Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 73

The Day of Disaster (3) – Kidnapping

On our 2nd day at Gedland, Zackhart-sama couldn’t come with us because he had a duty he couldn’t miss. Today, we decided to go to Kuzel Village.

Kuzel.

It’s my hometown.

I have no reason to return there.

My parents returned to heaven a long time ago, and I moved to the capital. I also didn’t have any wealth left in that village. 

“It’s really just a small fishing village with nothing interesting.”

“But I still want to take a look. Right, Lapi-chan? “

“Yup. I want to know what kind of village someone as weird as you grew up in.” 

“I’m interested too. I might be able to get a glimpse of the source of Roa-dono’s many ideas.”

All three of them seemed to be really interested in my hometown. 

“It’s a nice and calm place,” said Baylues-san.

He was ordered to take care of us for the 3 days we would be staying in Gedland, that was why he was here. 

The distance between here and the village was pretty far if you walked, so we headed to the stable to pick up the horses. 

It was almost time for the fishermen to rest after finishing their morning work. The port has a relaxing atmosphere that was unique of this time of the day

As we were leisurely walking, a loud scream suddenly rang out. 

“Stop!! Please, stop!! 

The scream sounded like a child’s voice. 

Just as we started running toward the voice, something unbelievable happened in front of us.

The man who forcibly picked up the screaming girl threw her into the sea! 

“Kyaaaa!!” 

The girl fell helplessly from the wharf into the sea. The wharf was high enough for ships to anchor. It wasn’t a place where a girl could climb on their own.

“You! What are you doing?!” The man ran away at the sound of Beylues-san’ s angry voice.

“I’ll take care of the girl! Beylues-san, please go after the man!” I said, and before I could hear a reply, I started running and jumped into the sea. 

Even if I looked like this, I have been playing in the sea since I was little. I have a certain level of confidence when it comes to swimming. Fortunately, the waves were calm, so I was able to quickly reach the panicked girl.

I calmed down the crying girl.

“Don’t worry! It’s okay now!”

While being careful not to let go of the panicked girl, I shouted to Wickharlt and Lapilia, who were calling out to me from the wharf, “Bring me a rope! If possible, bring me a float too! Ask  nearby shop!” 

After telling them that, the two disappeared in a panic.

I calmed the girl down in the water and waited until the two of them returned. When the girl finally calmed down a little, a float and rope were thrown near me.

After attaching a float to the girl, I asked Wickharlt to pull her out of the water. By this time, people who had heard the commotion had gathered around the shore, causing a bit of a commotion.

With the help of Wickharlt and the gathered crowd , the girl was able to be pulled out of the water safely and cheers erupted.

A moment later, the rope was thrown in again.

When I returned to the shore using the rope, I was again greeted with loud applause and cheers. The girl didn’t seem to be hurt and was hugging a woman who appeared to be her mother. It seems like the girl was just playing around the beach when she got into this mess. 

What was the purpose of the man who threw this girl into the sea? When I was looking for Beylues-san, I suddenly noticed something strange.

“Where’s Rufa?”

I called out for Rufa many times in the crowd, but no one answered.

***

“YOU HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE AND YOU CAN’T EVEN PROTECT HER!!??” 

What awaited us as we hurried back to the 3rd Division’s barrack was a thunderous scolding from Zackhart-sama

We couldn’t find Rufa. I also asked the people who had gathered because of the commotion, but they all said they didn’t see Rufa. Rufa’s appearance stood out, so since no one in that crowd of people saw her, it meant that by the time the crowd formed, Rufa had already disappeared. 

Given the circumstances, I didn’t think she was just wandering around the beach alone so the only possibility left was someone had kidnapped her. 

When I arrived at that conclusion, after talking with the mother whose daughter I saved for a short time, I rushed to the 3rd Division’s barrack. 

“Zackhart-sama, you can punish me as much as you want later, but it’s not the time for that now. I caught the man who threw the girl into the sea, and I found out that someone paid him to make a commotion. This incident may have been aimed at Rufa-sama from the beginning.”

Baylues-san, who did not take a step back despite facing Zackhart-sama’s rage, said calmly.

“What is the identity of the person whO paid that man? ” asked Zackhart-sama, his gaze filled with terrible murderous intent.

“…Only someone from the underworld will do this kind of thing.” 

“I have been turning a blind eye to those people from the underworld because I know some of them have no other choice, but….that ends now. Gather the knights! We will destroy the underworld!” 

“Yes, sir!” 

After saying that, Beylues-san immediately left the room. 

Then, Lapilia-sama spoke. 

“Zackhart-sama. How about we act separately?” 

“Why?”

“The kidnapper may have already left the town.” 

“Why do you think they already left?” 

“I can’t tell you right now…”

“Even after what has happened…There is still something you can’t tell me?” 

“Yes. I can’t tell you for Rufa’s sake as well.” 

Lapilia-sama and Zackhart-sama glared at each other. In the end, Zackhart-sama relented. 

“If they already left the town, then we don’t have much time left. Do whatever you like. But just tell me which direction you think they will be going.”

“If my prediction is right…then, North.”

North.

Not east, not west, but north.

I have a bad feeling about this. 

To the north was ‘that country’ .

“Be sure to tell me about the situation after you return. Understood?” 

“…as long as you get Rufa’s permission.”

“That’s the same thing as just telling me! Go!” 

Driven by Zackhart-sama’s angry voice, we left, running, to rescue Rufa.