As the group flies Tereza towards Franky House—located on the edge of the city, on a small rocky strip of land, similar to but much smaller than Rocky Cape—Alex keeps his gaze fixed ahead, trying to spot movement in the distance.
I don't see these arrogant idiots... yet! At our speed, it shouldn't take too long.
Doing his best to survey the scene, Alex quickly perks up as it doesn't take long for them to see the agents moving ahead over the city. Their speed is quite fast, but it's totally incomparable to Tereza's, who easily passes them.
"Heh, take that, suckers!" Alex says, with a grin.
That's how peasants move! A true Princess passes them by without any effort.
"I wondered why the little one behaves this arrogantly and entitled," Benezia comments, sounding far too thoughtful for the situation, "but I'm beginning to have a faint idea how that came to be. Although she seems to have enhanced whatever she may have inherited from you, Alex."
"Oh, come on. We all like to behave like that sometimes," Alex reasons, defending himself and refusing to accept blame. "Jewel acts like that because of her own character. It's her... personality trait. She is a Princess after all."
❤️
"Does that matter right now?" Tereza asks in her deep, transformed voice. "This is serious."
"Relax," Alex says. "Land a little further away from Franky House. Jewel, you'll tell her where to land—you scouted here earlier, after all."
While Tereza flies forward, the small rocky strip of land comes into view, causing her to slow down, not sure where exactly she should set them down without being seen.
"Tell her where, Jewel," Alex says. "We can't land on the rocks directly in front of the house. We'll be discovered immediately."
Over there!
"Where is 'there'?!" Tereza asks, sounding annoyed.
There! Behind the rock.
"Which rock?! I see rocks everywhere, the entire strip is made out of rock!" Tereza asks, yet again, her patience clearly growing thin.
... These two are hopeless. Though, to be fair, it's mostly Jewel's vague instructions causing the issue.
"9 o'clock... just land over there," Alex says, unwilling to keep playing the game his two companions are somehow turning this into.
"There is indeed a large rock close by." He says, pointing to one he sees. "We can wait there."
Tereza swiftly lands, allowing the group to jump off, and then immediately shifts into her hybrid form.
Alex briefly looks toward Franky House. It's a rather chaotic-looking building with big golden letters reading Franky House. Weird robot-like arms—probably used for constructing ships or hauling equipment—are mounted to the walls, along with a windmill and a strangely shaped, round construction Alex can't immediately identify.
Not that it matters what that is....
"I'd argue these tools are used for constructing ships," Tereza guesses, still staring at the place like she's trying to memorise every angle.
Benezia nods and begins to describe the building in more detail, but Alex doesn't really listen. Instead, he's already mentally preparing himself for the upcoming conflict.
While they talk, he also draws his new sword, [Kyūsei no Ryūseiken]. Still annoyed at the name, he activates his system and mutters, "System... can you translate the damn name? I can't even pronounce it correctly. No need for something witty—just a literal translation, okay? Or whatever you deem fit."
A second later, the name actually changes into [Draining Meteor Sword].
"Not bad," Alex says. "The name fits... I guess."
"Who cares about the name?" Tereza asks, suddenly turning toward Alex, looking slightly stressed now that they're here. "This isn't the time... why did we even rush this operation? These stupid agents didn't even set up a proper plan...! This might turn out to be a terrible idea."
"Well... I guess so?" Alex says, shrugging, because arguing the obvious feels pointless. "They're arrogant. They think they're unbeatable... exactly like I expected—and like Benezia calculated. In their mind, the kidnappers and us aren't even worthy of a plan. They see us like bugs they can simply crush... and that attitude will be their downfall."
How dare they think of Princess Jewel and her team as mere Peasants?! Princess Jewel will make them pay!
"Indeed," Benezia says, ignoring Jewel. "This isn't unexpected at all. We'll use their attitude to our advantage. Remember the request they mentioned: just follow orders. It's to our advantage to take a step back and let them take the lead. We just need to guide them. The Galaxy is controlled by a few powerful people. Everyone else is merely playing a small part, all orchestrated by the true leaders. This mindset must be our guide. We have countless opportunities to steer the situation to benefit us."
She pauses, then looks at Alex more directly.
"However, Alex, it might be appropriate to not be too subservient towards the agents. That would cause them to harbour suspicions toward us," Benezia continues. "We are known as bloodthirsty, murdering pirates, only interested in money. Our attitudes need to personify that misinformation... convincingly."
"I know... fine," Alex mutters. Then he sighs, already regretting it.
Why do I always have to play that part?
Tereza giggles. "It's really funny. The softest member of our group is always the one acting like the borderline psychotic, cold-blooded killer. You're quite good at it, too, Alex. Don't think too deeply about it. I'll hug you after we are done."
Haha... very funny indeed.
Seeing Alex's displeasure, Tereza steps forward and hugs him now.
"Let's just finish this... soon we'll relax!" She whispers, kissing him on the cheek.
Princess Jewel knows that Soulmate is kind! Soulmate doesn't need to worry about what Peasants might think. Soulmate also doesn't require his face to be sullied by bodily fluids from Tereza!
Why does that actually cheer me up? Not Jewel's jealousy, but the rest of her and Tereza's encouragement.
After waiting a few more minutes, Alex—thanks to his more than decent SNS—hears the sound of people zipping through the air, before landing.
In the distance, he can vaguely make out four people rushing over the flat stones.
"There they are... douchebags..." Alex mutters.
A moment later, the agents arrive in front of them.
"Did you stop for an evening snack or something?" Alex asks, smirking at them.
"Is this a... joke? Where are you getting your confidence from?" Lucci asks, stopping right in front of Alex, staring at him.
"I'm strong enough to crush anyone's skull, including yours. However, this is not the time... let's save the Mayor first, okay? I'm not interested in all of this bullshit. I want to save the Mayor, get paid, and then disappear. Any strategy?" Alex asks, staring right back without showing fear.
"..."
"..."
"He's rather... surprising," Blueno says, looking at Alex. "To not get intimidated by Lucci."
"This is not a suitable time for a casual discussion," Benezia says. "As we discussed earlier, we'll follow your lead without question or interference. Please inform us about your strategy."
"Strategy?" Kaku asks, grinning.
"We go in, and everyone responsible dies..." he says. "Not a word to the Mayor, though... about any of this. If you talk, we'll have a major problem afterwards and that problem can only be solved one way."
"As I said..." Alex responds. "We'll be gone after we rescue him. This is just business... no need to overcomplicate things. Frankly, I don't give a fuck who you are and what your intentions are."
"I'll make it simple for you pirates then," Lucci coldly explains. "We'll enter and rescue the Mayor, while you support us and make sure nobody flees—especially not someone carrying the Mayor."
That's what we wanted!
Princess Jewel is satisfied! She'll be able to follow the plan like that.
"Fine..." Alex says, shrugging. "As long as we save the mayor... and get paid."
Without another word, Lucci, Kaku, Blueno, and Kalifa walk forward, calmly aiming for the entrance to Franky House.
Alex, Benezia, and Tereza quickly follow them, staying close but not crowding.
We need to make sure this does not end peacefully... while still appearing like greedy opportunists... this will be difficult, but I think we can do it.
Jewel... we are counting on you!
This is Princess Jewel's specialty!
As the agents arrive at the front door, Alex is a little surprised.
Lucci forcefully kicks it in, the hinges giving way as the door is sent flying into the building with a loud crack, before landing, causing another loud clank.
They rush inside, and Alex immediately hears men screaming from the inside. Multiple men yell, and chaos erupts.
However, every second or two, a shrill scream echoes through the building—and then spills outside, sharp enough to make even Alex's stomach tighten.
After just half a minute, the building grows completely silent.
Alex, Benezia, and Tereza finally walk inside.
As they enter, they see countless people on the floor. Following the direction of the screams, Alex also spots three giant humans—easily a couple of times taller than an average person. The Kairiki Destroyers lie sprawled on the ground, taken out with brutal efficiency, their bodies riddled with bloody holes.
"Shigan..." Alex notes quietly.
"We need to move on," Benezia says, already walking forward.
Finally, they step into a large dining room and see the four agents standing there.
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