Strife (before battle)
That one's headed your way, aniki!
Don't worry about me, I'll handle him! Try not to get yourself killed, ya got that?!
<What a mess...>
We walked out of the bus and right into what appeared to be a battlefield of a violent gang war.
Black cloaks flutter under the grey sky, and bloodthirsty blades clash violently. The bus had stopped not even 30 paces away from the thick of the battle.
They're... the Kurokumo Clan?
Kurokumo Clan. I've heard of them before.
I'm sure we had some Identities from that Syndicate. Some Identity Cards said 'Wakashu' too.
They're a pretty large subsidiary of an even larger Syndicate called 'The Thumb'. I think the Identities wore outfits similar to the ones they're wearing here.
<I think you're right. ... But who are they fighting?>
It's gotta be a strife.
Heathcliff replied in a monotone voice like he was reading from an encyclopedia.
It ain't a rare sight to see Syndicates fighting one another in the Backstreets.
Must be somethin' about street tax or some other trivial turf dispute.
Leeches...! Bloodsucking curs seeking to oppress and exploit the weak with violence! Fie, there is nary a place these scum do not infest...
It ain't anything new, lass... Most Syndicates are like that. The only difference between 'em is how far they're willing to go.
Like... right, there he is. Blokes like that one over there. The one walking right at us.
Heathcliff raised his bat and pointed it at the approaching man.
He wore the same outfit as the other Kurokumo Clan members.
The hell are you lookin' at? Crowdin' like you're here to start shit...
Gonna keep pointing that bat at me? You wanna go? Is that it?
Hey, lower your weapon. Let's not do anything rash - no need to escalate this further, is there?
Outis stepped in to warn Heathcliff, but he did not budge. He remained motionless, the bat still raised and pointing threateningly at the approaching man.
Won't matter what we do here. It's a foregone conclusion.
... That we're going to have to fight him?
Right on, lad.
They're in the middle of a strife. They'll be real sensitive about making it clear that this is their turf.
What better way to do it than forcing some unwitting travelers to pay the toll for the road?
Heh, looks like we've got a smart one 'ere.
The Kurokumo Clan henchman strutted before us like he owned the place.
Just as I begin to wonder about how dumb you could possibly be... you show your shrewd detective side. Gotta say, it's a real mystery.
Ishmael muttered at Heathcliff, who was shrugging at us with an expression that clearly read 'I told you so'.
Well, since it looks like you clowns already know how this works... lemme get straight to the point.
The toll is five-hundred-thousand Ahn. Per person.
F-f-f-fffive-hundred-thousand Ahn?!?!
Lessee 'ere... One, two... right, I count thirteen of you here. And since you guys all rode in on a bus, I'm sure there's a driver in there, too.
Don't ya skimp out on us, now. I'd like it if we didn't have to make this business... messy by going through the bus ourselves.
Didya hear that, Dante? This is totally a highway robbery.
<It kind of is, isn't it?>
Well, it didn't really matter how much they were asking for. I wasn't going to negotiate with them anyway.
…….
Ishmael turned and looked quietly in my direction. I nodded back.
Halt! There, in that field of battle...!
Don Quixote pointed at... something.
There lies a wounded dame... We must make haste and rescue her! ... Thou wouldst agree, no?
Just as Don Quixote said, I could catch a glimpse of someone bleeding out on the ground through the chaos of clashing blades and black cloaks.
Oi, what'd I say about this 'justice' rubbish? This is a Syndicate turf war, yeah? No one's more or less honourable than the other.
Agreed. It is no complicated mathematics to expect unnecessary allied casualties in this effort should we involve ourselves in this conflict.
Alas, I do not wish to leave her behind so undefended...
I guess it's an improvement... In the early days of our adventures, we would've been dragged into this conflict five minutes ago thanks to Don Quixote's recklessly valiant rescue attempt.
Mmmhh...
I suppose she's learned her lessons by trials of fire. She was starting to show restraint for once.
... But it's a bit different this time.
<Okay, so I do think that we have to help that woman. But - >
OOOOOOOOO?!
What?!
Manager...? I didn't think that this was what that nod was about...?
<No, no. I'm not saying that we should get involved because 'it's the right thing to do' or anything like that.>
If Vergilius was telling us the truth earlier, there is a chance that we were purposefully made to drive right through this strife. Which means that there must be something here they're expecting us to find...
They always put us in harm's way for a reason, after all.
<... I just have a feeling that the wounded woman might have something to tell us. Maybe... an intel of some kind.>
<And... if it turns out that we were supposed to get that intel from the Kurokumo Clan and not that woman, then I suppose we'll have to beat it out of them.>
... Oho.
Marvelous, Executive Manager! I, Outis, am actually awestruck by your genius!
... 'Actually'? What, is she implying that her usual flattery is phony?
I don't like the way you're treating the Kurokumo Clan like we're some pack of stray dogs...
And don't think I missed that sympathetic look you gave her. Which could only mean...
... that you clowns are chummy with the Blade Lineage.
I could practically hear our negotiations(not that I was going to negotiate) falling apart as the man drew his blade.
A rational deliberation followed by a sensible decision. I will return my appreciation for your magnificent leadership with a flawless victory.
All units! Prepare for battle!