Volume 5 - CH 15

Act 5-15: Unpleasant Deja Vu and Determination to Protect

Around five hours before the thief group―― Sad Terror rushed toward the village.

Sheep Cat Underground jail,

「I see… So Shar is the only one who disappeared, eh?」

「Yes.」

I felt something was amiss, as if there was a bone stuck in my throat. Normally, they’ll kidnap a few people to use them as shield. And yet, why only Shar? Is it because Shar was the only who can invoke the barrier? No, had they known such detailed information about this village, they would have used a more reliable method. They definitely wouldn’t use such reckless means. Moreover, why did they stay quiet when they’re supposed to make a move right now, during the peak of confusion? Attacking now would maximize their profit after all.

「No good, their actions are way too unpredictable! 」

I really had no idea about their goal. But some villagers did say that they saw someone that might be a human scout.

The scout who was supposed to kidnap Shar alone was found out pretty easily. Are they really choose such idiot to be an scout? Just what in the world was the other party?

「Have you arrived to such conclusion too?」

Chigi asked so while rubbing his chin.

「Yeah, there are three huge flaws in their operation. First, they only kidnapped Shar. Second, their scout made a blunder by being discovered. And the third is the fact that they doesn’t attack this village immediately during the chaotic situation.」

「It’s simple then! This guy is the insider who revealed the inside situation to his comrades who waiting outside. Right?」

Chato relayed his useless remark, hardly worth my time.

「Hey, did you forget that I’ve been locked in this jail for days? You as the keyholder should be the one most familiar with that fact, right?」

「Is something the matter with that!?」

Seeing Chato shouted angrily,

「Listen, this place is an underground jail. There’s no window connected to the outside. How do you think I can send the information to the outside in this kind of situation?」

「With strange technique of humans, of course!」

「Supposed that we’ve such convenient technique, I will tell them to attack now, when all of you are unprepared. And this village will be occupied by those thieves in no time.」

「…」

Chato glared at me while gritting his teeth.

He doesn’t seem to accept my explanation. But, it’s not like he could refute my argument either. This should be enough to shut him for now.

""

「Its just a matter of time before those guys raid this village. The best solution for this is arresting those people as fast as possible and ask them about Shar’s whereabouts.」

It would be different matter if they used Shar as a hostage though. They have that option, but it would be less effective unless they showed Shar.

I straightened my posture and stared at Chigi intently,

「Please, allow me to meet the representative of this village.」

I expressed my wish for the second times.

Either way, I couldn’t arrest all of those thieves by myself. The villagers’ cooperation was essential.

「REJECTED! WHAT MAKE YOU THINK WE WILL TRUST YOU!」

And just as I expected, Chato raised his objection with loud voice but,

「Are you even listening? Are you seriously aware of your current situation?」

I asked him such to shut his mouth.

「I-I did.」

Chato replied with a crumbled voice.

「Nope, doesn’t appear like that to me. Because if you really understand the severity of the situation, you won’t vent your wrath for being unable to protect Shar from me.」

I heaved a deep sigh, shrugged my shoulders as I spoke.

「SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU FILTHY HUMAN!」

A shock suddenly assaulted my face as I crashed on the wall behind me. I felt dull pain and heat running through my mouth. I spat out the blood in my mouth, and glared at Chato. And then, stomped on the ground, punching Chato right in his face.

「Y-You bastaa――」

I grabbed Chato, who tried to stand up by his collar, and brought his face to mine,

「Listen carefully. Currently, the barrier has disappeared since Shar has left the village. If that’s not bad enough, the other party sent their scout around this village too, ready to raid this village at any moment. This place will be history if we don’t strengthen the village defenses as much as we can with little time we have. Do you understand now?」

Why I wonder? Why do I get so pissed off seeing Chato’s childish reaction? And then, this strong sense of dejavu. There might be someone similar to him in my past who loves to make such shameful excuses.

「…」

Chato pouted and left the room as soon as I released my grip from his collar.

「Sorry Gil but, it’s not so easy to trust a stranger like you.」

「Guess so.」

Chigi spoke the harsh words I had been expecting.

「That’s why, are you willing to attend the meeting with your body being restrained?」

「He? Is that mean you’re willing to let me to meet them?」

「Yes, there are wayy too many variables in this incident. It feels like we’re not strong enough to get over this incident by ourselves. That’s why I think we can hear your opinion about this matter.」

He had such honest personality eh. Chigi then presented his right hand to me.

「That has been my intention from the very beginning.」

I didn’t wait for a moment to take his right hand.

Yes. I will protect Shar. That’s what I-someone who lost his past- want to do right now.