Chapter 11: The Monkey Mask Stands His Ground

The beginning of it all traces back several hours earlier.

"Father is still missing, isn’t he?"

"Yes. Most likely, he’s gone on an expedition to another town."

Sakura of the Tendo family—the overseer of the pleasure quarter and leader of the "Traveler’s Guardians," Lewin—was scrambling to gather forces.

"This is troublesome~. Without Father’s elite guard, our combat strength is halved."

"I never thought they’d actually agree to a ceasefire. What could’ve happened?"

"They were always at each other’s throats like oil and water."

The reason was simple: the two factions hostile to the Tendo family had reconciled and declared a truce. If that was the case, it wasn’t hard to guess who their next target would be.

To make matters worse, the family head—their hot-tempered father—had gone off on a campaign, leaving them critically undermanned.

"We’ll just have to recruit adventurers wherever we can. The only option is to get as many allies as possible."

"Hey, miss."

The Tendo family valued travelers. And that was precisely because their best customers were "adventurers who came for the pleasure quarter."

Sakura, raised with that lesson from her father, had always gone out of her way to treat travelers well. This was the moment to reap the rewards of that effort.

"There should be a noble traveler from the Wermund family. His daughter is an adventurer, so there’s a good chance she knows offensive magic."

"Oh ho, that’s reassuring."

"We absolutely must win her over. She seems to be short on funds, so if we offer financial support, negotiations should be possible."

Sakura recalled the noble girl who was likely being swindled by a commoner con artist. Her name was Irine, if she remembered correctly.

The fact that she was being fooled by adventurers suggested she wasn’t the brightest, but the von Vermund family was a fairly influential noble house. From what Sakura recalled, they had earned their title through military achievements a few generations back.

In other words, Wermund was a martial family. That meant Irine had a high chance of knowing combat magic.

And if they could also recruit the adventurer who seemed to be scamming her, that’d be perfect.

"Let’s head to the inn where she’s staying. Fortunately, I did her a favor this morning. There should be plenty of room for negotiation."

"You got it."

And so, they set off for the inn where Irine von Vermund was staying, intending to request her aid in the coming conflict…

"Irine isn’t here. She’s out gathering information."

"Oh, is that so?"

"And sorry, but we’ve already taken on a long-term request. We appreciate what Lew and the others did for us, but we can’t lend you our strength."

Unfortunately, Irine herself was absent. Worse, the woman from the scammer group sheltering her gave them no opening and flatly refused to help.

It seemed their earlier cold treatment—assuming she was just a con artist—had backfired.

"If that’s the case, we’ll have to appeal to her directly. Having even one noble on our side would make a huge difference."

But Sakura wasn’t in a position to give up so easily. By any means necessary, she had to gather forces and prepare for the decisive battle.

"…A banquet. If Lady Irine is gathering information, she’s likely at a tavern. Rent out a suitable bar and invite adventurers under the pretense of treating them."

"Y-yes, ma’am!"

"If adventurers gather in droves, Irine will hear about it and come. Luring her out is faster than searching blindly. And while we’re at it, we’ll recruit any free agents at the banquet too."

Since Irine’s whereabouts were unknown, a brute-force search would waste time. It was far more efficient to use Sakura’s influence to gather adventurers with free drinks.

She ordered her subordinates to scout taverns with ample stock and organized a grand feast.

"The bar ‘Lahaina’ currently has plenty of inventory."

"Then reserve the place."

Time was running short. Even if it meant spending extravagantly, they needed adventurers’ support.

That was Sakura’s reasoning—but…

"…The Tendo family’s making quite the spectacle."

"Hmph."

Such a flashy commotion wouldn’t go unnoticed by rival factions.

"Hey, Tendo girl. Ain’t your escort a little thin?"

While her subordinates were scattered, a group of unfamiliar thugs had surrounded Sakura.

"Does it seem that way? Rest assured, our people are reliable."

"That so? Then let’s test that. Show us just how great the Tendo family’s guards really are."

Perhaps emboldened by the ceasefire between Somi and Poonko, the thugs were more aggressive than usual.

If a fight broke out now, Sakura would lose.

Even if this entertainment district was under her family’s control, their forces were depleted without her father’s elite guard. The situation was dire.

"I’m afraid I don’t have time for this. Come back another day, and I’ll play with you then."

They hadn’t secured any adventurers’ help yet. If enemy forces gathered here now, defeat was certain.

"What’s wrong? Scared, little Tendo princess?"
"Your lips are trembling, eh?"

But if she fled this district, there’d be no chance of victory. She had to gather enough forces from travelers by the end of the day.

Until the true family head—her father—returned, Sakura had to protect the household at all costs.

"I don’t see any reason to fight you all now."

"We got one. Gotta crush your family and take it over before Poonko beats us to it."

"Swear allegiance to us right here. Do that, and we’ll spare your house."

Shhk— A cold, metallic sound rang out.

One of the thugs, a man with a vicious face, had drawn his sword and pointed it at Sakura.

"We’ve been preparing for this ever since the ceasefire. We can gather everyone here right now."

"You got too complacent. The moment you failed to notice our truce with Poonko, you lost."

Sakura hesitated under this threat.

Their forces were insufficient, but should she call in their remaining strength and fight here?

"……"

But doing so would be the end. The Tendo family’s wealth would be sucked dry, leaving them unable to recover.

Even if they could fight one faction, Sakura didn’t have the strength to take on two in succession.

Nine times out of ten, those under the Tendo family’s care would die in the war or surrender to the enemy.

"Are you sure you don’t want to confirm whether the truce is real? Ponko is the kind of family that would break a promise and attack if the profit was great enough."

"……Huh?"

"It’d be best for both of us if you backed off today. For all you know, Poonko could be surrounding our undermanned estate as we speak."

Right now, all Sakura could do was buy time. If she could just stall long enough—if she could secure Irine’s support—then maybe, just maybe—

"Bwahahaha! The truce is solid, no doubt about it."

"You expect us to trust a verbal promise from the backstabbing Poonko family? We’ve had countermeasures in place for ages."

"Quit wasting time. If we drag this out, their reinforcements’ll show up. Just grab her already."

But of course, they weren’t about to fall for such a flimsy stalling tactic.

One of the impatient thugs reached out to seize Sakura roughly—

"Hm. Trouble?"

The man’s body was sent flying into the night sky.

"Sakura, was it? Heard my comrades owed you a favor this morning."

"Ah, you’re—"

"Karl. A humble adventurer… and the one who’ll slay the Demon King."

Sakura recognized the man who’d abruptly intervened.

The leader of Irine von Wermund’s party—a scammer who peddled tales of the Demon King’s revival to extort funds.

That gruff commoner adventurer had just sent a thug flying meters away with a single roundhouse kick.

"Come at me. Don’t worry—I’ll just knock you out cold."

The man lumbered forward, planting himself between Sakura and the thugs with an oppressive glare.

"That’s how wide the gap is. Can’t take credit for it, though. Borrowed power and all."

With that, Karl suddenly stomped the ground with crushing force.

A thunderous boom followed, fissures spiderwebbing through the earth as the very land trembled.

"Alright. Who’s next?"

Karl hadn’t even drawn his sword.

Expressionless, arms folded, he’d demonstrated just a fraction of his strength with a single kick.

"L-like hell we’re sticking around!"

"Nobody said anything about a damn monster!!"

The thugs, stunned by the incomprehensible power of this intruder, scrambled to flee.

No surprise. Karl’s physical abilities were superhuman, augmented by divine blessing.

To ordinary folk, he might as well have been a demon.

"Hmph. Peaceful resolution. Debt repaid?"

"Ah, well… thank you…"

Sakura stared blankly at the absurdity before her.

A casual kick splitting the earth made no sense. But right now, she only felt the relief of a narrow escape.

"Alright. I’m off."

"…W-wait! Could you spare a moment?"

She had to stop him. No matter what, she needed to pull this man to her side.

"What?"

"You saved me earlier. Truly, it was dire."

"Was it?"

"If you’d allow me… I’d like to treat you to a drink. Are you free?"

Sakura’s mind raced—flirtation, bribery, whatever it took to win him over.

Lure him to a tavern, buy time, summon the most popular girls from her establishments, and secure his allegiance.

This had to be divine intervention. A chance handed to Sakura von Tendo.

"…Hm. I was heading to a tavern anyway."

"Any particular one in mind?"

"Nah. Just wanted intel on demons. No specific place."

"Then why not join us? I’ll gather plenty of people for you."

"Oh? That’d help."

Karl perked up at Sakura’s offer. His funds weren’t exactly plentiful.

He’d resigned himself to treating tavern expenses as intel costs, but less spending was always better. If this rich girl was offering free drinks, all the better.

"Then I’ll take you up on that."

"Yes, yes!"

So far, so good for both sides.

"Thanks, man. You must be thirsty—here, have this."

"Mmm, thanks."

Unaware of Karl's unusually low alcohol tolerance, Sakura's group, trying to curry favor, served him high-quality liquor on the spot.

"Mmm? My head’s all spinny..."

"Wha—?! You’re drunk already?!"

"Wait, was that alcohol?! I’m tellin’ ya, even one glass could kill me~"

Being a lightweight, Karl downed what he thought was water in one go and was instantly wasted.

The high alcohol content sealed his fate. In that moment, Karl transformed into a full-blown "praise-my-crew" machine.

---

"So, miss, you’re saying this guy saved you when you were in danger?"

"Treat him with the utmost hospitality. We absolutely must secure him as an ally."

...Listening calmly to the explanation, it turned out that drunk Karl had been holding Sakura’s hand and bragging about his comrades.

"Lev’s so cute—"

"O-Oh, is that so?"

"Maika’s crazy smart—"

"T-That’s wonderful."

"Irine’s so cool—"

"G-Good for you."

True to his crew-loving nature, Karl—who’d initially made Sakura worry he was hitting on her—spent the whole time gushing about his friends instead.

With slurred, unrestrained enthusiasm, he kept ranting about how amazing his comrades were, while Sakura forced polite smiles and nods to humor him.

Karl, utterly pleased that Sakura was listening, kept repeating the same stories with drunken glee.

Frankly, he was a massive pain in the ass right now.

"If he really saved you, we gotta treat him right. Dunno if that idiot’s even conscious anymore, though."

"No way he is. He’ll wake up with no memory tomorrow."

Muu... I wanted to talk to Sakura, but she was too busy dealing with Karl.

I needed to ask her about the murdered courier—likely killed by a demon—but...

"Miss, Rebecca and Palme are on their way for backup."

"Ah, thank goodness."

One of Sakura’s attendants whispered to her. I think she’s a top-tier hostess at my part-time job.

Sakura, are you planning to seduce Karl? Though, like me, he’s stuck in a long-term contract—no way he can join the war.

"Hey, Karl. You’re wasted, huh?"

"Ooooh, Monkeyyyy!! You’re here too? Sit down! I’ll tell ya Maika’s secret story!"

"Hard pass."

Even if we’re allies now, Karl’s drunken antics are embarrassing. I should bail Sakura out.

Also, gotta make sure he doesn’t make any dumb promises while plastered.

"Long time no see, miss."
"You’re here too? Uh… Monkey Mask—no, you had a name, right?"

Relief washed over Sakura’s face when I stepped in. She’d clearly had enough of the love-struck rambling.

"I’m Doby, a dwarf. Don’t forget people’s names, geez."

"Hmm? Didn’t you introduce yourself as 'Hobby' last time?"

"Oh right, I was Hobby."

"You’re as suspicious as ever, aren’t you?"

Not really.

"So, Karl. Any luck finding info on that demon you’re after?"

"We’re all gathering intel now. Irine’s little sis brought some good leads..."

"I see, I see."

"And Irene’s out there too. Might even show up here."

She’s right in front of you, dumbass.

"Oh, is Irine here right now?"

"Dunno."

"That’s a shame... I’d love to talk to her. Mind if I visit your inn tomorrow?"

"Sure! Wanna meet my crew?"

"Exactly. I’d love to."

"Nice, nice!! Ahahaha!"

...Karl’s always hyper when talking about his friends.

Wait, Sakura’s visiting me tomorrow? Guess she’s after firepower.

"Man, Irene... she’s just so damn hot lately."

"Uh, huh..."

"Ever since I accidentally saw her naked, I can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout her. She’s so perfect—if she knew what I was thinkin’, she’d hate me."

...What the hell is this idiot saying all of a sudden?

"You can tell she’s got a killer body even through clothes. And she’s smart, and kind..."

"R-Really?"

"After seein’ her like that... I’m just burnin’ up with desire!"

Turns out Karl’s been eyeing me that way.

How exaggerated can you get, Karl? You’ve been thinking like this?!

...Then again, at Karl’s age in my past life, maybe it was normal. I’ve heard guys who don’t work out get easily swayed by women.

"If you’re that pent-up, should I introduce you to some nice girls?"

"W-Wha?!"

"A couple of popular hostesses are dropping by soon. How about spending the night with them?"

"W-Wait, I can’t afford—"

"My treat. Actually, they’re my employees."

Hmph. Sakura’s pulling the seduction card, knowing Karl’s a horndog.

Well, better than him lusting after me.

...Kinda jealous, though.

"Before you do something stupid to your precious comrade, why not relieve that tension?"

"Y-You got a point."

"As expected of Lady Sakura—generous as ever."

But never let Lev or Maika know. They’d lose it if they heard Karl slept with a pro.

"B-But I’ve never been with a woman before..."

"Wait, seriously?!"

"Is a pro for your first time... okay?"

"Idiot, the girls comin’ are top-tier! If anything, retiring after ‘em’s an honor!"

……Well, with this guy, he’ll probably graduate on his own sooner or later. Go ahead and pick whichever you like—Maika or Lev.

"R-really? Is that how it works…?"

"Yeah, go for it."

Oh, Karl’s getting into it. At least this’ll ease some of his pent-up frustration.

"That’s… how it is…?"
"…Hm?"

But then again—

"……"
"Hey, Karl?"

Seems like time’s up.

As we talked, Karl’s expression gradually faded, and he started nodding off, his head bobbing like a boat on the waves.

Ugh…

"……"

"Hey, Miss. This guy…"

"He’s done for."

What a waste. He had a shot at losing it to a top-tier beauty.

"What do we do?"

"Well… Let’s get him back to his place."

"Right."

At this point, there’s nothing else we can do. Hope he gets to dream about a nice girl.

"Guess we’re calling it a night?"

"Actually, Miss, there was something I wanted to ask you—"

"Sorry, but I’m a bit swamped today. Got a lot on my plate."

"Oh, right. Got it. See you around, Miss."

"…And if you’ve got the time, lend me a hand, will you? Money’s no object."

"I owe you for hiring me. If I can help, I will."

I wanted to talk to Sakura properly, but right after an attack, she’s clearly got no room to breathe.

Guess I’ll back off for today.

"Alright, later—"

"Miss, it’s bad!"

Just as I was gathering my things to leave—

A panicked thug burst into the shop, gasping for breath.

"They’re gathering more men and attacking again! There’s already a brawl outside!"

"What did you say?!"

……Ugh. Terrible timing, right after Karl conked out.

---

"Who’s the damn adventurer that messed with my men?!"

A deep, angry voice echoed through the street.

"You think you can cross Brother Fugar and get away with it?!"

"Come out and grovel if you don’t want your face crushed!"

The thugs who’d fled earlier from Karl’s bizarre threats had returned—this time with a hulking brute in tow.

"That huge guy… No way, is that the wanted fugitive Fugar?!"

"Fugger the Hundred-Man Slayer! The merciless butcher!"

"Run, or we’re dead for real!"

This man was a bodyguard hired by a noble with a Kaiser mustache. Hearing that Sakura was protected by elite adventurers, his underlings had called him in for backup.

Formerly the leader of a bandit gang, he was a notorious villain who’d even raided Lewin before. A self-proclaimed unbeatable warrior, he’d never lost a fight to the death.

"Get out here! I’ll slaughter you!"

The townsfolk remembered his terror. During his bandit days, he’d crushed skulls barehanded while laughing.

At the sight of him, those who valued their lives scrambled to flee.

But some couldn’t run.

"Damn it, the Miss is drinking in that bar right now!"

"Hurry and warn her—at least get her outta here!"

These were Sakura’s loyal subordinates.

With the savage Fugger here, their chances were slim. They had to buy time to get her to safety.

"…I’ll stall. You lot get the Miss to safety in the meantime."

"Tch, don’t be reckless, old man. If you die, she’ll cry."

With desperate resolve, the underlings prepared to face the infamous Fugar—

"Hold it, ugly."

But before they could, someone else stepped forward to pick a fight with Fugar.

"…Huh?"

"You Fugger or whatever?"

It was… a bizarre man.

"W-what the hell is that thing?"

"That’s way beyond just ‘suspicious’…"

He wore a childlike monkey mask.

His hair was tied in a ponytail, clad in cheap leather armor and dirty half-pants—a total weirdo.

"The hell’re you? …No, seriously, what?"

"…I sense madness."

A figure known only in rumors, a recent urban legend haunting a certain brothel.

A freakish being that seemed cobbled together from every absurd concept in the world.

"H-he just picked a fight with Fugar!"

"Is he… on our side?"

That is to say—

"I’m Doby. A warrior of the dwarves."

Irine, having decided to repay Sakura’s favor by acting as the rear guard so she could escape.

---

"Stay calm, don’t give up yet. Just ‘cause he’s fighting Somi doesn’t mean he’s on our side…!"

"No way… I don’t wanna fight alongside some creepy guy like that."

"Please…! Just be our enemy…!"

The fact that her appearance sent the surroundings into mild chaos was just part of her charm.