The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick up Trash - Volume 2 - Chapter 95

Chapter 95:

More Allies

“URGH, I’m so nervous…”

“Ah ha ha ha! We’ve got this, don’t worry!”

Rattloore and I walked toward our meeting spot with Mira. The plan was in motion. Would it succeed or fail? I was terrified—honestly, I wanted to run away. If it failed, people might die. I clenched my fists tight, because if I relaxed, I might start trembling.

“Ivy, I really mean it. Thank you.”

“Huh?”

Rattloore had a far-off look in his eyes. A shadow seemed to pass over his face.

“Every time we thought we had the organization within our grasp, they’d slip away like mist. Over and over and over—we loathed our own weakness. But that’s not the worst of it. Bolorda and Sifar both know boys who might be suffering at this very moment. And my little brothers…well, I don’t have proof, so I can’t say for sure, but…”

I sucked in a sharp breath. Rattloore often looked at me with sadness in his eyes. I’d always suspected there was more behind it, but to hear that his own brothers might be victims…

“Those kidnappers have always cast a shadow over this town, but we were powerless against them. Thanks to you, we’ll be able to put at least some of them behind bars. And we’ve uncovered something even more valuable in the long run.”

He must mean the money and documents.

“But if not for Sora, you might’ve been abducted, too. Heck, you probably would’ve vanished before we realized it. This is all thanks to you, Ivy. You gave us the push we needed when we almost gave up. You even came up with this plan to outwit the kidnappers. The rest is up to us as people who live in and protect this town.”

I relaxed my aching fists. That’s right. They weren’t weak. They had only lost faith because they’d been waiting and withstanding the pain for so long, looking for an opportunity to defeat the organization.

“Yeah,” I finally found my voice. “Seizerk and Bolorda’s men are the best of the best, so it’ll all be okay.”

“Of course! I am too, y’know.”

“Absolutely!”

Our destination came into view. Mira, Luiseria, Callua, and an unfamiliar man waited in front of the shop. My heart thumped in my chest. But I’ll be okay. We’re gonna make this work.

“Do you know that guy?” I asked.

“Yeah. He’s an adventurer like us. But…” Rattloore trailed off. Did he know something about that guy?

“Ivy, Rattloore. Good morning! Mira waved to us with a smile.”

“Good morning,” I greeted them politely. “Ms. Mira, Ms. Luiseria, Ms. Callua, and…umm…”

“Sorry for bringing a sixth wheel without telling you. He’s a good guy, though.”

“Nice to meet you. Name’s Makasha. Rattloore, we’ve worked a few jobs together, haven’t we?”

When the man said his name, I felt my bag twitch. Sora thought he was fine. I had gripped Rattloore’s shirt when we first saw the man, so I gently let go.

“Hey, it’s been a while,” Rattloore greeted him. “How’d you get roped into this group today?”

“I ran into Callua, and she said she was on her way to eat something scrumptious. So I tagged along.”

“He’s got a real sweet tooth, y’know,” Callua chuckled.

It seemed he was more Callua’s friend than Mira’s. A sweet tooth? He and Rattloore ought to get along.

“We’re going to Mama’s Treats, right?” Makasha asked. “I love their danzu.”

“Danzu, huh? You’ve got an even sweeter tooth than me.” Rattloore winced a little. Oh! Callua did, too. Is this “danzu” food sickeningly sweet or something? “Ivy, don’t you touch that danzu. It’ll give you a toothache.”

“It is a liiittle too sweet.” Mira smiled kindly. She was pretty, so that look probably charmed a lot of people.

“Ah, right. Mira, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you about,” Rattloore said.

“Oh yeah? Why not ask inside instead of out here? Let’s hurry!”

“…Okay.”

Mira hustled us into the shop, almost pushing us through the door. There must be some trick waiting inside. But what could it be? If I wanted to set a trap here… I tugged on Rattloore’s shirt. He glanced toward me, so I beckoned for him to squat down.

“Beware of the food and drinks here,” I whispered, careful not to let anyone else hear. He looked surprised for a second but quickly flashed a big smile.

“Hey? Everything okay?” Mira’s voice was a little lower than before. Had she heard me?!

“Ivy says he wants to try the danzu,” Rattloore answered her.

“Oooh, no you don’t,” Callua protested before Mira could speak up. “Seriously, one bite of that, and you’ll be clutching your stomach.”

Makasha looked a little disappointed next to them. “Aww, c’mon. It’s good!”

“Your sense of taste is totally messed up.” Callua was acting a little different than before. Was it because she had a friend here? My impression of her had been quieter than this.

Mira led the way into Mama’s Treats, where a salesperson named Hagu greeted us. He seemed perfectly polite.

“Morning, Hagu.”

“And who’s this fine young man? Is it your first visit?” he said.

“Yep. His name’s Ivy.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ivy.”

“And I’m Hagu, an employee of Mama’s Treats. Nice to meet you.”

My bag didn’t move in the slightest. I’d expected that. I grabbed Rattloore’s shirt and tugged once. He probably expected it, too, so this was little more than confirmation.

“Would you like to place your order?”

I ordered one of Mira’s suggestions and one danzu. Rattloore and Callua’s resistance to it had made me curious. Although given our mission here, now wasn’t the best time for sweets. I looked around the restaurant—we were the only customers. That meant that the organization’s pawns in the room were Hagu, Luiseria, and Mira. We could leave Hagu to carry the message, which meant detaining the two women. Could Rattloore handle them alone? I looked up at him, and he responded with a gentle pat on my head. These three were planning to abduct me right now. What would Rattloore do if they tried? Would he…kill them? He might. But I won’t be falling for their trap, so there’s nothing to worry about!

“Mira, can we talk?” Rattloore asked.

“What’s gotten into you? You look so serious.”

“It’s about your brothers.”

Mira’s expression changed slightly. I looked around for Hagu, trying to act casual, and saw Callua making the same face. She must know something. Maybe she would help us? Sora had told me that she was a good person, after all. When I found Hagu, I saw him plating the food we’d ordered. I couldn’t see his hands from this angle, so I wouldn’t be able to see if he slipped something inside.

“My brothers? What about them? They’re training in the forest right now.”

“Are they really training? I heard someone saw them…”

“Huh? What are you getting at?” Mira was tense.

“Listen. Are they deep in debt to some thugs or something?”

“No, they’re not! What’s your deal? You’re acting weird, Rattloore!”

“Word on the street is your brothers are harboring criminals. They’ve already sent a party to hunt them down.”

They should be leaving the base right about now, if everything’s gone to plan.

“What are you talking about?!”

“The guys I talked to were certain about it. Mira, you didn’t know? Or…I don’t wanna imagine this, but…did you?”

Luiseria stared at Rattloore in wide-eyed shock. She seemed so genuinely surprised that I could tell she was caught off guard. Hagu, who I’d been watching out of the corner of my eye, started to move slowly toward the back. I felt for his aura—he was trying to leave. It seemed he was Mira’s tail, or at least an organization member in the know. If he heard Rattloore, he must’ve recognized that they needed to change their plans. Huh? Callua’s got her eyes locked on Hagu. Has she noticed something, too? What do I do…? I can’t predict what Callua might do next. If she moves carelessly, she might interfere with our strategy. I looked to Rattloore; he was watching Mira. I’d best not get in the middle.

“Marm and Tort are sheltering murderers in the forest,” Rattloore repeated. “They’ve sent hunting parties out to deal with them.”

Mira sprang up, knocking her chair over. All eyes turned to her. In that instant, I saw Hagu slip out of the restaurant. Callua tried to stand up, too, so I swiftly grabbed her hand.

“Huh?”

“Leave him!” I gazed right into her eyes. In my periphery, I noticed Luiseria getting to her feet as well. “Makasha, stop Luiseria! Please!”

“Wha?!” Luiseria was startled by my plea. Makasha and Callua stared at me in confusion.

“Please!”

“U-understood!”

Luiseria made a break for it as I cried out, but Makasha moved faster and grabbed her. Hagu had successfully fled to convey the situation to the other kidnappers. Rattloore had Mira’s arm in a vise grip, so she was unable to escape. Does this mean the plan succeeded? Thank goodness.

“What’s going on?!” Mira demanded.

I looked up. Callua, Makasha, and Luiseria were all staring at me. Yeah, figures… A nine-year-old was just barking orders. How should I play this?

“Thanks, Ivy. You were right on the money.”

Good work, Rattloore!

“Thank you. Think this’ll do the trick?”

Rattloore smiled, and I saw a flash of understanding on Callua and Makasha’s faces. What a relief…I’m so glad this worked out.