Volume 6 Chapter 27 Aid Request
When Clay finished negotiations at Lord's mansion, Ice was visiting the Rebellion Flame's base.
"I wonder if they're here... I can sense something, so they're probably here, right?"
Though hesitant, Ice wouldn't hesitate for Wade. After ringing the doorbell, the door opened.
"Who's there?"
"Ugh."
At the ominous greeting, Ice hesitated.
"Hmm? Well, well. You're Wade's... um..."
"Oh, I'm Ice."
"Oh, right! Sorry, kind of forgettable, huh? Anyway, let's open the door first."
The door opened, revealing Kadras. "Hey, Ice-chan. Well, no time for chit-chat. Come inside," he said, inviting Ice into the party house.
However, Ice couldn't overlook it and asked Kadras, who had moved on ahead,
"Um, those wounds..."
"Huh? Oh, these?"
Kadras raised his bandaged arm. It was a quite serious injury, fixed with a splint.
"Oh, it's troublesome. Just when the war was starting, this happened. Suddenly in a battle with a big name. Well, I guess I was lucky to come back alive in a way."
Saying this nonchalantly, Kadras said, "Sit here. I'll call everyone," and left. With no other choice, Ice sat there, waiting nervously.
After a while, members with injuries started arriving one after another. Frain, Kadras, and another woman who was unfamiliar.
She was enchanting, exuding a unique aura. A dancer-like, sheer veil, tanned skin, exposed supple abdomen, and long, light purple hair floated as if suspended.
As Ice's gaze was drawn there, she was surprised by Frain, who sat heavily in front of her.
"Hey, Ice. Welcome to the battle-scarred Rebellion Flame. ...What brings you here?"
Frain's attitude was stern. His upper body was bare, with a bandage wrapped tightly around his well-trained midsection.
With a tense expression, Ice spoke,
"First, I'd like to hear what happened over there."
"Haah. You wanna hear that? Come on, give me a break. What's so sad is that I have to tell my pathetic story to my pain-in-the-neck wife."
With a sarcastic laugh, Frain says, but Ice doesn't back down.
"It's related to what I'm about to do, so I want to talk about it... "
"Stubborn, aren't you, despite your appearance."
"It's been a while since I've been told that."
"You haven't been told that recently? Is it common sense in the Wade Party?"
Frain looks embarrassed, scratching his head and clicking his tongue, then starts talking.
"It's not a big deal. I just faced off against the 'Discarder' and got my ass kicked. I got my stomach ripped open, Kadras had his arm broken, and Dream... well, Dream, are you not injured or something?"
When Frain turns to the alluring woman, she says.
"Well, I mean, I was hiding with an illusion, so..."
"You really... well, whatever."
"By the way, Ice-chan, it's our first time meeting, right? I'm Dream. Nice to meet you."
Giving Ice a captivating smile, she nods while feeling her heart race and says, "Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you too."
Frain continues.
"Fortunately, Sylvia and Gold were on a break for a while. Those 2 are still unharmed and probably making Wade's new weapon right now. ...It's a good thing they weren't here; they wouldn't have stood a chance."
"What about the other one?"
When Ice asks, everyone looks down. Ice understands what that means.
"...It's something I never get used to. Losing a comrade."
Frain stands up and brings 4 bottles of alcohol from somewhere. He tosses one to each person and uncorks it with his fingers.
Then he all gulp it down, and Frain slams the bottle onto the table.
"Now, spill it. Tell us why you came here, Ice. What's your business?"
In response to Frain's question, Ice answers.
"First, let me confirm. The information I'm about to share will be classified top secret. So, please keep it a secret..."
"A gag order means it's super important information about the war. Alright, I'll keep it a secret. You guys keep it a secret too."
"Yes, yes, stupid leader."
"Understood, stupid leader."
"The idiots will keep it a secret too. Now, spill it."
Frain urged them on. Ice took a breath and announced,
"Wade-kun lost to Fist of the Dragon. And he's been taken prisoner..."
"――――!"
"...Oh, oh. That's..."
"I wish I hadn't heard! I want to go home now."
Frain widened his eyes, Kadras pursed his lips, and Dream hugged her head and groaned.
But Frain remained calm. He pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, and then asked,
"You came to us with a request for help, right? To rescue Wade?"
"Yes, that's right... There are no other strong and trustworthy adventurers we can rely on..."
"..."
Frain crossed his arms and closed his eyes. Kadras and Dream exchanged glances, watching the situation unfold. After a dozen seconds of thought, Frain replied,
"I refuse. Judging by yesterday's events, the generals decided that this war is beyond our capabilities."
"W-wait a minute..."
"No, I'm not waiting. I may look like it, but I'm the party leader. I'm responsible for the lives of my party members. We've already lost one."
Those words were too heavy for Ice, who had never experienced the death of someone close to him. Frain pressed on,
"It would be a waste for us to go. Sorry, but this time I have to refuse."
Frain turned to Kadras and said, "The guest is back. Show her in," and tried to stand up.
But Ice wouldn't let him.
"Ice Blow."
"Ugh! ...Ice, you..."
The chair and pants were frozen into a snowman by Ice, and Frain couldn't stand up.
Ice said,
"We're not done negotiating. And we'll consider your combat strength properly and come up with a less risky plan. So please, let me continue talking."
"I always thought it was strange that a shy woman who always blends in with other party members would be ranked gold like the others. But I agree with you, a gold rank just doesn't make sense. You're the one with the most guts in Wade's group, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I hear that a lot."
"Tsk. That makes me feel weird. Alright, I get it. If you're willing to consider my circumstances, I'll continue the negotiations. But you'll have to pay me. One platinum coin."
As he spoke, Frain leaned back in his chair. Ice nodded.
"Alright. I'll pay it."
"I'm just teasing. Don't get so worked up."
"If it means getting Wade-kun back, one platinum coin is a small price to pay, I think..."
Observing the exchange between Ice and Frain, Kadras and Dream exchange comments, "Wow, I didn't know Ice-chan was this scary!" "You can't judge a book by its cover, but this girl is especially scary~"
Frain, clearly annoyed, asks,
"So, how can we help you?"
"I can't give you specifics yet. For now, I just came to get your promise to cooperate."
"Is that so? Alright. Then call me when the time is right. One platinum coin is the reward. I'll rush to your aid anytime, anywhere, you damn."
"Thanks, Frain."
"No need for thanks. I'll haunt you when I die."
Ice stands up, moves to the front door, bows once respectfully, and then leaves. She takes a few steps away from the door.
Then, a loud voice calls out from behind her.
"Hey! Get that thing stuck on your ass before you go home!"
Ice shrugs her shoulders and hurries back into Frain's party house.
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