Chapter 104: Releasing the Prisoners
We finished our circuit of Gantz’s guilds and returned to Home. I had the prisoners gathered in the dining hall. Treatment and disarming should’ve been done by now. They were seated on the floor, unbound; Dalshim stood over them with a fully armed detail, making it clear we weren’t to be tested.
「Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Alan Corinth, Lord Protector. I know you’re uneasy, so I’ll explain how this will go for you。」
No real surprise. Word of my face has gotten around.
「Officially, you’re prisoners. In practice, while your main force was retreating, we accepted your wounded for treatment. We’ve taken your weapons for safekeeping and—per our word—given you medical care. We only brushed off the sparks thrown our way. If you intend to leave Gantz, we have no intention of detaining you。」
A muted ripple of surprise ran through the room.
「That said, it’s nearly nightfall. Being tossed out of Gantz now would just cause confusion. If you swear—on your honor—not to take hostile action until you’ve left the city, we’ll move you to lodging. We’ll cover your room costs for three days. Men and women are assigned to separate inns. It also suits us if you stay put and quiet for those three days. You’ll move in groups; if you don’t, we’ll treat it as an escape attempt and restrain you. Questions?」
「Weren’t we going to be detained in this base? That’s what we were told。」
I answered plainly.
「We had more captives than expected. Until we knew if we could secure enough rooms, we prepared this as a stopgap. The Commercial Guild has since arranged lodging. Tonight’s meal is being prepared here. Eat with us and go. From tomorrow, you’ll eat at the inns. You’ll receive the fixed menu in fixed portions. If you want alcohol or better fare, pay for it yourselves—we won’t be involved。」
「Are we free to move around?」
「So long as you don’t act hostile or break the law. If you wish to depart Gantz and request it, that’s fine too. Use common sense—robbery and murder are out of the question. If necessary we will restrain and punish offenders. Be good. You’ve seen our ability—we disarmed you without trouble and can put you down again just as easily. The city favors us as well. Don’t expect help from anyone else。」
「Will we get our weapons back?」
「If you’re leaving the city, declare it. We’ll escort you to the gate and return your arms there. I won’t toss you to monsters bare-handed. While you remain in Gantz, we hold your weapons。」
「What about our horses?」
「No. Recovered mounts are considered spoils of war and will be held on our side. I don’t need the headache of someone later claiming, ‘That one’s my horse.’ If someone surrendered together with his horse and we have our own people who can attest to it, we can consider an exception. Anything else?」
The prisoners whispered among themselves, but no further questions surfaced.
「If you need anything, tell Adjutant Dalshim。」
I pointed him out.
「He’ll relay it to me. If there’s nothing else, we’ll start preparing the meal. Step out to the courtyard and wait for the call。」
At the word ‘meal’, the prisoners shuffled out in a line. They are probably hungry; the smell from the kitchen is probably making it worse.
「They’re calmer than expected。」
Dalshim came up beside me.
「Everyone’s hungry. The moment food was mentioned their eyes changed。」
Good—no sign of rebellion. Treatment plus a hot meal goes a long way. They’re slated for release and unarmed besides; most are content to watch and wait.
「I’m imposing on you, Adjutant, but I’m counting on you。」
「No problem—leave it to me。」
He thumped his chest with a grin. Reliable as ever.
Sally-san confirmed we could start carrying out dishes as they were ready, so we switched the tables over to a buffet setup and brought the food in.
「Bring the prisoners back in and feed them。」
On my cue, Dalshim’s team guided them inside. When a few tried to surge the tables, Dalshim and the squad bore down on them.
「Line up and wait your turn. There’s enough for everyone. Take what you need and eat. If you’re still hungry, get back in line。」
It was a buffet, so there was some early jostling, but Dalshim’s effort got them into an orderly queue. Everyone fell in line.
「Alan, got a minute?」
Selena waved me over.
「Two of the women want to talk。」
Selena and Elna stood with two small-framed women—soldiers, but likely mages.
「What is it?」
「Pardon the bluntness, my lord, but… do you or your men expect us to provide sexual services?」
Both Selena and Elna pinned me with a hard look. Splitting the inns by sex may have invited the wrong assumptions.
「No. Even if it’s ‘consensual,’ I’m not permitting any lapse in discipline while we’re in Gantz. I won’t allow my men, the prisoners, or the townsfolk to lay a hand on you. If anyone makes such a proposal, report it to us. We’ll deal with it strictly。」
「We don’t want to, but our comrades told us to offer our bodies if it’s your lordship asking—if it would earn us better treatment. And, um… we don’t have enough travel money to get home。」
Right. This problem was bound to surface. Better to hear it early.
「We’ll talk about travel funds another day—I promise to make accommodations. If you feel unsafe, we can shelter you in Gantz. If you’re willing to delay your return, we can find you work. Many of my subordinates are women. They’ll make sure no one mistreats you. You do not need to engage in sex—not for safety, not for better treatment—period。」
「Alan, we’ll take shifts watching the women’s inn。」
Selena declared it; Elna nodded. A good plan.
「Do it—within reason。」
Just like that, we set a guard for the women’s lodging.
「What about our own meal? We’re starving—hard to watch them eat right in front of us。」
Kenny chimed in. The prisoners’ turn would end eventually, but shops outside were likely closing. My oversight.
「I’ll ask Sally-san。」
「I’ll come with you。」
We headed for the kitchen. Sally-san’s answer was a pleasant surprise.
「We actually prepared a feast in case there’d be cause to celebrate today. We’re serving simple fare to the prisoners, so we can bring yours out afterward。」
Jackpot.
「You’re a lifesaver, Sally-san. We were about to eat out. Please go ahead。」
「Once the prisoners are out, we can raise a toast。」
「Kenny, pass the word to the squad leaders—quietly. Have each leader notify their own squad。」
「Got it。」
「Selena, Sharon—change of plan. No eating out. Sally-san’s got a feast ready。」
「Heck yeah.」
「Understood.」
I called Katolle and asked him to contact Karina-san: we’d stop allocating our own people to escort the prisoners. Instead, have the inns or the Commercial Guild send staff to receive them.
We’d already taken their weapons, and the city gates should be closed by now. With monsters in the environs, no prisoner is going to choose to camp outside. Given they’re free to leave, most will spend the three days at the inn recovering strength. I would.
Once the inn staff arrived, the prisoners finished eating and dispersed to their assigned lodgings.
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