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Half-elves Fall in Love (Web Novel) - Chapter 464: Rica Rescue Operation 4
Chapter 464: Rica Rescue Operation 4
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
The safe house that Lady Swallow lent us was a building that at first glance looked like a warehouse. But when I went inside, I found a guest room.
“She said she was the frontman, but……does she have anything to do with that 『Organization』?”
“I can’t say that I’m completely unrelated to them as long as I’m living here. Even if it’s not to the point of being a sidekick, we can turn a blind eye when their 『Work』 starts right in front of us. The work of Lady Swallow as seen from the 『Organization』 is to teach those reasons to others, or to negotiate unnecessary troubles that have occurred around here. From the outside perspective, Lady Swallow is the last fence, the umbrella of the little people who barely keep the city functioning. Or, it is the camouflage that makes the city’s structure invisible to the authorities. Ostensibly, the mayor of Sitar is just a port administrator in his own right and the six masterminds like Lady are essentially dividing and governing this city at their feet……”
“And the 『Organization』? Are you one of those six chiefs?”
“No. All six are in the same boat as Lady Swallow. The 『Organization』 is an association of wealthy merchants scattered around the town. But they are no match for the face of the town in terms of financial power and fighting ability. If they wanted to, they could easily crush one of the districts economically or suppress it with violence. So Lady survives by getting some say in the matter instead of playing the cover they want”
“……I guess Naris is right”
“?”
“No, this is the story”
The unpleasant reality of the situation. I had to admonish Naris to move the conversation along at the time, but it was disgusting to listen to.
“I heard that the cover isn’t really working either”
“Stance is important. If the title of the event is not a problem, it is possible to maintain a superficial security if it is left unchecked. When you make it a crime of kidnapping and abduction, they target vagrants and travelers who are out of control from the government’s point of view. ……It’s frightening here, though, that sometimes even that principle is disregarded”
“Because foreigners……get involved with people who don’t understand their interests?”
“Yes. The 『Organization』 has often crossed a dangerous bridge because of this, but it has yet to reach a decisive decision”
“I see……”
“Anyway, it’s not a good idea to have elves in town, who are beautiful to look at and have little reason for the authorities to act. If she came here, then she was either planning to go somewhere by boat, or she was lured in……if it was the latter, the organization would definitely be in control. Even if Rika is a skilled warrior, she has the know-how to do whatever she wants with poison or hypnosis”
“Rika……certainly wasn’t the kind of person who would be beaten by those thugs, but”
“Was she strong?”
“Well, she always said I was no match for her. Of course, we never really fought each other”
From Sahul’s point of view, Rika-san’s prowess is, well, underestimated at the level of a regular infantryman and at most it’s not as good as an ace knight class. She’s going to board the dragon palace, so at least her guts are likely to be out of the ordinary”
“I mean, Sahul, how did you and Rika part ways?”
“When we were traveling together further east, we parted after a short shopping trip and when she didn’t return until the next day……I looked everywhere for her, but I couldn’t find her”
“Why don’t you use your ears to track her?”
Although Maia says it in a cold voice.
“Can you tell with just your ears, if Rika was walking away while chatting with someone……are you saying that you should be able to tell by just the sound of her footsteps? Rika was already the type that didn’t make a sound”
Thinking about it, even with a dragon’s ears, it was not easy to identify someone unless they made a sound. Maia has also lost track of other people’s locations several times.
“Anyway, for some reason, she acted alone……and came this far. If you’re in the public eye, at least you’re not trapped and surrounded”
“So the question is……what reason is that? Is that the kind of woman who suddenly wants to leave Sahul and go to the Lapal Archipelago or Sher Island, Rika-san?”
“I, I don’t know. I’ve never been on a trip with Rika before……but I don’t think Rika is the kind of person who would bother people on her own whims……”
Again, the fact that he doesn’t understand his partner at all is subtly tearful.
“If she was a good-natured person, perhaps she would have done it in a compassionate way. Anyway, once the white elf of the stream has come to this town……there is no reason for 『Parent Bird』 to remain untouched.”
“Parent bird?”
Come to think of it, Lady Swallow also used that word.
“Yes, that’s the common name we have for ourselves. We don’t have an official name because we are an association for illegal activities. But Lady Swallow and the other six members of 『Leaders』 use the common name of the bird, so that’s where the name comes from”
“Hee……”
I’d like to ask about the other members in detail, but I’m going to weigh myself in the flow of the conversation.
“I’m sure that after Rika’s appearance here, she will be immediately transported to Lapal and then shipped to Sher Island via Lapal. It’s not that there are flights that go directly to Sher Island, but because of the distance, it is not possible to increase the number of cargoes yesterday or today. In that respect, the Lapal Islands are perfect for temporary storage of 『Goods』 because there are many isolated islands from which there is no escape……”
“I can’t really say anything about that until I find out what it is”
I settle down in an unexpectedly luxurious chair and stare at Oskar-san.
“It’s about time you told me where you’re coming from. It’s nice of you to be so helpful, but you’ve been a little too helpful to us when you’ve come here almost by accident”
“That’s……”
Oskar-san stammers. Then a voice comes from the entrance of the room.
“Oh dear, that kind of thing isn’t good for an honest person. You live long enough, you can do anything you want, but you can’t be so open about everything”
“Lady”
“It looks like it will take a while to back it up. Hearing that a dragon might come to breathe fire, she doesn’t even feel like opening the store. But it doesn’t seem like it”
“I’m currently doing land management work up north. I met these people through that connection……”
Lady Swallow comes in with a jar of liquor in each hand. Placing them on the marble desk, she pulls three ceramic cups off the shelf and gives me and Oskar-san a visual check. We hold the cups in our hands, she tilts the urn and pours some fruity liquor into them.
“Now then, I guess we’ll have to pick a topic. I might tell you the story of Lady Swallow’s life”
“I don’t like being wrapped in smoke”
“Oya”
I stared at Lady Swallow’s slightly slackened face without sipping my drink.
“I’ll introduce myself first. I’m 10-man special duty captain Andy Smithson of Dianne’s special forces from Celesta Merchant Army”
“You’re a soldier?”
The look in Lady’s eyes turned slightly stern. The face of this back alley would never be nice to a military man. I know that. But I can’t get anything by being a sly old sorcerer who hides his true intentions. At least, I don’t have that kind of negotiating skill. So, I dare to be honest.
“That’s right. And one more thing”
“……?”
“I’m a dragon rider. I can make my two dragons do anything from digging up dirt to slaughtering animals at my command”
“……What?”
“We’re here to take that elf back. If she doesn’t return safely, the dragon’s evil will befall the one who caused it”
“……What, are you trying to threaten me with?”
“If you have her and won’t return her or if you killed her, then so be it”
All cards are open. By the way, I’m talking in a series of connections that make it sound like I’m putting myself on the line as a full participant, but I’m not wrong about any of the facts. I’m going to try to mislead her in order to get some meaningful information out of her here.
“Both Sahul and Maia are dragons. The laws of the human world do not apply to dragons. Whatever the reason, don’t think you can just say it. I have no ties to this town either”
“…………”
“It’s all just facts. Come on, I told you why this place could be on fire”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Maia, why don’t you try returning to your dragon form?”
“Sure”
Maia tried to walk out, but Lady Swallow held her back with her hand.
“No, no, fine, I understand. You don’t know the first thing about business, do you?”
Lady Swallow sighed as she lightly stirred her drink.
“I can vouch for Oskar. He is a freelance negotiator. A friend of ours and of 『Parent Bird』 and a sounding board for anyone who pays him. But”
“I’m tired of that. I left the coastal area because I wanted to do a job without tears or resentment……”
Oskar did not touch his drink, but simply held his glass and shrugged his shoulders with an amiable smile.
“That’s why I won’t blame you. He may be a bad guy to you guys, but there are a lot of people who have been saved by his eloquence. You guys are trying to help, aren’t you?”
“…………”
The question was answered. It’s kind of like that, though.
“Besides, if you think stupid honesty is a virtue, you’re making a big mistake? I’ll pretend you didn’t ask, but there are many who became frightened of dragons during the Fire Dragon War, but even those who are growing resentful. It’s not all there”
“I know. I told you because I thought you were trustworthy. I can’t do tricks, but I can at least pick and choose who I play my tricks with”
“……You’ve got some serious balls”
“We can’t lose her. I told you before, it’s all true. There are no threats”
“……I know that. But you can’t be too hasty. First, take your time and have a drink”
Lady Swallow offered me another drink. I wondered if I should be obliging her or not. I’m sure Maia will protect me even if I’m in a mess, but I also feel like I should keep it cool. ……Then I hear the door slam violently.
“Lady! Lady!”
“What is it!?”
“Just now, white elves have been caught by 『Parent Bird』!”
“Just now?”
“Four of them!”
“……Four of them? 4 elves who are so frenzied that they stop by this town at once……?”
……Emm.
“Maia”
“Wait a minute. There’s a voice barrier here……”
Maia walks out and comes back a few moments later.
“Yeah, I’m sure”
“You sure?”
“Hey, Andy, what’s up?”
“No……yeah”
The pureblood elves who came with me this time. Naris, Sharon Almeida and Aurora.
“All four of them are with us”
“……Eh, what’s that?
“I’m not sure if it’s Dianne’s operation……”
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