Vol 3 Chapter 16 – The (Self-Proclaimed) Maid Who Can Do Anything  (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】Arc)

Arisu arrived at the inn where the Empress was staying.

Inside the room, Kuzuryuu and Kuroda were already there.

“Arisu, huh.”

“My apologies for keeping you waiting… but why is she here?”

Arisu stared at Kuroda, seated beside Kuzuryuu.

“It’s not like I want to move around with her. This kid just keeps tagging along.”

“I’m not a kid. I’m an adult. Fully grown.”

Kuzuryuu spoke in exasperation while Kuroda puffed out her cheeks, clearly displeased.

Arisu cast a cold, dispassionate glance at Kuroda, who, oblivious to the glare, tilted her head as if confused.

“I see. Well then…”

Arisu responded in her usual calm tone. She stood up and positioned herself beside Kuroda.

Kuroda tilted her head further, her confusion deepening.

And then—

“I won’t apologize. I don’t feel the least bit sorry.”

With that, Arisu struck Kuroda with a stun gun.

Kuroda collapsed instantly, without even enough time to let out a cry.

“Now, the nuisance is dealt with.”

Arisu casually scooped up the unconscious Kuroda and shoved her into the room’s closet.

Kuzuryuu watched the entire scene unfold, his expression one of mild confusion.

“…Isn’t that stun gun a bit overpowered?”

“Is it? It’s just a standard model anyone can legally buy in this country, though I’ve made a few modifications.”

Arisu answered Kuzuryuu’s question in a matter-of-fact tone.

“You really can do anything, huh.”

“Of course. I’ve trained myself to fulfill any request from my master.”

“I don’t think this is the kind of thing your master would request, though.”

Kuzuryuu’s tone carried a touch of disbelief, but Arisu remained completely serious.

“That girl is a hindrance to our plans. I can’t understand why the boss insisted on protecting her, but if we can’t eliminate her outright, this is the only option.”

“I don’t get it either. But, well, the boss always has plans far beyond what we can comprehend.”

Both Kuzuryuu and Arisu were pragmatists by nature. Their thoughts often aligned as a result.

“We’ll deal with her later. For now, let’s go over the intel Meido gathered.”

“Understood. This might take a while, so please bear with me.”

With that, Arisu began to share the information.

———————————————————  

“I’ve got a handle on the situation. So… did Satsuki comply?”

“Yes, surprisingly so. For her, it was unusually obedient behavior.”

“I see. Good work. If Satsuki is cooperating, it’ll make things much easier on our end.”

Kuzuryuu let out a relieved sigh, tension visibly leaving his shoulders.

As if recalling something, Arisu spoke up again.

“By the way, I heard a message from our master, relayed through Satsuki-san.”

“What was it?”

“He instructed us to summon Mayuzumi with his limiter removed.”

“…What? Removing the limiter? That’s rare…”

Hearing the word “limiter,” Kuzuryuu furrowed his brow.

Arisu, unbothered, continued in her usual calm tone.

“I was surprised too. It seems the boss is exceptionally angry this time.”

“That makes sense…”

Kuzuryuu muttered, his expression darkening. Noticing his reaction, Arisu tilted her head slightly.

“Why does it make sense?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. And about Mayuzumi—understood. Have Meido relay the instructions to Hirata.”

“Shouldn’t you be the one delivering such important orders, Kuzuryuu-san?”

“You know the situation better than anyone, so it’ll come across more clearly if you handle it.”

“Fair enough. I’ll contact her right away.”

With that, Arisu left the room.

———————————————————  

After finishing the call, Arisu returned to the room and spoke.

“So, what’s the plan? Personally, I’d like to head out immediately to rescue our master.”

“Meido and I feel the same way, but the enemy is formidable. We need to secure absolute firepower first.”

“That’s true, but…”

A tense atmosphere settled between the two. As Arisu seemed lost in thought, Kuzuryuu spoke.

“Here, taking the surest route with enough firepower is the best option. I feel bad for making the boss wait a bit longer, but as long as Satsuki is keeping watch, it should be fine.”

“…Well, I suppose there’s no other choice.”

“Which is why you and I will focus on preparing to face them.”

Kuzuryuu’s eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.

Arisu sighed lightly as she caught that glint.

“Preparation, huh. What exactly does that entail?”

“It’s simple. Follow me.”

“Follow you…?”

Kuzuryuu turned his back and began walking. Arisu frowned but begrudgingly trailed after him.

——————————————————— 

“So, by the way… you haven’t seen it yet, have you? Where we’re heading is that cave.”

“That cave… Don’t tell me—”

“Yeah, the one with the well packed full of corpses.”

Arisu’s expression twisted into one of deep disgust at Kuzuryuu’s words.

“That’s revolting. Absolutely nauseating.”

Seeing her reaction, Kuzuryuu seemed to take note and offered a rare attempt at consideration.

“The reality of it is worse than you can imagine.”

“Couldn’t possibly be worse.”

Arisu’s tone was sharp and cold, more muttered to herself than directed at him. Her gaze shifted far away, almost as if reminiscing about something from her past.

The two continued their conversation as they walked.

And then—

“We’re here. This is the cave.”

“So, it’s really a cave by the seaside. This is my first time seeing it.”

Arisu looked at the cave curiously, her demeanor briefly softening. Kuzuryuu, noticing this, allowed himself a slight smirk before pressing forward.

“For now, let’s head to where the well is. There’s a chance their allies are lurking. Stay on your guard.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice. There won’t be a next time.”

Arisu’s voice carried a sharp resolve as she followed Kuzuryuu deeper into the cave.

——————————————————— 

“And so, in situations like this—”

Sugiyama-san was explaining something in what could only be described as a lecture.

It felt like being transported back to the days of school. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, and I let out a yawn.

“Ah, Sakata-san, I saw that yawn! Pay attention, will you?”

She called me out immediately.

“My bad. It’s just… this reminds me of something.”

“Reminds you of something?”

She tilted her head in curiosity. Cute.

“Yeah, it feels like being in class again.”

“I see. A lecture, huh? Now that you mention it, it does kind of feel like that.”

She nodded twice, like a child who just grasped something for the first time.

“Well, it’ll be over soon, so please hang in there a bit longer, alright?”

With that, Sugiyama-san resumed her detailed explanation about the organization.

Honestly, long-winded explanations aren’t my thing, but I kept listening. After all, this was all for my second chance at life.

——————————————————— 

The timeline rewinds to the moment when Arisu was captured.

“An ally, you say…?”

Wait, Arisu losing? These people must be ridiculously strong.

But honestly, from society’s perspective, we’re the villains here. Sugiyama-san and her group might actually be the embodiment of justice.

If I provide them with internal intel, they might just bring down the Empress.

And if I go to the police and reveal I was just a spy, I could avoid getting arrested. I’d get to start a peaceful second life away from crime! Isn’t this perfect?

“What will you do, boss?”

Satsuki’s voice echoed faintly in my ears.

I moved swiftly.

“Understood. I will join your organization. But please, release Arisu.”

This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance to leave the organization for a legitimate reason. I have to use it. Though, I better make it look like I’m reluctantly choosing this to avoid Satsuki murdering me on the spot.

“Wha—Boss! Are you really going to abandon us for one woman!?”

Satsuki’s reaction was one of utter shock. Her face said it all.

Sorry, Satsuki. My mind’s made up.

“Satsuki, this is my decision. Don’t defy me.”

“Boss…”

Wait… what happens to Hirata and the others who are waiting on standby?

Knowing Hirata, she might charge in here to kill me herself…

As I mulled it over, an idea struck me.

(What if we forcibly remove Mayuzumi’s limiter? That would stop Hirata and the others from coming after me.)

Based on past experience, Mayuzumi with his limiter off can’t be stopped by a single person. Even the entire leadership team would need to restrain him until he collapses.

If we unleash him over there in Hokkaido, Hirata’s group, the Guardians, and the police will all have their hands full.

And while that happens, I can escape to safety. Perfect.

Alright, time to tell Satsuki—

Just as I turned toward her, I saw it.

Her expression was filled with murderous intent.

“—!!”

I couldn’t even form words. I had completely enraged her. I needed to come up with an excuse, fast.

“Arisu might get killed. Every ally’s life is precious. If my sacrifice can save her, I’ll make that choice. Even if it means removing the limiter on my heart and soul.”

I panicked and said something ridiculous about removing the limiter on my heart and soul. She’s definitely not going to buy that. Goodbye, life.

She’s going to pull the trigger on that revolver any second—

Or so I thought.

“Fine. I don’t care anymore.”

Wait… Am I saved?

Or has she just written me off as someone not worth killing?

“…You’ve truly disappointed me. Goodbye.”

Getting disappointed by a criminal doesn’t exactly sting. If anything, I feel a bit lighter now.

She left the café, and the bell on the door jingled softly as it closed behind her.

“Phew…”

I let out a sigh of relief. I was exhausted. At this point, I didn’t care about limiter removal or whatever. If they can take Arisu down, they can handle Hirata and her team, too.

I’m the only one with the authority to remove Mayuzumi’s limiter anyway.

“Alright. Time to finish this last job.”

With heavy steps, I headed to the address I’d been given—for the final task of firing my maid.