NOVEL NEXT Chapter 126
(Should I consult with Saioji…?)
Hearing what KAEDE had discovered, I struggled to process the seriousness of the situation and decide on a course of action.
Our adversary might not be directly involved, but he’s still a villain plotting an assassination… I couldn’t just let this slide. Yet, killing him seemed excessive.
“Handing him over to the military police… but there’s no concrete proof.”
Thanks to the intel KAEDE managed to extract from the device she unleashed in the royal capital, I had some information. However, simply giving this information to the authorities wouldn’t be credible—they might even turn on me and KAEDE.
The current phase of the plan in the future world was progressing, but we weren’t fully engulfed in work. So, I could afford to address this issue now.
“If you used the Silver Killer Bee, it could look like he died of natural causes.”
“No, that’s a bit extreme… I’ll try consulting Saioji first.”
I calmed the ever-murderous KAEDE down and decided to leave the final call to Saioji.
—
“So, that man…”
By evening, KAEDE’s presence had become known among the brigade members. Many were curiously observing her, but overall, she was welcomed warmly.
Apologetic for having to share unpleasant news, I approached Saioji and, coincidentally, Vice Captain Raffin, who had just returned to the team house.
“That man? I always thought he was a lowlife without any class, but I didn’t imagine he had underworld ties.”
Saioji, whose signature color was black, stood in stark contrast to Vice Captain Raffin, who radiated white.
Her nearly white-blonde hair and fair skin gave her an ethereal look, complemented by ruby-red eyes and long lashes—a pure maiden’s appearance, but now, the girl before me had a look of utmost contempt.
(…Some would find that attractive.)
Raffin’s features leaned more toward cute than beautiful, but her fierce personality and rumored aversion to men gave her a unique presence.
“I can present the information if needed… Saioji, are you sure about this?”
“No need to worry. I’ve already shown the data to Raffin on my smartphone.”
The information we obtained was digital, including video evidence. KAEDE could sketch a likeness, but video proof would be far more convincing.
I hesitated to show Raffin modern technology, but if Saioji was okay with it…
“Is this alright?”
“We could try hiding it for a bit, but it’s unreasonable to keep it secret from someone we’ll be working with long-term. I hesitate to be fully open, but for the vice captain, it’s fine.”
With Saioji’s reassurance, I glanced at Raffin, still radiating displeasure, and instructed KAEDE to send the information to Saioji’s smartphone.
“Perfect compatibility, it seems.”
Saioji’s smartphone was the latest model from a company under her family’s group—sleek, slightly elongated, and all black, just like her style. Although the technology was advanced by current standards, KAEDE, an android from thousands of years in the future, managed to convert the data seamlessly.
“That’s definitely him.”
“I’d hoped never to see his face again.”
As they watched the video sent by KAEDE, Saioji and Raffin’s expressions grew darker. It showed not only his plot to assassinate me but his plans for the members of Saioji’s Akatsuki Brigade afterward, including remarks that demeaned women, statements that made even me, a fellow man, grimace.
“Let’s kill him. It’s for the women of this capital as well.”
After watching the video, Raffin, who had been peering over Saioji’s shoulder, bluntly declared her stance.
“I’d agree… but we don’t have any evidence to hand to the authorities.”
Both Saioji and Raffin shared KAEDE’s view that removing him was necessary. Though I expected this of Raffin, a native of this world, it was surprising that Saioji, born on Earth, reached the same conclusion.
“Oh? I’ve already killed people here—mainly bandits.”
Saioji replied calmly, revealing a shocking truth.
“Why… no, maybe it’s better I don’t ask.”
“It’s not that I’m used to it, but an all-female team draws unwanted attention.”
Until I joined, the Akatsuki Brigade had been a women-only adventuring team. In Asphial, where striking appearances were common, a team of beautiful women, led by the likes of Saioji and Raffin, had faced numerous challenges—from bandit attacks to employers attempting to trap them.
“If my team or I am threatened, I won’t hesitate to kill… I don’t expect you to get used to it, but you should at least know the reality.”
“…Yeah, you’re right.”
Before joining the brigade, I lived quietly in Elacton, earning enough to get by and steering clear of conflict. Unlike Earth, Asphial is filled with rough types, and brawls are common, but I hadn’t felt like I was walking on the edge of death.
Maybe, deep down, I underestimated this world. The powers I had in this other world and my high physical abilities made me feel like I was living in an anime or a manga.
Hearing Saioji’s story, I felt a mix of surprise and guilt.