Chapter 289
"Well now, this should do for the time being.""You saved me."
After escaping from the underground fighting arena and heading to the entrance of the underground waterway where Judeus and the others were waiting, I found Judeus and his crew with exhausted faces covered in dust.They showed relieved expressions when I appeared, but upon seeing Sharia slung over my shoulder, their expressions changed drastically, and they started to rush over. I stopped them, took out a clean cloth from my magic bag, set Sharia down on it, and began treatment.
After applying a splint and tightly wrapping it with bandages, I also had him drink a potion, so he should recover after a while.
The healing magic in this world is incomparably more effective than in Japan.Especially for external wounds, unless something is missing, they heal in the blink of an eye.
"This is a pretty high-grade potion, right? Class... 4 or so?""That would be a 6.""Six!?"
Seeing his body faintly glow and the wounds heal rapidly, Sharia probably guessed the class based on the best potion he might have used before. But hearing it was an even higher grade, his eyes widened, and he tried to sit up in surprise.
"Th-that kind of expensive potion... I don't have the money to pay for it!?""Don't worry about it. I can just make another potion like this.""Make it? That easily?""After all—""Because you're a ninja?""Exactly."
At that point, he was further surprised that there was no pain. Joking with Sharia, who was stroking his now-straightened leg thanks to the splint, I stood up.
"H-hey, is it about time? What are we supposed to do now?"
Judeus, who had been waiting for a chance to talk, chose this moment to speak up.I ended up rescuing everyone who was captured, but among those rescued, Judeus is the only one I know.They were all exchanging glances, urging someone to speak, and it resulted in Judeus being the one.
"Well, indeed. The plan was originally to only rescue Judeus..."
Following that flow, I decided on the future course.The number of people rescued was 13 in total.They were all looking at me with uniformly anxious faces.
"Well, I'll manage something."
Originally, the plan was to retrieve Judeus after he feigned death and then make a quick getaway, but taking this many people and escaping all at once is practically impossible.If we escape using the Transfer Pendulum, it would require at least three round trips.
Due to the nature of its magic, the Transfer Pendulum produces a mana emission effect.There's the light emission phenomenon, but that mana can also be detected by detection-type skills.
I'd prefer to avoid using it in this city full of dark operatives.Including that point, I need to confirm what needs to be confirmed first.
"Before that, I need to confirm your intentions, don't I?""Confirm intentions?""Ah, Judeus is excluded. As per the initial plan, you'll be helping us.""Ehh—"
What needs confirmation is what they want to do from now on.Regarding Judeus, I saved him with the original intention of having him handle disruption in this city, and I negotiated for that.
He could refuse, but if he does, my favorability towards him will drop significantly.I'd help him escape the city, give him the minimum amount of money to live for a month in a city outside the Northern Duke's influence, and say goodbye.
"So, what do you want to confirm?"
Seeing Judeus's dissatisfied expression lightened the mood a little. Instead, Sharia asked the question, and I nodded.
"Unfortunately, for everyone except him over there," I gestured to Judeus, "we're operating under the assumption that they are all dead. If they return home, it would mean that people who were supposed to be implicated and captured are alive, so that can't be done."
I asked them about their future intentions.Originally, I hadn't planned on saving the people here.If they want to relocate to another town, I can help them escape and even provide living expenses for the time being from my pocket money.
I suppose that's the responsibility that comes with saving them.If someone told me to take responsibility for all their lives, I'd get angry and tell them not to be ridiculous, but I should provide the minimum necessary assistance.
From their perspective, they had been living safely until now, so they probably want to go back.But everyone understands what it means that they were taken to such an underground fighting arena by the Duke's family's power.They can no longer stay in this city.
"As a responsibility for saving you, I will take you to a safe city. Also, I will prepare living expenses for the immediate future."
To offer at least some comfort in the face of that reality, I presented one option.Some looked relieved, while others averted their eyes in frustration.
"Hey, why aren't you checking *his* intentions?"
Just as it seemed everyone was about to decide to escape the city together, Sharia looked at Judeus and tilted his head.
"Ah, I have something I need to do in return for him saving me. Well, after all this, I can't see my family anymore either, so I want some payback too."
He seemed dissatisfied at first, but seeing the sad atmosphere around him and remembering what I wanted him to do, he showed a bit of motivation.
"Payback? You plan to do something?""Who knows? I don't know the details, but he said it's something I can do."
The word "payback" struck a chord with everyone present.People who had their lives toyed with and, even if they escaped, had their hometowns taken away from them.Hearing about payback, it was impossible for them not to react.
"What do you mean?"
Sharia, who had suffered the most damage among them, had a sharp glint in his eyes.His expression said he wondered if I had been hiding an opportunity for counterattack.
"I will explain."
Judging it would be difficult to force an escape without explaining here, I explained the general outline, keeping part of my purpose for coming here secret.
"In short, it's a harassment operation against the Boldrinde Duke.""You were going to make me do that!?""Keep your voice down. It's fine for now, but this place will likely be detected eventually."
I explained that I was hostile towards the Boldrinde Duke and that I planned to have Judeus cause a disturbance here to cut off their secret funding source. Judeus was shocked by the scale of the plan and shouted.It's a deserted place, but that doesn't mean no one will come.
I always have Presence Detection active, so I know there's no one around. But it's best to be quiet.I gave a wry smile at Judeus, who hurriedly covered his mouth, and then looked at the others who had heard what he was supposed to do.
"Sounds good. I was thinking that just taking hits and running away didn't suit me. Count me in on that plan."
Sharia was the first to volunteer.
"Are you sure? The opponent is the Boldrinde Duke, a troublesome figure in the underworld.""No problem. Originally, I'm someone whose survival would be doubted. If that's the case, I have no place in this continent anyway."
Ideally, I should send him back to his parent, Hyurida, but if I mention that here, my true identity would be revealed in a chain reaction.For now, it's better to act as the mysterious ninja, so I'll keep quiet about that.
"Is that so?"
I thought it wouldn't be wise to argue with him here and dampen his motivation, so I accepted.I originally wanted a support role for Judeus.Sharia's abilities are more than sufficient.
"O-oh, I'll help too!"
And following Sharia's lead, one of the adventurer men who had been brought here joined in.
"Me too!""Me too! If this continues, my little brother might end up the same way!""Me too! I have a son!""That's right. We might as well do something for our families."
The circumstances aligned, and the resolved group was about to raise the banner of rebellion against the Boldrinde Duke.
Hmm, what to do.
I totally thought the flow would be to escape the city, but who could have predicted it would turn into everyone participating in resistance activities?Think about it normally, would you believe a guy who talks like this with a masked '-de gozaru' speech pattern and claims to be a ninja?
*I* wouldn't believe him.
But what if the Boldrinde Duke has incurred so much hatred from the citizens that they feel they *have* to believe someone like me?The sparse flow of people for a capital city, the lifeless market.
If they feel absolutely no hope for their lives, is it possible they'd think about a dramatic reversal?
"......Understood."
Even if I take people from such an environment to other cities, there's a high possibility they'd return to this city.If there's a chance they'd die pointless deaths without my help, it's probably better to help them with all my might and save them properly.I resigned myself to thinking this also falls within the scope of responsibility for saving them.
"First, to get organized, we will escape from Hokshi.""Escape? How? Does this underground waterway lead outside?""If you're prepared to get sick, that's one option. Try jumping into that sewage-like water. You can get out.""I'll pass."
If they can operate a resistance organization, that would be very helpful for me.Thinking positively about future developments, the problem is how to escape the city as a group.The original plan was just Judeus, escaping via the Transfer Pendulum, retrieving the Wyvern, and returning to the royal capital, but that's no longer possible.
I wondered if there was anything usable among the items in my Magic Bag, or anything obtainable in Hokshi that could help.
Including Judeus, everyone is aware of the city's surveillance network.They somewhat understand what that means.
Therefore, they understand that if they proceed normally through the city, they'll undoubtedly be found and quickly arrested.The underground waterways, or rather sewers, laid out in the capital don't extend outside the city.
That's because they could be used as entry routes.So, why did I say you could get out through the water? Well, there needs to be a way to discharge wastewater, so there *is* a discharge route.
The sewer outlet leads to a filthy pond, where a purification magic circle is set up, cleaning the water before it's released outside the city.Either way, considering you'd have to hide in sewage for a while, this option is out of the question.
Calling Draco for a forced landing and escape isn't feasible either.
"In that case, I suppose it's time for this to make its appearance."
The available means are limited.Feeling the pressure of the whole group watching me search my Magic Bag, I resigned myself to it and pulled out a Magic Elixir.
"A potion?""No, it's a Magic Elixir.""What effect does it have?"
Seeing it, Sharia tilted his head.He had an expression that seemed to ask what good a potion would do at a time like this, but unfortunately, this isn't a potion but a Magic Elixir.Normally, it's a simple buff item that increases strength or agility, but...
"It's a Magic Elixir that allows you to become invisible."
This is the epitome of an item that seems useful but often isn't, which I prepared thinking it *might* be handy for infiltration this time.The famous elixir that allows one to become invisible, a man's romance.
"Such a thing exists!!"
As expected of an elixir, it's not well-known.Understanding that if they become invisible, they definitely won't be found, everyone got excited, but...
"It exists, but it has one drawback.""Drawback?""Yes. It only affects the physical body, so to become completely invisible, you have to be completely naked."
When I explained the reason it's considered a 'meme' item, everyone fell silent.
here's kinda extra . Character's stats
### Character Status
**Liberta*** **Job:** Nameless Assassin* **Title:** Hide-and-Seek Master* **Base Stats:*** HP: 5580* MP: 3720* **BP:** 0* **EXBP:** 0* **Skills:** 29 / Skill Slots: 29
* **【Passive】4*** Spear God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Scythe God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Hidden Form Great Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Throwing Extreme Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution
* **【Active Damage】13*** Neck Hunt - Class 10/Level 100* Heart Strike - Class 10/Level 100* Gale Throw - Class 10/Level 100* Curve Throw - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Venom Attack - Class 10/Level 100* Spear Charge Attack - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Spiral Lance - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Scythe-Drawing Slash - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Shadow Hunt - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Magic Edge - Class 10/Level 100* Magic Shield - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Mirage Phenomenon - Class 10/Level 100* Shadow Bind - Class 10/Level 100 - New
* **【Active Support】12*** Air Walk - Class 10/Level 100* Weight Down - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Magic Wire - Class 10/Level 100* Silent Walk - Class 10/Level 100* Illusion Attack - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Cat Deception - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Shadow Clone - Class 10/Level 100* Hate Down - Class 10/Level 100* Trap Detection - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Presence Detection - Class 10/Level 100* Shadow Entangle - Class 10/Level 100* Shadow Hand - Class 10/Level 100 - New
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**Nell*** **Job:** All-Round Merchant* **Title:** Pioneer* **Base Stats:*** HP: 7440* MP: 1860* **BP:** 0* **EXBP:** 0* **Skills:** 28 / Skill Slots: 29
* **【Passive】4*** Spear God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Axe God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Armor Great Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Riding Sacred Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution
* **【Active Damage】13*** Severing Sky Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100* Severing Heaven Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100* Flame Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Gale Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Diamond Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Torrent Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Thunder Roar Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Ice Snow Battle Axe - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Tackle - Class 10/Level 100* Power Swing - Class 10/Level 100* Stamp - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Earth Shaking Stomp - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Parry - Class 10/Level 100* Gold Smash - Class 7/Level 13
* **【Active Support】11*** Water Armor - Class 10/Level 100* Charge - Class 10/Level 100* Hard Armor - Class 10/Level 100* Magic Shield - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Reactive Armor - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Bank - Class 1/Level 1* Tame - Class 1/Level 1 - New* Air Walk - Class 10/Level 100* Street Stall - Class 4/Level 7* Appraisal - Class 7/Level 11 - Class Up* Fortune's Summoning - Class 5/Level 66 - Class Up
---
**Amina*** **Job:** Supreme Diva* **Title:** Idol* **Base Stats:*** HP: 3720* MP: 5580* **BP:** 0* **EXBP:** 0* **Skills:** 26 / Skill Slots: 29
* **【Passive】7*** Staff God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Alchemy Magic - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Singing God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Spirit Magic - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Summoning Magic - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Dance God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Healthy Voice - Class 10/Level 100
* **【Active Damage】3*** Spirit Arrow - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Spirit Sword - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Spirit Mirror - Class 10/Level 100 - New
* **【Active Support】16*** Song of Acclaim - Class 10/Level 100* Song of Tailwind - Class 10/Level 100* Song of Protection - Class 10/Level 100* Hymn - Class 10/Level 100* Song of Victory - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Song of Healing - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Center Light - Class 10/Level 100* Shine Smile - Class 10/Level 100* Voltage Up - Class 10/Level 100* Dance of Healing - Class 10/Level 100* Dance of Vitality - Class 10/Level 100* Dance of Allure - Class 10/Level 100* Dance of Glory - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Dance of Spinning - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Spirit Performance Dance - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Spirit Barrier - Class 10/Level 100 - New
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**Ingrid Grulé*** **Job:** Perfect Maid* **Title:** The Supporter* **Base Stats:*** HP: 4650* MP: 4650* **BP:** 0* **EXBP:** 0* **Skills:** 26 / Skill Slots: 29
* **【Passive】6*** Staff God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Sword God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Iaido - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Cooking God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Life Magic God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Spear Sacred Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - New
* **【Active Damage】7*** Iaido Slash - Class 10/Level 100* Flowing Water Slash - Class 10/Level 100* Wind Pattern Slash - Class 10/Level 100* Flame Formation Slash - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Thunder Slash - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Dismantle - Class 10/Level 100* Perfect Clean - Class 6/Level 9
* **【Active Support】13*** Cooking - Class 10/Level 100* Enchanted Cooking - Class 10/Level 100* Magic Cooking - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Clean - Class 10/Level 100* Air Clean - Class 10/Level 100* Thermo Control - Class 10/Level 100* Cleaning - Class 10/Level 100* Purification - Class 10/Level 100* Attentiveness - Class 10/Level 100* Air Walk - Class 10/Level 100* Thunder Step - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Silent Walk - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Magic Wire - Class 10/Level 100 - New
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**Esmeralda Edelgard*** **Job:** Elemental Demon King* **Title:** Seeker of Wisdom* **Base Stats:*** HP: 1860* MP: 7440* **BP:** 0* **EXBP:** 0* **Skills:** 26 / Skill Slots: 29
* **【Passive】5*** Magic God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Lightning Magic God Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Ice Magic Extreme Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Staff God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Fusion Magic - Class 1/Level 10 - New
* **【Active Damage】11*** Lightning Rain - Class 10/Level 100* Shock Bolt - Class 10/Level 100* Hound Lightning - Class 10/Level 100* Electric Sphere Bomb - Class 10/Level 100* Electric Mine - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Judgment Lightning - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Blizzard Wave - Class 10/Level 100* Ice Boomerang - Class 10/Level 100* Ice Spike - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Hailstorm - Class 10/Level 100* Ice Cannon - Class 10/Level 100 - New
* **【Active Support】10*** Magic Stock - Class 10/Level 100* Double Spell - Class 10/Level 100* Revolver Spell - Class 10/Level 100* Mana Boost - Class 10/Level 100* Mana Charge - Class 10/Level 100* Ice Wall - Class 10/Level 100* Catapult - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Magic Tank - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Magic Shield - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Shadow Clone - Class 10/Level 100 - New
---
**Claudia*** **Job:** Heaven-Rending Martial Artist* **Title:** Seeker of the Path* **Base Stats:*** HP: 5580* MP: 3720* **BP:** 0* **EXBP:** 0* **Skills:** 28 / Skill Slots: 29
* **【Passive】4*** Martial Arts God Technique - Class 10/Level 100* Fist Fighting God Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Kick Fighting Extreme Technique - Class 10/Level 100 - Evolution* Healing Magic Extreme Technique - Class 10/Level 100
* **【Active Damage】15*** Crushing Fist - Class 10/Level 100* Spiral Fist - Class 10/Level 100* Shattering Combo Fist - Class 10/Level 100* Ripple Twin Strike Palm - Class 10/Level 100* Dragon Slaying Palm - Class 10/Level 100* Asura Smash - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Earth Drop - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Crushing Kick - Class 10/Level 100* Flying Swallow - Class 10/Level 100* Hawk Hunt - Class 10/Level 100* Eagle Drop - Class 10/Level 100* Bee Chain Bird - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Crane Wing Combo - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Woodpecker Thrust - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Owl Spin - Class 10/Level 100 - New
* **【Active Support】9*** Air Walk - Class 10/Level 100* Thunder Step - Class 10/Level 100* Heal - Class 10/Level 100* Long Heal - Class 10/Level 100* Area Heal - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Heal Ball - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Regen Circle - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Cure - Class 10/Level 100 - New* Heavenly Fist - Class 9/Level 13