Chapter 45: Go taste your own medicine
In the afternoon, Adeline used sightseeing as an excuse to wander around the city. Wherever she went, the faces of the merchants lit up with smiles. She bought new weapons, saying it was for the guard knights, asked for good medicine because she was worried about her maid’s weak health, and requested clean clothes because she wanted to distribute them to the poor. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Behind Adeline, workers carrying boxes full of goods formed a long line. There was no end to the flow of gold coins.
When she told the Lion King that she would build a statue of him if she had any money left, she was sincere.
The innkeeper prepared lavish meals for them that evening as well. It was burdensome for the innkeeper, but, because he was unable to bring themselves to speak directly to Adeline or the Lion King, he asked Navi, who was passing by, how long they planned to stay in the city.
The fake maid Nabi, with a haughty and arrogant attitude, firmly stated that it was up to the noble person to decide.
“Let’s go.”
As night fell, Adeline changed into plain, dark clothes just like the night before and took the Lion King’s outstretched hand.
After capturing the kidnappers the previous night, they had obtained some information. The second base was located slightly farther than expected.
As it would be difficult to visit both locations in succession, they instructed the Lion King’s subordinates left behind bring a carriage to a midway point. They planned to disguise themselves as members of the human trafficking group and enter the base using that carriage.
“Over there.”
Adeline rode alongside the Lion King. At the place he pointed to, two carriages and a group of warriors were waiting.
“Why are there so many?”
They had left behind only two subordinates, but the group seemed to number about twelve. The Lion King, also puzzled, hurriedly urged his horse forward.
The people shouting to be let in were the freemen.
“They’re not listening.”
“That’s not it… Baltika, I have a good idea.” The Lion King’s subordinates approached him and whispered something in his ear.
Curious about what was being discussed, Adeline moved closer to listen intently. Then she smiled and said, “That’s a good idea.”
It was a simple plan. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The freemen would drive the carriages, and inside the carriages, instead of slaves, the Lion King’s subordinates would be positioned. When the doors opened, they would launch the attack.
Now that she looked closely, the freemen were all disguised as members of the human trafficking group. They had stolen their clothes and weapons.
The Lion King nodded, agreeing that it was a good plan. “Who’s watching the ones we captured yesterday?”
The freemen, stiffening their shoulders, replied, “The women have all woken up. As soon as the effects of the drug wore off, they were up in arms, saying they’d kill everyone. Well, they actually ended up killing a few.”
“I see.”
Not only had they been deprived of their freedom, but they likely also lost someone precious. They might have suffered further indignities during their capture. Adeline could understand if they killed all the remaining kidnappers in their anger.
“Let’s depart.”
Adeline and the Lion King got into one carriage, while his subordinates took the other. From then on, everything proceeded smoothly.
The group quickly headed toward the second base. It was a place disguised as a farmhouse in the open plains. Transport carriages and carts were visible in front of large grain storage warehouses. The guards at the base, seeing the carriages, came out without suspicion.
Adeline pressed her face against the crack in the door to spy on the scene. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“What’s this? Where is everyone? Is that all there is?”
“There’s probably a drinking party going on.”
“Is it just drinking?”
They approached with loud laughter. The strong smell of alcohol seemed to be seeping into the carriage.
“Let’s see… how many pretty things have come in?”
“Choose carefully. You’d be in a bad mood if you opened it with high expectations only to find pirates spitting in your face.”
“I’ll cut out the tongue of anyone like that!”
A tongue was useless for slaves being sold to the arena, which was a crude gambling den where people were forced to fight to the death. It was also a common place where the captured barbarian and freeman warriors were sold.
“Huh? But… who are you? I haven’t seen you before.”
“Who are you? Are you new?”
A few of them who weren’t drunk noticed something odd and put their hands on their weapons.
The freemen jumped off their horses. They then clung to the two carriages, simultaneously opening the doors and shouting loudly.
“Six in front, and a few more inside the building!”
The Lion King’s cloak fluttered right in front of them. Adeline didn’t even need to move. He darted out through the cramped entrance, rolling across the floor, knocking one person out with a single knee and another before he could even rise.
His subordinates also kicked down the door and rushed out.
The kidnappers inside the farmhouse base were busy fleeing in terror. More than ten people ran out from inside the building, but the freemen who had drawn their weapons quickly handled them all. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Finally, Adeline crawled out of the carriage.
“Who’s the leader here?”
The kidnappers didn’t respond.
She brushed the dirt off her hands. Then she took the whip handed to her by the Lion King. “Do you know what this is?”
It was a leather whip used to control rebellious slaves.
The kidnappers were bound and lined up in the center of the farmhouse. She walked lightly in front of them.
The Lion King’s subordinates shrugged and picked up a bucket, dumping its contents over the kidnappers’ heads.
“Ugh… Aaaah!”
Their wet clothes clung to them.
Adeline, her eyes shining blue in the moonlight, looked over the trembling kidnappers one by one.
“Your leader, your superior, and the ones above them.”
She wanted their names. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
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