Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 7 - Chapter 3.1

Chapter 3 - Vs. Tiger Man!

1

One day after we sent the messenger from Grunade home.

“Nope, nope, nope! I’m still recovering from fighting that dragon! There’s no way I’m going to Grunade!”

The two convalescent chimeras don’t seem super happy about their next destination.

“Hey, Combat Agent apprentice! In Kisaragi, we follow orders! Tantrums don’t get you off from work! When I say you’re going, that’s that!”

“That’s not true, Boss! You never listen to anything Ms. Viper says!”

Rose is offering more resistance than usual, but unfortunately for her, we’re short on manpower.

“That’s different. I’ve gone so deep into the dark side that insubordination’s just a part of me. Besides, it’s hard for me to think of Vi as my boss.”

“Th-then, I’ve fallen to the dark side, too! Just yesterday, I took Little Bashin’s snack for myself!”

Oh, so that’s why Little Bashin was chasing her around yesterday.

Russell, watching our exchange wearily, speaks up.

“Hey, Six, can you at least fill us in on what happened while we were hurt?”

“Yeah! Isn’t Grunade the country where Mr. Tiger Man caused a huge incident?! If a messenger came from there, and we’re heading that way, that must mean...!”

Alice smiles reassuringly at Rose, trying to set her concerns to rest.

“Yeah, we got an official messenger from Grunade yesterday. They heard we took down the Demon Lord’s Army, so they've asked us to send some of our Combat Agents.”

Right now, the countries in this region seem to think of us as a mercenary army on retainer with the Grace Kingdom.

Since deploying Combat Agents for hire is a core part of our business, we were more than happy to take Grunade’s business.

“...Grunade has an army, right? So why would they come asking for our help?”

Evidently, making her do elementary school lessons is having the undesirable side effect of making Rose less gullible.

Alice continues to smile reassuringly at her.

“See, the feline monster that took Grunade’s national treasure ran off into the forest, and it seems that monster’s really good at fighting in woodlands. They heard we’ve succeeded in settling the cursed woods, so they decided we'd be the right people for the job.”

“...I see, so we’re going to make it look like we took back the sorceiy stone from Tiger Man and take their money? Y’know, Boss, it seems like you guys spend a lot of time getting paid to put out fires you started.”

I look at Rose with a sad expression in response to her caustic commentary.

“Rose... When I first met you, you were less jaded, loyal to your friends, and brave despite your small size, but you’ve changed. I mean, I get it, we suspected that Tiger Man was the sorcery stone thief. But it hasn’t been proven yet. Even if the possibility is slim, Alice and I will continue to believe in our friend.”

“Well said, Six. That's right, Kisaragi may be an evil corporation, but we value our comrades. We have to keep the faith when no one else will.”

“I might not be very smart, but this little act is too obviously fake, even for me. Seriously, all you need to do is convince Tiger Man to return the sorcery stone. Then there’s no need for us to go along with you, is there?”

Since Rose is looking at us with suspicion, I decide it’s time to abandon the subterfuge.

“Fine! You’re right, the plan is to get the sorcery stone from Tiger Man and make Grunade owe us a favor. This is a huge opportunity for easy money. Because an entire country is offering the job, the reward is huge.”

“Yep, the reason we’re taking you is to have sacrifices in case Tiger Man throws a tantrum about giving back the sorcery stone. He has a weakness for lolis, after all.”

As we quickly admit to our scheme, Rose and Russell snap back.

“What do you mean sacrifices? What are you planning to make us do?”

“If that’s the reason. I'm not going! If you need a loli, Alice should be enough!”

Tiger Man can be a handful to deal with.

While he likes Alice, he doesn’t automatically listen to what she says because she’s not an organic loli.

“Alice, let’s just restrain them and teleport them. Get me some steel wire.”

“It’s true that that’ll be faster. I’ll go fetch Viper. Take that time to tie them up.”

Alice orders the steel wire then leaves the room. At her exit, the remaining two chimeras raise their hackles.

“You're forcing us to go?! You’re the worst, Boss! W-what? Are you going to try it?! There’s two of us, so we’re not going to lose to you, Boss!”

“You're definitely underestimating combat chimeras. Do you really think a mere human can beat us head-to-head?”

I ready the steel wire in one hand, then toss my anti-chimera secret weapon into the air.

“Here’s that luxury snack from Earth you wanted to try. Rose. Oh, by the way, there's only one.”

"Hyah!”

Rose locks on to the treat and pounces on it.

“H-hey, Rose, what are you doing?! That can wait until later! Focus on taking Six out first!”

“Rose, as I said, there’s only one serving of the snack. Even if you beat me by cooperating with Russell, you’ll have to fight over the snack once that’s done. Get what I'm saying?”

Rose firmly grasps the snack and casts a suspicious glance at Russell.

“R-Rose? I don’t want the snack, and you have no need to be wary of me.”

Russell seems taken aback even as he tries to persuade Rose, but I launch a follow-up attack.

"Hey, Rose, is there any guarantee that he won’t just take the snack from you after you’re exhausted from fighting me? As Russell’s quick to point out, you and he are both chimeras. As a chimera, can you really believe another chimera when they say they don't want the snack?”

Rose’s eyes go wide in understanding as she leaps away from Russell.

“I can't...trust him... It’s impossible that a combat chimera would give up on having a luxury snack that’s not from this world...”

“It is possible!! Which reminds me, would you stop trying to ruin the reputation of combat chimeras?! I’m not a slave to my hunger like you are!”

Russell pleads with Rose, even as she is fully on guard for any treachery from him.

I circle around behind Russell, wire in hand.

“Also, since that luxury snack ‘chule’ isn’t for humans, I won’t eat it. Meaning, if you cooperate with me to take down Russell, you’re guaranteed to have the chule all to yourself. Now, choose! Will you side with the ex-Demon Lord's Army cross-dressing chimera? Or me, the comrade you've fought alongside for ages?!”

“I know Kisaragi is an evil organization, but you value your comrades, right? Then it’s an easy choice. After all, I'm a Combat Agent apprentice of the Kisaragi Corporation, Rose the combat chimera!”

“Okay, we’re definitely not cousins. Chimeras aren't this stupid!” yells Russell tearfully, as Rose and I pounce on him from both sides.

As I stand waiting in front of the teleporter, Alice and Viper enter the room.

“Yo, Six. Good job. Looks like you’re all set.”

“Yep, we’re ready when you are. Okay, Vi, we’re trusting you to teleport us safely and defend the hideout as well.”

The bound and gagged chimeras inside the teleporter pod raise their voices through their gags as though they're trying to object.

Ordinarily, we’d prefer to take Viper along as well, but Hideout City is suffering from a serious Combat Agent shortage at the moment, so we need to keep her here as a reserve in case of an emergency.

I shouldn’t have been so cavalier about sending off the others, even if they were a good source of Evil Points.

Viper, having been educated on how to operate the teleporter by Alice, then turns to look at us.

“Mr. Six, Grunade is currently in the middle of an intense succession battle after the sudden passing of its king. Please try to avoid getting dragged into the conflict..she says with a hint of worry in her voice.

Honestly, she sounds like she’s setting up a death flag...

“It’ll be fine, Vi. This is already a done deal. We’ll ignore all of that drama, get the job done, then hightail it outta the country. So don't worry and just look forward to the souvenirs we’re gonna bring you.”

“Yeah, I’ll make sure to keep a close eye on things. There won’t be any problems. I’m leaving Hideout City in your capable hands.”

Viper still looks anxious, but she nods at our reassuring words.

“Mmrrmph!”

“Faiffer! Faifferr heeelf!”

We step into the teleportation pod to make our way to Grunade.