all, that she's not in control or... she's a corpse puppet.]

Wilhelm gritted his teeth.

Wilhelm: [She has the『Divine Protection Of The Death God』which makes anything she cuts never stop bleeding while she is near.]

Kiyotaka: [So the wound on your shoulder is acting up, right? That's how you know?]

Wilhelm: [Yes.]

Kiyotaka: [You're the one who knows her abilities the best. Is it okay for us to leave her to you?]

Wilhelm: [That's exactly what I wish you to do. To leave it to me.]

Kiyotaka: [Very well.]

Julius: [So, Kiyotaka... what would you do next?]

Kiyotaka: [Lia's been taken captive by『Greed』. I want to go after them and save her right now.]

Julius bit his lip a little, thinking that his help would be needed to retake the City Government Building.

Kiyotaka: [Honestly, even if I am a Knight, my priority is Lia. Not the civilians... but that doesn't mean I'll abandon them.]

Julius sighed in relief.

Kiyotaka: [Don't get me wrong, I always have a reason for my actions. In this case, if『Lust』is defeated, then rescuing Lia becomes easier since you'll all be there to help me.]

Julius nodded.

Julius: [Of course.]

Kiyotaka: [Another thing is the Metia. Leaving it in the hands of the Witch Cult is not favourable or acceptable. Especially with Sirius and her『Authority of Wrath』. The damage to both civilians and to any of our fighting forces could be devastating.]

Julius smiled.

Julius: [I thought as much.]

Kiyotaka: [While we're gone, move the base of operations. Otherwise, you'll be attacked by the Witch Cult.]

Anastasia nodded as Kiyotaka then turned to Al.

Kiyotaka: [I'm assuming you'll be going to find your princess, Al?]

Al: [Sorry, brother. This is where we part ways.]

Kiyotaka: [Very well. I'll respect your decision.]

Al: [I apologise to the rest of you too.]

Julius: [It's only natural for a servant to put his master first. I wouldn't criticise you for that.]

Al: [Appreciate it.]

Al then put his finger up.

Al: [Let me give you all one piece of advice, then. If you come up against『Glutonny』, don't tell him your real name.]

Kiyotaka: (The concept makes sense. After all, he eats people's names and memories, but... how did Al come to learn this? It's all suspicious. Well, I'll leave it alone for now. No point in creating internal conflict on our side. Especially since he doesn't seem to harbour any ill intent towards us right now.)

Al: [It's possible that all of the『Sin Archbishops』are here in this city right now.]

Many looked shocked as Wilhelm and Crusch gritted their teeth, but Kiyotaka remained unfazed.

Kiyotaka: [To add on to that. There may be something worse at play here as well.]

Garf: [Worse?]

Kiyotaka: [I was sure I had knocked out『Wrath』for a few minutes, but after my confrontation with『Greed』I returned to the scene to see she was gone. The child I freed has also likely been captured. Something else is at work here. Something dangerous.]

Garf: [What is it, Boss?]

Kiyotaka's eyes sharpened as he looked up at the sky, pondering his thoughts.

Kiyotaka: (Are they supporting their allies? Healing them, or are they themselves acting in their place? Still, I'm getting an eerie feeling about all of this. My senses are telling me something very dangerous is going on. Something I might not be ready to face.)

Kiyotaka: [I don't know.]

Garf felt a chill go up his spine at those words. Words he never thought he'd ever hear coming out of his Boss's mouth.

Kiyotaka: [Let's move out.]

Kiyotaka, Beatrice, Garf, Julius, Wilhelm, Crusch, Ricardo and the Triplets moved out in an effort to reclaim the City Government Office.

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To Be Continued

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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:

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