Volume 2 - CH 407

9-41. Releasing Hostage

Reizen kicked the ground hard and accelerated.

Although Reizen is not particularly fast, he continued to run with all his might.

Karna was next to him, and Uchikage was there too.

“So, Reizen-dono. What are you planning to do?”

“I’m gonna find and rescue Karna and Theik’s little sister and brother!!”

“You seem to have a strong will. However… I never thought the day would come when I would cooperate with you.”

“…”

Uchikage glared at Karna for a moment.

He was an opponent that Uchikage couldn’t defeat in one blow.

He didn’t think that a special skill could be so troublesome, but it was also an experience.

However, if Uchikage used his other skills, he could probably defeat her.

But it was not easy to use because it would also involve his allies.

Reizen, who felt an odd atmosphere, tried to smooth things over.

“There’s a saying that goes, ‘Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend!'”

“Then let’s leave it at that for now.”

“I’ll keep relying on you from now on! Because I’m planning to take them back with us!”

“Are you serious?”

“Rather than being in a place with bad memories, it’s better to come with us and help solve the case! They might know something about the devils! And Theik’s little brother will definitely be useful! It’s about securing good personnel!”

“Sigh… Even if Ouren-sama gets angry, I won’t defend you…”

“That’s okay! I’m glad you understand!”

Securing human resources for the future.

I think that’s a good excuse.

He wasn’t sure if his fellow comrades or others would agree, but it was certainly a good thing to have more strength.

So Uchikage decided to go along with what Reizen was trying to do, feeling a little exasperated and realizing that there was no need for him to say anything more.

Regardless of how things turned out, they wouldn’t be heading in a bad direction like Prince Kreis getting kidnapped.

Speaking of which…

“Reizen-dono. Do you have an idea of where to go?”

“Karna knows! Let’s start with Theik’s little brother! We’ll need a guide!”

“Okay…”

Karna stepped forward and led the way. The destination was a little far from where they were, but they would arrive quickly at this speed.

They proceeded cautiously while keeping an eye out for their surroundings.

They ran through the destroyed town, passed through buildings with debris blowing towards them, briefly walked through the main street before entering an alleyway once again.

It seemed like the nearby residents were fully awake and there were a few more people than usual on the streets due to the commotion. Adventurers were blocking curious onlookers from heading towards the scene.

While running, Karna signaled something with her hand. Reizen understood the meaning, but it seemed Uchikage did not.

Realizing this, Reizen pointed at a certain building to Uchikage.

It was a large church.

Its size, decorations, and the numerous statues and trees that were likely tended by many people, gave away the fact that a significant figure or authority was present there.

Uchikage was a little surprised at the thought that Reizen and Karna might have been captured by those people.

The situation must be urgent for the devils to use such a powerful group.

As they listened to the story of Houen and Ouren, they somehow began to understand it themselves.

Before joining with Ouren, they must share information with others and organize the story.

Ignoring Uchikage’s thoughts, the two of them climbed the wall in one go.

Uchikage was a little surprised that Reizen had such physical ability, but it seems that he was climbing with a pneumatic barrier.

Thinking how skillful he was, he jumped over the two of them in one leap and entered through the window.

The two who entered late listened carefully with their own reconnaissance methods.

The moment they saw each other, Reizen put up two fingers and Karna put up four fingers.

This is probably the number of enemies.

The three nodded slightly and ran in the direction that Reizen indicated where there were fewer enemies.

Since Uchikage didn’t know where the hostages were held, he had no choice but to follow the two of them.

While leaving the front to the two, he decided to take care of the rear.

However, since he was tracking the presence, he knew exactly where the enemy was.

Two guards that Reizen found noticed them.

They probably couldn’t understand that intruders had come for a moment.

That was the cause of their defeat.

Reizen jumped from a low stance and kicked the soldier in the throat.

Thanks to his extraordinary defense, he was able to kick through the armor with his toes.

The soldiers were fully armed, but their joints were still weak.

One guard was kicked and fell silent.

Meanwhile, Karna accurately pierced a single sword from the side of the  guard’s shoulder.

Assassination after completely hiding in the shadows.

The guards who were suddenly approached might not have even realized Karna’s existence.

Then, Uchikage carried the guards who were blown away and gently placed them on the ground.

It would be troublesome if a loud noise was made.

Karna seemed to understand that well, so after confirming that the guard was dead, she quietly lay the soldier down next to Uchikage.

Karna points her finger and scolds Reizen.

Reizen lightly taps his head and apologizes.

After listening to the silent apology, Karna runs down the stairs again.

The two also follow suit.

It seems that the hostages are being held underground.

There are a few more guards than expected.

Karna thinks about how to handle this situation, but she knows they are the only ones who can solve this in an instant.

Using his Kijin’s herculean legs, he knocks out all the guards ahead of time.

Please forgive the slight noise.

After knocking down nine guards to the ground, he places his rack on the neck of the remaining soldier.

“Don’t make a sound.”

“Eh?! …!!?”

“Where are the hostages being held by the church?”

“… “

The soldier points silently.

So obedient, which is good.

After asking for the location, he is no longer useful, so he knocks him out with a chop and rolls him to the ground like the other fallen soldiers.

He is unconscious, and his armor is crumpled, making it a mystery whether he really is unconscious.

But without worrying about it too much, Uchikage waits for the two to come.

Reizen, who arrived late, gives a thumbs up.

For now, it seems like he is being praised.

Karna seems surprised.

“You won’t sense anything here. It should be safe to talk now.”

“Thanks, Uchikage.”

“So, how many hostages are there? If there are too many…should we release them outside?”

“Even if we only create an opportunity for them to escape, it will give them hope…that’s enough for now.”

“I see. If it were Ouren, he might take on the whole thing.”

“Retrace from that one incident, it might be true.”

Reizen immediately realizes that he is talking about the story of the slaves who were captured in the Salettana Kingdom for human experimentation.

At that time, he had no allies or anyone to help him.

There was no evidence, so the guild would not have cooperated either.

He managed to save only five children.

That’s all.

The current situation is a little similar to back then, Uchikage feels.

If it were Ouren, he wouldn’t want to experience the same thing again.

“…At least for now, it’s a good thing that Ouren-sama isn’t here.”

“Isn’t that a bit callous…?”

“Maybe, but we need to be prepared to cut off anything we can’t handle. We don’t have any luxuries or powerful enough to hold too many lives in our hands.”

“Well, that’s true…”

The conversation ends.

Uchikage descends the stairs leading to the underground, indicating that it’s time to move on.

The other two don’t intend to continue the conversation, so they follow him.