Ariane and I stood on a hill overlooking Etzat Market. It was more like a fortified complex rather than a 'market', but I guess the country can just say it's a hub where high-ranking VIP merchants gather to trade, so they need extra protection.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Chiyome arrived at our position, bringing someone big with her.
"The others are in position to receive our people once they're set free."
"Who's the big guy?" I asked.
"This is Goemon. He'll be our first line of defense for our freed brethren once they make it out of the building."
"Alright. Nice to meet you Goemon!"
Goemon sniffed around me and gave me a fist bump. "Nice to meet you, Human-man-who-looks-like-a-girl."
"…" I stood frozen in place as Goemon bluntly pointed out my uncommon appearance.
"Don't be rude, Goemon!" Chiyome reprimanded while blushing in embarrassment.
"Sorry." Goemon immediately apologized to me and took his position next to Chiyome.
As it was stated in the modified plans, Ariane and Inari will go with Chiyome to free the prisoners with Goemon backing them up, and the other ninjas will focus on helping to bring all the slaves through the forest while avoiding patrols or reinforcements.
While I, the self-proclaimed strongest Knight in this world, assaulted Etzat Market from the front.
Ariane had suggested I use a disguise, but I refused to hide the face of justice!
"Ugh…" I shuddered at my own cringey thoughts and laughed at myself as I made my way to the front gate.
There were two guards posted outside. One of them pointed at me and began talking to his buddy.
As I came closer, they casually held their halberds up and smiled at me. "You lost little lady?"
I gave both of them a sweet smile, which caused both of them to blush and smile back.
"No~, I'm not lost. I'm here to free the Mountain People you guys are keeping here."
"Haha… Sorry? I must've misheard you, Miss."
"You guys are holding slaves in there. And you have a history of dealing in enslaving elves, too. I'm here to free them. Would you please let me enter?" I asked with a finger to my chin and puppy dog eyes.
The guards looked at each other nervously and just looked back at me with a strained smile. "Alright, Miss, you're saying some pretty crazy things, huh? I'm afraid what you've said counts as slander against the Royal Family, as they have close ties to this marketplace, you see? I'll have to take you into custody."
Hmm… let's see where this goes…
I put my hands on my hips and give them a convincing frustrated pout. "That doesn't sound right~! I heard there were slaves here!"
I sighed in fake indignation and put my arms up. "Fine! I wanted to see for myself, but I guess I'll just take the high road and present my case to the courts!"
The guards looked like they were close to breaking into laughter after looking at each other. They seem experienced in talking to each other with their eyes, and soon one of them reached out to my hands and placed cuffs on my wrists.
"Yeah… you can make your case tomorrow since it's so late today. I'll have you put in one of our cells here~." His tone became a bit excited.
I could tell he had a dirty expression on his face just from the tone.
As the first guard guided me inside the Market's walls through the guard entrance with his hands on my shoulders, the other guard snickered and called out.
"Hey, remember to save some for me!"
I knew exactly what these guys were talking about and what they planned to do with me. I've read plenty of fantasy novels and seen plenty of porn to know. Disgusting.
"…? What does that guy mean by that?" I asked under a mask of innocence.
The guard just laughed loudly and rubbed my shoulders. "Hahaha! He's just talking about some extra food we had stored. I plan to eat it right now…"
"Sounds nice! I've been having nothing but dry jerky for the past four days! I'm craving some real meat!" I said, making myself seem overly naive.
"Ha…hahahihihi~ Oh, I think I can help you with that~! Just be patient, okay?" He said, continuing to rub my shoulders, much to my discomfort and adding to my rage.
Disgusting.
Once we get to around halfway inside, just before the doors to the big building in the middle of this fortified compound, I stop.
"Huh?" For a second, the guard touching me was confused as to why I didn't budge at all when he pushed me.
Now, he didn't think much at all, because his severed head hit the floor.
"This place is pure evil." I muttered, the fake innocent eyes I had replaced with a deadpan look.
Since it was the middle of the night, there weren't many people there on the courtyard, so I decided to draw everyone out.
I tightly gripped my sword and its blade extended to the full length of a whip. With a swing containing my full strength, I cut the doors to the building with extra violence.
The loud crash from my purposefully crude cut stirred the sleeping Eztat Market guards and they hurriedly stumbled together and rushed outside to check the commotion.
Soon, I was surrounded by what looked like nearly all the guards.
"What?! It's just some girl?"
I looked at all of them as if they were insignificant bugs. Because they are. No… they're below even that.
"All of you here are guilty of trafficking slaves. You will die tonight." I declared.
I equip my hunting horn, its once small size magically wrapping around me into a huge instrument. With a deep breath, I blow hard on the horn, focusing on the enemies around me.
The effects were immediate. Most of them turned to dust, while the rest fainted on the spot, urinating themselves in the process.
I quickly deal with the fainted ones and hurry into the building to deal with the rest.
"S-stay away—gahh!"
"That was the last one… Chiyome, Ariane, and Goemon should be alright handling the guards in the underground jail…" I muttered.
"Astolfo!" I heard Ariane call out to me, for some reason, her face was full of worry when she made eye contact with me.
"Ariane! You've finished down there?" I give her a genuine smile, feeling my spirits lift slightly due to her presence.
"Ah… yes, we've sent the captured Mountain People along with Goemon to the rendezvous point." While Ariane's expression seemed to show relief, she still looked at me with worry.
"Astolfo… Are you okay?"
I tilted my head at her question. "Why wouldn't I be? You don't have to always worry about me, Ariane~ Though, I do appreciate having a beautiful woman worry for me~"
Ariane blushed immediately at my teasing and quickly turned her face away. "I-I'm not worried about you or anything! Jeez! Let's just go! There's one detached building left that Chiyome already went ahead to!"
I follow the blushing elf while giggling at her cute reaction and soon entered the detached building. We passed by many dead guards, probably dealt with by Chiyome.
We soon saw Chiyome standing before bars to a jail cell. "Chiyome, let's get these—!"
Ariane suddenly stopped mid-sentence as she saw the state of the Mountain People being held in the cell.
My eyes widen in shock, but I guess I should've expected this.
No, I did expect this in the back of my mind… I just hoped this didn't happen.
Numerous naked female Mountain People— Beastmen women— sat on the floor with sad, thousand-yard stares. Their bellies swollen with child.
This building isn't to hold just slaves. It's a 'Beastman' breeding facility.
"Ariane. Get these women something to wear."
Ariane looked at me with the same worried eyes, but did what she was asked.
Chiyome, however, just stood in front of the cage, her shoulders trembling in justified rage. I place my hand on her head and bring her to my chest in an embrace.
"…Let's get them to safety." I stroked her head to calm her down, yet I wasn't very calm myself.
Chiyome wrapped her arms around my waist and gripped me tightly as I felt a wetness spread on my chest. "…Thank you, Astolfo."