Vol 3 Chapter 32 – “Because You’re All Gonna Die Here.” (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】 Arc)

After seeing off Hirata and the others and securing temporary safety, I was eagerly waiting for Sugiyama‑san and the Executioner to return. Now that this place has been identified, if I linger too long in this dangerous area, I never know when or where they’ll take their revenge on me.

“You’re late…”

Including the time I spent talking with Hirata and the others, an hour and a half had already passed. It felt like far too long for a simple errand.

“I wish they’d hurry back.”

I can’t shake the sound of that loud noise that erupted as soon as I was alone. Considering everything that’s happened, I couldn’t rid myself of a terrible premonition.

“Am I overthinking it…?”

I flopped down on the sofa. For a moment, sleepiness from exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me, but I shook my head to fight it off.

“If I fall asleep, it might be the end of me.”
If Hirata and the others return while I’m asleep, they’ll probably kill me. I even considered escaping from this room, but the risk of running into them—and the possibility that other higher‑ups might be on standby outside—kept me frozen in place.

Then, just then…

“—What do you mean, ‘it might be the end’?”

“Oh… Did you hear that?”

At last, the Executioner—the person I’d been eagerly awaiting—returned. She was carrying a few paper bags.

“You’re not planning any funny business, are you?”

“I’m not scheming anything. I don’t have that kind of power.”

“Lies. With that combat maid at your command, there’s no way you don’t have some power.”

The Executioner glared at me suspiciously. I just happened to get on the criminals’ good side; I really don’t have any power of my own… I felt that if I kept talking, it would only lead to more misunderstandings.

“Anyway, enough about that. What’s in those paper bags?”

I shifted the conversation to the bags she was holding.

“That’s quite a forced change of subject… well, fine.”

With a sigh, the Executioner set the paper bags on the table. Then she took out the contents of the first one.

“And that is…?”

Out of the bag emerged a long package.

“Alcohol.”

“Alcohol…?”
Her sudden reveal of alcohol plunged the room into a brief, heavy silence.

“Why?”

Not understanding why she’d pulled out the alcohol, I asked. Then, looking a little embarrassed, she said:

“Sugiyama‑san said she wanted to celebrate you, so she bought it.”

“Well, thank you.”

I suppose it’s celebratory alcohol. Either way, being celebrated is always a nice feeling.

“Hmph… Even if Sugiyama‑san welcomes you, I certainly don’t. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Sorry…”

Muttering under her breath, the Executioner began taking out the contents of the bag. I didn’t realize she hated me this much… This is going to be awkward.

“She also said I should accept one more thing from her.”

With a reluctant expression, she held out a small paper bag. I decided to accept it without protest.

“Heavy, isn’t it? What’s inside?”

“Who knows? All I was told was to hand it over to Sugiyama‑san.”

“I see…”

Inside the paper bag was a metal case.
It was very light.
As I reached out to open it, the Executioner’s hand grabbed my wrist.
Startled, I looked at her hand.

“What’s wrong…?”

Her eyes looked as if she were terrified of something—an uncharacteristic reaction for her.

“No… it’s nothing.”

She then released my wrist.
Apparently, I was free to open it.
And then it happened.

“I’m back. Sorry I’m late.”

In the awkward silence, Sugiyama‑san returned, lugging a ton of luggage.
Sensing a bad feeling, I quickly put the metal case back into the paper bag.

“That’s a lot of stuff.”
“Hehe… I got a bit carried away with my shopping.”

She smiled as she began pulling out her items.
She had bought hors d’oeuvres, cakes, drinks—the works.
It was more than enough for a party.
The Executioner, still grumbling as ever, was helping Sugiyama‑san with the preparations.

“Today’s the welcome party! We’ll start as soon as Hannya gets back!”

Sugiyama‑san declared that, bustling about setting the table and such.
Amid all this, the Executioner suddenly raised a concern.

“By the way, we haven’t heard a word from Hannya. Is she alright?”
“That’s true; it’s unusual.”
“…”

Should I bring up the matter of Hirata and the others here?
It might complicate things if I do… but not mentioning it gives me a bad feeling, too.

“…Oh, by the way, that big noise came from that red door, didn’t it?”

After a moment’s thought, I mentioned nothing more than that I heard a noise.
The two of them tilted their heads, puzzled.

“A noise, you say?”
“Yes. For just a split second, it sounded like something huge had collided with something.”
“I see… That’s a bit concerning.”

Sugiyama‑san looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking up.

“——————Well then, the Executioner and I will go check it out.”
“Right, I’m a bit worried about Hannya, too.”

The Executioner nodded in agreement.
Seriously, can things be decided that easily?

“Are you sure I don’t need to come along?”
Honestly, I’m scared of being alone again, so I wanted to tag along with them.

“No, it’s fine. We’ll be back soon.”
“Is that so… Alright then.”

My suggestion was quickly dismissed.

————————————————————

“Well, I’m off.”
“If you get up to any funny business, you won’t get away with it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

With those words, they headed to open the red door.
I watched them leave with a bit of unease.
Am I going to be alone again?
I feel uneasy, but they’ll probably be back soon.
In the meantime, maybe I’ll open the case and see what’s inside.

That was what I was thinking when—

“—————There’s really no need to open that door.”

A voice echoed throughout the room.
A voice I was all too familiar with.

“Because you’re all gonna die here.”

A demonic voice.
That was the only thing that flashed through my mind.

“I told you so.”

The demon wore a broad smile—
or rather, it was more like a curse.
It was terrifying beyond measure.

And then, the demon and I ———————

“‘I will definitely come to save you’…”

Our eyes met.

“——————Hira…”

At that moment, the basement vanished without a trace—
accompanied by a tremendous explosion.