Lumia and I arrived at the southwestern part of Noiren.
Noiren was outdated but impressive in scale.
Even the area we were assigned to in the southwest was about the size of a small village.
“Is this the territory of the Red Wolves?”
Looking around, it was surprisingly ordinary.
Merchants selling goods and children playing weren’t much different from any other domain.
However, there were a few adults with particularly gloomy expressions.
This is the Red Wolves’ territory.
Now, all Lumia and I have to do is investigate the organization’s activities and return.
On the surface, at least.
Lumia looked slightly relieved.
“It doesn’t seem like there’s any big problem.”
“Let’s look around a bit more. From just this, we can’t draw any conclusions or find anything worth reporting.”
“Alright.”
Since returning without any issues would be problematic, I began searching for any signs of trouble.
Honestly, I never cared about the mission in the first place.
My goal is to push Lumia into extreme trials.
That’s the only reason I’m here.
At one corner of the plaza, a crowd of people had gathered.
When Lumia and I approached, we saw people forming a circle, watching something with less-than-happy expressions.
A man was whipping someone tied to a pillory.
Crack! Crack!
“Aaaah!”
The whip cut through the air with a menacing sound, tearing the person’s clothes and body, leaving them soaked in red blood.
I asked one of the onlookers.
“Why is that person being beaten like this?”
“Who are you?”
“A passing merchant. This is my first time in this area, and I didn’t expect to witness such a sight upon arrival.”
“Ah, an outsider. Then it makes sense you don’t know.”
The bystander explained that the man being whipped was being punished for failing to pay tribute on time.
At first, I thought it was just another term for taxes, but it wasn’t.
It was literal tribute.
The residents here had to regularly pay tribute to an organization called the Red Wolves in addition to the taxes they owed the lord.
Was there any legal basis for this? None.
The lord lacked the power to expel the organization, allowing the Red Wolves to run rampant.
If the residents didn’t want to endure violence, they had to either pay up or leave the territory.
The man wielding the whip was, of course, a member of the Red Wolves.
Good.
This will do.
“What a sickening situation.”
I rolled my shoulders and began to step forward.
Lumia, who had been jotting down notes in her journal, quickly grabbed my arm.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like? I’m going to teach that bastard a lesson.”
“Our mission is to investigate the organization’s activities and return. Stepping in like this will put us in danger…”
She was right.
Whether one or two villagers suffered, it was far more advantageous not to reveal our identities.
It was also safer.
But unfortunately, I’m not looking for safety. I’m looking for danger.
I placed my hands on Lumia’s shoulders with a determined expression.
“Lumia, there’s someone in despair over there. Someone’s beloved son, husband, and father… Do you really want to turn your back on them?”
“That’s…”
“You want to help them, don’t you? Then just do it.”
With a half-convincing argument, Lumia was left speechless.
As I stepped out from the crowd, the organization member who had been whipping paused to look at me.
“And who the hell are you?”
Not just him—everyone in the area turned their attention to me.
I shouted solemnly.
“Who I am is not important. The issue here is that you are committing evil deeds. Stop the whipping immediately and release that man.”
“What? This lunatic must be out of his mind. Judging by the look of you, you’re new here. Looks like you don’t know where you are yet.”
“You scoundrel! Evil knows no bounds, regardless of place. Your actions cannot be justified, no matter where you are.”
“This guy’s completely nuts.”
The organization member let out a derisive laugh and swung his whip at me.
I easily cut it down with my sword and didn’t stop there—I kicked him squarely in the chest.
“How dare you.”
“Urgh!”
As the man groaned and tumbled to the ground, the villagers and even Lumia gasped in shock.
Unfazed, I immersed myself further in my act.
“Villain, do you now understand the wrongs of your actions?”
“Ugh!”
“Speak! Explain your sins and how you plan to atone for them.”
I stepped on the organization member’s head, and though he grimaced in pain, he let out a sinister laugh.
“Ugh… Hahaha…”
“What’s so funny?”
“You fool. This is the territory of the Red Wolves! Before long, the other members will realize what’s happening and come for you. There’s no way you’ll get out of this alive!”
“Other members, huh…”
I replied arrogantly.
“Call them all, if you can. They’re nothing more than lapdogs. Even if hundreds or thousands come, I’ll deal with them.”
“You’re insane…”
“Your organization will be erased from this world today.”
For a group that thrives on fear and power, reputation is everything.
Disregarding their pride so blatantly is the same as declaring a fight to the death.
As expected, news of the commotion quickly spread, and the organization’s members gathered in no time.
“Who are you?”
The one who seemed strongest among them stepped forward.
His face was covered with scars, his skin darkened from the sun, and his body was massive.
At least his appearance fit the role.
I could also sense a decent amount of mana flowing within him.
He seemed slightly stronger than Lumia in her current state.
Maintaining my persona, I answered.
“Me? I am no one. Just a wanderer who cannot stand injustice.”
“This is our territory. It would be best if you refrained from causing trouble here.”
“As long as you continue your wickedness, the trouble will only increase.”
Realizing I wasn’t someone he could reason with, the man abandoned his probing and got straight to the point.
“Understood. For now, would you come with us to the mansion?”
He pointed to a mansion perched atop a hill, the illegal stronghold of the Red Wolves.
“Why should I?”
“Our leader wishes to meet you.”
“How curious. A villain who does not fear me and even wishes to meet me. Very well, I shall indulge you.”
Meet me? Nonsense. Following them would almost certainly lead to an ambush.
But I knew this and still chose to accept the invitation.
“One moment. I have a companion.”
“Who?”
“The woman over there will come with us as well.”
I gestured toward Lumia, drawing the organization members’ attention to her.
She, who had been hiding among the crowd, looked like her soul had left her body as I pointed her out.
The Red Wolves’ mansion was cozy—remarkably well-decorated for a mere criminal organization.
As befitting its name, the interior was draped in red carpets and wallpaper, clearly showcasing their misuse of funds squeezed out of the blood and sweat of the villagers.
Lumia clung to my shoulder nervously.
“What are you planning to do? Our mission was only to investigate and report back.”
“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”
“Even so, entering their hideout directly is too dangerous. This is definitely a trap.”
“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.”
“We should try to talk our way out of this or look for an opportunity to escape. If we keep going like this, we won’t make it out alive…”
She wasn’t wrong.
However, I placed my hands on her shoulders again, my face serious.
“Lumia… just a little further ahead lies the leader of those villains tormenting the villagers. Can you truly walk away without doing anything? Can’t you hear the cries of the people?”
“But…”
“And we don’t necessarily have to fight them, right? Who knows? Maybe we’ll be able to talk things out and resolve everything peacefully.”
“Really?”
“I may not look it, but I’m quite good at negotiating. Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to settle this peacefully.”
With that, we were escorted to the boss’s room.
The leader of the organization stood with his arms crossed, gazing out the window.
When he noticed me, he turned around and smiled faintly.
“I’ve been expecting you. Please, have a seat.”
He gestured to the sofa, but I stood still, surveying the room.
“So, this is it.”
“Pardon? Oh, yes… this is my office…”
“This is the lair of evil, built on the suffering of the villagers. The stench of blood and tears seeps from every brick in this place.”
I wasted no time.
The boss, caught off guard by my sudden accusation, looked at me blankly.
Lumia, standing beside me, was dumbfounded, her jaw hanging open.
“Until yesterday, everything must have gone smoothly for you. You’ve wielded evil without realizing your wrongdoing. But that ends now.”
“Haha… Your words are quite direct. Why don’t we sit down and have a calm discussion? It could help clear up any misunderstandings.”
“Misunderstanding? There is none. Your evil deeds are as clear as a rock under the sun. What more needs to be said?”
“If not a misunderstanding, you may think of this as a negotiation.”
“Negotiation?”
I scoffed and shook my head.
“Justice does not negotiate with evil.”
I’m sorry, Lumia.
I know I mentioned negotiating earlier, but my real goal is to throw you into danger.
After all I’ve said, it won’t be long before all the organization members come charging in.
But contrary to my expectations, the boss remained calm, wearing a relaxed smile as he sat on the sofa.
“Wise words indeed.”
“Huh?”
“In the end, it is not evil but good that rules the world. Evil is merely a fleeting shadow, like one cast in the late afternoon.”
What’s going on here? Why is this guy acting like this?
I fully expected him to draw his weapon and attack, but instead, he gestured for his subordinates to bring us warm tea.
“If it’s alright with you, may we continue this discussion on the subject?”
For once, I found myself at a loss for words.