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Operation: Liberate Southleaf Island – Part 02

Hikaru, Lavia, and Paula carried numerous weapons.

“H-How did you…?” Gogo stammered, his wide eyes darting between Hikaru and the weapons.

“I expected nothing less,” Jillarte said with a smile.

Adventurers had gathered in the back alleys, already informed of the situation by Gogo and Jillarte. They joyfully took their weapons, some even pressing them against their cheeks. Regardless of the knights’ mockery, weapons were cherished companions to adventurers.

The adventurers had given up their weapons without resistance, believing the Adventurers’ Guild’s promise to negotiate a resolution. Little did they know that the guild staff would be ruthlessly slaughtered overnight.

Now armed once more, the adventurers regained their confidence, the relief on their faces turning into fierce determination.

“Listen up, everyone.”

Gogo’s voice silenced the crowd. There were more people than Hikaru anticipated—close to a hundred. It wasn’t just adventurers; there were also Beastmen armed with knives and clubs, a united force of individuals with combat abilities.

“First, Esrat will lead a squad of twenty to the governor’s residence. He might be Bios’s yes-man, but he’s still a fellow Beastman. A few knights are stationed there, and we don’t want him to be held hostage. We’re counting on you, Esrat.”

“Got it.”

“The rest will follow me. The enemy’s main force should be gathering at the harbor, thanks to the trouble you’ve caused.” Gogo’s fierce gaze rested on Hikaru, and he smiled. “Well done, kid. We’re gonna crush those clueless knights!”

Beastmen roared, raising their fists.

“We will reclaim this island with our own hands! Let’s go!”

The Beastmen took off, leaving Hikaru’s group behind.

“Let’s go, Jillarte.”

“Yeah.”

The girl’s expression tightened at Hikaru’s words. Their destination was the Adventurers’ Guild, where Jillarte’s companions were being held.

As they navigated the back alleys, they saw a resident peeking through a window, possibly alerted by the numerous Beastmen running earlier. However, upon realizing that Jillarte and Hikaru were human, they promptly closed the window.

The town was quiet, the faint shouts coming from the harbor the only sound. They arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild without running into anyone.

The guild door stood slightly ajar. Jillarte grimaced, and Hikaru shared her unease. A pungent odor hung in the air.

“Are you all right?!”

Jillarte rushed to open the door, revealing pitch-black darkness inside. Squinting, she spotted her comrades lying on the floor, bound by ropes.

“It’s me! Jillarte! Do you recognize me?!”

She poured water from a leather pouch hanging at her waist onto the face of the black panther Beastman.

“Ugh… Ji-Jillarte…?”

“You’re alive. Thank goodness.”

“G-Go away! Go away!”

“Wh-What?!”

Fear etched across Jillarte’s face at the sudden rejection.

She had been concerned, worried that her comrades hated her. It was because of her that they were attacked by Gogo and his men. Only Jillarte managed to escape, while the others suffered at the hands of the knights.

Though shocked, Jillarte mustered her voice. “I’m sorry for escaping alone. But please, allow me to help you.”

“It’s not that… Just stay away!”

“…Huh?” Jillarte was bewildered.

Something was off.

Hikaru placed a hand on Jillarte’s shoulder. “I think it’s better if I, a guy, handle this. You step outside.”

“Th-Thank you, kid.”

“Don’t mention it. I understand how you feel.”

“Right…”

Jillarte, confused and not comprehending the situation, was gently ushered outside by Hikaru.

“The bathroom is on the other side of that door, to the right. The well is right outside the back entrance.”

“Thanks!” The black panther Beastman hastily left the room.

In short, they had been left tied up and neglected, soiling themselves. That’s why the knights on guard left at some point.

The room reeked of Michael’s blood and the stench of excrement.

Hikaru freed the nine Beastmen and assisted them in drawing water from the well through the back entrance. It was a pitiful sight, nine grown men naked from the waist down, washing their soiled garments. However, for them, appearances mattered more than their injuries.

“They’re gonna pay!”

The Beastmen held deep resentment towards the Knights Templar.

After a while, the half-dried Beastmen, healed by Paula’s Healing Magic, appeared awkwardly.

Nevertheless, Jillarte greeted them cheerfully. “It’s all right!” she declared. “Falling into a foul trap does not diminish a warrior’s pride!”

“…”

“…

“…”

The Beastmen huddled together.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“Why is she smiling like that? What does she think happened?”

“I told her that you were too ashamed to face her because you couldn’t protect her,” Lavia interjected.

“Oh.”

“Well done, young lady.”

“Way to go.”

“So thoughtful,” said the black panther Beastman. “Wanna be my girlfriend?”

Hikaru swiftly kneed his thigh.

“Since when did you guys become friends?” Jillarte asked, perplexed.

The nine Beastmen lined up before her. The earlier awkwardness and tension had dissipated; Beastmen seemed to compartmentalize well.

The black panther Beastman spoke on behalf of the group. “Jillarte… No, Deputy Leader. We underestimated this mission and put you in danger. Furthermore, you ended up rescuing us, when we should have been the ones protecting you. We will make amends once we return to Einbiest. But for now, please allow us to continue our mission of protecting you and defeating the enemy.”

The nine Beastmen simultaneously dropped to their left knee and pressed their right fists onto the ground, a traditional gesture of respect among Beastmen, reserved exclusively for clan leaders or revered individuals like Gerhardt.

“You guys…”

They had learned their lesson. Falling into a trap was one thing, but the assault by the Knights Templar was beyond unexpected. It wouldn’t have ended with just the Beastmen being killed. Who knew what kind of wicked plans the Theocracy of Bios had for Jillarte?

Confined to the Adventurers’ Guild overnight, they deeply reflected on underestimating the mission. If given the chance, they were determined to make up for it with all they had—such was their thoughts while washing their undergarments.

“I fell for their trap as well,” Jillarte said. “I managed to escape out of pure luck. An unbelievable stroke of fortune.” She shot a quick glance at Hikaru before continuing with a smile. “We’ll apologize together to Lord Gerhardt.”

Some Beastmen nodded solemnly, while others gazed admiringly at Jillarte.

I think they’re in love with her, Hikaru thought.

Jillarte’s straightforwardness, carefree nature, and tendency to give her everything were her charms. That’s why even Hikaru found himself supporting her.

It’s probably best not to get involved any further. From here on out, it’s their fight.

Jillarte gave the Beastmen a simple rundown of the current situation. Their weapons had been recovered, and they were raring to fight.

“Hikaru,” Jillarte called after finishing her explanation. “If possible, I want you to assist us until the battle is over.”

“What?”

Hikaru couldn’t believe what he just heard. Jillarte had always despised troubling others more than necessary.

“I-Is that a no?” Jillarte appeared both perplexed and hurt by his reaction.

“N-No, it’s fine. Sure, I’ll help.”

“Thank you! With you on our side, we’ll be unstoppable!”

Jillarte’s radiant smile made Hikaru’s heart skip a beat. The Beastmen once again went into a huddle.

“Is that our competition?”

“Can’t underestimate this kid.”

“Damn it. We’re like, ten steps behind him.”

“She’s formidable,” Lavia remarked bitterly.

Paula chuckled. “Miss Jillarte’s power is off that charts when she’s straightforward.”

---

Captain Philip, leader of the 8th Division of Bios’s Knights Templar, viewed the mission as simple and fruitful. The archpriest, who received the order directly from the Pope, had expressed the same sentiment, and Philip himself was convinced after hearing the details.

The mission’s simplicity was undeniable. It couldn’t get any easier than traveling to a remote island and capturing a single woman.

This woman, Jillarte, held the title of Deputy Leader of Einbiest, a gathering place for inferior demi-humans, making her valuable to the leadership of Bios. They intended to persuade her, a fellow human, to join their cause and exploit her influence to eradicate the demi-humans in Einbiest.

The swift landing on Southleaf Island and the subsequent conquest was flawless.

Unfortunately, Jillarte was inside the dungeon. However, they had already considered that possibility, and as luck would have it, the elite warriors under her command were held captive.

Some petty dispute among the Beastmen, it seemed. These elite Beastmen would serve as useful hostages when persuading Jillarte. Thus, they were secured, and to prevent resistance, one of them was killed as a warning.

With the island’s Beastmen disarmed, all that remained was to wait for Jillarte to emerge from the dungeon. Everything had progressed smoothly… up until this point.

The first problem came from the dungeon. Reports came in that it was making abnormal noises. Staff of the Adventurers’ Guild’s claimed they knew nothing about it, so they were deemed worthless and subsequently killed.

Philip felt no aversion to killing Beastmen. He had been raised that way, and he had slain plenty of Beastman slaves in Bios—what Philip and his comrades labeled as repentant sinners.

The next problem came unexpectedly from the townspeople, who showed defiance. Though unarmed, they hurled stones at the patrolling knights. Razing the town was an option, but it risked hardening Jillarte’s attitude, making persuasion impossible. It was frustrating, but the knights decided to withdraw.

The next morning, patrols resumed in the town. However, the final problem unfolded on their ship while he was absent.