Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 140

　Tension hung heavy in the air. The laborers, unable to move due to poison, were on the brink of attacking the paralyzed Loli Gorilla-sama. In contrast, I stood ready with kunai and a spear. Hisame, providing both perimeter security and rear support, was behind me.

　(Now, what do I do from here?)

　I pondered while maintaining a stern expression hidden beneath my mask, considering the course of action from this point onward.

　My intervention at this moment was not deliberate but rather a product of chance. During the pursuit of monkey's remains, we stumbled upon a boundary. Hisame sensed a presence within it.

　Passing through the boundary was not difficult, though it was indeed powerful. However, it was not something that could repel humans, especially when facing Youkai.

　I had a bad feeling about this, and it turned out to be accurate. Of all the moments to encounter this scene...

　It was a recreation of an event from the original storyline: Onitsuki Aoi's grand Youkai gang r*pe party. Poisoned, assaulted by her father's men, and finally in the hands of Youkai... I was suddenly forced to make a decision: whether to save her or not, right here, right now.

　With Hisame right by my side, my available options were limited. The fact that this was within a boundary further influenced my decision. The R-18 scenario was approaching rapidly, and there was no time to waste. So, I acted.

　And here we were, in the current deadlock.

　"What are you doing? Do you understand what you're doing!?"

　One of the laborers, with a kunai embedded in his arm, shouted. If I remember correctly, he was the leader directly under Loli Gorilla-sama. He glared at me with a ferocious expression.

　"What am I doing? Isn't that my line? Are you in your right mind? Committing such acts against the Princess will not go unpunished."

　It was a case of tit for tat. Naturally, they weren't going to be intimidated by my retort.

　"Hehehe, we're well aware of that!"

　"Yeah! Did you think we would go ahead with something so audacious on our own!?"

　"Lower your weapons, servant. This is an order. Interfering with the Onitsuki family's business is considered a rebellion."

　"That's right. Come on, didn't you also go through hell thanks to this brat? I'll let you have a turn too! Come here, you!"

　The laborers called out to me one by one. They tempted, cajoled, and tried to persuade me. They knew they had no chance of winning.

　"Senpai..."

　"Are you going against the Onitsuki main family? ...I see, so that's how it is. ...Indeed, it's quite audacious."

　Ignoring Hisame's calls, I declared. I lowered my weapons. I observed the situation, and Hisame followed suit. I moved forward alone.

　"Have you already violated her?"

　At my question, the laborers hesitated for a moment, then burst into vulgar laughter, understanding the meaning. The captive, Princess, who was mostly naked, stared at me with an expression of despair.

　"Hey, servants, don't be so greedy, okay?"

　"Wait, wait, it's no big deal anyway. We will let you use the back?"

　"Hahaha, that sounds good. Why not?"

　The laborers jeered loudly. Aoi seemed to understand the conversation and was clearly terrified. Despite her fear, she trembled and still glared at me. She tried to hide her chest and lower abdomen, but her limbs were restrained, and the poison left her unable to move. Resistance was futile.