As Long as You Have the [Shop] Skill, the Dungeonized World Is a Breeze ~The Bullied Youth’s Payback Lifestyle~ - Chapter 203

Chapter 203 – Proposition and Rejection

“Can’t you just end that cycle here?” (Kuzuhara)
“We cannot.” (Sayuri)
“….You really intend to begin an all-out war against men?” (Kuzuhara)
“Nevertheless, God will watch over us.” (Sayuri)
“Is it your ambition really just to get killed over something so ignorant?!” (Kuzuhara)
Kuzuhara slammed his fist against the table in anger, causing the followers to raise their weapons to protect Sayuri.

However, Sayuri pounded the pewter staff on the ground, telling them to lower their weapons.

“…You guys are quite the sizable organization. So I assume you are already aware that… a certain organization is making a move.” (Sayuri)
A certain organization? This was my first time hearing of it. They seemed to be important in this talk, but…

Kuzuhara picked up from where she had left off.

“—The Higuchi Group. You even messed with the yakuza…?” (Kuzuhara)
I had heard of this organization before.

They were a crime syndicate based in the Kansai region of Japan. They had subsidiary gangs in various regions throughout Japan, totaling over 10,000 members. It was said to be the largest organized crime group in Japan.

Before the world transformed, news of the Higuchi Group’s crimes had appeared from time to time.

“I heard that you had a conflict with them just recently?” (Kuzuhara)
Just recently? Come to think of it…

‘Right now, we are in a conflict with a certain organization.’ That was what Sayuri had said at that time. I’d heard that they won the fight, but many followers were wounded, which was where I came in.

That conflict was with the Higuchi Group…?

“I heard that you guys killed people affiliated with the Higuchi Group—the boss of the Hosen Group, who runs the branch organization in this region, and his subordinates. Even right now, you’re still in the middle of a war with them, right?” (Kuzuhara)
They were getting revenge on their boss’s enemy. There was no way they would take it lying down.

“The Hosen Group is apparently calling on other groups to join them. If things continue on like this, the fighting will continue until one side is annihilated, you know?” (Kuzuhara)
Some of the followers began to look unsettled when the yakuza were brought up, but Sayuri’s expression didn’t waver.

“All the better. That will provide us with even more opportunities to purify this world.” (Sayuri)

“You’re underestimating the yakuza, aren’t you? If they get serious, they can crush a group of several hundred people like yours in an instant. No, they already have the mind to do that. You all have already gone too far.” (Kuzuhara)
“Then you’re saying it would be meaningless even if we stood up against them?” (Sayuri)
“I’m telling you to disband this cult and leave this city right away. They don’t remember each and every one of your faces. If you don’t want to die, hurry up and get away from here.” (Kuzuhara)
“…Why are you advising me to do this? What good is it for you?” (Sayuri)
“Because I don’t want a war to break out in this city. The dungeons and monsters are already causing so many problems, so who wants to see an all-out clash between the yakuza and a cult?” (Kuzuhara)
He was right. If war broke out, there would be even less of a place for them to stay in this city. There was even danger of monsters becoming even more active as a result of the clash. Now wasn’t the time for people to be fighting each other. Kuzuhara was probably thinking that it was the time to be joining hands against the monsters.

“No one benefits from war. No, it’s even worse for the people who get caught up in it. That’s why I came here to talk to you. I thought you all might still be open to talks.” (Kuzuhara)
Certainly, the yakuza, who had already suffered losses, wouldn’t listen even if Kuzuhara told them not to fight.

However…

“I refuse.” (Sayuri)
“…Why?” (Kuzuhara)
“Running away from men is against our ideologies. Even more so if they’re a crime syndicate. We will never turn our backs on such pests of society.” (Sayuri)
“A lot of people will die because of this, you know?” (Kuzuhara)

“Do you think we, as a religious order, are without resolve?” (Sayuri)
Sparks began to fly as the two sides glared at each other.

Neither of them would back down. Kuzuhara had finally freed the city from the evil known as Ryudou, so he definitely wouldn’t want a war to break out now—not after the Inochi-shirazu and the Apostles of Peace had recently achieved peace in the city.

“…Tch. Oi, Torimoto.” (Kuzuhara)
In the midst of the deadlock, Kuzuhara called out to me.

“What do you think?” (Kuzuhara)
“What do I think?” (Torimoto)
“You know what would happen if they had a head-on clash with the yakuza.” (Torimoto)
“I do. It would be a hell of a mess, to say the least.” (Torimoto)
“Then…” (Kuzuhara)
“But Sayuri-san…and the Maiden’s Rebirth Order still won’t stop. Right, Sayuri-san?” (Torimoto)
“Of course. In the name of God, we women will continue to seek vengeance.” (Sayuri)
Her determination was firm. It was the same for the other followers.

“Kuzuhara-san, no matter what any of us say, these women won’t change their minds.” (Torimoto)
“B-But…” (Kuzuhara)
“The one and only way to stop this war from breaking out is to offer them the head of the leader of the cult.” (Torimoto)
“You won’t be able to do that!” (Blue Bandana Woman)
One of the women in the blue bandanas cut in alone. She was the one who had been guiding me around. The other followers began to nod in agreement.

The other blue bandana woman, however, seemed to be quietly surveying the situation without any emotion on her face.

“Right. We can’t. And they also refuse to back down. Then… they’ll just keep on fighting, I guess.” (Torimoto)
“Look. I came here to tell them to stop fighting, alright?” (Kuzuhara)
“But they don’t have any intention of doing so. You’ll just have to give up on it, no?” (Torimoto)
“What about the people who are going to get caught up in the middle of this?!” (Kuzuhara)
“They’ll have to run away or stay somewhere safe, or… fight, I suppose.” (Torimoto)
“Fight? You mean join in the war?” (Kuzuhara)
“If something is important to you, it’s the natural choice to do something about it before it’s taken away from you. If it were me, that’s what I’d do. Stand up and fight to protect what’s precious to me.” (Torimoto)
“….That’s… awful,” Kuzuhara said in a painful tone, clenching his powerful fist.