Manowa 355

 Chapter 355 - Let's Meet the Elderly Man


「No way.」

Kazane replied to the surrounding soldiers. Since she replied so readily, the soldiers were shaken by those words, but Kazane was properly taught not to follow any older men her parents didn't know. The result of that education was appearing there.

Then Kazane once again scrutinized the soldiers that were pointing their spears at them.


(Ah, there's no consistency in their armor, huh)


As far as Kazane could see, the armor worn by the soldiers surrounding them had no uniformity, so they didn't seem to be regular soldiers. Also, the captain-like person in front of her gave off signs of being reasonably capable, but she felt that the abilities of the other soldiers didn't reach that line. Kazane's『Dog's Sense of Smell』also clearly sensed the difference.

They were in the Adventurers Guild office, so Kazane didn't plan for them to start a fight themselves, but even if it became a battle, Kazane was convinced that they would easily be able to cut their way through. In other words, the current situation wasn't a crisis for Kazane and the others.


「So, who are you?」


And after Kazane's face suddenly changed from a puzzled expression to a calm expression, she said those words. The soldiers surrounding them were frightened and took a step back. They could sense the signs of an unbelievably terrifying beast emanating through the gaps in Kazane's pure white cloak.

While watching the state of those soldiers, Jinrai opened his mouth.


「Even if you're guards from this city, you all have different equipment. You don't seem like kingdom soldiers. Are you guys employed by someone?」


Jinrai, like Kazane, didn't think the soldiers in front of them were legitimate. He guessed that in that case, they might be adventurers who were hired by someone or something like that, but the captain-like person answered Jinrai's question with a loud voice.


「Indeed. We are a Messi Firm militia hired by Anglais-sama. We are working for the peace of the city. To protect it from groups that sow Black Potions like you.」


After those words, the face of Zacks behind them distorted, but Kazane was completely innocent, so she wasn't perturbed at all. However, a certain part of those words caught her attention.


(Huh? Anglais-san is trying to confiscate Black Potions?)


Kazane thought that was probably important information.

Apparently, the soldiers surrounding Kazane and the others were hired by Anglais Messi. And it seemed they were trying to capture people who possessed Black Potions in Uumin City.

To summarize the story, Anglais, who seemed to be connected to the devils, was apparently confiscating the Black Potions, which the devils seemed to be spreading.


(What does that mean?)


As Kazane's mind was full of question marks, Jinrai at her side stepped forward and opened his mouth.


「I see. But at the present point, there's no embargo on Black Potions. There's no pretext for us to be taken away.」


The militia captain didn't deny Jinrai's words. Jinrai wasn't familiar with Uumin City's circumstances, so his words were nothing more than an attempt at a leading question. However, the lack of an answer likely meant that Black Potions weren't yet prohibited in this city.


And up until now, the soldiers would usually suppress opponents who argued back like this with brute force to make them yield. However, their opponents were Kazane and the others. The soldiers were a group who had lived on battlefields. They understood from experience that they couldn't win even if they fought. However, the captain stayed in place and showed no intention of stepping out of the way. And after a slight stalemate,


「I'm entering.」


Someone outside suddenly opened the office door and entered.


「Ou... Ougi-sama?」


And the captain of the private army raised his voice in surprise when he saw that person.

A single elderly man had entered from outside. That old man's eyes were closed, and he was wearing a white kimono with a hakama. And his hand was grasping...


(A katana……?)


Like Kazane muttered in her mind, the old man was holding something with a hilt made of white wood in a sheath made of the same thing, which was likely a katana. And based on his clothes, facial features, and the weapon he had, Kazane thought the old man was probably from Japaness.


「Ougi-sama. Why did you come to a place like this...?」


Then, the captain called out to that old man named Ougi with a respectful attitude, but without answering the captain's question, Ougi simply informed him of what he needed to be told.


「You're making a mistake.」

「Huh?」


The captain raised a stupid voice after Ougi's words. However, Ougi didn't mind that in particular and continued talking.

「These people aren't members of the rank B party『Zacks Raven』or the rank C party『Sword Rider』. They're the『White Party』, which is now a rank S party. And they're Anglais-dono's guests. If you tried to restrain them, various problems would occur.」

「What did you say!?」

The captain's eyes widened, and he looked at Kazane and the others. The captain had also heard the name『White Party』, but the problem was that Kazane and the others were a rank S party. Rank S meant they had enough power to destroy a city. He didn't know how much damage might occur if he imprudently displeased them.

「The other party was also merely hired. There's no particular need to take them away.」

While saying that, Ougi looked around at the adventurers surrounded by the soldiers, then his face turned to Zacks again. His eyes were still closed, but Zacks felt like the old man's gaze was turned towards him. There was a strange feeling like the depths of his heart was being peeked into.

After that, the old man said「Well, that's fine」before he subsequently called out to Louise.

「That lady over there. Later, could you hand over the item you possess?」

「What are you talking about, Gramps?」

Louise didn't know what to think about this old man who suddenly appeared, and she tilted her head and so replied. She wasn't trying to deceive him; Louise really didn't know what he was referring to. However, Ougi continued talking without worrying about that.

「I'm asking you to give me the Black Potion material you have in your pocket. Though it seems to be firmly sealed.」

After those words, Louise reflexively shouted「Oh!?」

Louise certainly currently possessed the Black Potion material extracted from Zacks. And it was also strictly sealed so that it wouldn't come alive. Louise purely couldn't hide her surprise at that being identified. Therefore, Louise asked.


「Gramps, who are you?」

Ougi obediently answered that question.

「Ougi Zenjuuro. I suppose I'm best described as Anglais-dono's business partner?」


「... Ougi Zenjuurou?」

Jinrai muttered that name to himself and tilted his head.


Then the old man turned his face to the captain and spoke.

「Well now, that should settle everything here. Could you leave the rest to me?」

The captain bowed in acknowledgement of Ougi's words. A rank S party that was Anglais' guest. Those two facts may have been too heavy for the captain. After being told that by Ougi, the captain sighed with relief.

Then, Ougi subsequently turned to Kazane.

「Well then, Kazane-chan and the rest, could you follow me?」

Kazane felt a slight sense of discomfort from the intonation of that way of calling, but there was something more important she had to ask.

「Follow you to where?」

「Anglais-dono's mansion. You came to see Anglais-dono, correct?」

Kazane and the others had no choice but to nod when they were told that. Exactly as the old man said, Kazane and the others came to see Anglais. Unlike the orders of the private soldiers who suddenly appeared, there was no reason for Kazane and the others to refuse if they could meet the target person.

Then, as prompted by Ougi, Kazane and the others were immediately guided deeper into the city to visit Anglais Messi's mansion.



Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor (True), Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, White Magic Accumulator (Revised) ×2, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 38

Health: 152+20

Magic Power: 340+520

Strength: 72+45

Agility: 78+39

Endurance: 43+20

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 51

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv2』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey's Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』『Flexible』



Yumika:「An Iai Master?」

Kazane:「He looks ready to slash at any moment.」