Arknightcraft Modpack
Chapter 548: Nobody Knows Each Other
Judging from the fact that the intruders could call her "Big Sis Hoshiguma," it seemed they were acquaintances. When the two girls lowered the black cloths covering their faces, Hoshiguma—who had been ready to spin the slab in her hand like a chainsaw—stopped mid-motion.
"So it really is you lot. The Guard Department does owe you an apology regarding the Emperor's death, but that's no excuse for what you're trying to do right now."
She spoke with a stern expression to the two girls glaring at each other, clearly sulking. Hoshiguma was about to continue when another girl dropped from the ceiling, cutting her off.
The newcomer wore a black dress with a matching cape. She landed flat on her backside, winced, and clutched her sore rear, holding back tears that threatened to spill. Even so, she still looked around with innocent curiosity.
Noticing her companions already giving a salute, she stuck out her tongue and quickly raised both hands to follow suit.
Hoshiguma glanced at the suddenly fallen girl, as if unsurprised, and shook her head. Then she looked toward the ventilation shaft, now silent.
"Where's Croissant?"
Knowing Penguin Logistics' lineup well, Hoshiguma assumed all four must be acting together. If three had shown up, the last one wouldn't be left behind.
"Croissant's waiting at the exit with the car. But we could call her in to crawl through the ducts too—would that count as atoning for our crimes? Like… becoming a witness?"
The Sankta girl raised her hand enthusiastically, proposing to sell out her teammate.
Her completely brainless logic oddly resonated with Steven. Honestly, he felt he might do the same in her place. In other words—she was totally his kind of person.
"No need. I just want a reasonable explanation. From the looks of you, you're not here to cause trouble—it's more like some prank. Your boss literally exploded in front of the Guard Department, and yet you're all acting so relaxed?"
Hoshiguma was familiar with the Penguin Logistics members. She knew they weren't evil and that they were, at heart, kind people. Compared to arresting them, she was more curious about their attitude.
Just what kind of horrible things had their boss done for them to laugh so carefree after hearing of his death?
"Huh? If you mean the Boss… we're just used to it. I mean, the Boss are basically consumables, right? Lose one and another will sprout from the ground."
After offering that nonsense explanation, the Sankta girl added something a bit more serious.
"As for the girl you've restricted here—she's one of Penguin Logistics too. So it's only natural for us to rescue her, right? I'm sure you understand, Miss Hoshiguma."
She tugged on Mostima's sleeve and raised her eyebrows in an obvious hint.
Unfortunately, Mostima simply turned her head away, pretending she didn't know them at all.
"Well, isn't that convenient? Mr. Steven, didn't you say this young lady was your companion? And now another group shows up. Yet judging by your faces… you don't seem to know each other at all."
Hoshiguma turned toward Steven, who had been watching the spectacle with great interest, clearly intending to drag him into the mess.
"Companions aren't limited to just one, you know? As long as someone's a friend, they count. Our methods might differ, but our goal's the same—we're all here to take her out of this cell together, right?"
Steven flashed a friendly smile at the Sankta girl across from him before turning his gaze toward Mostima. There were still plenty of things he wanted to ask her. Otherwise, leaving her here in the Guard Department wouldn't exactly be the worst option.
Sure, he had wiped out the people targeting her, but who could guarantee that only one organization had that kind of intel?
"Don't look at me. I don't know you either. I don't have companions who casually throw me away and leave me behind. And your level of selling out teammates? I honestly can't deal with it."
Seeing Steven look over, Mostima quickly shook her head. Compared to the Penguin Logistics crew, the one she least wanted to face right now was this utterly shameless guy.
"I don't care whether you can handle it or not. Anyway, my superior ordered me to let her leave with him. If you want to walk out of the Guard Department, then you'll have to follow this man beside me through the front gate. That's the only way you won't get stopped by me or my colleagues."
"As for the rest of you—either pay for the damaged ventilation ducts and buy everyone in the Guard Department a cup of hot coffee… or you can stay here and enjoy a couple days of jail food."
With a single statement, Hoshiguma extricated herself from the mess. After tossing Mostima to Steven, she fully transitioned into a spectator, ready to watch the show unfold.
"…So I don't have a choice, huh?"
Mostima sighed as she looked at Steven helplessly. If possible, she really didn't want to spend too much time with someone who's clearly not right in the head.
Steven shrugged, then extended his hand.
"Looks that way. So, my dear Sankta companion, I'm here to escort you out of prison."
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 617: A Bold Guess[1]
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628