Vol 3 Chapter 39 – Courtship Behavior (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】 Arc)

“We’re in a terrible situation…”

In search of the missing Satsuki Tsutsuka, Sakata Yuuto and his three companions arrived at the inn where they had been staying until recently.

Although the exterior appeared fine, the moment they stepped through the entrance, a raw, iron-scented odor assaulted their nostrils.

“This is so disgusting… It’s as if a war has broken out.”

As they walked down the corridor, they discovered several corpses—presumably the inn’s staff—scattered about. Bloodstains marred both the floor and the walls, making it clear that someone had attacked the inn.

“It seems there are no survivors besides us.” 

“Shall we check the room where Satsuki was staying?” 

“Agreed.”

They climbed the stairs and gathered in front of the rooms that Sakata, Kuzuryuu Kazuto, and Satsuki had each used. Sakata slid open the door to the room Satsuki had occupied.

“What is this…?”

Beyond the door, the signs of a fierce struggle were evident. The room was in disarray, with tatami mats and windows marred by deep scratches and gaping holes.

“There’s no doubt something happened here.”

Hirata Shizuku and Kuzuryuu began examining the traces of the fight when Hirata’s attention was suddenly drawn to something.

“Is this Satsuki-san’s?”

In her hand lay a spent bullet casing—a clear sign that gunfire had erupted in the room.

“Even if it wasn’t Satsuki, it’s obvious that shots were fired here.” 

“That suggests there’s a possibility Satsuki-san was killed…” 

“No. That can’t be.”

Noticing the anxious expressions on Hirata and Mayuzumi Ouga, Sakata spoke up.

“The inn’s staff have been killed and left behind. However, despite searching the entire inn, Satsuki’s body is nowhere to be found… This strongly indicates that the culprit’s target was Satsuki herself.” 

“That does make sense… But what could Satsuki-san possibly have to offer?” 

“If there’s any possibility, it might be as a hostage. If her affiliation with the Empress were somehow exposed, she could be used to lure us out.”

None of them had expected Satsuki to be taken out so easily. At that moment, Sakata realized something.

“Speaking of which… what happened to Kuroda-san?”

It wasn’t only Satsuki who was missing. The figure of Kuroda Shiromi, who had been kept on standby at the inn, was nowhere to be seen. Had she left while he was away? That seemed far too odd.

“Regarding that, I have some information.” 

“Information…?”

Kuzuryuu raised his hand and began to speak.

“Yes. According to the judgment of Arisu Meido and me, the person known as Kuroda had been rendered unconscious and locked away in the storage room.” 

“Eh…?” 

“We understood that the Boss was concerned about her, but considering the future complications if our true identities were discovered, we took this drastic measure.” 

“I see. Then there’s no other choice.”

For once, Sakata let out a small sigh in front of his subordinates.

“I apologize. I am prepared to accept any punishment.”

Seeing his reaction, Kuzuryuu bowed so deeply that his forehead touched the ground—a full dogeza.

“No, I’m not blaming you. Considering our situation, it was the best course of action.”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s not about concern, though…”

Sakata patted Kuzuryuu’s shoulder to help him rise from his dogeza.

“Boss! It’s not just you, Kuzuryuu-san, who’s at fault! I’m also to blame!”

Hirata Shizuku suddenly shouted her apology at the top of her lungs. She bowed before Sakata and, for some reason, moved closer.

“No—a subordinate’s responsibility is also mine as their superior. Lower your head.”

“Hirata-san?” 

Hirata offered no sign of lowering her head.

“Boss, it’s best for your own sake if you leave that idiot alone,” someone added.

“Is that so…?” Sakata replied, ignoring the persistently bowing Hirata as he continued.

“Where is the storage room where Kuroda-san was rendered unconscious?” 

“Well… it’s right in this room.”

“…In this room?”

“Yes. It’s here.”

Kuzuryuu reached for the sliding door at the back of the room. When he opened it, a large storeroom unfolded before them.

“According to the inn’s room guide, this area is labeled as a storage room. Simply put, it’s a storeroom.”

“It’s a dark room with no light at all. And Kuroda-san is here?”

“Yes—although there’s a light switch beside the door…”

Kuzuryuu activated the switch.

There, ———————————

“She’s not here…!?”

The room contained absolutely nothing, and there was no sign that anyone had been there just moments ago.

“Does this mean she escaped?”

“Even if she managed to get out of this storeroom, there should be plenty of inn staff around. It wouldn’t be so easy for her to vanish.”

“There’s a possibility that Kuroda-san killed all the staff…”

“That possibility is extremely low. She certainly wasn’t carrying any weapon at the time. Moreover, the bodies show clear marks of having been slashed by a bladed weapon.”

“Which suggests that all of this was most likely the work of a third party…”

Missing: Satsuki Tsutsuka and Kuroda-san. And the murdered staff.

“…Disgusting, isn’t it?”

“Boss? Did you say something?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

With so many mysteries unsolved, Sakata was troubled. Hirata, Kuzuryuu, and Mayuzumi looked to him for guidance. After a few minutes, Sakata spoke.

“…Let’s return to the hideout. It’s dangerous to stay here.”

“Agreed. I’ll arrange a plane immediately.” 

As she said that, Hirata took out her cellphone and began contacting various parties. Kuzuryuu and Mayuzumi, nodding in agreement, concluded the investigation.

“We need to get out of here quickly. If that troublesome organization shows up, it’ll be a real problem.”

Led by that remark, everyone headed for the inn’s main entrance. Sakata opened the door—and that was when it happened.

“Eh….”

A sudden, overwhelming sense of dissonance struck. At the same time, their vision went dark. Then, a strangely delayed sound began to approach. That sound was———— ——————Gunshots.

—————————————————

In an unfamiliar, dimly lit room, two figures could be seen.

“I still think it’s important to move your body regularly.”

“I agree. If you don’t move, your body gets sluggish.”

“Oh? You share the same opinion as me, onee-chan. I’m delighted.”

“I’m not delighted.”

One of them laughed as she stretched her arms wide.

“It’s about time we go back. I worry about you, Satsuki-san.”

“Indeed. Without me, Boss would start crying.”

After fully stretching, Satsuki let out a contented sigh.

“But is that alright? We won’t see each other again for a while, Kuroda-chan.”

“No problem. I hate you,” Kuroda retorted with a glare as Satsuki wore an eerie smile.

“That’s awful. Onee-chan is going to cry.”

“Enough with the farce. Hurry up and leave.”

“Alright. Understood.”

Satsuki said that and left the dim room. After confirming that Satsuki had departed, Kuroda sighed.

“Question: Why did you make her your ally?”

The dim, eerie room was enveloped in an uncanny atmosphere.

—————————————————

“Geez. Kuroda-chan is so impatient.”

After leaving the room, Satsuki walked along a dark street. She strolled down a brightly lit path under fluorescent lights, smiling.

“Wow, it’s a full moon tonight. What a good night.”

She took out the revolver she kept at her waist and pointed its barrel at the full moon.

“———————Sorry to keep you waiting, Boss.”

A gunshot echoed down the quiet night street.