Seeker 318

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Chapter 318. Alley Meeting

We were heading towards the predetermined meeting place, the alley, where we were supposed to gather.

Besides Kushinosuke and Kazane were Yuzuki and Griff waiting as well.

I heard that the town girls were safely escorted home.

I conveyed the words spoken by the two town guards to everyone.

Upon hearing that, Kushinosuke showed a stern expression.

"Officials, officials! Can't the town guards decide for themselves what to do in this town?"

"Well, not acting on one's judgment isn't necessarily wrong as a member of the organization, but..."

While teasing Kushinosuke for his tendency to rush things a bit, I also thought about it.

Report the matter involving Echigoya without getting too involved.

There's a suspicious smell lingering around when they specify a particular business.

Moreover, the fact that those kidnappers went into Echigoya.

There's also the content of the special mission.

With all these elements gathered, we could make a decision already.

But, let's confirm just this one thing.

Facing Kazane, Yuzuki, and Kushinosuke, I asked,

"With Kazane's and my [Stealth], it might be possible for us to sneak into Echigoya and gather information. We might even obtain something like solid evidence. Depending on the situation."

At my words, everyone nodded with serious expressions.

Looking around at them, I continued.

"But that would still be a criminal act. Once we step into that, there's a chance we can't turn back. If we're going to pretend we didn't see what happened before and leave the rest to the town guards, this is the last fork in the road. What will you do?"

Then, after a short pause, Yuzuki raised her hand.

When I gestured for her to speak, she said,

"First of all, even if we manage to infiltrate Echigoya and get some information, what should we do next? If the police are like they are now, even if we get decisive evidence, we might not be able to do anything."

Surprisingly level-headed opinion.

Her emotions and reason conflicted, with her voice and expression so stern.

"Unfortunately, I don't know that either. Even if we honestly report information obtained through criminal acts to the town guards, there's a higher chance we'll end up in trouble."

Trying to remain as calm as possible, I answered Yumizuki.

All the kidnapped girls are young.

It's easy to imagine what kind of demand lies behind it and what fate awaits the kidnapped girls.

And I understand the meaning of Kushinosuke's words directed at the town guards, not knowing what kind of situation they're currently facing.

However, just because of that, it doesn't mean "illegitimate means" would be socially acceptable; that would be impossible.

When Eslyn-san got kidnapped by the wealthy merchant Goldor, we had the wildcard of the lord's support.

But this time, we don't have that.

On the contrary, the possibility of "the opposite" exists.

"There's even the possibility that 'the magistrate' is involved... But if that's the case, it's truly unforgivable!"

Kazane also clenched her fist and expressed her anger.

The words "a direct order from the magistrate" that the town guards mentioned also stuck in my mind.

Confirming with Kushinosuke, the magistrate—meaning the governor—is someone who receives land from the king of this country, the "general", and gets entrusted with governing that land.

It's confusing because the general is the king of this country.

This world doesn't have an emperor-like figure in this country. That's unlike in our world's history.

The position of the general corresponds to that of the shogun of our world's history, in terms of the centralized governance system.

Leaving aside the general.

In any case, the magistrate is like a noble under an absolute monarchy, entrusted with the management of the territory by the king.

There's no doubt that they are the highest authority in the area.

The fact that the highest authority in the area might be a villain is troubling.

At times like this, I wonder what would happen in a typical historical drama where justice prevails—like, would the lord of Mito or the shogun himself come and knock some sense into them with a higher power?

Still, would power, power alone, solve everything?

In that regard, we're just commoners, powerless in front of supreme authority.

Those three wandering samurai somewhere would mercilessly cut down an evil magistrate, but realistically speaking, they'd probably become fugitives.

"If we don't have power surpassing that of the magistrate, then there's nothing we can do, right?"

I muttered quietly.

Then, Kushinosuke showed a hesitant, troubled gesture.

And then, after a while.

The girl in samurai attire, with a determined expression, conveyed this.

"I might handle that on my end. So please, Daichi-dono, Kazane-dono, Hotaru-dono! I want your help!"

In the setting, a self-proclaimed poor samurai's daughter, who should be far from any authority, said that, bowing her head.

After listening to Kushinosuke's detailed explanation, it was generally the templated development I had imagined.

And we felt the same way as Kushinosuke.

Although there are many concerns, such as causing trouble for Mr. Wolff or whether this will be resolved tonight, we didn't want to turn a blind eye to this and call it quits.

Nodding to Kazane and Yuzuki, I conveyed our willingness to cooperate with Kushinosuke.

Then, the four of us, including Kushinosuke, formed a circle, reaching out our hands to each other.

Grif jumped on it and let out a small chirp.

Now, the operation begins.