Chapter 49: Ressal Vigilante Corps

Where... am I?

“Oh my, good morning, Irine.”

“Sakura-san...?”

It felt like I’d been asleep for a very long time.

When I raised my heavy body at the sound of Sakura’s voice, I realized I was lying on a simple bed in an unfamiliar room.

“...Ah. That’s right, I... I got taken out, didn’t I.”

“That’s right. If I’d arrived a little later, you would’ve died from blood loss, you know.”

Splat. Still looking half-asleep and angry, Sakura gave my head a firm chop.

When I looked up, I saw dark circles under her eyes. Her face was weary and drowsy. Maybe she’d been watching over me this whole time.

“Sakura-san, you saved me again, didn’t you? Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Those were the first words out of my mouth. That makes it the second time Sakura’s saved my life.

I owed her a debt I could never fully repay.

“Hey, Irine. Sorry to say this first thing after you’ve woken up, but I’ve got a few things to scold you for. You better listen.”

“Y-Yes.”

Sakura, my benefactor, looked very angry.

Her usual gentle tone was gone, replaced by a sharp, irritable edge.

I had a pretty good idea what she was about to lecture me on.

“First off—mages do not go charging into the front lines!”

“Ow!”

Splat—Sakura flicked my forehead with a sharp snap.

And of course, she was completely right.

“B-But if I hadn’t, he would’ve...”

“You’re a mage, aren’t you? Then support with magic! There was absolutely no reason for you to go flying in with a dropkick, was there!?”

“Augh...”

I had no comeback.

Part of the reason was because I wasn’t good at precise magic control, and there was a risk I might’ve hit Karl by mistake...

But honestly, I’d also just wanted to try close combat myself.

If I was that worried about friendly fire, I could’ve just supported with earth or water magic—something with lower attack risk.

“That’s not even all. You can use body enhancement magic too, can’t you?”

“...Yes, I can.”

Well, that’s just the fantasy guy in me.

“Then why didn’t you activate that first!? What’s the point of enhancement magic if you’re not going to use it? Are you actually an idiot!?”

“Augh!”

Sakura’s second forehead flick landed right in the center.

Again, I had no excuse.

In any fight, the first thing to do is cast your body enhancement spell. And yes—I’d neglected to do that.

The truth is, I was already using “Muscle Heaven: Muscle Musical,” which took up all my focus and made it impossible to chant another spell.

“I apologize, Sakura-san. I don’t possess the technique for dual-chanting. At the time, activating Muscle Heaven: Muscle Musical took everything I had.”

“...Hmph.”

“When Karl was in danger, I panicked and jumped in, forgetting to buff myself. In hindsight, it was a shameful mistake.”

Truly pathetic of me.

I went in without casting what I could, and nearly got my neck sliced open for it. That’s inexcusable.

“Well, fine. I’ll let those two things slide—just barely! Barely, got it!? I’m being very generous here!”

“Y-Yes.”

“Now for the last question. That thing on your right arm...”

My... right arm?

“That bracelet. What is it? The moment I touched it, my whole body felt insanely heavy.”

“...Ah.”

Ah.

“...Isn’t that one of those exercise tools from Yowin? The kind that reverses body enhancement magic to simulate gravity resistance?”

“U-Um, yes. That’s...”

“Don’t tell me. You didn’t just forget to buff yourself—you ran into battle with a literal debuff on your body, didn’t you?”

Sakura’s face twisted into something out of a Noh mask—pure fury.

N-No, wait. That’s not how it—no, really, it’s not.

“T-This, you see... I bought it in Yowin to maintain my noble figure, and I’ve just... always worn it since then, and...”

“Go on.”

“It kind of became part of my body, and I completely forgot about it♪”

...

“This, this, this! You complete idiot!!”

“I-I truly am sorry! I completely forgot, really!”

Sakura furiously pounded on my head.

I’d worn it all the time, so I’d gotten used to the burden, and recently it had just felt like some regular accessory. Right—oh yeah, I was doing gravity training, wasn’t I?

“Um, I’ve taken it off now. Oh wow, my body feels so light.”

“Fight like that, you moron!”

I hadn’t removed the bracelet in ages, and the moment I did, I felt as light as a feather.

I gave a few bounces—my jump height was definitely higher. If I had fought in this state, things might’ve turned out very differently.

“...I was really worried about you.”

“Ah—um, I’m sorry.”

Maybe she’d worn herself out from being so angry.

Eyes closed, Sakura leaned forward and slumped into me.

“Move over. I’m taking the bed for a bit.”

“...Of course, I understand.”

I helped Sakura lie down, then got up from the bed. She immediately started to doze off.

She really must have been exhausted.

“Such a... fool.”

Oof. That stings.

I’d made Sakura worry for no reason. As a man, it was beyond disgraceful.

To be honest, I’d underestimated real combat.

I thought I could win. Even though I was just some noble’s daughter who’d barely ever been in a real fight.

I’d arrogantly believed that someone like me wouldn’t possibly lose to bandits—people who’ve lived their whole lives in the world of killing and brawling.

“...I’ll need to ask Lev-san to train me again.”

As if to take my place, Sakura breathed softly in her sleep atop the bed. I gently pulled a sheet over my best friend.

Then I opened the door to the room I’d been sleeping in and set off to look for the others.

---

"Ah, Miss Irine! You’re awake—thank goodness!"

As I walked down the hallway, I immediately came across a familiar face.

It was Sister Ilyu, whom I’d just recently met.

"Good morning, Miss Ilyu."

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, thanks to Sakura."

I rolled my shoulder to show I was fully recovered.

I really can’t sleep with my feet pointed toward Sakura anymore.

"Do you know where Karl and the others are? I'd like to let them know I'm better."

"Ah, um. Karl is, well... he's being disciplined due to some circumstances. It might be better to give it some time."

"Oh."

Disciplined again, huh. That guy must’ve done something—again.

"About those circumstances..."

"I can more or less imagine without being told. It’s the usual, isn’t it? Just take me there for now, if you don’t mind."

"Wait—this is the usual!?"

Ilyu reacted with a shocked gabiin!.

Yeah, you don’t look like you’ve been caught up in it... But Karl’s the type of pervert who causes accidental ecchi moments like breathing.

The victim’s probably either Lev or Maika.

"It’s in that room. Ugh, I can't believe that scene is considered a daily occurrence..."

"Good grief. I’m going in, Karl—"

After a light knock, I opened the door to the room Ilyu had indicated...

...and froze.

"Mmmhmmm!"

For some reason, Maika was hanging mid-air in the middle of the room, tied up and swaying.

...My mind went completely blank, so I quietly shut the door for now.

"I don’t think it’s okay to treat a girl like that—even as a joke. That’s the usual scene?"

"Please wait, I’ve completely lost track of the situation here."

What the hell is that? Why’s Maika the one hanging?

Shouldn’t it be Karl in that position? Is this some kind of punishment game?

"Well, well... Maybe we saw it wrong."

"No, it wasn’t a mistake."

I knocked again and slowly opened the door.

Yeah, I must’ve misseen. The one tied up has got to be Karl...

"Mmmmhmmm."

Nope, it’s Maika. Definitely Maika.

"M-Maika!? What happened to you!?"

There’s no way it makes sense for Maika to be the one hanging like that. What on earth happened?

"Oh, you’re up, Irine. Good—are you hurt anywhere?"

"So you are here, Karl. …Hold on, why is it Maika who’s tied up instead of you!?"

"Now, now, calm down, Irine. That’s her own fault. …Wait, instead of me?"

Karl greeted me with an utterly composed expression.

You bastard. Your childhood friend is dangling from the ceiling, and you're just standing there like it’s a sunny afternoon—

"That girl made a fortune cheating at cards."

"And when the boss caught her in the act, she got strung up as punishment."

"You guys saved the town, so you’re all considered heroes. That girl’s not being arrested—just one day strung up and call it even."

"Mmmrrghh..."

What the hell, Maika...

"Your leader’s sharp. I’m impressed he saw through her. Never thought I’d see Maika cornered like that."

"Hey, don’t tell me you were turning a blind eye to her cheating, Karl."

"Don’t be stupid. I’m her childhood friend, remember? Do you have any idea how much money that devil Maika has cheated out of me in card games? I’m the biggest victim here—watch your mouth."

"Tough luck. Well, this might be your one chance to cop a feel and not get smacked for it, eh?"

"If I went that far, she’d definitely get revenge. No way, I’m too scared."

Maika’s pretty greedy when it comes to money.

She probably thought she could make some quick cash and challenged the vigilante squad to card games. And this is the result—caught and tied up.

"Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better, Irine. Sorry... this all happened because I was too careless."

"P-please don’t say that. You don’t need to apologize. It was my mistake. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for dragging everyone down."

"No, I—"

Karl looked at my face, grew serious, and bowed his head.

It was my own fault for charging into the battlefield while still under a physical debuff, and yet—when Karl apologized with that look on his face, I couldn’t bear it.

"Karl here really pulled through. Before we got there, he held off those bandits led by Shizuken and took down more than half of them. Thanks to that, we had it easy."

"Yeah, you folks are heroes of the town. Be proud of that."

Saying this, one of the burly vigilante men clapped a hearty hand on Karl’s shoulder.

"A toast to the reborn hero of Ressal! And you, young lady—can you hold your liquor?"

"Eh, me? I can drink, but, um..."

"Oh ho! Then drink up! This is some damn fine wine we found at Korippa’s mansion. Would be a waste not to enjoy it!"

Hmm. Looks like the old guys are having a feast.

A celebration of victory against the bandits and Korippa, I suppose.

"I'm honored, but before I get tipsy, I'd like to offer my greetings to your leader. You all saved me when I was in danger—you are truly lifesavers. I want to express my gratitude before I get soaked in spirits."

"...Well, aren’t you proper."

"Say, you’ve been talking pretty formal this whole time. You a noble or something?"

Crack—the atmosphere changed.

The friendly old man who had been smiling suddenly narrowed his eyes and questioned me sharply.

Hmph. There’s only one way to answer that.

"Yes, I am a noble. I am Irine von Welmund, eldest daughter of House Welmund—and a companion of Karl."

There is nothing about my family name that I am ashamed of. Wherever I may be, I take pride in being born to House Welmund.

But the moment I said I was a noble, the looks around me changed. I could feel the disgust in their eyes.

...So this is how much commoners resent nobility, huh.

"W-Wait, listen! Irine is a noble, but she’s not a bad person!"

"...Well, if you say so."

"She even forgave me with a smile the other day when I accidentally saw her bathing! She’s really kind!"

Karl, that’s not the best way to defend someone.

"Wait, you peeked on her?"

"It was just an accident, and I laughed it off. I am Irine von Welmund. I don’t return innocent mistakes with hostility."

"Whoa. That’s some class."

Thanks to Karl’s unhelpful ‘defense,’ the way they’re looking at me is starting to get... uncomfortable.

Hey, knock it off. Don’t look at me like that, you creeps.

"Hey Karl, were they big?"

"Huh? What was?"

"Her boobs, man. You don’t get many chances to see noble tits, you know?"

Ugh. That lecherous grin. The soldier, his cheeks flushed as he spoke to Karl, was giving me an unpleasant look.

Figures. This is exactly the kind of direction guys’ conversations always go in.

"If you don’t mind being seen, then why not strip down right here for us?"

"H-Hey! You’re drunk, man!"

I couldn’t tell whether that soldier hated nobles or was just horny, but his tone was getting oddly aggressive.

Even if nobles in this town gave people reason to resent them, this is...

"You’re probably just hiding ‘em with a corset or something. Bet they’re actually saggy and disappointing. Show us, noble girl!"

...You know what? I think I’m allowed to get mad now.

"Just looking? Don’t be shy—I can give you something far sweeter."

"Hell yeah!! Now you’re talking!"

With a bright, polite smile reserved for formal occasions, I stepped toward the soldier.

Karl had started to sweat nervously—maybe he’d realized I was not actually smiling inside.

"Noblewoman’s Secret Art: Triangle Choke!!"

"Gubghk!!"

Without hesitation, I closed in and locked my legs around the drunk’s neck, trapping him in a triangle hold.

I can forgive harmless sexual harassment, but that kind of blatant filth? Absolutely not.

Humans have a weak point—compress the carotid artery like this, and they lose consciousness in seconds...

“H-Hey!! I just heard a crack, didn’t I!?”

“Medic! We need a medic!!”

“…Oh?”

Hm? Did I misjudge the force a little?

That’s weird. I went way easier than the time I accidentally snapped that bandit’s neck.

I swear, I was treating him like a delicate flower—

“His neck’s broken!!”

“W-What kind of hip joints are those!? A noble’s hips are no joke!!”

“Eeeeeeh!?”

…Now that I think about it, I do feel unusually light today.

Oh, right. I took off that bracelet earlier. My physical abilities are boosted right now, huh.

“I-I-I am so sorry! I overdid it!!”

“G-Get Sakura! She might be able to heal this!”

“But look, he’s got this weirdly blissful smile on his face!”

The poor drunk guy, with his neck bent the wrong way, was inexplicably grinning in ecstasy and bleeding from his nose.

Uh-oh. Looks like the bleeding’s reached his nasal cavity.

“U-Um! Okay, first—let’s try putting his neck back the way it was.”

“Hold on, Ilyu—if you’re not trained, don’t touch him—wait, did it just crack again!?”

“Hawawawa…”

While I was panicking, Ilyu quietly delivered the finishing blow to the pervert.

Ah, he’s twitching and rolling his eyes back. Yeah, this is bad.

“Stay calm! Deep breaths! First, carefully try putting his neck back the way it was—”

“No, not like that! That’ll actually kill him for real next time!”

“Get the healing salve! Someone grab the salve! And somebody go check if there’s anyone at the temple who can use healing magic!”

“You moron, the temple burned down yesterday, remember!?”

…Looks like everyone else finally realized how serious this is, and now they’re all panicking too.

Total chaos. This is getting out of control fast.

“Aaaargh, seriously!! I was asleep! Where’s the emergency case!?”

“S-Sakura!!”

…Yeah. After that, I got a really long scolding.

---

"Irine, let’s go meet the leader of the vigilante corps first."

"Oh, understood."

"That takes priority over the banquet."

After Sakura finished treating the wounded and the situation calmed down—

Karl quietly pulled me away from the celebration.

"Sorry. This was decided while you were asleep, but… we’ve decided to stay in this town, Ressal, for a while."

"A stay, you say? Not just one night—but an actual stay?"

"Yeah, circumstances changed. We’ve agreed to lend our strength to the vigilantes until those bandits are wiped out."

"…Oh! That’s a splendid idea. Those who have power have a duty to protect the weak. If we’re working with the vigilantes, it should also be relatively safe."

Apparently, Karl had offered to help the vigilantes take down those bandits.

They were so thrilled to hear it that they threw that banquet in Karl’s honor.

Ah, so that’s what that party was for.

"I’ll explain more later about why things turned out this way. For now, let’s just go meet the head of the vigilantes."

"Very well."

To defeat bandits and protect the people—that is the noble’s true calling.

This, indeed, is noblesse oblige.

"Alright, here we go."

And with that, Karl stopped in front of the room at the very back of the manor.

Still holding my hand, he opened the door to the back room with a slightly tense expression—

"Hot damn, we got a noble babe in the house!! Boobs! Butt! Thighs!!"

"Touch her and I’ll rip you apart, you little freak!!"

Without missing a beat, Karl kicked the face of the small man who came charging in.

…What even was that?

"Ow, dammit! I just tried to bury my face in her chest a little, that’s all!"

"Try that with my companion again and I’ll dice you up, you pervy runt!"

"Short and proud! And pervy and proud!"

"Being short is fine! Being pervy isn’t!"

The guy—boy?—that Karl had kicked got up with an annoyed scowl.

His fingers were twitching in a creepy, suggestive way.

"Um, Karl. Who is this…?"

"Apparently this guy is the leader of the vigilantes. Unreal, isn’t it?"

The dead-serious exasperation in Karl’s voice told me everything I needed to know.

This guy is… bad news.

"Heya, noble boob lady! Nice to meet ya—let’s have sex!"

"Eh, um…"

The lord of this town was already insane, and now the vigilante corps is just as bad?

Ressal is hopeless.

"Irine, you got a good look at this guy’s face, right? If he ever comes near you, don’t hesitate—just kick him."

"So that’s why we had to meet face to face…"

Now I understood why Karl made this introduction such a priority.

This guy was nothing less than the town’s number one threat.

While I stood there, horrified by a kind of pervert I had never encountered before, the man in front of me muttered softly, "Hmm… being kicked might not be so bad either."