Chapter 61: Captive...
{TL: By Creed}
If we defeat the boss, the rest isn't a big deal.
Working together with Licorice, I'll defeat the remaining ones...
And then, we'll capture them so they can't move.
It might be quicker to just kill them...
But if possible, I'd like to avoid killing.
I might be called naive, but thieves are still human beings.
Perhaps, there might be someone who can reform.
During combat and such, I won't hesitate when there's no choice...
But I don't want to go out of my way to kill helpless or surrendering opponents.
'Alright, is this everyone?'
Capture complete.
Since we can't take everyone with us, let's return to the guild first and request backup.
"Sofia, how about over there?"
"Um..."
When I shouted loudly, I received a bewildered response.
What's wrong?
I exchange glances with Licorice.
"Fate."
Before long, Sofia arrived.
"It seems to be settled over here. Dealing with this many people and resolving it without issue, as expected of Fate."
"It's thanks to Licorice helping."
"Hehe, that's right! Be grateful to the genius invincible beautiful fairy Licorice-chan!"
"It's thanks to Fate, right?"
"Eh?"
"It's thanks to Fate, right?"
"Uh, well..."
"It's thanks to Fate... right?"
"Yes."
Seemingly under immense pressure, Licorice trembled and nodded faintly.
I don't know what's going on, but I wish she'd stop intimidating Licorice she looked pitful.
"How about on Sofia's side? What about the captured people?"
"Basically, there are no problems. Some of them were injured, but not severely, so we managed with first aid. However..."
"However?"
"Could you come over here? There are some aspects I'm not sure how to handle..."
Sofia being at a loss for what to do... what could it be?
Nervously, I head towards the cells.
On the way, while being thanked by the rescued people, we proceed further in.
"Here are the cells."
There was a small cell at the very back.
The door had already been slashed, rendering it non-functional.
Sofia must have done it.
Not with a key, but by slicing through the door altogether, as expected.
There was a figure of a person in the corner of the cell.
Kneeling with their knees to their chest, curled up.
They look like a child at first glance.
"Who's this?"
"I don't know. I've tried calling out to them multiple times, but there's been no response... they're not unconscious or anything like that... I didn't know what to do, so I was at a loss."
"I see."
All the thieves have been captured.
The cells have been destroyed.
Though there shouldn't be anything to harm this child, for some reason, they still seem frightened.
"Wait... ah, I see."
From this child's perspective, they can't distinguish whether we're adventurers or thieves.
Even if we reassure them it's okay, they're in an environment where they can't believe that.
Because of that, they're still scared and curled up like this.
How can we prove to them that we're not enemies?
After thinking for a bit, I gently stroke the huddled child's head.
"It's okay."
"Ah...!"
"It's okay, we're not thieves. We've captured the thieves, and we've come to help you."
I spoke as gently as possible, conveying our intentions.
Perhaps those feelings got through, as the child slowly lifts their head in fear.
"Who are you...?"
It's a girl.
Not an ordinary child, she has dog ears.
Upon closer inspection, I could see a tail too.
She's a beastfolk.
A race with both human intelligence and beast strength, but their numbers are few.
The beastfolk have low fertility due to their long lifespan, making children even more rare. That's probably why she was targeted by thieves and ended up being captured.
"I'm Fate, and she's Sofia, and this is Licorice the fairy. And you?"
"...Aisha..."
"Ah, Aisha it is. That's a cute name."
Aisha seemed to relax her guard slightly as I smiled at her, but she still didn't completely believe my words.
Probably, she had been through a lot of terrible experiences before being captured like this. That's why she's become distrustful of humans...
Somehow, I could imagine Aisha's situation, and a sense of duty to help her no matter what welled up inside me.
"We came here to defeat the thieves who are here."
"Really?"
"Yeah, of course. I wouldn't lie."
Aisha looked at me with suspicion, but I pretended not to notice and continued to smile.
"Of course, we'll help you too, Aisha."
"Why? I'm just a stranger to you..."
"That's true... but... I can't see it as someone else's problem. Actually, I was in a similar situation in the past."
"Huh?"
"I was deceived by bad people and turned into a slave... well, now I'm free, but a lot happened. That's why I can't see your situation as someone else's."
Aisha's eyes gradually lost their doubt as she listened to my story, seeming to be more at ease.
"Are you really... going to help me?"
"Yeah."
"So... I won't have to suffer anymore...?"
"Of course not."
"Sniff..."
It seemed she relaxed. Tears welled up in Aisha's eyes, and...
"Wha...aaahhh!! Ugh... e-eek... aaaaaahhh!!!"
She clung to me and cried her heart out.
Right now, it's better for her to cry and let out all the dark emotions. And I just want her to feel a little relief. With that wish in mind, I held Aisha tightly, stroking her head gently.
TL Note: I feel pity for Aisha.
Harem?
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