CH 138

Chapter 138 – Mole Mask

“According to the report, the one who had been attacked was Payblower, the largest merchant association in town, and Beynan, the second largest. The attackers were the chivalrous bandits known as the Mole.”

“Oh, chivalrous bandits, huh? So there are such things in the Republic.”

“Of course, there are not. They’re just making a name for themselves. They are theft, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, assault, and murder, and the only thing they don’t do is rape.”

The people around laughed at Louis’ words and nodded. What a strange atmosphere. What is this?

“The leader of the bandits is a Dwarf woman.”

“!?”

“I heard that anyone who touches the kidnapped woman will be killed, even if they’re her subordinate.”

“Well, it’s not a question of right or wrong since the woman will be sold off in the end.”

I looked at the first speaker, Hal-san, the guild’s receptionist, to find out the true meaning of his words, but he just shook his head with a troubled look on his face. There seemed to be no particular malice in his words.

Thinking about it, I didn’t feel any part or bias toward Myrril in the exchange at the reception desk earlier.

Rather, he looked puzzled when he saw me freeze up. Louis, Tig, the half-elf mage Eino, and even the person in question, Myrril.

Huh? Am I the only one shocked?

“Yos… Takifu. I sometimes wonder about you. Why do you sometimes have such inexplicably congratulatory ideas when you are basically calm and fair in your judgments?”

“Eh? Me?”

“There are criminals among humans, beastman, and even elves. Of course, so do dwarves.”

“…O-oh. Yes, of course. Well, I guess that’s true. I’m just surprised because I hadn’t seen it before, that’s all.”

“Oh my, I see. I wondered why you were surprised, Takifu-san, but I finally understood.”

Even Hal-san, the receptionist, laughed at me.

Was I thinking too much? I have never felt a sense of racial discrimination since I entered the Republic. Rather, it may be that my experience has led me to a reverse racist mindset.

I have thought that it is only humans who have malicious intent.

Of course, this cannot be true.

“According to what you said earlier, were the attacked merchants killed?”

“No, only the bodyguards who fought to the last. They don’t kill for money.”

Tig looked at the adventurers behind him and snickered. They survived because they abandoned their cargo, escort, and friends and fled. What will happen to them in the future is unknown.

“We should be getting a ransom demand soon. After that, demand for the purchase of the stolen merchandise. Then, finally, an invitation with a guarantee of release from the wanted list, signed by the lord, will be delivered to their hideout.”

“Oh, so in the Republic, such demands are accepted.”

“Why would we do that? That’s just ridiculous. They say if you can catch them, try to catch them.”

The half-elf mage Eino patted Tig on the shoulder and quieted him down. Louis looked chagrined, but no one made a move.

Hal-san must have sensed it from my expression, which was as obvious as ever because he explained it to me.

“The hideout of the Mole bandits is about 10 miles from the east gate of the city, in the ruins of a mine, but the narrow tunnels are too intricate for heavily armed guards and adventurers to enter.”

“Just like their leader, most of the Mole bandits are dwarves. They are good at fighting in a small hole in the ground. We can’t wield swords or battle axes, bows are out of the question, and spears will just stumble. On the other hand, they are wearing their own well-made armor, so we can’t even kill them with a dagger. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do.”

“What about smothering them with magic or fire?”

“We tried that before, but to no avail. They can open and close tunnels and vents and connect them as they please. And the water has to come from somewhere.”

“The total damage is said to be several thousand gold coins.”

“That’s not so good, is it? We adventurers would like to lend a hand, but…”

“No, there’s no need to be unreasonable. Let the good girls work elsewhere. The only way to beat them is to hit them when they come out of the hole. After all, the opponent is the daughter of the blacksmith king Kazinair, so there’s no way we can take them properly in their cave… gahh!?”

“What did you just say?”

The low, stifled voice made me look back, and I saw Tig’s huge body being hoisted up.

“Gu-gugugueehh!?”

“H-hey, what’s going on, Mir?”

“Mir-san?”

Louis, Eino, and Hal-san were trying their best to calm her down, but the strong arms of the determined Myrril didn’t seem to budge.

“No, Mir, calm down.”

Moff and I joined in, desperately trying to pull Myrril’s hand away from his. Tig’s eyes are black and white, but he seems to be okay.

“O-oh… sorry, Tig. I’m so sorry.”

Myrril bowed her head with a blank expression. Seeing her unusual appearance, everyone seemed to sense that this was not a normal situation.

“No, ahem, I don’t mind. What’s the matter, Mir, all of a sudden?”

Kazinair.

He is the father of Myrril, as I heard in Casemaian. The daughter of the blacksmith king is the head of a band of thieves who have set up a hideout in the mine ruins. The ugliness of the story hurt Myrril, hurt her sister Misnel, and hurt the pride of the father they loved so much.

“Has there been a request from the guild, I wonder. To take down the hideout of this band of bandits.”

“Oh, no. But…”

“If not, that’s fine. It’s all the same anyway.”

Everyone around her shivered at the sight of Myrril’s expression; her hair was standing up in outrage. Her lips twisted into what resembled a smile as she quietly spat out the words.

“I will kill that woman.”