Chapter 41. Breaking the Organization Visiting the Adventurer's Guild with Camellia had now become part of my daily routine.
The guild was relatively quiet for a weekend, with only a few people gathered and chatting in a relaxed atmosphere - a stark contrast to its usual bustling energy.
I had two purposes for coming here today.
One was to check on Rita-ssi's condition and verify how the conditioning had affected her.
After all, Rita-ssi might have overcome the Lewd Crest with her superhuman willpower.
After scanning the guild and confirming Rita-ssi's absence, I approached the receptionist.
"Excuse me, has Rita-ssi visited the guild today? I came to meet her but might have missed her."
"Ah, Triae-nim. I'm sorry, but we haven't seen Rita-nim today either. It's unusual since she visits diligently every day."
"Is that so... Thank you for informing me."
I considered visiting the inn where Rita-ssi was staying, but decided against it upon remembering Camellia's advice that initiating contact first could create bad habits.
I bowed gratefully to the receptionist and decided to browse the request board instead.
"Hmm, peace is good but nothing catches my eye here."
"Logging, gathering, childcare, farming... Wait, Mama. Aren't adventurers supposed to swing swords and hunt monsters...? That's the image I had."
"Hmm? Ah, unlike mercenaries, adventurers have freedom in choosing jobs. Anyone can register requests as long as they pay the reward, so lower-ranked adventurers often take these to build experience or combine with other jobs."
"I see... It feels like my fantasy is crumbling."
"Camellia? Do you want to become an adventurer?"
"I was just curious because it's Mama's work."
Camellia as an adventurer - an amusing thought.
A mother-daughter duo traveling together, hunting monsters and going on adventures... Not a bad idea.
Suddenly I wondered - what would my daughters look like when they grow up?
They might become evil demons like me, seducing men and corrupting women. Or perhaps they'll hide their identities and live double lives among humans.
All depends on how I raise and teach them, hmm.
With Rita-ssi confirmed absent, Camellia and I left the guild building and wandered aimlessly through the city.
At this awkward time between meals with no shops open on weekends, I asked Camellia while strolling through the quiet streets:
"Camellia, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
"Hmm... There! I want to go there!"
Camellia pointed toward a dark, deserted alleyway.
Understanding what this meant, I whispered quietly enough for only my daughter to hear:
"...Followers?"
"Yes, they reek of ill intentions. Shall I kill them?"
"No, wait. They're likely from the organization coming to retrieve me. Hide in the shadows when we enter the alley. Let's observe first."
"Yes!"
After quickly conveying our plan, I naturally entered the alley pretending not to notice anything.
Camellia immediately hid in my shadow upon turning the corner, while I deliberately slowed my pace waiting for them.
Right on cue, a hooded figure appeared, pressing a knife against my back with a sinister voice:
"Follow quietly. The boss is waiting."
"..."
Confirming Rita-ssi's condition was only half my purpose for coming to the city today - ending this tiresome organization business was the other.
I carefully raised my hands pretending helplessness, satisfying the thug who then led me to their hideout.
Time to meet the so-called boss who's been troubling me these past few days.
* * *
Contrary to my expectations, their hideout was one of many buildings in the city center.
Bold or clever? Slightly impressed, I entered the organization's hideout.
The three-story wooden mansion appeared completely ordinary from outside.
After climbing to the third floor, my guide stopped at a door and told me to enter alone.
The boss must be inside. Without hesitation, I opened the door.
"Wow, you actually came-?"
The room resembled a spacious bar. At the far end, a woman I presumed to be the boss spoke in a languid, drawn-out voice.
Though darkness obscured her, I addressed the voice's direction:
"Are you this organization's boss?"
"Yep- Doubt you'd remember the name... Kubo Kumo- Kubokumi Kumichyo... Ah, guess you can't understand our language. I'm the Kubozo Organization leader-"
As my eyes adjusted, the voice's owner gradually became visible.
A beastkin with gray fur like storm clouds, fox ears atop her head, and a fluffy tail behind her.
Kumo lounged on a plush sofa using her tail as a cushion, flanked by armed subordinates.
Clearly prepared to use force if negotiations failed.
Before proper conversation, I checked Kumo's status:
- - -
Name : Kubo Kumo
Race : Beastkin (Fox)
Gender : Female
Age : 22
Level : 72
Position : Kubozo Organization Leader
Class : Swordmaster
Emotions : Lethargy, Anticipation, Friendly
Thoughts : Much prettier than I heard- Would be great to recruit her-
Strength : 64
Agility : 117
Intelligence : 81
Health : 54
Magic Power : 34
- - -
Quite formidable. Far beyond ordinary gang boss level.
Not just high level but impressive stats and likely extensive combat experience.
Still no threat to me though - I've grown aware of my own strength.
Since she appeared somewhat friendly, I decided to probe further through conversation.
"What do you want from me? Why send those threatening letters?"
"Oh- Straight to business? Guess I'm the only one wanting friendship-?"
"You wouldn't station so many subordinates just for conversation."
"Aah, umm- Since Triae-chan's ignorant of this world, you might've taken it as threats. Didn't consider that-"
...Chan? Some beastkin term of endearment?
Kumo sat up crossing her legs and arms, accentuating her thighs and cleavage through her Eastern Empire-style exotic outfit.
I found myself entertaining rather indecent thoughts about how many people that body of hers had devoured.
"In our world, showing weakness gets you eaten- So we act tough through speech and actions-"
"Someone like you needs to act tough?"
"My, flattering me-? How sweet-"
Kumo wagged her tail while beaming.
"However strong you are, idiots who won't listen are plentiful- Hence the need for strong words."
"Don't you consider how rude that seems?"
"Who cares if they find it rude-? Allies would know my strength anyway, and enemies don't deserve courtesy-"
"...I haven't decided whether to be your ally or enemy yet."
"Really? Then choose quickly- Don't want to waste time on non-allies-"
Our conversation felt increasingly misaligned, like talking to a wall.
Despite her status still showing "Friendly", I disliked her more with each exchange.
Whether because she'd predetermined her desired answer or our differing backgrounds, no common ground formed.
No helping it. I never expected peaceful resolution...
But becoming this woman's subordinate? Unthinkable.
"I refuse. I didn't come here to work under someone like you."
"...Hmm."
Kumo's innocent smile vanished. She stopped wagging her tail and glared coldly.
Sensing inevitable combat, I prepared my stance.
Keeping eyes locked on me, Kumo gestured to her subordinates:
"Vice-leader's aides."
"Yes, Boss."
"Bring that thing before me half-dead on its knees. The captor gets Vice-leader position."
"Yes!"
Three men drew swords and advanced, followed by others brandishing weapons.
Though Kumo promised nothing extra, the thugs licked their lips imagining rewards.
Once sufficiently close, they charged simultaneously.
"Get her!"
"Only one opponent! Finish it quick!"
"Don't damage the face!"
-Schwak!
Dozens of blades descended overhead as fresh blood sprayed through the air.
But the blood wasn't mine.
"G-gurk...!"
"What... Ugh...!"
Black blades suddenly pierced through their backs from their own shadows, instantly killing or mortally wounding them.
Only one person could wield such magic. I turned calling her name:
"Camellia!"
"Huhu♥ Yes, Mama. It's me~"
Camellia appeared behind me with an elegant curtsy. I marveled at my daughter's formidable power.
She skipped forward, stomping a dying thug's head with her shoe:
"Pathetic♥ Retards♥ Cumstains♥ Did you worthless maggots really think you could touch a single hair on Mama?"
Her innocent face gleefully trampling dying men was horrifically cruel, yet to me she remained an infinitely adorable princess.
I hugged my lovely daughter from behind with praise:
"Thank you for helping, dear. You did well."
"Really? Hehe..."
"I'll handle the rest. Wait here, okay?"
"Yes! Do your best, Mama!"
With Camellia's encouragement, I turned to face Kumo for our decisive battle.
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