Chapter 9
464words
In just one week, she not only cleared and reinforced the secret trade route to the neutral city of Aruba but even contacted a merchant caravan willing to risk trading with us.
That afternoon, I was in the Academy library, maintaining my "diligent, ambitious" honor student persona, pretending to research ancient magic while actually using a magic sand table to simulate Green Leaf Village's defensive fortifications.
Suddenly, a magic seal I'd placed in my dormitory sent a faint vibration.
This was the emergency contact signal arranged with Kanon.
I immediately closed my book and, ignoring puzzled looks, quickly left the library.
"In such a hurry, Sakurai-kun? Where are you rushing off to?"
A sarcastic voice called from behind. Fujiwara Shizuka again—haunting me like a persistent ghost.
"Training grounds. Unlike some people, I don't just talk about effort," I replied coldly without turning, quickening my pace.
Back in my dormitory, I activated the remote communication array with Kanon.
Her freckled face appeared in the magic circle, her expression unusually serious.
"President! We have a situation!"
"Calm down and report," I instructed.
"The Dorn Trading Company caravan I contacted was ambushed by bandits on their return journey! They're trapped in Single Thread Sky gorge, less than six miles from Green Leaf Village!"
I frowned. Bandits? In the heart of Demon King territory? Something wasn't right.
"That trade route is extremely hidden," I noted. "Ordinary bandits couldn't know it. And why attack now—not earlier or later—but right after their first deal with us?"
"Exactly what I thought!" Kanon spoke rapidly. "Either there's a traitor in the trading company, or someone's watching us from the shadows, testing our capabilities!"
"Whichever it is, we must rescue them immediately," I decided. "The Dorn Trading Company is a hard-won external channel. If they suffer heavy losses in our first partnership, our credibility is ruined. No merchant will risk dealing with us again."
"But all we can mobilize now is Iron Fang's patrol team—mostly villagers with no combat experience!" Kanon worried.
"Combat isn't just about raw strength," I replied, a plan forming. "Notify Ando to activate 'Plan B.' Have Iron Fang's team bring the modified equipment I had the village craftsmen prepare. And tell Kikyo to prepare healing potions."
"What about you? Aren't you coming, President?"
"Of course," I smiled grimly. "But not as the Crescent Moon Society's president."
I ended the communication, changed into a pitch-black stealth outfit without insignia, and donned a silver mask that blocked magical detection.
Then I slipped from the Academy like a ghost, melting into the dusk shadows.
Tonight, I would appear in an entirely new identity.
One existing only in legends—a guardian of the Secret Trade Route who punishes the greedy—
The "Shadow Arbiter."
Let the show begin.
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