The Wish Of The Dragon 44 Chapter 43
Issei and his wives visited the Lake Guinevere. There they saw a giant creature like squid.The civilians around the lake told them it's not dangerous so they aren't allowed to kill it. So Issei and his wives just enjoy the scenery for a while, and when night comes Issei told both Ramius and Riche he will be meeting the middleman.So they both wait at the inn for him while Issei went to meet the middleman.Issei arrived in an alleyway at night. Then he saw someone waiting for him there.??? - I've been waiting. You're King Louie's representative right?Issei - Ah. I'm Issei, nice to see you again.??? - Oh?!Waiting for Issei at the meeting spot was presidential candidate Tio.Issei - Then I guess you're the middleman king Louin mentioned?Tio - E-Eh. Indeed... Oh, I'm sorry about this afternoon. When I heard you're from Eden, I just a.s.sumed you were on Prime Minister Rochefort's side.Issei - It's fine. But Rochefort's more or less is hostile towards us.Tio - But I think it's best people not see us being close. It may have been for the best.Issei - ...As you wish.Tio - B-But don't think I hate you or anything like that. It's just we shouldn't draw too much attention.Issei - I understand.Tio - Uh... Um, did you bring the funds?Issei - Yeah, here.Tio - Good, that should be enough for-Issei caught sight of a shining metal object, grabbed Tio, and jumped to the side.Issei - Excuse me.Tio - Aaaah!*Cahk!* *Cahk!* *Cahk!*Where Tio had just been standing, some sharp throwing weapons were stabbed into the ground.??? - I heard that... Presidential candidate Tio. Based on your suspicious activities... You must be... Evil!Issei - 'That sound... Gurigura huh'Then Issei heard rapid footsteps coming their way. Apparently, it's Tio's bodyguard.Escort 1 - Miss Tio! Did something happen?!Escort 2 - Are you there?! d.a.m.n criminal!They saw a small black silhouette moving in the dark.Escort 3 - I-It's Kitty! We're dealing with f.u.c.king Dark Night Kitty!Escort 4 - Don't let her lay a hand on our client! Overwhelm her with numbers and beat her dead!Then they attack Gurigura together.Gurigura - I don't like hurting more people than I need to, but if you're on evil's side, then it can't be helped.The tiny figure exhibited some shocking power in dashing out of the back alley, revealing herself in the moonlight.Escort 1 - Gwaaaah!The black shadow's huge hand swung down, knocking a scream out of one of the guards as he was blown away.The girl incapacitating men over twice her size with a single swing was the same girl Issei had given bread to that afternoon. Just like he guess from the sound before it is indeed Gurigura.
Escort 2 - She's so fast... Hey, don't run away!Gurigura - You're just too slow!Escort 2 - Guhaaaaaah!Issei could tell just by watching it's not that the guards were amateurs, but Gurigura avoided all their attacks by the breadth of a piece of paper, then delivered precision strikes to their vitals.Escort 3 - You let your guard down. You're full of openings after you attack!One of the men watched for Gurigura to land after taking out another guard, then attacked from behind.Gurigura - Hmph!Escort 3 - What?!But as though she had eyes in the back of her head, she ducked to avoid his strike and drove her far-reaching glove into the man's face.Escort 3 - Guhaaaaaah!Despite the numbers being against her, Gurigura beat down the men one by one, as though it were merely a game. She came off as a wild, carnivorous beast with instincts honed solely for slaying its enemies.The guards realized this was no foe they could take on barehanded and drew their weapons, intending to split her and her gloves in half.*Clank!*Escort 4 - H-How?! The glove blocked my sword!Gurigura adeptly deflected the vigorous slash with her battle glove's claws.Gurigura - You don't wanna put too much force into your attacks, or you'll leave yourself open when you get blocked.Escort 4 - c.r.a.p, Can't let her get close.The man jumped backward, but the glove closed in on him faster than he could move.*Bam!*Escort 4 - Guhah!Tio - What in the world? These people are strong enough to be Knights, so why can't they handle this tiny girl?Gurigura's seeming invincibility made Tio go pale like she had an encounter with Death himself.Issei - Indeed, she's quite skillful.Tio - Wh-Why are you admiring the enemy?!Issei - No particular reason. I'm just stating facts, she's indeed skillful don't you think?Tio - I-I know but...The guards were forced into a defensive battle, but their numbers were still steadily decreasing.There were few left standing between Gurigura and Issei.Escort 5 - M-Miss Tio, while there's still time... Guhah...Gurigura - There's no escape, villain! I have a Knight's duty to fulfill!Issei - 'Knight?'Gurigura finished beating all the guards and approached Tio.Tio - Eek!Gurigura - Judgement!*Bam!*Issei calmly stands in front of Tio and stopped Gurigura attack with one hand.Gurigura - Hm?! You can take my attack head on? Are you a Knight?!Gurigura finally shifted her attention from her target to Issei and stepped back a cautious distance.Gurigura - ...Huh? Issei-nii... Why?Issei - Yo, Gurigura. What's up? You didn't notice it was me? And what about you? Why are you attacking Tio?Issei calmly greets Gurigura, just like an everyday greeting.Gurigura - Cause she's bad! She's making a sketchy deal here in secret! That proves it!Issei - Hmm. If you see it that way it is indeed hard to explain it.Gurigura - I can let you go, but not Tio. I need to kill her so she won't be president.Issei - Kill her?Tio - You're Dark Night Kitty, aren't you? Even last year, you attacked Bors's opponent and influenced the election.Gurigura - Call it what you want, I'm just pa.s.sing judgment. There was proof that guy was doing bad stuff too.Tio - Yes, it's true there was proof he took bribes! But was there any need for violence? Everyone has the right to run for president, whether they're bad or not. The choice is up to the voters, not you!Gurigura - But I've got no choice... Since I'm a Knight. I've gotta beat the enemy.Tio - Oh dear...Issei - Gurigura, can we just talk for now?Gurigura - Why? I said I'd let you go. Why are you defending the bad guy?Issei - I don't know a thing about Tio. But until I've personally seen that she's evil, I won't let her be hurt just like that. This is also for your sake.Gurigura - My sake?Issei - How would you feel if you're mistaken about Tio? Knowing you kill an innocent people?Gurigura - B-But... Then what's this sketchy deal about? Is it not bad?Gurigura pointed to the bag of money in Issei's waist.Issei - Well, there's nothing I can do to prove it to you that it's not a sketchy deal other than give you my words on it. It's not for something evil I can tell you that and if it is indeed used for something evil. Then I will pa.s.s the judgment myself, You're okay with that right Tio?Issei calmly gazed at Tio while saying that.Tio - Y-Yes, it's not for something evil. And if you find out it's for something evil then you can judge me right away.Issei - See?Then Issei looks towards Gurigura once more while softly smiling.Gurigura - But... If I don't beat her, my life's gonna lose all meaning.Issei - ...What meaning?Gurigura - So... I'm sorry.The emotion disappeared from Gurigura's face, replaced with piercing bloodl.u.s.t aimed directly at Issei. But Issei doesn't even flinch feeling her bloodl.u.s.t.Gurigura who saw that sweated internally, 'Issei-nii sure is strong... I don't know if I can beat him but I have no choice because if not then...'Man - There she is! this way!Man 2 - Wh-What?! What's all that noise?!Then there's a lot of sound coming towards this direction.Gurigura - Oops, now civilians are coming. Oh well... That's it for now. But I'll stop you eventually, Tio! Just wait for me, okay?With that, she jumped on top of the buildings and disappeared...Issei keeps looking towards the direction of Gurigura while thinking about something.Palomides - Oooh, you're still safe, Miss Tio?Tio - Palomides, I'm sorry I worried you.Palomides - Hrm, and I remember this man...Tio - He's acting on behalf of King Louin.Palomides - Is that right? But for now... It looks like most of the guards were just knocked out. Let's take them to a doctor quickly. And as for you young man, if you don't mind doing this instead. Could you guard Miss Tio for now?Issei finally took back his gaze and look towards Palomides.Palomides - Ahem, as you can see, our guards have been wiped out. It will be some time before we can hire more from the guild, so your a.s.sistance would be appreciated.Well, Issei can't do his secret mission without Tio so he agreed to it.Issei - Sure, I'll stay with her for now.Palomides - Thank you very much.Palomides bowed, gave orders to those subordinates who could stand, and began to swiftly pull away.The crowd that had gathered seemed to sense that the chaos was over with and left, leaving n.o.body around but Issei and Tio.Tio - I'm sorry... But I'm depending on you for the time being.Issei - It's fine, but I left my wives at the inn, so if you don't mind I'm gonna get them first.Tio - Yes, I'll just stand aside and stay out of your way, so don't mind me.To be honest, she felt a bit disappointed that Issei already married. Because she felt a certain charm that other man doesn't have emitting from him.And when she saves her back then look so gallant that her heart skips a beat. She can vaguely see his face under his hood back then and she could tell that he's a very handsome man. But she has her duties for now so she doesn't have time to get into a love affair.Issei - Um.Then they head towards the Inn.Meanwhile with Gurigura.Gurigura was using the magic transmitter to report that she had failed the mission.Gurigura - I'm sorry, Master. Someone got in the way...Gurigura didn't even know the name of the person she was talking to.But as a Ranger, a job cla.s.s that sometimes takes spy missions, she was taught that not being told that information was perfectly normal.??? - Do you not want the chance to proudly, publicly proclaim that you're a Knight?Gurigura - ...I do.??? - Aside from how to act as a Knight, you've received no other education. What's beside fighting are you good for?Gurigura - I'm sorry...??? - Who was it that gave your worthless life some value?Gurigura - You did, Master.??? - ...Once this job is over, I'll treat you as an official Knight.Gurigura - Really?!??? - Yes, so see to it that Tio is killed. For your missions, you could never make yourself public, but after this. I want you to declare you're a Knight with pride.Gurigura - Okay.??? - Then you'll get a warm bed to sleep in and enough food not to starve. Put in an earnest effort.The person on the other side hung up without waiting for Gurigura's response. He never talked about anything but her mission.Gurigura - I'll become a real Knight...Kitty - Nya.Gurigura - Oh, a kitty?A kitten approached the smiling girl.Gurigura - Is this where you sleep?... I don't have a house of my own... So just lemme sleep here today, okay?Gurigura is sitting on some boxes in the alleyway.Kitty - Nya.Gurigura - Soon, I'll get to call myself a Knight. Then I won't have to sleep in alleyways, and I'll get to eat every single day.Kitty - Nya.Gurigura - Oh, that reminds me. I do have food.Gurigura remembered she still had some bread from Issei left and stuck her hand in her pocket.Gurigura - Aw, it got all squished...Gurigura gave half the bread to the jealous-looking kitten, then nibbled at her piece.Gurigura - Eheheh, still tastes good.Kitty - Nya...Gurigura - Huh? Where are you going?With the bread still in its mouth, the kitten disappeared into the dark alleyway.Gurigura - Oh, I bet it has a home to return to...Once she was alone, Gurigura recalled Issei and his wives smiling faces.Gurigura - Issei-nii... Why is he on the bad guy's side? Maybe he's bad too...For some reason, the bread seemed like it was rapidly losing its flavor.Gurigura - Issei-nii was right... It doesn't taste so good when you're by yourself.After satisfying her hunger, Gurigura lay down and spent the night alone like she always did....After returning to Lancelot and spending a night at the inn, Issei told his wives about the secret mission.Tio - Uh, um... This mission was given by King Louin, wasn't it? Who's your father?Riche - Oh, I'm Riche Eden. He's my father.Tio - WHAAAAT?!Riche - Though since I married Issei, I lost any right to the throne. Not that I care since being a King never suited me anyway... And I love Ise so the more reason not to care about the throne.Tio - Um, my apologies. I wasn't aware you were of such importance.Riche - Father's the important one, so there's no need to feel tense around me or Ise. Just be yourself.Tio - Um, then I want you to feel the same way around me. We're around the same age...Issei - Hm? I thought you were older.Tio - Not that much older.Issei - O-Ou... Got it...Issei felt an unusual pressure from Tio and decided to agree to her claim...Riche - Well you can just give Tio the funds and be done with the secret quest right?Issei - Ah. Tio, would you mind taking me to this organization we're giving money to? I promised Gurigura after all.Tio - I can't... As long as Dark Night Kitty is around, I can't take you there. Besides which, you seem to be an acquaintance of hers, so it's not impossible that you're planning for that to begin with.Issei - Hmm. Good point.Tio - So, until all doubts are completely cleared, I can't trust you.*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*There's a knock on the door then Issei opened it to see Palomides outside.Palomides - Apologies for interrupting! Miss Tio, there's trouble!Tio - P-Palomides?Riche - Hey, what's this about?! We said we're talking about something important.Tio - I-It's okay... Palomides and the guards know about the secret mission.Riche - Hrrm...Palomides - Yesterday's attack was reported in the papers.Tio - Huh?!Palomides opened the newspaper he had, displaying a large article on last night's incident.Palomides - There are pictures of the guards who were brought to the hospital. Denying that an attack happened may prove difficult.Tio - But how'd they put this together so fast?Riche - Whoever ordered Dark Night Kitty to attack leaked it to the newspaper company, I'm sure.Palomides - I know... It must be Bors! She's his p.a.w.n too, I'm sure of it.Riche - Um, why are you panicking about this? You were one of the victims.Palomides - After Dark Night Kitty's attack last year, she was celebrated as a righter of wrongs.Riche - I see... And since she attacked you, it'll spread the idea that you're doing something bad? That's fishy... The newspaper company that's calling her a hero could be in it too... Public image is an important part of elections I guess.Tio - Palomides, we have to do something. If we stay silent, it'll be the same as admitting we're hiding something.Palomides - Yes, it would be best to give a few speeches and inform the public you're innocent... But... We don't have new guards yet. Unless Kitty is stopped, I can't let you go out in public.Tio - ...Tio sneak a glance towards Issei and Issei noticed her gaze.Issei - *Sigh* Then we'll take her around.Palomides - Huh? Are you sure?Tio face lit up hearing Issei gonna escort her once again.Issei - I'll have to capture Gurigura if I want to finish my secret mission anyway. Not that I'm gonna hurt her or anything, I'm just gonna ask her some questions. And besides, as I told her, I want to see whether you're good or bad for myself. If you are evil then you know the consequences.Tio - Yes, I'm fine with that. Very well then. Please be my protection.Issei - You two are okay with that right?Riche - Well, Rochefort's on the president's side, so I can't complain about supporting his opposition.Ramius - I will follow your decision all the way since I'm your wife.Issei smiled hearing that.Palomides - We applied to give speeches in advance. Take her to Lionel, Hector, and Safere in that order, please.Issei - Got it.Riche - Lionel first then. That's where the incident happened, right? Might make it a good place to start.Issei - Then let's go.Having agreed to escort Tio around, the party decided to leave for Lionel, their first destination.After a while, the party arrived at the entrance to their first destination, Lionel.Tio - Made it in time, now let's hurry and-*Rustle*Tio ran past a thicket that suspiciously shook. There are some monsters pop out but they got killed instantly.At first Riche and Ramius thought it was Gurigura but Issei told them it's not. Then they entered Lionel.By the time they arrived in the main square, there was already a large crowd. But they looked not so much supportive about the incident as they are curious.Tio - h.e.l.lo, everyone. As you know, we were attacked last night, resulting in the injury of much of my staff.But unphased by the audience's gaze, Tio bravely delivered her speech.Tio - The reason why I was attacked isn't clear, but I can proudly declare I have nothing to hide. I won't back down in the face of such senseless violence. For the sake of my staff members who were injured last night, I swear I will fight on. Even simply from the perspective of the Kingdom of Arthur's historical value, we should undergo a thorough investigation of the ruins before taking any drastic actions. Please, don't let the ruins be destroyed by buying into these baseless claims that Outlaws are inhabiting them.What we should focus on solving right now is the issue causing the most suffering... The poison gas coming from Lake Guinevere.Despite the news of the attack, the audience seemed captivated by Tio's speech and, when it was over, gave her an ear-splitting round of applause.Tio - Whew, somehow got through that okay.Issei - Good job. Everyone seemed to like it.Tio - T-Thank you... Maybe it's because of the attack, but they seemed to take it more seriously than usual.Riche - Then it would probably be best to get to the other towns sooner rather than later.Tio - Yes. The next town we're going to is Hector.The party then headed towards Hector the location of the next speech.Ramius - Hrm, are those Outlaws? They've got some guts to be wandering near town.The party arrived at Hector and sighted some suspicious men snooping around the entrance.Outlaw 1 - Oh. We were gonna attack some suckers leaving town, but looks like we've got some good targets right here.Outlaw 2 - Hoh, nice chicks you've got there. If you ladies stay, we'll let the guy go.Riche - Outlaws really need to come up with some new lines.Ramius - What are Lancelot's Knights doing?Outlaw 3 - Heh heh heh, don't you know? They're so caught up with the poison gas problem that they ain't got time to stop us.Outlaw 4 - Blame your luck for being s.h.i.t. Now hand the chicks over!Issei - You must be a total idiot if you think I'm going to hand over my wives to you.Outlaw 5 - Whaaaat?! They're all your wives?!Tio - Oh, no... I'm not... But I'd love to...Tio's cheeks blushed for some reason. Riche and Ramius who saw that looked at each other and smiled wryly at the same time.Riche - Guess we will have another sister soon enough.Ramius - Fumu. So it seems.Issei face also twitched hearing that but he won't point it out...Outlaw 5 - Dammit! I can't rest until this guy's beaten to a pulp!Outlaw 4 - DIIIIIE!With a quick work from Issei they all down for the count.Tio who saw his action become mesmerized even more. Issei can only smile bitterly seeing that while his 2 wives smirked at him.Then they enter the town.Riche - Why would Outlaws come near such a big town? What idiots.Ramius - This may not be the best time for an election.Tio - After the speech, I'll tell the Knights they should reinforce security.Tio went to the crowded main square and began to speak in front of the audience.Tio weaved the Outlaw incident into the speech, garnering a positive response from the townspeople.Besides drawing on their personal experiences in that manner, she talked about her own ideas.Her talent for public speaking seemed to capture the hearts of the citizens of Hector.Tio - I'm done. Now let's get to the last town.When the party arrived at Safere, a bush near the entrance moved suspiciously.Ramius - Now is it Gurigura?!Issei - Nah...There's a Hanny pop out from the bushes.Hanny 1 - Haniho!Ramius - Oh... It's just a Hanny.Hanny 1 - What do you mean, 'just a hanny'?! You may not be aware, but I'm a presidential candidate!Hanny 2 - Yeah, that! Even just running for president means we get attention!Hanny 1 - Eheh, once I become a president, I'll make all girls wear gla.s.ses and bloomers.Hanny 3 - All hail the president!Issei - ...Hanny 1 - Heheh, let me tell you something, stupid hoomans. This kind of platform is called a 'Majestic'.Hanny 2 - Boy, hoomans are so dumb!Riche - You mean a manifesto? Not that that word sees much use in that way anymore...Issei - Are hannies even allowed to run for president?Tio - No, it's supposed to be humans only.Hanny 1 - That's not true! We even have campaign posters up!The hanny puffed out his chest (?) and showed them a poster.Issei - ...What's this doodle?Tio - Oh right, I've heard about someone sticking doodles up on election bulletin boards. Election officials keep having to go around and take them down.Hanny 2 - Gwah! All that time spent putting them up, and for what?!Riche - Look, we're pretty busy, so could you go away? Shoo, shoo!Hanny 3 - Grrr, give haniwa the right to run for president too!Hanny 1 - If it's come to this, we'll have to make you wear gla.s.ses and bloomers by force!The infuriated hannies attacked the party. But all of them broke to pieces just from one punch by Issei.(AN: You guys might have not played the game but this jacka.s.ses of hannies give more game over than any bosses around because they have ranged attack and immune to magic. So Riche is totally useless fighting them, and they very often attack Tio in the game for an instant game over because she only has like 50 hp and 1 hit die... Hate this part so much ~_~)Riche - What a waste of time that was. You okay, Tio?Tio - Yes, thanks to you all. I haven't even suffered a scratch.Tio bowed to the party and ran to the main square where a crowd was waiting.Issei and his wives are visited by Palomides.Palomides - Oh, already made it here, have you? I was worried that you might not have made it safely, so I brought our remaining staff here to wait and see if you arrived.Eventually, some loud applause came from the site of Tio's speech.Palomides - Hm, I thought we were in a pickle, but Miss Tio turned it into a good opportunity.Palomides's face was like that of a grandfather appreciating his grandchild's growth.Tio - That went well... Oh? Palomides?Palomides - The attack by Dark Night Kitty seems to have given you some guts.Tio - Th-Thank you.Palomides - You traveled around faster than I expected. I also applied for a speech in