Chapter 145 Purge the Filth!!!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Cartier’s words had been infuriating, yet even Ayumu Sanai could not deny her ability. Reports came in swiftly: the training was complete, the equipment distributed. Without wasting time, he summoned the troops. The operation he had planned from the very beginning—today it would finally be carried out.
Before dawn, the domain’s forces took position, surrounding the single slum district Ayumu had intentionally left standing. By herding the criminals into one place, they could be contained both physically and psychologically, with minimal risk of harming innocents—or so the plan went.
As the recruits sealed the cordon, the first light of morning broke across the sky. Yoluminette and Ayumu, each at the head of thirty men, gave the signal. What followed was hardly a battle. From the outset, the plan was extermination, and what unfolded was nothing less than a massacre.
”Hyahhaa!! Bandit scum! All of you, rot and dieee!!!”
”Wha—?! What’s with this guy?!”
”It’s the lord’s army! Grab your wea—GYAAAH!”
”Anyone running is a cowardly thief! Anyone fighting back is a well-trained thief!”
”He’s insane! Completely cr—AAAGH!”
”Every last bandit, kill them all!”
The bandits, though fewer, fought back from cover. Arrows whistled through the air, though their volleys quickly faltered beneath the soldiers’ response.
What of civilians? Ayumu had already decided: there were none here. Anyone who bought from criminals was no bystander, and anyone dealing in contraband was guilty of treason. Enemies of the nation deserved no mercy.
Some screamed, pleaded, even cursed him.
”Please! Don’t kill me!”
”You murderer! You think being with the authorities makes this right?!”
”Yeah! Do you think this cruelty can be forgiven?!”
But Ayumu’s reply was cold and resolute.
”Yes! If the state has just cause, killing is permitted! Don’t pretend innocence—you had chances to walk away, yet chose crime again and again! Scum with no hope of redemption don’t deserve trials. Only death!!”
Still, he wasn’t wholly without restraint. Unarmed orphans or the truly desperate would at least be given a trial, though for most, the sentence would remain death.
The army fought with discipline. When a man was wounded, a squad rotated out, the injured carried to safety, treated with healing magic, and replaced by reserves. Not one soldier had died so far, while the enemy fell endlessly. Ayumu could almost taste victory.
”Fuhahaha! It’s forever my tur—”
His triumph cut short, a thunderous blast split the air. A shockwave rattled the ranks. One of the bandits had a magic rod—a weapon forbidden except for defense against Monstrous Beasts.
”You—you’re using that against people?! You vile criminals!!!” Ayumu pointed, trembling with rage, while the bandits doubled over in laughter.
Before long, chaos struck. A collapsing building separated him from his men. Alone, Ayumu’s confidence crumbled. Panic surged.
”Damn it! Then I’ll show you my ultimate secret technique!” he bluffed, baring his teeth. The bandits hesitated—then Ayumu spun and bolted.
”Uryaaaah!!”
”The bastard’s running! Kill him!!”
Tears welled in his eyes as he screamed for Yoluminette. He darted through reeking alleys, hiding behind ruins and garbage heaps, the maze-like slum closing in. More bandits appeared with every turn.
”I’m gonna dieeeeee!!”
In desperation, he stumbled into an underground room. There, in the gloom, an iron cage hung, and inside sat a small, spiritless girl.
”Um… are you okay?” Ayumu asked. At first she seemed lifeless, but when pressed, she murmured, “It doesn’t matter anymore… just leave me here…”
”No way! I can’t leave someone in a cage! I’ll get it open somehow!” he insisted. Shock crossed her face.
”What? I’m a Half-Elf, you know! You’re not afraid?!”
”What? Why are you the one surprised?! I should be the one panicking here!”
Then, with casual ease, she broke the lock herself. Ayumu’s jaw dropped. “Huh?! You could do that all along?!” Her story spilled out—she had sought a new life among the People of Birene, only to be met with rejection and cruelty. Despair drove her into the slums, where criminals imprisoned her.
Ayumu’s heart twisted with pity. “That must have been awful… come here, I’ll give you a hug!” He spread his arms, smiling warmly.
But her reaction was merciless.
”Ew! You stink! You’re filthy! Stay away from me!!”
Ayumu froze, shattered. His kindness, rejected. His sincerity, trampled. Even in a moment of compassion, fate found a way to mock him.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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