Volume 4 Chapter 23 Raikou And Gen Shuuyoku, Heading To Fight The Bandits I
──In the forest southwest of Toukaku──
"Is the enemy really coming?"
The lookout for the bandits sighed from atop a tree.
He had heard that those who entered Toukaku had been discovered.
He also knew they had fought the soldiers and somehow managed to escape.
But that didn't matter to the lower ranks.
Only a few dozen members of the bandits had learned martial arts.
The rest were just a bunch of desperate people. They were only there to help with lookout duties or to attack soldiers and merchants. The profits they gained were minimal.
Still, they stayed with the bandits because leaving the group meant death.
The leader, a master of martial arts, and her instructor were ruthless.
Especially the instructor; she was dangerous.
She hated everything.
Happy people. This country. Maybe even her own subordinates.
That's why it was hard to leave the bandits.
The lookout man was serious about his job for that reason.
"I heard they abandoned the cave, but what will they do now?"
The lookout sighed again.
"The connection with Toukaku is cut, right? How do the leaders plan to get information now?"
"Shouldn't they just confess and turn themselves in?"
"Are you joking? You know they'll be executed if they do that."
"If they spill all the information, they might get some mercy..."
"That's even less likely. You'd just get torn apart by the instructor..."
Suddenly, the lookout's eyes widened.
This was a lookout post built high in the trees. There shouldn't be anyone nearby.
Then, who am I talking to...?
"Wh-who are you!?"
"I can't stay here. Let's talk on the ground."
"W-what do you mean!?"
The guard's body floats up lightly.
He realized he was being grabbed by the collar only after moving away from the tree.
Without making a sound, the guard descends to the ground.
Behind him is a woman with long hair. She has her arms wrapped behind him, keeping him from moving.
She flew through the air with the guard in that position.
Just that shows she is a master.
The fear of having his life in someone else's hands makes the guard's body start to tremble.
"Y-you! Do you think you can just come into our territory and get away with it!?"
"Good. Keep sharing information like that."
"Don't underestimate us! There are other guards around. If they hear this voice, they'll come right away──."
"The guards on the ground have been neutralized, Sister Disciple."
A voice called out.
A short-haired woman walks in from behind the trees.
Behind her are soldiers from Aika Country.
The soldiers are dragging several men. All of them are from the band of bandits.
Like the man in the tree, they were in charge of watching over the forest.
All the guards have pale faces.
They are being carried away by the soldiers without resistance. Even though they aren't tied up, their arms and legs aren't moving at all. When the soldiers let go, they just fall to the ground.
It was as if their bodies had stopped functioning.
The guards without martial arts knowledge don't realize that it's the effect of the 'Pressure Point Technique.'
They just think they've been hit by some strange spell and can only tremble.
"Isn't this a bit too much? Yokumai. They seem really scared."
"Isn't it the same for you, senior disciple? That man over there is shaking like crazy!"
"I haven't hurt them. We just jumped down from the tree together."
"If you suddenly pull someone down from a tree, anyone would be shocked."
"You're the one who used a strong Pressure Point Technique on the bandits, right? Can you undo it?"
"Well, who knows?"
"It's perfect for interrogation, though."
"If they don't talk, senior disciple, please take them back up the tree."
"With their arms and legs numb?"
"In that state, they'll probably talk more easily."
"I see. It sounds worth a try."
Their tone was calm.
It felt like they were relaxing at a tea house, discussing how to deal with the captives.
The captives' faces lost all color as they overheard the two talking.
In front of them stood 2 master martial artists. Behind them were soldiers.
No matter how hard the bandit guards tried, they couldn't escape.
Even if they could escape, where would they go?
It's impossible to ask the leader or any higher-ups for help.
The higher-ups wouldn't forgive the low-ranking guards for failing their duty. What awaited them was punishment. They might be executed quickly.
But they couldn't even run to the town.
They had attacked many merchant caravans before. Their faces were well-known.
Even if they escape to the town, they'll just end up executed.
"If you spill all the information, I might show you some mercy."
The long-haired woman said the same words as before.
"First, I want to know. Is there a woman named Bakkai among your group? She should be around 50 years old, with white hair. She's likely unable to walk properly."
"...W-well, that is..."
"She is an acquaintance of my master. I'm just here to talk to someone from my master's group. So, even if you share information about her, it won't mean you've betrayed the band of bandits."
With a gentle expression, the long-haired woman spoke.
That's why it's terrifying.
Without showing any anger, it's clear she could kill the bandits.
It felt like facing a wild beast.
The bandits realized they couldn't compete with the woman in front of them.
Their hearts understood that they had to obey her to survive.
"...I-I'll talk. So... please show mercy."
"Understood. I'll spare your life."
The long-haired woman said this with a smile.
"I appreciate it. If this battle ends quickly, I can go support my disciple. First, tell me about this forest. If you know, also share information about the facilities in the mountains. I want to know what's at the places my disciples went to."
"Senior sister. Please don't forget the priorities."
"I understand. I'm planning to leave that land to them. But I'm worried. Just thinking about Bakkai being over there makes me uneasy. Hm...? What's wrong, guard? Huh? You don't know anything about that land either. Actually, you weren't even told there are facilities on the mountain... huh? Just like that. Please tell me everything you know. I'll listen carefully."
And so, the martial artist woman──Raikou continued her questioning of the guard.
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