Seeker 326

Test

Chapter 326. Case Closed

After defeating Echigoya, the magistrate, and their bodyguards, we borrowed a key from Echigoya's pocket and headed towards the door marked "Entry without the master's permission is prohibited".

Descending the stairs leading to the underground, as expected, there was a dungeon.

Since several women who appeared to be townsfolk were imprisoned, we rescued them and left the dungeon.

As a result of the showdown with the bodyguards, the commotion escalated considerably.

Perhaps someone reported it, as shortly after, the town patrolmen arrived.

By that time, Yuzuki and Griff had slipped out through the back door to hide, while I and Kazane activated the effect of the [Stealth] skill and blended in among Echigoya's household staff as extras.

This was to minimize the inconvenience to our employer, Wolf-san.

Depending on how the situation unfolds, there's still a possibility that we might be treated as the villains.

In the end, aside from the town girls who had been imprisoned, only Kushinosuke remained to confront the town patrolmen who arrived.

The town patrolmen who arrived were the same ones we encountered earlier at the checkpoint.

After hearing the situation, they looked perplexed.

When they realized that the woman in samurai attire with her hair down was Kushinosuke, they initially tried to arrest her.

However, when Kushinosuke revealed her identity and showed them a katana blade with a family crest, they exchanged glances and then apologized humbly, their voices tinged with regret.

It seems forging such things is extremely difficult.

The two patrolmen admitted they couldn't make a judgment on their own and called for someone in a higher position named Hittoyori Kitoki, who is a chief constable.

He turned out to be quite a significant figure.

He harbored suspicions against the magistrate and had secretly investigated his background.

Although he hadn't been able to obtain conclusive evidence so far, he could now act decisively—said the chief constable, expressing gratitude to Kushinosuke and bowing deeply.

He also mentioned wanting to thank our collaborators.

I wondered if it would be okay to leave at this point, but it's not like I did it for the sake of receiving thanks from anyone, so I decided to refrain just in case.

Under the responsibility of this chief constable, Echigoya, the magistrate, and their bodyguards were all arrested.

Kushinosuke promised him that she would definitely report this situation to the shogun.

The actions of this magistrate—committing wrongful acts for personal gain in a territory entrusted by the shogun for governance—would never be forgiven.

One of the town girls who had been imprisoned in the dungeon was tearfully embraced by one of the onlookers from the townspeople who had come to spectate in front of Echigoya's place, presumably her mother.

The girl who had been spirited away had returned alive.

There must be other town girls who have families or loved ones waiting for them.

Regarding them, similar scenes would surely unfold later, away from our sight.

Kazane, who was standing beside me, said, "I'm glad, Daichi-kun.", and I replied, "Yeah, I'm really glad too.".

She leaned in gently, and I instinctively pulled her close.

A notification for completing the special mission had also come a little while ago.

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Special Mission "Defeat Echigoya and the Magistrate, and Rescue the Abducted Girls" has been completed!

All party members gain 50,000 experience points!

Kodachi Fūon leveled up to level 51!

Current Experience:

Musou Daichi... 1915904/1927788 (To next level: 11884)

Kodachi Kazane... 1791536/1927788 (To next level: 136252)

Yuzuki Hotaru... 1894651/1927788 (To next level: 33137)

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The criminals soon being led away in ropes,

As onlookers scattered, townfolk who had gathered,

Underneath the bow moon, alongside Griff, Kushinosuke appeared.

And we, deactivating our [Stealth] skills, joined in.

Kushinosuke extended her hand towards me.

"Once again, thank you for your cooperation. Really, thank you. This might sound insensitive, but the time spent chasing villains with you all was enjoyable."

A faint smile, carrying some complex emotions.

I took her hand, shaking it firmly.

"It's us who should thank you. Without Kushinosuke, this outcome wouldn't have been possible. We might not even have been able to rescue the captives."

"I see... that might be true. In that case, I suppose my presence here had some meaning. Although, the only way I was of use was through my position."

Kushinosuke's smile carried a hint of self-deprecation.

Into this, Yuzuki carelessly dropped a bomb.

"Oh, speaking of, Kushinosuke. That damn magistrate, 'Orochi', and talk about a 'shrine maiden'. What's that about?"

"Ah..."

Kushinosuke's smile cracked like fragile glass.

The samurai girl lowered her gaze, speaking with vacant eyes.

"That... I'd prefer not to talk about it. Lord Hotaru probably doesn't know about that story. If that's the case... I'd rather not speak of it..."

"Ah, s-sorry. Just wanted to ask real quick. If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine."

"I'm sorry too... Even though you helped without asking questions... No, it's fine to say it... but..."

"N-no need to force it."

Kusinosuke responded, flustered, offering a faint smile again.

It was clearly a forced smile, something I could recognize now.

Yuzuki turned to me.

I shook my head, indicating it wasn't necessary to ask.

I didn't know what it was about, but there was something delicate in Kusinosuke's demeanor.

I didn't want to pressure her into saying something she didn't want to.

Just then,

"Princess... I mean, young master! Were you here all this time? What are you doing in such a state!"

From among the dispersing onlookers, an old man rushed over.

Seeing him, Kushinosuke muttered, "Oh no, it's grandpa.", and half-hid behind me.

The old man, panting heavily, reached us and scolded Kusinosuke who was hiding behind me.

"Young master, 'oh no, it's grandpa' won't do! We've been quite worried about you, not returning. Where have you been wandering? How worried do you think we've been?"

"N-no, it's, um... well, I was just about to head back now. Ahaha..."

Kushinosuke stammered behind me.

Do I really look like a utility pole or something?

"You're returning to the capital tomorrow morning, do you understand? Come now, young master, let's return to the inn immediately. Why are you letting your hair down like that? It defeats the purpose of your disguise."

"No, there's a long, d-deep reason behind this... A-alright! I'll go back, so please, grandpa, don't pull me..."

Kushinosuke was dragged away by the old man.

Since the old man didn't sense the power of awakened, Kusinosuke must be cooperating willingly, but perhaps there's some power balance there that we couldn't understand.

"Well then, Daichi-sama, Kazane-sama, Hotaru-sama! It was a short time, but it was fun being together! I bid you farewell!"

Leaving these words behind, Kushinosuke, dragged by the old man, turned the corner of the street and disappeared.

Waving our hands to bid farewell, we exchanged glances and chuckled.

Despite everything, it seemed like this was finally settled.

Griff fluttered above us, chirping happily.

And so, we returned to our inn.

Tomorrow morning, we would depart for the capital, where the General's castle supposedly awaited, accompanying Wolf-san's caravan.