Chapter 121: Smile Doesn't Seem Able to Smile!
Leaving aside what the person who founded this organization was thinking, Shiro felt that this group was a little too stupid.
An international criminal organization's source of funds was robbery? Wasn't that a little too low-class?
Even if they couldn't control both the legal and illegal worlds, there was no need to rob a small shopping mall like this.
Besides, even if they stole everything in the mall, so what? Could that really support an entire organization?
They were both called criminals, but Shiro unconsciously compared this organization to Edelweiss in his mind.
A fake criminal: one person and two swords forcibly stopped a battle between two world-class organizations, while also forcing a country to give up part of its territory.
A real criminal: one Blazer and dozens of ordinary people with M4 assault rifles rushed into a normal shopping mall to rob it.
With such a tiny vision, they still dared call themselves [Humans Chosen by God]? If Loki heard that, she would laugh herself to death.
"Boss! These are the last ones!"
While Shiro was lost in thought, the terrorists had already escorted them to the first floor. After reporting to a man wearing a black coat embroidered with golden patterns, they made Shiro's group sit with the hostages.
"Shiro, what do we do next?"
Stella whispered among the hostages.
"Of course, we trick their real boss into showing up, then wipe them all out."
After saying that, Shiro stood up.
In an instant, dozens of dark gun barrels pointed at him at the same time.
"Hey! Who told you to stand up? Sit the hell back down!"
"Don't be so cold. Actually, I've admired [Rebellion] for a long time. Over the years, I've been searching for traces of [Rebellion] too."
He ignored the fully armed soldiers around him and slowly walked straight toward the person who looked like their leader.
"What does that have to do with me? Final warning. Sit down!"
The second warning received only Shiro's silence.
"If you don't want to sit, then die!"
The soldier, who got no response, angrily raised his gun and aimed at the walking Shiro.
"Metallurgy, let him come."
At that moment, the leader among the soldiers spoke with a smile.
"S-Smile-sama?!"
"I told you to let him come. Did you not hear me?"
"Y-Yes!"
The man called Metallurgy looked at Smile in terror. He had actually questioned him without thinking just now.
The reason the man before him was called [Smile] was not because he always wore a smiling face. It was because no matter how cruel the slaughter was, he could carry it out while keeping that smile.
Metallurgy was only cannon fodder in Rebellion. Even if he was killed, no one would stand up for him.
Just as he was worrying about his own safety, Smile looked Shiro over with a grin and said,
"You're a Blazer, aren't you? Do you also wish to join us and create a new world together?"
Shiro was a little surprised that the man had actually let him approach like this. Still, he put on a righteous expression and said,
"That's right. I've admired Rebellion for a long time, but your actions were too secretive. With no other choice, I joined Hagun Academy to try my luck."
Smile lightly patted Shiro on the shoulder, as if he really had been moved.
"How perfect. Our organization happens to lack [Apostles] like you, people with great ideals who can lead those lost [Believers]."
Since Rebellion's core idea was that Blazers should rule ordinary people, many often misunderstood the organization as being composed entirely of Blazers.
In truth, most of its members were ordinary people with no magic power. Inside the organization, they were given the title [Believers]. The real Blazers were the minority, and they were called [Apostles].
Sending one [Apostle] to lead several [Believers] into action was this organization's true operating policy.
"However, to guarantee your loyalty to the organization, we still need to conduct a small test."
Smile's gaze swept across the hostages, then finally landed on a woman holding a child.
"Kill that woman holding the child, and you may join us as an honorable [Apostle]. I believe that for the sake of a beautiful new world, you can do it, yes?"
He pointed at the woman and leaned close to Shiro's ear as he said this.
He did not care whether Shiro sincerely wanted to join Rebellion or not. As long as Shiro killed someone here, they would be grasshoppers tied to the same rope. By then, even if Shiro wanted to back out, it would be too late.
Besides, when they retreated after the robbery, they happened to need a decoy.
Since he was a newcomer with ideals and ambition, it was only reasonable for him to contribute just a tiny bit more for the organization's dream.
"Of course. But before that, I want to meet our organization's head."
Shiro finally revealed his goal.
"What head?"
"The boss in charge of this operation. Smile-sama, you're very strong, but since we're robbing a place near Hagun Academy, our organization must have sent someone even stronger to hold the line, right?"
Shiro paused, then added,
"For example, our alliance leader, [Tyrant]-sama, would be very suitable."
"Hah? What stupid nonsense are you talking about? How could [Tyrant]-sama move for such a tiny matter? I organized this operation alone."
After hearing Smile's words, Shiro fell silent.
'Wait. So you really just brought one Blazer and a few ordinary people to rob this place?'
'There's really no Desperado or anyone like that leading you?'
'I thought your boss had noticed me using the power of fate to search for people and was hiding on purpose. So there was no one else from the start.'
And so, Shiro deliberately sighed in regret.
"If that's the case, then it seems Smile-sama and I can't walk the same path."
"Heehee. You'd better think carefully. You won't want to know what happens to people who make enemies of us."
Smile still wore his smile, as if he had already expected Shiro's reaction.
"Then let's try it and find out."
As he said that, Shiro threw a punch.
When Smile saw Shiro attack, he not only felt no panic, he even silently mocked Shiro's stupidity in his heart. Of course he had dared to let Shiro approach because he had something to rely on.
His Device was a pair of rings called [Grand Judge's Rings]. Their traits were [Sin] and [Punishment].
The ring on his left hand could absorb all damage caused to him as [Sin]. Then, through the ring on his right hand, he could convert the impact into magic power called [Punishment] and return it to his opponent.
In other words, the stronger the opponent was, the stronger his own power became.
'Come on. Beat me. I can't wait to see the despair in your eyes when you learn the truth.'
With that thought, he stretched out one finger on his left hand, trying to receive Shiro's fist with just that.
In the next second—
Bang—!
Smile flew backward.
…
(Don't forget to vote and leave a comment below! :D If possible, share your review to show your support.)
...
Read more than 20 chapters in advance:
patréon.com/U22
(Note: Replace "é" with "e" on your web browser.)