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Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 19, Chapter 2: Prisoner Life
Volume 19, Chapter 2: Prisoner Life
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Wednesday, September 15
The children who had been kidnapped by Darkness Rainbow to be used for a ritual were fortunately unharmed and healthy. The ritual itself had been 20% completed, and the children had been drained of that much spiritual energy. That said, spiritual energy wasn't drained equally, rather there was individual differences, from over 10% to just under 20%. Additionally, only children with a large amount of spiritual energy were targeted, so that amount was still on the level of a normal human. While that was similar to having their lives as magicians stolen, it wouldn't have much more influence on the children than that.
Taking the children's mental state into consideration, all of their memories concerning the event were deleted and they were sent back to their parents. It wasn't hard to imagine that the fear created from being held captives to be used as sacrifice over several days would leave a mental scar. Erasing the children's memories was a necessary measure. However, simply erasing the memories would confuse the children, so their memories were overwritten with different memories. They were given memories of confinement, inspired by children's' shows, that wouldn't leave a trauma, and memories of being rescued. Right around now, the children would be telling their parents how they were saved by Harukazeman.
Even then, this was a major incident, so an insurance was required. So the Sun Rangers made a move in the background. The Sun Rangers, and the government they worked for, didn't want to create friction between them and the magical kingdom of Folsaria, so they gladly cooperated. With Rainbow Heart involved, they didn't want to create an enemy out of all of Folsaria.
Thus, the serial kidnapping stopped. The only remaining problem was the treatment of Dark Crimson who was captured at the very end.
When those related to Rainbow Heart were operating in Japan, what they needed was a place to live. Most of the time, this was made possible by cooperators in Japan. The dwellings obtained from that were often used as safe houses. Safe houses had defensive spells cast on them in order to not be detected by Darkness Rainbow, and held various magical items for communication and transportation. That's why there were suitable places to hold Dark Crimson even though she had been caught in Japan.
Crimson was presently confined within a warehouse of a certain safe house. This warehouse could be used as a prison in case of an emergency and had various defensive and obstructive spells cast on it. Because of that, it would be next to impossible to escape, even for a leader of Darkness Rainbow once her cane had been confiscated. Knowing that, she obediently sat on her chair, facing the people that had come to interrogate her. Those people were Koutarou, Yurika and Kiriha.
“Crimson-san, please tell us. Where is Darkness Rainbow's base?”
Yurika asked Crimson with a serious expression. In order to finish this once and for all, Yurika had decided to attack Darkness Rainbow's base directly. The only one that knew what she wanted was Dark Crimson. Yurika had a serious look in her eyes and spoke in a serious tone.
“Who knows, where was it now again...”
However, Crimson wouldn't tell her that easily. She had been offered immunity if she gave up magic and information, but Crimson's feelings didn't move. She couldn't throw away her feelings of wanting to be stronger than anyone else. They were feelings that had caused her to fight against even her friend.
“Then when will Darkness Rainbow attack Rainbow Heart?”
“Who knows, when was it now again...”
“Crimson-san, at this rate all of Folsaria will become a battlefield! Nothing good will happen regardless who wins!”
Both Rainbow Heart and Darkness Rainbow had a small military force in the eyes of Japan. However, because Folsaria was small, if both forces were to face each other there would be a lot of victims. Moreover, with new technology united with magic, the entire country might even be burnt to the ground. Yurika wanted to avoid that no matter what and decided to go on the offensive.
“I don't know”
However, Crimson's answer was curt. The most precious thing to her wasn't life or love, but getting stronger through fighting. She couldn't care less about what happened to her country.
“Crimson-san!”
”I can't tell you what I don't know”
“That's a lie!”
“Even if I knew, there's no way I'd just tell you. It's top secret you know”
”T-That's...”
“If you just have to know, why don't you try torturing me? I might just speak up”
”Ugh...”
Yurika was at a loss for words. Even though she had resolved herself, she was fundamentally unsuited for rough stuff and bargaining, leaving her unable to respond to Crimson. Seeing Yurika like that, Koutarou lent her a helping hand.
“If Rainbow Heart's and Darkness Rainbow's battle comes to an end, there won't be anyone to fight you. Wouldn't that be the worst kind of torture for you?”
Koutarou spoke to Crimson as he put his hand on Yurika's shoulder. Yurika looked up at Koutarou with slight relief. Crimson on the other hand showed a defiant smile at Koutarou's words.
“That's an interesting thought, I didn't think of that. But... yeah, I might create another anti-government organization. Fighting against Darkness Rainbow to compete over who is the strongest sounds fun too”
Crimson was unfazed. To her, it didn't really matter who she fought against. If needed, she didn't mind making Darkness Rainbow an enemy. Fighting really was Crimson's meaning to life.
“What do you think, Kiriha-san?”
”At this rate, we really won't get any information unless we torture her. That said, chances are she wouldn't talk even if we did”
Kiriha didn't think Crimson was someone who would easily talk. Moreover, Koutarou and the others didn't like methods like torturing, nor did they have the time for it. Crimson was confident because she was sure she could endure short-term torture, and if she did, her allies would put their plan into action. Once the battle between Darkness Rainbow and Rainbow Heart began, it didn't really matter if the location of their base was revealed.
“Yurika, can't you use magic to read her mind?”
If a frontal attack was impossible, they would go with a magician's method. Koutarou looked to Yurika for their last hope.
“If we're up against someone cooperative it's simple, but major preparations will be needed for someone so hostile”
However, Yurika shook her head. It wasn't easy to read someone's mind. Even more so when the other party was a magician as well.
“So we're stuck...”
Koutarou dropped his shoulders. Crimson wasn't working with them on their interrogation, and they didn't have the time for any other method. As a source of information, Crimson was inadequate.
“Koutarou, there is something I would personally like to ask her, do you mind?”
Waiting for the talks to stop, Kiriha made a proposition to Koutarou. There was actually something that she had been wanting to ask Darkness Rainbow for quite a while.
“Hm? Yeah”
Koutarou nodded right away. He didn't think Kiriha would ask something pointless at this time, so he had no problems with it. He made room for Kiriha and she moved up to Crimson.
“Crimson, there's something I want you to tell me”
Kiriha looked straight at Crimson, she responded by looking back at Kiriha.
“That depends on what it is”
“This isn't related to Darkness Rainbow's strategy”
”...Say it. If I can answer it I will”
Crimson had no intentions of talking about the battle between Darkness Rainbow and Rainbow Heart, but she had no intentions to keep her lips completely sealed for everything. Kiriha was a powerful enemy, but she wasn't someone unpleasant, and Crimson was interested in what Kiriha wanted to ask. At the same time she wanted to gather information on Koutarou and the others.
“I'm sure you know Darkness Rainbow and the People of the Earth's radical faction worked together”
“Yes, they moved together for a couple of things”
Crimson had heard a brief explanation from Maya, so she knew of the relationship between Darkness Rainbow and the radical faction. The two sides had been working together since eleven years back. However, Crimson couldn't say it just like that. She carefully chose her words to respond. She didn't want to slip up and give Kiriha unnecessary information.
“However, that is strange”
The very fact that Darkness Rainbow and the radical faction worked together was what Kiriha had her doubts about.
“Strange? What is?”
Crimson didn't think so, and she furrowed her brows.
“The radical faction was made up of a lot of prideful individuals. It is strange for them to work together with outsides, even if those are magicians or not. I was hoping you could tell me the reason why if you know”
The radical faction believed that they were the people chosen by God. That's why they generally subdued others rather than working with them. Their grudge was primarily against surface dwellers, but hadn't assumed that people from different planets would exist, and normally magicians would be treated the same way as surface dwellers. Kiriha didn't believe the radical faction would change their mind because the other party could use magic.
“I see, that's what you're talking about. Maya didn't call them disgusting”
Crimson smiled as she thought of the expression Maya had shown back then. The normally cool and intelligent Maya showing such a bitter expression was rare, and as a result it clearly remained in Crimson's memories.
“Could you tell me?”
”Sure. It's not like we'll lose out on anything”
Crimson nodded at Kiriha's request. After searching her memories for a moment, she began speaking in a cheerful tone. Maya's expression in her memories had been quite amusing.
“It's simple. According to Maya, we Folsarians and you underground people are from the same people that split up long ago”
“Is that true!?”
However, hearing that, Kiriha's smile vanished. She forgot about her normal calmness and instinctively pressed Crimson. Her actions surprised Crimson as well and her eyes opened wide.
“Y-Yes... Maya showed me some old slab some time ago. Some kind of crest was carved into it, and she said that was the proof. We're, what did you call it? The so called lost seventh race?”
“The lost seventh tribe?”
“Yeah, that one”
”...So that's what it was... that's why the radical faction...”
Kiriha was aghast and convinced at the same time. She believed that Crimson was telling the truth. She had no reason to lie, and what she was saying made sense. If the radical faction and the magical kingdom of Folsaria were indeed past countrymen, the radical faction wouldn't hesitate to lend their strength.
If Folsarians are the lost seventh tribe, I'll have to talk with father about this...
When it came to the seventh lost tribe, Kiriha had heard the legends of them many times. They were a miraculous tribe that could use strange techniques. However, that had been nothing more than fairy tales, she didn't know any of the actual details. Confirming the accurate legend was needed. Of course, she'd have to ask that after this commotion was settled.
“Folsaria and the People of the Earth are countrymen!? Yurika, did you know!?”
”No! This is the first I've heard of it! I would have told you sooner if I knew!!”
Koutarou and Yurika who were listening in were unable to hide their surprise. However, having seen the elitist Tayuma and Maguz, this sounded really convincing.
“To think the underground and the world of magic had a real connection on top of their mutual interests...”
After Koutarou muttered that, the room fell silent. Koutarou's and the others surprise was large, that's why Crimson was the one to break the silence.
“...You... Koutarou was it?”
“Hm? Ah...”
Hearing Crimson's voice, Koutarou returned to himself. He changed gears and turned towards her.
“Can I ask you something this time?”
”That depends on the content”
“It's a private question”
“Then I'll think about it after I've heard it”
“Thank you”
Crimson showed a happy smile as Koutarou approved her request and began talking.
“I want to ask about Maki”
“About Aika-san, no, Dark Navy?”
Koutarou felt a chill as he was asked something completely unexpected. Darkness Rainbow should still be thinking that Maki was captured and being controlled by Koutarou and the others. If he said something unnecessary, Maki would be in danger, so he needed to answer carefully.
“Call her Aika-san. Maki... she chose to live as Aika Maki over Dark Navy”
”You...”
Hearing Crimson's words, Koutarou realized that she had noticed Maki's betrayal. However, he couldn't accept it as reality. If her betrayal was revealed, Maki would be targeted. At the very least, that had to be avoided.
“I have no intentions of getting along with the enemy”
“Fufu... don't worry. I have no intentions of reporting Maki to Darkness Rainbow”
”...What?”
Koutarou's eyes shot wide open. He was surprised that she knew about Maki's betrayal, and even more so by the fact that Crimson wouldn't expose it. Crimson seemed to enjoy herself as she watched Koutarou's reaction.
“We had a friendly relationship before. Besides... we'll end up fighting to the death either way, so the outcome is the same, right?”
”...So you were Aika-san's friend”
Koutarou gave up on trying to hide it. Crimson had understood everything. Lying any further had no point.
“I don't know if I could call us that now. But in the past we definitely were”
Crimson's shoulders dropped as she spoke. The time Crimson and Maki had been able to be friends in the truest sense of the word, had been very short. But that period had certainly existed. That's why Crimson didn't report Maki, and asked Koutarou.
“Please tell me, Koutarou. Why did Maki choose you?”
Based on Maki's speech and behavior, she had a rough idea of it all. However, she wanted to hear it from Koutarou. It wasn't a necessary question, but that was proof of Crimson's friendship with Maki.
“Aika-san didn't choose me”
“Eh?”
”Aika-san chose us and her classmates. And we chose Aika-san. Our relationship isn't one-sided. We make up for what the other lacks”
Maki couldn't bear the solitude and distrust, and desired love and bonds. And the ones that had that was Koutarou and the others and her friends at school. Koutarou and the others welcomed Maki. They realized that she was yet another lonely soul.
“Hmm...”
“Though you might not understand even if I tell you”
”That's not true. Our priorities are different, but it's not like I don't understand”
Crimson slowly shook her head to the side and showed a faint smile made from happiness and loneliness. Koutarou's answer was something she couldn't provide for Maki.
“I see”
”Thank you, Koutarou”
With their discussion over, Crimson thanked Koutarou. Loneliness was no longer present in her expression.
“You don't have to thank for me that”
”You're right. But I want to learn about Maki”
Crimson who put fighting as her top priority couldn't save Maki. That said, it wasn't like she wasn't concerned about Maki. So she was happy that Maki had obtained a world she could live in.
“...Hey, Crimson”
Crimson's smile was so refreshing that Koutarou couldn't help but ask a question he already knew the answer of.
“What?”
”Is there... really no way for you to stop fighting?”
”Could you throw away Maki?”
Fighting for Crimson, was the same as Maki was to Koutarou. She couldn't throw it away, as it was something deeply embedded into her very existence.
“...I'm sorry to hear that, Crimson”
Koutarou had expected Crimson's answer, but still felt sad. They could understand each other, but their wishes just barely couldn't reach. It was truly regrettable.
“Koutarou, you really are a lot like Maki. That's why Maki chose you”
“I think Aika-san wanted to choose you”
Koutarou had reached that conclusion after talking to Crimson. She simply desired fighting, but it wasn't like she hated others. Koutarou could imagine what Maki would feel for her.
“I couldn't accept that. This happening was fate”
Crimson chose fighting over friendship. Thus, the twos path split.
“This might be strange for me to say, but... please don't let go of Maki, Koutarou”
”You don't have to tell me twice”
“Then I have nothing more to worry about Maki”
”Now all that's left is fight?”
“You really are just like Maki. That's right, Koutarou”
Crimson handed over all of her feelings for Maki to Koutarou. She believed that he would take care of Maki instead of her, and do an even better job of it.
“This might be strange for me to say too, but... don't die, Crimson”
”There's no guarantee of that. Especially when I'm going up against you”
”...I'm glad we could talk, Crimson”
”Me too”
Koutarou's and Crimson's discussion came to an end. Crimson was no longer thinking of anything but fighting. She had become a demon that only desired to fight. Words would no longer reach her.
After Koutarou and the others left, Maki entered as if she was replacing them. She was there to give Crimson her food. While Crimson felt a little nervous dealing with Koutarou and the others, she didn't feel the same way when facing Maki alone. She lazily leaned back on the chair she was sitting on and yawned.
“Fuaaaaaaa...”
”You seem bored, Crimson”
Maki smiled wryly as she placed the dinner on the table in front of Crimson. She would no longer call Crimson by her real name. They both knew that they were now on different paths. She was here now because having someone Crimson used to be friends with care for her would make things easier.
“Who wouldn't when you're forced to sit down and talk all day”
“Well, you're doing something you're not used to after all”
“Hey Maki, could you remove these handcuffs? I won't start any trouble”
It was difficult eating when restrained. Crimson showed her handcuffs to Maki, appealing to her that she at least be allowed to use her arms.
“You might not, but if Darkness Rainbow shows up, that'll be trouble”
Maki believed that Crimson wouldn't cause any trouble if she removed Crimson's handcuffs. Crimson was simple-minded, and she knew that Maki hated lies, so Crimson had never lied to Maki. She probably wouldn't now either. However, Maki couldn't disregard the chances of Darkness Rainbow attacking, and therefore couldn't afford to remove the handcuffs.
“...Organizations sure are a pain”
”You just lack the awareness that you're part of an organization”
“Hm... then at least help me eat”
”Okay, grandma”
“Who are you calling grandma!”
Maki pulled up a nearby chair and sat down next to Crimson to help her eat.
“Ugh”
”Don't eat in such a hurry. Here, water”
“*gulp* *gulp*... thank you, Maki”
”You're welcome”
Maki had a cheerful expression on her face as she helped Crimson eat. Crimson believed that was because Maki knew she wouldn't attack her at this moment, but she didn't think that was all there was to it.
“Maki, you really are a bit strange”
Crimson stopped eating and peeked at Maki's face.
“Really?”
Maki tilted her head in confusion. She wasn't really aware of it herself.
“You never said jokes before”
”That's right. It's thanks to Satomi-kun and everyone else”
Before, she likened Crimson being unable to move to a grandma, and thinking about it, she had never acted like that in the past. This was clearly the influence of Koutarou and the girls of room 106.
“You've gotten what you wished for huh”
“Yes. That's why I will protect it until the end”
”That's good. Make sure you protect it”
The two were on different paths, but they weren't narrow minded enough to be hostile for no reason. Crimson earnestly rejoiced for Maki. And Maki was the same.
“So Crimson, how about you?”
“Oh, even more interrogation?”
“That's not my intentions. I meant if you are having a satisfying fight”
”Ah... now might be the most fun. I got to fight against the strong you, and the decisive battle with Rainbow Heart is near. I'll have no other complaints if I get to fight Satomi Koutarou or Kasagi Shizuka”
“That would be troublesome for us though, though I personally want you to be satisfied”
”A difficult standpoint, isn't it?”
“Yes. Having such a troublesome friend sure is a pain”
Just like Crimson wished for Maki to be happy, Maki did the same for Crimson. If fighting and getting stronger was her wish, Maki wanted her to realize it. But unfortunately, at the moment, that meant that would mean that Maki and Crimson would fight.
“That's right, this is related to that, but... Crimson, you will be moved soon”
”Moved? To where?”
“Folsaria. Keeping you here is like asking Darkness Rainbow to attack. Besides, having you actually struggle would be problematic. That said, increasing the guard here would leave Folsaria undermanned”
Even a fully prepared safe house would be in trouble if Darkness Rainbow made a serious attempt to retake Crimson. Moving her to Rainbow Hearts base for a more secure guard was only logical.
“That's true”
Crimson said as she smiled wryly and shrugged.
Moving, huh... fufu...
However her eyes weren't laughing in the slightest.
“Please take it easy here until then. You've been quite busy lately haven't you?”
”Yes, I'll do just that. Once I'm done eating”
”Okay, okay, say aahh”
”Aahh”
Crimson's eyes remained sharp for just a moment. She soon returned to her usual self and started eating again. Of course, Maki started helping again as well. The two didn't talk about fighting again. Until Crimson finished eating and Maki left, they carefreely chatted away. They looked like anything but enemies.
