エゾントファミリーの拠点はスラム街の荒野に接している場所にある豪邸だ。その豪邸は彼らの力の象徴でもある。重要なのはその大きさではなく場所だ。
東部では土地など幾らでも余っている。また建築技術も進んでいてかなりの豪邸でも比較的安価に建築できる。だが安全は別だ。防壁の内側の土地が高いのはそこが安全だからだ。荒野に接している場所に拠点を置けるのは、荒野を
ロゲルトの背後では彼の部下達が、ヴィオラの後ろにはキャロルが、どちらも武装して控えていた。
ロゲルトはテーブルの上に並んでいる4枚の写真を見ながら静かな表情で思案し続けていたが、視線をヴィオラに戻した。
ヴィオラが相手の視線から交渉の感触を探りながら機嫌良く笑う。
「それで、どうかしら?」
「悪くない」
テーブルの写真の2枚はアキラとカツヤだ。どことなく不機嫌そうな表情のアキラと、広報用の笑顔を浮かべているカツヤが写っている。
「俺達の方でもこいつらを少し調べた。カツヤってガキの方はドランカムの広報が戦歴を
「それで、どこまでがお前の仕込みなんだ?」
ヴィオラが少し大げさな態度で不思議そうな様子を見せる。
の悪さぐらい分かってる。一見全く関連性のないように見える情報を流して、状況をお前の都合の良いように操作する。それがお前の手口だろうが」
「それは誤解よ。私から情報を買ったのにしくじった人達が、その失敗を私の所為にしているだけよ。良い迷惑だわ」
「誤解?」
「このアキラとカツヤを引き入れる手段が、両方ともそれぞれが入れ込んでいる女を使うってのはまあ良いさ。男なんだ。そういうやつがいても不思議はねえ」
テーブルの写真の残り2枚はシェリルとアルナだ。ヴィオラの情報ではアキラがシェリルに、カツヤがアルナに入れ込んでいるということになっている。
「だがな、偶然にもほどはあるんだ」
ロゲルトがヴィオラを詰問するように話し始める。内容はヴィオラが提供した情報の疑念であり、偶然とは考えにくい事象の指摘だ。
シェリルの遺物売却店はすぐに高価な遺物を扱っていると勘違いされた。強盗達はアキラをそこらの雑魚と誤解していた。シェリルは遺物売却店に賭けているので店を再開したい。だがアキラがハンター稼業に戻ってしまう以上、警備用の戦力が別に必要だ。シェリル達がエゾントファミリーの下位組織に加われば、店の警備用の戦力を調達できる。ロゲルトはシェリルを介してアキラの戦闘力を利用できる。アキラはシェリルに非常に高価な服を贈り徒党のボスを任せるほどに入れ込んでいる。
カツヤはたかがそこらのスリであるはずのアルナになぜか非常に入れ込んでいる。そしてアキラに命を狙われているアルナをドランカムの力で保護しようとしたが難航している。エゾントファミリーがアルナを保護、又は監禁すれば、カツヤと取引して、
いろいろな要素が組み合わさり、ロゲルト達がアキラとカツヤを利用しやすい状況が出来上がっている。だがロゲルトはそこに作為を覚えずにはいられなかった。
「お前の情報の正しさは俺も認めている。だがな、強盗がシェリルの店を繁盛店だと判断して狙ったのも、アキラを雑魚と勘違いしたのも、お前が流した情報の所為だ。その店を襲わせるように仕組んだんじゃないか?」
「偶然よ。店の評価は競合店の調査を欲しがる顧客からの依頼。アキラの実力の調査はシジマからの依頼。私が自主的にやったわけではないわ」
「アルナが部外者立入禁止のドランカムの敷地内にいると知っている理由は? そこから追い出す
「......本当に、お前は情報収集以外自発的に何もしていないと言えるのか?」
「強いて言えば、カツヤがアルナにどの程度入れ込んでいるかを調べようとして、ちょっとした脅しや交渉でアルナを引き渡す可能性を探るために、私の手駒を送り込んだわ。それは私が自発的にやったことになるわね。アルナを渡せば2000万オーラム支払うとカツヤに持ちかけたのに、それでもアルナを渡さなかったのは
「どうだったかな? 確かに有益な情報だとは思ったが、裏付けに納得のいかない内容も多かった。御期待に添える額になるかどうかは......、保証できねえな」
ヴィオラが意外そうな表情を浮かべた後で不敵に
「あら、そんなことを言うの? 仕方がないわね。お気に召さない情報で金を取るのも心苦しいわ。キャロル。帰りましょう」
ロゲルトが本当に帰ろうとするヴィオラを見て
「金は要らねえのか? 大損したんだろう? 随分余裕だな」
ヴィオラが楽しげに笑う。
ハーリアスはエゾントファミリーと同程度の組織力を持つ敵対組織だ。縄張り争いで抗争寸前の相手でもある。同じ情報がハーリアス側に渡ってしまえば相手に先を越されるかもしれない。
ロゲルトの怒声に反応して背後にいる部下達が銃を構えようとする。だがキャロルがそれよりも早くロゲルトに銃を向けていた。ロゲルトが険しい表情で部下を手で押さえる。
「それで、やっぱり帰った方が良いかしら?」
ロゲルトが観念した様子で情報端末を操作した。
「振り込んだぞ。確認しろ」
ヴィオラが情報端末を操作して口座を確認する。そして軽く首を横に振る。
「足りないわ」
「何だと!? ふざけるな! 十分な額のはずだ!」
の所為よ? それとも、もっと支払額を上げてほしいの?」
「確認したわ。安心して。情報屋として同じ情報を他所へ流すような
アキラはエレナ達に助言を受けて改造部品の選定を済ませた。アキラ1人では進展のなかった部品選びもエレナ達の的確な助言のおかげで比較的短時間で終わった。その場で組み込みも済ませた。改造部品を組み込んだことで使用可能になった新しい弾薬の購入費も合わせると、代金は6000万オーラムほどになった。当初の予算を少々超えてしまったが、内容には満足していた。
アキラは購入した物を車に積み込み終えると、見送りに一緒に外に出たシズカ達に、主にシズカに会釈する。
「いろいろありがとう御座いました」
シズカがアキラの偏りのある態度に気付いて
「そうですね。お手数をおかけいたしました」
アキラがエレナとサラに軽く頭を下げる。エレナもシズカと同じものに気付いたが、だがそれを表に出さないように笑って答える。
「気にしないで。別に用事もないし、アキラにはいろいろ助けてもらっているし、あれぐらい大したことじゃないわ」
サラが少しだけ意識して懸念を吹き飛ばすように笑う。
「大丈夫だと思うけど、私が選んだ改造部品で何かあったら言ってちょうだい。私の身体能力で選んじゃったかもしれないから、ちょっと反動が強いかもしれないわ。その強化服なら大丈夫だと思うんだけど、一応ね」
アキラが車に乗り込んで去っていく。エレナ達は軽く手を振ってアキラを見送っていたが、視界からアキラの車が消えると少し険しい表情を浮かべた。
エレナはシズカが自分達を止める
「変な地雷に触れちゃったかな......。シズカ。あの時私達が、どうしてもって言ってアキラを止めていたらどうなっていたと思う?」
「スリを狙うのは本当に止めたと思うわ。その代わり、アキラが今までのようにエレナ達に
エレナの脳裏に手切れ金という単語が浮かぶ。あの時、どうしても、と言って頼んでいれば、アキラはスリを狙うのを本当に完全に止めただろう。今まで自分達に世話に成った分の代金として。勘の良いシズカが強引に割り込んで止めたことを含めて、その予想は恐らく正しい。エレナは何となくそう思った。
エレナが険しい表情で自分の発言を思い返す。しかしそこまでの問題発言をしたとは思えなかった。
「そんなに怒らせるようなことを言っちゃったかしら......。サラ。ごめん。私が変なことを言った所為で、アキラの機嫌を大分損ねたことだけは確かみたい」
サラが少し気落ちした難しい顔で首を横に振る。
サラが軽く
んでそう礼を言ったが、今度はシズカが少し険しい表情を浮かべる。
「今更だけど、あれで良かったの?」
シズカは自分の不手際を嘆いていたが、サラもより良い手段など思い付かない。何よりサラはシズカの対応や判断が誤りだったとは余り思いたくなかった。シズカが割って入らなければ、サラ達はアキラにどうしても止めるように頼んでいたからだ。
もしそうなっていた場合、サラは何となくだがアキラと自分達の縁はほぼ完全に切れていただろうと思っていた。自分達は
エレナがサラの内心を察して同意見だと思いながら、同じ失敗を繰り返さないように尋ねる。
「シズカ。アキラがあそこまで機嫌を悪くする理由に心当たりとかはない? 勘でも良いわ」
シズカがエレナ達にその時の様子を話した。エレナ達の表情が更に曇った。
エレナが軽く頭を抱える。
「......被害を食い止めた時でもその機嫌の悪さか。少額とはいえ実際に盗まれた時のアキラの機嫌がどれだけ悪くなっていたか。アキラがその機嫌の悪さで私の対応を解釈すると、私達がカツヤの話を、つまりスリの証言を一方的に信じた上で、身銭を切ってまで助けようとしていたように見えた......可能性もあるのか。参ったわね」
「多分、アキラは今までも自分の話を信じてもらえないことが多かったんでしょうね。信じてもらおうとする気持ちを初めから捨ててしまうぐらいに。アキラがエレナに本当かどうか尋ねていた時も、どこかそんな感じだったわ」
エレナが険しい表情を浮かべる。
「あの時のアキラの態度をもう少し注意深く推察していれば気付けていたか......。事前情報に引きずられすぎていたわね。普段交渉役をやっているってのに、とんだ失態だわ」
サラがエレナを励ますように軽く笑う。
「エレナ。あんまり抱え込まないで。カツヤの話を信じたのは私も一緒よ。カツヤに嘘を吐いている様子はなかったし、あそこまで必死に
「どうかしたの?」
「いや、何か急に、別にカツヤ本人でもない子の又聞きのような話を、私達がそこまで信じるのも変なような気がして......」
「......そう言われれば、それもそうね」
エレナとサラが急に
『新しい強化服に変更して、武器も改造部品を組み込んだからある意味で別物になったわ。私が新しい強化服を掌握する時間と、新しい武器の使い勝手を把握する時間が欲しいわ。ハンター稼業の再開はその後になるから、すぐに旧世界の遺跡に行きたいとか言い出さないでね』
『......分かった。......それだけか?』
『アキラが何を聞きたいのか勝手に推察して答えると、あのスリを意地になって殺そうとするのを止めてほしいのは私もエレナ達と同意見よ。エレナ達とは別の理由でね』
『私はエレナ達と違って別にあのスリが死んでもかまわないわ。私が気にしているのは、アキラがあのスリを殺そうとする過程で発生する面倒事の方よ。どうしても殺したいのなら、対人用の長距離狙撃銃でも買ってバレないように撃ち殺してほしいわ。そして嫌疑をかけられたら知らぬ存ぜぬを通してほしいわ。たかがスリを殺すためにドランカムを敵に回すのは割に合わない。それは私もエレナ達と同意見だからね』
『......じゃあ、何でアルファは狙撃銃の購入を俺に勧めなかったんだ?』
『その対人用の狙撃銃を買うと、旧世界の遺跡攻略にどの程度役に立つの?』
『私がアキラをサポートしているのは、アキラに私の依頼を完遂してもらう
にカツヤ達と交戦するにしても、アルファのサポートを前提にして考えていた。別にアルファはそこまで自分に付き合う義務はないのだ。あって当然と思うのならそれはただの甘えだ。アキラはそう考えて軽く自嘲した。
『そうだったな。少し甘えすぎてたな』
アルファが表情を優しげな
は謹んでちょうだいってだけよ。何の危険もないのなら私も止めたりしないわ。狙撃銃が必要なら次の稼ぎで買いましょう。とにかく有効射程の長いやつをね』
『まあ、それは金が入った時に考えるよ。時間はあるんだ。ゆっくり考える』
あの場にシズカがいなければ、アキラがアルナを殺そうとしてカツヤ達と交戦する可能性はかなり下がっていたはずだ。エレナ達への評価も大幅に下がり、アキラが余計なことに首を突っ込む機会も劇的に下がっていただろう。アルファはそう推察していた。ある意味で、アルファは選択を誤ったのだ。
エゾントファミリーの拠点内の応接間にボスのロゲルトとその部下達がいる。そのロゲルトがシェリルに厳しい表情を向けていた。
「断る......だと?」
シェリルは少し震えながらも気丈な表情を保っている。
「は、はい。その話は受けられません」
「お前、状況を分かってるんだろうな?」
うし、こっちの指示にはしっかり従ってもらう。時にはお前らが嫌がる指示を出すかもしれない。だが俺達を後ろ盾にできる利点を考えれば大したことじゃないだろう? 休店している遺物屋も再開できる。金はそれで稼げば良い。強盗に入られて動揺している部下達も安心する。良いことだらけだ。俺がお前の立場なら絶対断らないがな」
ロゲルトは表向き余裕のある態度でシェリルを威圧していたが、内心では芽生えた疑念に対する検証を続けていた。
(......なぜこの提案を断る? 立場的にも、条件的にも、力関係的にも、断る理由はないはずだ。断れば殺される。こいつはそれを理解した上で断ってやがる。俺達に身内でも殺されたか? ......いや、俺達に恨みがあるようには見えねえな)
ロゲルトが軽く手を上げる。部下達が一斉にシェリルに銃口を向ける。シェリルの震えが大きくなり、表情も恐怖で大きく
くの沈黙の後、ロゲルトは舌打ちして部下に銃を下げさせた。
(その場を取り繕う返事すらしねえ。どういう覚悟の決め方だ。分からねえ。なぜだ?)
シェリルは自分に向けられていた銃口から解放されて荒い息を繰り返している。ロゲルトが意図的に
「度胸は大したもんだ。俺が提示した条件に不服でもあるなら言ってみろ。その度胸に免じて聞くだけは聞いてやる」
だがシェリルは黙ったままだった。ロゲルトがまた舌打ちして部下に指示を出す。
「連れて行け。気が変わるまでどっかの部屋にでも突っ込んでおけ」
ロゲルトは数人の部下を連れてもう1人の監禁場所に向かった。
ヴィオラがアキラへの御機嫌取りとしてシェリルに持ってきた話はエゾントファミリーとの伝だった。本来ならシェリル達のような弱小組織には縁のない話で十分有益な内容だ。
その後シェリルはヴィオラが呼んだロゲルトの部下に案内されてエゾントファミリーの拠点まで向かい、通された部屋でロゲルトから詳しい話を聞かされた。シェリルの徒党をエゾントファミリーの傘下にするという内容はそこで初めて聞いたのだが、それも本来別に悪い話ではない。そこまでならシェリルもロゲルトの言う通りに喜んで話を受けた。
問題は、ロゲルトがシェリル達を取り込もうとする理由が、シェリルを介してアキラを手駒にする
「......どうしよう」
アキラが来て助けてくれないだろうか。一瞬だけそう考えたが、シェリルの
Ezont family's base was located in a certain mansion that was in the boundary between the slum city and the wasteland. That mansion demonstrated the power of the organization and the most important thing was not the size of the mansion.
There was no shortage of land in the eastern district, and with the advancement of technology, people could build mansions relatively cheap. But it was a whole different problem whether it was safe or not for them to do so. The main reason why the land inside the inner wall was expensive, was simply because it was safer. Having a mansion right next to the wasteland meant exposing it to monster's attacks, it showed that they had enough money to pay for the people to guard that mansion, unlike those countless small gangs scattered inside the city.
Rogelt had his men standing guard behind him, while Viola had Carol standing guard behind her. They were all armed.
Rogelt looked at the four pictures on top of the tables while immersed in his thoughts, his gaze then returned to Viola.
Viola tried to analyze his gaze; if it was saying that there was a chance for negotiation or not as she happily said.
"So then, what do you think?"
"It's not a bad offer."
Two of the pictures were of Akira and Katsuya. Akira looked slightly annoyed in that picture, while Katsuya was smiling as if that picture was taken for publicity.
"We also did some investigation about those two. That Katsuya boy has his past record properly written in the report from Drankam, so it's easy to compare it with the information that you brought in. His Hunter Rank is also pretty high. Well, basically, I'm sure he's indeed a strong Hunter. While that Akira boy, he has a rather low Hunter Rank. But I heard that he was able to fight against eight robbers all by himself recently, and if I add the information about him that you just brought in, well, I'm sure he's pretty strong too. If I can get both of them working for me, our battle against Haurias would definitely be easier. We're thankful that you even prepared a way to make them work under us."
"So then, how much of it was your plan?"
Viola tilted her head and looked confused, but she looked rather exaggerating.
"Don't play fool with me. Even I at least know that you're not a decent human. It's your usual modus operandi to spread information that doesn't seem connected to one another at a glance in order to manipulate the situation for your own benefit, right?"
"That's a big misunderstanding. It's just that those people who bought information from me made a blunder and pinned the blame on me. They're really giving me a lot of trouble."
"Misunderstanding?"
"The method to control these Katsuya and Akira that you offered is basically taking hostage the girls they love. It's all good up to there, they're guys, after all. It's not strange for them to go that far for the girls they love."
The other two pictures on the table were of Alna and Sheryl. According to Viola, Akira was emotionally invested in Sheryl, whereas Katsuya was in Alna.
"But, I highly doubt that everything is a coincidence."
Rogelt started questioning Viola. He was suspicious about the information she brought in, it was hard for him to believe that it was all out of pure coincidence.
It took an unnaturally short time for people to misunderstand that Sheryl's relic shop was selling expensive relics, and the robbers even misjudged Akira to be a small fry. Sheryl wanted to take her chance with her relics shop, so she wanted to eventually reopen it, but now that Akira was going to return back to his Hunter work, she needed other people to guard her shop. If Sheryl joined Ezont Family, she could have the gang guard her shop, and Rogelt would be able to use Akira through Sheryl. After all, Akira was so invested in Sheryl to the point that he had bought an expensive dress for her and made her the boss of a gang.
As for Katsuya, he seemed to be abnormally interested in Alna who should have been just a common pickpocket. He even used the power of Drankam to protect Alna who was being hunted by Akira, but of course, that could not stay for long. If the Ezont Family gave shelter to Alna, they could make a deal with Katsuya, or if they took Alna hostage, they could use it to control him.
With all of these things mixed together, Rogelt found himself in a situation where he could easily manipulate both Katsuya and Akira. But Rogelt could not ignore the feeling that someone was setting this up.
"I admit that the information from you is accurate. But, the reason why those robbers aimed for Sheryl's shop as well as them mistaking that Akira as a weak Hunter, they're all because of the information that you spread. You manipulated them into attacking Sheryl's shop, didn't you?"
"It's just a coincidence. Another relic shop asked me to gather information about Sheryl's shop, and Shijima asked me to check Akira's real strength. So it's not like I did that because I wanted to."
"Then, how do you know that Alna is staying in one of the Drankam's mansion when it should be restricted only to Drankam members? And why have you even made some preparations to get her kicked out from there?"
"...Seriously now, can you really say that you didn't do anything else other than just gathering information?"
"If I really have to say something here, I just sent someone to check how far Katsuya would go for Alna to help me find a plan to get him to give up on her. I was also surprised when I found out that Katsuya would not give up Alna even after offering him 20 million Aurum, and when I was content that I could get some information on him, the people that I sent got killed, you know. Thanks to that, I can't collect the rest of their debts, it was a huge loss. The reason why I came here to sell this information is to make up for that loss. And since you're a reputable person, I agreed to give you the information first before you pay for it, right? I really hope that you would pay me a lot for it afterwards."
"I don't know about that. It's true that it's rather valuable information, but there are a lot of things that I can't just accept. So I can't really say if I would give you the amount of money that you're hoping for..."
Viola looked rather surprised, she then smiled confidently.
"Oh my, are you really going to go that far? Geez, it can't be helped then. It doesn't feel right to demand money for information that you don't find to your liking. Carol, let's leave."
Seeing how Viola was really about to leave, Rogelt suspiciously said.
"You sure you don't need the money? You suffered a big loss, right? But you don't seem desperate at all there."
Viola smiled.
Haurias was another gang that was more or less as powerful as Ezont Family and they were in a feud against each other. They were very close to starting a full-blown war for territories. If Haurias got the same information, they might get the upper hand against the Ezont family.
Rogelt could not help but to raise his voice in anger, his men behind him readied their rifles in reflex. But Carol already aimed her rifle at Rogelt faster than anyone present. Rogelt frowned and made a stern face as he signalled his men to lower their rifles.
"So then, should I leave now?"
Rogelt seemed to have given up and took out his information terminal.
"There, I sent it. Go ahead and confirm it."
Viola opened her information terminal and checked her bank account, she then lightly shook her head.
"That's not enough."
"What!? Are you kidding me!? Shouldn't that be enough!?"
"That's your fault for doing something that you shouldn't have back there. Or is it that you want me to demand more money?"
"Yup, I've received it. Don't worry, as an information broker, I won't sell it to other places. I can promise you that."
Akira finally finished choosing modification parts for his rifle with some help from Sara and Elena. Akira, who took a long time deciding which one to choose, was able to finish choosing relatively fast with the help from Elena and Sara. He even finished installing the modifications there. Now that his new rifle was modified to the point that he had to use special types of bullets, plus the modification parts too, he had to pay 60 million Aurum in total. Although he ended up spending a little more money than his original budget, he was satisfied with the result.
Akira packed everything he bought into his vehicle and thanked Shizuka, Elena and Sara who saw him off, especially to Shizuka.
"Thank you very much for everything."
Shizuka noticed that Akira directed his thanks mostly at her, she then smiled and said.
"That's true. I'm sorry for taking your time."
Akira lightly bowed to Sara and Elena. Elena noticed the same thing that Shizuka also noticed, but she didn't show that on her face as she smiled at Akira and said.
"Don't worry, it's not like we have something else to do anyway, not to mention that you helped us a lot too in the past, we can at least help you that much."
Sara also smiled as if to dispel something that was worrying her.
"Although I'm sure that they'll work just fine, if you have any trouble with the parts that we picked for you, please tell us. I might have picked some parts based on my strength, you see. So the kickback might be rather strong, though I think it should be okay with that augmented suit."
Akira hopped onto his vehicle and left the shop. Elena and Sara were lightly waving at Akira as he drove off, but the moment Akira was no longer in their views, their expression turned stern.
Elena understood that Shizuka interjected back then for their sake.
"Did we say something that we shouldn't have back there? Shizuka, what do you think would have happened if I went and told Akira that we wanted him to stop hunting for that pickpocket no matter what?"
"I think he'll really stop hunting for that pickpocket for real. But in exchange for that, I bet he'll stop maintaining the close relationship that he has with both of you until now. In the worst-case scenario, he might even cut any relationship with both of you..."
The word 'severance money' came up in the back of Elena's mind. That time, if she had told Akira that she wanted him to stop no matter what, Akira would have really stopped hunting for that Alna. But she would have had to pay it with the relationship that they had built up until now as the severance money. Considering that Shizuka even interjected there, Elena thought that her guess might as well be true.
Elena tried to remember what she had said while making a grim face. But she could not think that she said anything that bad.
"Did I say something that really angered him...? Sara, I'm sorry, it seems that I really soured our relationship with Akira because of something I said."
Sara looked rather dispirited as she shook her head.
Sara lightly sighed.
Sara smiled and thanked Shizuka, but this time, it was Shizuka who made a stern face.
"Though it might be too late, are you sure that was fine?"
It seemed that Shizuka doubted her own choice there, but Sara could not think of any better solution than that. Moreover, she did not want to think that Shizuka made the wrong decision. After all, had Shizuka not cut in, she would have asked Akira to stop no matter what.
If that had happened, Sara felt that Akira would have cut any ties with them. Their relationship would turn into acquaintances who were frequenting the same shop, and if she tried to invite him to go to the ruin again, Akira might casually refuse without even considering it, and Sara would not want that.
Elena and Sara knew that they were thinking of the same thing and told themselves not to make the same mistake ever again.
"Shizuka, do you have any idea why Akira reacted that strongly? I don't mind even if it's just your guess."
Shizuka then told what had happened to Elena and Sara. Elena and Sara's expression turned even more cloudy after they heard Shizuka's story.
Elena lightly hung her head.
"...So, he got that annoyed even when he was able to contain the damage, huh. That explains why he got annoyed when his money got stolen. Although it isn't worth that much. Judging from how bad his mood got back there, he must have thought that we seemed to believe more in Katsuya's story to the point that we're willing to pay to help him... Geez, what a disaster!"
"I bet there were many occasions where people didn't believe him at all in the past to the point that he did not expect anyone to believe him from the start. It exactly felt like that when you asked him if Katsuya's explanation was true or not."
Elena made a stern face and said.
"I should've been able to notice it if only I paid more attention to him... I guess I put too much trust in the information that I got beforehand, huh? And that happened to me, who usually handles negotiations too, what a big blunder."
Sara lightly smiled at Elena and tried to cheer her up.
"Elena, please don't be too hard on yourself. That also applies to me too, I believed in Katsuya's story too much. Katsuya did not seem to lie and he sounded pretty desperate too after all. So it's not strange that we didn't even doubt his story... wait?"
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just that, now that I think about it, it's weird that we didn't even question it although it's not like Katsuya was directly involved and it's basically second-hand information..."
"...Now that you mention it, that's true."
Elena and Sara suddenly noticed that strangeness. Shizuka tilted her head and looked at them, equally confused.
"You now have your new augmented suit and you have modified your rifle to the point that it's a completely different rifle. I want to spend some time analyzing both the new augmented suit and rifle so that I will be able to have full control over both of them. We'll only go back to our Hunter job after that, so we're not going to the wasteland anytime soon."
"... Alright... Is that all?"
"If you really want to know, I actually also agree with Elena and Sara. It's better if you stop hunting that pickpocket out of stubbornness. Although, my reasoning is different compared to them."
"Unlike Elena and Sara, I don't care if that pickpocket dies. What I'm worried about is the trouble it would cause you later after you kill that pickpocket. If you really want to kill her that much, it might be a good idea to get a long-range anti-personnel sniper rifle and snipe that pickpocket from far away. It isn't worth the trouble antagonizing Drankam just to kill that one pickpocket. In that regard, I agree with Elena and Sara."
"...Then why didn't you recommend me to buy that rifle?"
"Do you think an anti-personnel rifle has any use in the old-world ruin?"
"The only reason I'm giving you my support is so that you'll complete my request. Of course, if you ask me, I might help you with other things too, but things like this are normally outside my support. So don't forget about that."
Akira did not say anything back for a while, but he suddenly sighed and lowered his shoulders. He did think of killing Alna and fighting Katsuya and his group, but he assumed that he would have Alpha's support when he considered that. It was true that Alpha was not obliged to go that far to help him, so him thinking that it was given for Alpha to help him was nothing more than him being too naive. Akira thought so as he mocked himself.
"You're right, I was too naive."
Alpha's expression returned back to its usual gentle smile.
"I don't mind if you want to take advantage of my support, but do remember that I won't help you if you're going to do something that would put your own life at risk. If there's no danger in it, I won't stop you. If you want a sniper rifle, let's buy one next time, a long barrel one with super long-range."
"Well, I'll think about it again once I earn more money. There's no need to rush, I'll think about it carefully."
If it was not for Shizuka, Akira would have seriously decided to stop aiming for Alna and risk a fight with Katsuya and his group, while at the same time, his relationship with Elena and Sara would have significantly soured. That way, Akira would have been less likely to do something that might cause more trouble. As Alpha thought so, it was not an exaggeration to say that she had made a wrong decision there.
The boss of Ezont Family, Rogelt, was sitting in the guest room inside his mansion. He had his men standing guard behind him. He was directing a rather stern look at the person in front of him.
"You refuse, you say?"
Sheryl was lightly trembling, but her expression was filled with determination.
"Y-yes, I can't accept that offer."
"Do you really understand the situation that you're in right now?"
"Then, is there anything that you don't like? Don't worry, I have no plans to take over your gang or anything like that. I'm just offering you to work under my gang. And since that would mean I'll be your boss and you'll work for me, you'll properly get paid, and of course, I expect that you would obey my orders. Though I might give you some orders just out of spite from time to time, considering the profit that you can get from working under me, I think you'll get more than you lose, you know? You'll be able to reopen your relic shop and you can use that to gather money. Your men will also feel much safer since that attack. It's nothing but good things. If I was in your position, I would have definitely accepted it."
Although Rogelt looked calm on the surface, he was actually pretty surprised as he kept thinking at the back of his mind.
[...Why did she refuse? There should be no reason to refuse it considering her situation, position and power. She knows well that she will only be killed if she refused, but even so, she still refused. Did we kill someone close to her in the past or something...? No, it doesn't seem that she has any grudge against us.]
Rogelt lightly raised his hand. His men immediately aimed their rifles at Sheryl. Sheryl trembled even more and her expression was filled with terror.
After a short silence, Rogelt clicked his tongue and signalled his men to lower their rifles.
[She still won't say yes in that situation, what the heck is wrong with her? I just can't understand.]
Now that she was no longer in immediate danger, Sheryl started breathing again albeit roughly. Rogelt exasperatedly looked at her and said.
"Your courage is commendable. If there's anything you don't like in my offer, go ahead and tell me. I might consider it in respect of your bravery."
But Sheryl still would not say anything. Rogelt clicked his tongue and told his men.
"Take her away. Lock her up until she changes her mind."
Rogelt then went to the other person that his men had locked in the base before Sheryl.
In order to fix Akira's mood, Viola told Sheryl about that offer from Ezont Family. Normally, for a weak gang without a connection like Sheryl's gang, it was a good enough offer.
After that, Rogelt's men who Viola called in, guided Sheryl to Ezont Family's base. Rogelt then told Sheryl the details of the deal in the guest room. Although Sheryl only heard that if she accepted that deal then her gang would work under Rogelt's gang for the first time there, that in itself was not a bad offer. If that was all, Sheryl would have happily accepted that offer.
The real problem was the reason why Rogelt was trying to take in Sheryl's gang. It was simply because he wanted to be able to use Akira via Sheryl. Sheryl, who noticed that, had no other choice but to refuse that offer.
"...What should I do?"
She did think of the possibility that Akira would come to rescue her. But her logical side that properly understood her current situation denied that possibility.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
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