It seems that it was a bigger problem than initially thought, Cam’s group was cornered situationally.
It was as Cam had said, Just the Hauria surviving wouldn’t be too difficult if they devoted themselves to escaping and guerrilla warfare while making use of the Sea of Trees, But all the other Usagininzoku will be seeing hell. If they cannot answer the Emperors wish of “Strong Usagininzokus”, women, and children will probably be killed rather than being turned into a pet slave.
[But, you can’t really believe that an army of a little over 100 will be enough to stand against the Empire right?]
[Of course. A head-on collision while shouting courageously would be out of the question. We are Usagininzokus, we won’t lose to any other race in terms of stealth operations]
Cam said while smiling from ear to ear. Hajime also guessed his intentions.
[In other words, Assassination?]
[Affirmative. if they bear their fangs at us, the first moment that they’ve relaxed, their necks will fly from a blade in the darkness….In practice, fear and sense of crisis will be planted into those fellows. Always not knowing where attacks are coming from, the Usagininzoku will show their power that only their race can do. We are neither weak nor lower ranked, they’ll realise that we’re a threat that requires absolute resolution of death to attack]
[The Emperors entire clan, don’t you think that there have already been measures placed against assassination?]
[Of course they probably do. However, we’re not aiming for the Emperor’s clan, it’s the humans around their environment. As expected, none of the surrounding humans would have severe defenses. Yesterday, today, the humans who have been intimate, one person, and then another person will disappear. What we can do at the moment is this, I think it’ll be pretty effective. Then finally, it’ll be perfect if they create a policy of noninterference for us]
It was an indescribably unsophisticated plan. However, rather than saying that they’ll assassinate the Emperors clan, they thought of a very realistic idea.
however, thats it, because there’s not enough time to make the Empire feel any kind of threat, It’s more likely that it’ll cause a full-scale retaliation, will the Empire decide to completely annihilate the Usagininzoku, or will they feel threatened and decide to negotiate at a table, it’s obvious which decision would be made. They’re taking part in a very bad gamble.
However it still needs to be done, the Usagininzoku will have a dark future either way. Everyone has an expression which shows that they’ve already prepared themselves.
[....Father…..you all….]
Shia’s shoulders dejectedly drop. Turning the empire soldiers into enemies, the Usagininzokus which just broke out of the dungeon in the Imperial castle which would in other words be called a prison, If the Emperor doesn’t overlook his own interests for his duty to the public, she could also guess what would happen.
The road left for the Usagininzokus, would they be able to dessert all the other families in order for the Hauria to survive, would all members be happy about becoming toys of the Empire, will they risk their lives and fight, there’s only one choice.
[Shia, Don’t make such a face. We won’t run away like before while being looked down on, we’ll eventually overrun them, submitting to them reluctantly would be an ungraceful thing to do…..Now, we’ll fight like this, to be able to have this will, we’re extremely glad]
[But!]
[Shia, to win the right to live, we’ll fight. However, our purpose is not to live. Our purpose is to live with honor as the Hauria. Against any kind of power, if we retreat now, in the end we’ll be the same losers that we were in the past. Only that cannot be permitted]
[Father…..]
[Look forwards, Shia. Don’t look back at us anymore. You should have already decided. When going with boss outside, in order to advance ahead. With that determination, advance forwards]
Cam, not as the chief and not as the leader of the battle group, but as a father, pushed his daughters back. They cannot allow them to stop any further, the others also wished for them to continue advancing forwards.
After being looked with gentle eyes Shia’s expression turns upside down which seemed like she was going to cry, Cam changes his glance to Hajime and nods. he was gesturing for him to take care of his daughter.
Instead of Hajime, Kouki had a silent expressionless face, Indeed, [I’ll do something about it!] he said as he got up despite the atmosphere, Shizuku hit the back of his head with her black katana. It appears that stress has built up, her way of stopping him became extreme unlike her usual self.
When Hajime didn’t show any reactions, Shia looked back at Hajime. However, before Shia opened her mouth, Cam called out in a strong tone for her to stop as he guessed her intentions.
[Shia!]
It was shocking! so much that Shia’s body was shaking.
Cam and them had no intentions of asking for Hajime’s help in the first place. The situation was their own consequence for falling for the Emperors trap. Here, relying on Hajime’s powers and entrusting him with the solution would mean that nothing has changed. As Cam said, this is a fight to carry on the Usagininzokus pride which is on the line.
And, Shia also understood that. She could also only run away before so she understands, Now, there is the pride of being Hajime and Yue’s companion. But, she feels sad that her family has to make a gamble with such bad stakes.
In the end, Shia kept quiet without being able to say anything.
Hajime, glanced at Yue for an instant and scratched his head then sighed. And, as you would expect, Yue’s eyes softened and noded as she understood what he wanted to convey. Hajime smiled a little and calls out to Shia who was looking down.
[Shia]
[Hajime-san….]
Shia’s eyes showed expectations slightly.
[This time there’s no way I can fight]
[I….I see. That’s right]
But, the words followed by Hajime caused her to look down again. In the back Kouki is shouting something, disregarding that the electrical current from the black katana caused him to faint when hit from the side, Hajime grabbed Shia’s cheeks which were sunk due to jumping to a hasty conclusion.
[Oi, you, don’t jump to a hasty conclusion. Though I won’t fight, I didn’t say I wouldn’t help did I?]
[Fe?]
To Hajime’s words, a silly reply was given while her cheeks were being stretched. Kam’s group also looked at one another with a bemused expression trying to interpret the meaning of Hajime’s words.
[This matter, the Hauria family must show their strength. You should let the other party know that the Hauria tribe is not an easy opponent. The Demi-human discrimination is common sense in this world, if I fight to protect them, the same situation would begin again when I’m gone. Above all, there is Cam and their wills. Thats why, I will not take one step in this battle]
There Hajime patted Shia’s cheeks and turned his gaze to Cam.
[However, our energetic companion is making this kind of face, if you thought I’ll obediently stay out of this matter, your greatly mistaken?]
[H, however, boss….then, just what….]