April 25, noon, April 25, 2813 in the Western Continental Calendar

　A pillar of flame that rose from the center of the town below.
　The signal flames that all of us on the sheer cliffs surrounding the bay have been waiting for.　
　A man with a black mask covering his face wordlessly advances behind Sakuya.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

I know. You guys are ready to go, right?

　At Sakuya's words, the black shadow nodded silently and held a small vase tucked into a tucked-in leather belt.
　It was not something that would attract the eye.
　It is an ordinary ceramic vase that can be found anywhere, with a chunky, round body and a thin neck.
　However, there were a few things that made it different from the norm.
　One is that the vase was filled with rags instead of flowers.
　And another is the number of vases.
　The number of vases secured to the shinobi's belts with strings is about ten.　
　Since there are about twenty of them, there are about two hundred vases of unknown use in this place.
　If you look at them, they are probably used for something, but if you only see them, you would probably burst out laughing.
　However, none of the people present here seem to be shy about the way they are dressed.
　On the contrary, there is a cold, blade-like sharpness in their eyes.
　They knew exactly what they were doing and why they were doing it.
(At first I didn't understand why they would give such an explanation to each and every one of the underlings, but...)
　Explaining the purpose of the project to even the end executioners is a very time-consuming and time-consuming task.
　In fact, when Sakuya was ordered to do a job by her family, no such explanation was ever given to her.
　I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do, but I'm going to tell you what to do.
　There was no need to ask why, nor did they have the right to do so.
　But this time it's different.
　I'm not going to be able to get any more than a few days of work to get the job done.
　Even in the current state of affairs, the shinobi would not be unhappy with the situation so far.
　(But clearly their war intentions are different...)
　There is no difference in the way they disappear and their calmness is the same as usual.
　And yet, a clear sense of purpose is raising the spirits of each one of them, driving them to the battlefield.
　(Is that natural?... we can't let others interfere with our city, which is finally taking shape... even if it is the ruler of this country, Queen Lupis... ...)
　The scene of the meeting that took place the other day passed through Sakuya's mind.


　That day, in a room where the sound of a wooden mallet or jumped in from outside, seven men and women were sitting around a large round table.
　Many of them had puzzled expressions on their faces as they listened to Ryoma's explanation.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time. Especially Sakuya.

Oh, no. Well, if that's the case I've left some people on the ground to look out for you.

　Sakuya shook her head at Ryoma's words.
　Sakuya, who had been ordered to destroy the pirates, had identified their location just the other day by tracking their scouting party in reverse.
　She had carried out a thorough reconnaissance and had detailed the number of their ships, their personnel, and the topography of the town, and the only thing left to do was to carry out Ryojin's orders.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when the order to return arrived at her, just as everything was getting ready to go.

So what are you planning to do, Ryoma-sama?　Do you approve of the pirates' reverence?

　It was Rionne who answered Sakuya's question.

''That guy ... isn't it difficult. Those kids are obedient for now, but if they did that, they wouldn't be able to complain about it, would they?　

It's not surprising that he was sold into slavery after his parents and siblings were killed by pirates who burned his home village to the ground. It's a good thing that the resentment is not going to disappear, even if you've been freed from your slave status.

　Everyone nodded in silence at Bolz's words.　
　All slaves were freed by Ryojin in exchange for their soldier status.
　However, that doesn't erase the past of being a slave.
　No, because the present is so full, the miserable life of slavery should be imprinted more clearly in their minds.

'But it's a shame to cut off the pirate force. The reason we assumed that they would be annihilated is because we could not expect them to follow us. Now that they've shown reverence for us, don't you think they have some use for that strength?

　Everyone was stifled by Yan Ou's question.
　There was no factor to deny his words.
　It's not just the value of being a maritime force alone.
　There are countless values to use, starting with securing control of the sea area and conducting trade itself.
　Aside from the future prospects, the current Woltenia peninsula doesn't have farmland or fishing grounds, the only possible sources of revenue are selling materials obtained from the "monsters" or selling off sub-humans to slaves.

''That's true... but then you're going to cut off the soldiers' grievances?''

　If you only think about short-term profits, accepting the pirates' reverence is not a bad thing.
　But if you think about it from a long-term perspective, there will probably be a rift between the soldiers and the pirates.
　Even if it doesn't erupt immediately, it will definitely happen in the near future....
　In a situation where the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against them, one of the few strengths that Ryojin possesses is the quality and high loyalty of each of his soldiers.
　The mastery of the Dharma arts and high quality armor that is not the finest, but is of reasonably high quality. Recently, they have even provided education in reading, writing and calculation.
　Their freedom from slavery and these treatments have instilled in each soldier a strong sense of loyalty.
　The problem was that admitting to the pirates' reverence might crack that loyalty.　
　This is of paramount concern to Rionne and Boltz, who are in charge of organizing the troops.

"I'm not going to admit to their reverence,

　A low, cold voice echoes through the room.

'May I?'

　Yan Oo fearfully looked at Ryojin's face.
　It wasn't that Yan Oo was sticking to his opinion.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, because everyone here understands that it's Ryojin's job to make the final decision, and that we're supposed to help him think through the considerations.

'Yeah, whatever their intentions are, it's impossible to accept. They are, after all, vicious criminals.

　It's not about how you feel.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier, but that doesn't mean there aren't any laws.　
　Whether it is appropriate or not, a country cannot survive without total lawlessness.
　The Woltenia Peninsula is formally the territory of the Roseria Kingdom.
　Naturally, the pirates will be tried by the laws of the Kingdom of Roseria.
　And piracy is punishable by death.
　And that includes not only the individual pirates, but their families as well.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it, but I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.
　It is also difficult to maintain public safety without such a show of force, and most importantly, the public is not convinced.
　Compassion and ethics are largely a function of time, education, and living conditions.
　In modern Japan, it would be called barbaric law, but in this world, it is natural, and if we show mercy to people, they will be blamed.
　Whether or not the pirates have been rehabilitated is meaningless to the people of this Earth world.
　And the families of those pirates who lived off the bloodstained goods were just as guilty.
　Of course, it's possible for Liangzhen to ignore the law by using the autonomy he got from Lupis as a shield, but that would create unnecessary friction between him and the surrounding nobles and their territories.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.

I've been given this peninsula as a fiefdom, so I'm responsible for maintaining security. I'm not sure where it comes from at the moment, but if I admit to their deference, they may ask me to go back in time and be held accountable.

　It is a land that has been neglected for many years, and no one says anything because they know it is difficult to govern, but if it is left as it is, the entire responsibility for it will be placed on Ryojin.
　That is, in a sense, natural.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

I don't like them for a number of reasons, but frankly, I don't like them.

　Ryouma laughed at that.　　
　I understand the circumstances of the pirates.
　Maybe they didn't become pirates because they wanted to.
　Maybe they are victims.
　That's not to say that they don't have room for compassion.
　But they can only assert their rights as victims against the perpetrators of their injuries.
　They can never allow uninvolved citizens to bear the cost of their actions.
　Psychologically and pragmatically, the pirates' reverence was unacceptable.

So I'm going to ask them to go away. Any objections?

　A cold, sharp gaze pierced all the people around the round table.
　At this moment, the fate of the pirates was decided.


''Sakuya-sama, please give me an order.

　Sakuya came to herself as the man approached her.
(No........I have to concentrate.......)
　In chess, the game is already in a deadlock.
　There is no way for the pirates to escape.
　But that doesn't mean you can let your guard down.
　Sakuya nodded in silence and raised her hand high in the air.

''Disperse. There is not much time left. Half of you will join your grandfather and quickly secure your objective!　The rest of you will light the fire with me. Never cut off the retreat of Ryojin-sama and the others until the next signal!

　Like an arrow being released from a drawn bow, the shinobi rushed out quietly at Sakuya's command.
　A careful meeting had been held beforehand, so they didn't need to be told by Sakuya now.
　They silently leapt off the cliff and into the air with a rope tied tightly to a thick tree in their hands.

　This nameless town created by Henry and his friends is truly a natural keystone.
　Surrounded on three sides by sheer cliffs more than a dozen meters high, the town is surrounded by an ocean to the north, where people pass each other on the cliffs.
　There are only two steps on the cliffs that are barely wide enough for people to pass each other.
　Originally, this was probably to prepare for the monsters that roam the forest, but they became a protective wall in the event of a battle.
　The only way to attack the town from the forest side with a straightforward approach is to descend a narrow staircase made of hollowed-out rock surfaces.
　However, that is only if you stick to the straightforward method.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of ways to make it happen.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to hold on to the rope as you descend.
　They don't have carabiners or other devices that you see in the modern world, but for those who live on the "Earth", it's a matter of course.
　They entrust everything to a single lifeline and slide down the cliff with ease.

"Mr. Boltz, you'll take care of the rest, won't you?

　When she muttered that, Sakuya threw herself into the void with the rope in her hand.


''Waka ... sorry for the wait.''

　Ryojin and the others who had taken care of Andre, Gen Oo quietly appeared underneath them.
　He was wearing black dyed clothes and a black hood.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to find out if you're a good fit.
　But the sharp eyes and low, stifling voice that spills out of the gap between the cloths are only on Geno.

''Did you find him?''

　Ryojin's question was met with a quiet nod from Gen O.

''Of course ... we've already secured them and sent them towards the landing area with an escort.

　Gen O's role was to secure the captured sub-humans.
　They swam from the western headland last night and made their way around the bay.
　Shinobi are said to be generalists, but they certainly have a combination of dexterity that allows them to do everything with ease.
　It's not impossible for them to swim in from the ocean side under the shade of night.
　And when they found the prison where the subhuman was being held, Gen O and his men were quietly waiting for Ryojin's signal.

You're right. Then shall we quickly move on to the next stage of the journey to the pier? It looks like Sakuya and the others have started, too.

　Outside the window, the town is a crucible of confusion as fires are coming from all over the place.

''The cliff-side staircase has been sealed off by Lord Bolz there is no escape for the people of this town if we can only seize the boat landing.

Yeah, you're on schedule.

　A cold smile appeared on Ryouma's face.
　Ryoma was never a fan of killing people.
　But he wouldn't hesitate to do it if he had to.
(Sinful town or........burn!　No good and no bad. (Until everything is reduced to ashes...)　
　A town that developed by the weak trampling the weak.
　People who could only survive by doing so.
　Could there be a more inescapable and distorted structure than this?
　This town should not be a town.
　The inhabitants of this town should not be alive.
　Everything is food for Ryojin to move forward.
(I will be strong ... for sure!)
　The thing that was boiling up was hatred.
　It was boundless anger at this absurd, crazy earth, the Earth world.　

　Ryojin walked with Geno and the Malfist sisters to the city where black smoke and screams were swirling.
　To end it all.