Vol 1. Chapter 11 – Mehen's Protection

Stygian Bank Alley – 4:23 pm

I waited for the swarm of Market Guards chasing after Abydos to pass before stepping out from behind the dumpster. It seemed Abydos and Hifumi were doing an excellent job at distracting the Black Market. Now it was my turn to make my escape and meet up at the rendezvous.

Unfortunately, Fate seemed to have other plans for me. I had only just stepped out of the alley and turned the other way when somebody slammed into me and bounced off with a cry of "Ouch!".

"My apologies, miss," I said automatically, reaching down to give them a hand. I failed to realize who I was talking to until they grabbed my hand. Long pink hair with garnet horns and an overly elaborate carmine jacket. A filigreed sniper rifle on their back.

Aru grabbed my hand and pulled herself up, a stressed frown on her face as her eyes darted back and forth. "Sorry! I was looking for some masked bandits! Did you see where they went?"

Her friends skid around the corner of the block. All of them froze as they also recognized me.

"Aru?" Mutsuki called out slowly, eyes locked on me. "What's happening?"

Aru turned around with a huff. "I was just chasing those bandi-" She cut off as she noticed the worried looks on her friend's faces. "What's wrong?"

"Who's that behind you?" Kayoko asked firmly, hand slowly coming to a rest on her pistol.

"Oh!" Aru cried out, before turning back around and bowing. "Sorry about running into you, ma'am! I'm just trying to find some people right now!"

"That is quite all right?" I replied, trying to read the girl as she popped back up. "I apologise for my frankness, but I am shocked that you are reacting as well as you are to our second meeting."

Aru tilted her head, confusion etched on her face as she frowned at my statement. "Sorry, but have we met before?"

I stared at her. Her friends stared at her. I slowly looked up at her friends, and my incredulous expression must have been the same as the one on their faces. After a second, they nodded to confirm what I was suspecting.

Aru honestly didn't see through my paper-thin disguise.

Well, no reason to burst that bubble. I shook my head as I answered her. "Never mind that. I believe you were looking for bandits?"

"Yes, that's right!" Aru said as she brightened up immediately, stepping closer. "Did you see where they went?"

Judging by the mix of exasperated and exhausted expressions from her friends, she also had no idea who the bandits were. Still, we were going the same way and I didn't see any particular reason to say no. "Just so it happens, I did. I might know where they are headed."

"Really?! Let's get going then!"

Black Market District Outskirts – 5:06 pm

100 million ysat in Hoshino's hands, neatly held in a bank bag. Over ten percent of the money they owed to Kaiser. It was so easy, so laughably easy, for them to get that. Barely 5 minutes of work. It would help them so much if they kept it.

It was also the source of the argument happening around her, as Serika debated with Ayane about whether or not to keep the money. Serika, the go-getter that she was, was raring and raging at the chance to ease up on their debt. Ayane, the reasonable and grounded girl that she was, was firmly against using crime to fight crime.

Hoshino understood both sides. She knew better than everyone else what this debt had cost Abydos. What Abydos had lost because of it. The fact that their money was ending up in the hands of criminals was a sick joke. It wouldn't be right to use the money they stole to save themselves, but it was their best chance to change their fates.

But it would also be a stain they could never remove. What Nelson said was right. The Adult chose not to participate because the act was a crime. They could compromise on the information because there was no other way to find out what Kaiser and the Stygian Bank were hiding from them. Nelson's authority with Schale could help legitimize that theft of information, as retrieving evidence of a crime.

But the money? It wasn't evidence. There was no way to justify keeping it.

"Shiroko?" Hoshino called out, breaking up the back-and-forth between Serika and Ayane. "What do you think?"

Everyone paused in their argument and turned their focus to Shiroko. The taciturn wolfgirl looked at the bag, looked at Hoshino, and shook her head before speaking. "I think you're against using it, Hoshino. So what else is there to discuss?"

"What?!" Serika exclaimed, even as Hoshino nodded in agreement. She knew she could trust Shiroko to make the right choice.

"I can always count on you to know what I'm thinking, Shiroko," Hoshino said, letting the sleepy smile drop from her face as she turned to focus on Serika and Nonomi. "What we need are those documents! Not the cash."

"But…" Serika began only for Hoshino to cut her off with a pointed stare.

"If we cross the line today because it's us versus criminals, what about the next time? Or the time after that? Where do we end up drawing the line?" Hoshino asked, looking from person to person. Nonomi and Serika were silent, looking at the ground contemplatively. Shiroko just watched her with a neutral expression, while Hifumi just looked uncomfortable. Still, they needed to know this.

It was a slippery slope they were approaching. They shouldn't have to.

"We shouldn't cross that line. If we grow used to it, then one day, something crucial will force our hands and we're gonna end up doing something we really shouldn't; while making excuses that we had no choice."

Everyone seemed properly chastised now, so hopefully she got her point across. Hoshino smiled sleepily, leaning against a nearby railing on the bridge as she continued. "I wouldn't want any of my adorable underclassmen to end up like that. What's the point of protecting the school if that's how we go about it? We could've just used Nonomi's solid gold credit card if we wanted to take the easy way out."

"I did offer that as a solution," Nonomi started, only to cut off as Hoshino shifted her stare to her, "I mean, I understand. If we use illegitimate means to pay off Abydos' debt, we'll just be paying it off by becoming indebted to something else…"

"Something like that," Hoshino agreed, kicking off the railing. "So, that's why we're leaving the bag behind. Only take the documents. President's orders. Besides, could you imagine how Nelson-Sensei would react when she finds out about us taking the money?"

Hoshino watched as everyone but Hifumi stopped what they were doing, imagined the situation, and shivered as one.

"Yeah," Serika admitted glumly. "She'd kill us, wouldn't she."

"I don't think she'd kill us. Maybe just lecture us?" Nonomi added, frowning.

Ayane's voice crackled in, voice steady and solemn. "She'd definitely be mad."

"Nn."

Well, that got the desired effect. However, any further discussion ended when Ayane's voice crackled over their headsets. "Guys, you need to get rid of the money now!"

"What, why?" Nonomi asked, confusion clear on the bubbly blonde's face.

"Sensei just messaged me on Momotalk! Aru from Problem Solver 68 is heading in your direction and she can't delay them anymore!"

"Damn it!" Serika shouted. "Just grab the documents and let's get out of here!"

Hoshino quickly snatched the documents out of the bag, stuffed them into Iron Horus, and threw the bag over the side of the bridge. With luck, that was the last of that. Then, as a group, the four of them ran out of there.

Black Market District Outskirts – 5:13 pm

The Adult hooked the combat android's wrist with the crook of her umbrella and proceeded to pull the android out of cover and into a flip. The machine slammed into the ground with a loud crack before the lights of its camera dimmed.

Aru wasn't quite sure where this Adult came from, but she sure was handy to have around! But any recruitment attempts could wait for later. For now, she had to catch those outlaws! She ran past the final cordon onto the bridge, hoping to catch them before they left!

"Where did they go?!" Aru shouted, distraught as she looked about the bridge. "I swore they were just here when I spotted them!"

Kayoko sighed as she walked up next to her. "I think they finally managed to get away, Aru. I don't think you'll get a chance to talk to them."

"But…" Aru started, before trailing off.

The Adult stepped up next to them, glancing about before asking, "Pardon me, but why do you wish to speak with them? From your description, they are nothing more than a mere gang of criminals."

Aru sighed, leaning over the railing of the bridge as she stared out at the horizon. The Adult took up a spot next to her, leaning against the railing lightly.

"It's just..." Aru began slowly, picking the words carefully.

"Just?"

"It's just that they were so cool!"

Aru smiled as she remembered the way the robbers strolled into the bank confidently. "They hit that bank without caring who they were robbing! They were in and out within 5 minutes, and they managed to evade all of the Market Guard!

Outlaws like them only come around once in a generation! That kind of bravado is a rarity these days. It was inspiring."

The Stranger hummed noncommittally, an amused smile on her face. "That is quite the praise for a group you saw for maybe ten minutes."

"Well, that's because they were doing what I wanted to do. I was just too scared to try, like always." Aru admitted. "They were everything I dream of being! An outlaw, a truly free spirit unrestricted by any rules or laws! Free to do whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want!"

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

Aru froze and looked up at the Adult, staring at her with a frown. She asked, her voice unnaturally cold, "What do you mean?"

"I mean no offense, Ms. Rikuhachima," the Adult apologized, holding up both hands disarmingly. "While your dream is certainly a unique one, I must ask. Is it a life unrestricted by rules or laws that you wish for? Or a life free from the expectations of society on what is acceptable? After all, an outlaw embodies both ideals."

Aru stared at the Stranger and opened her mouth to respond. Then, she closed it. And then, she opened it again. And then, finally, she closed it one last time. On the one hand, the Adult had just questioned her and her dream. But on the other hand, maybe she didn't? She just presented a new perspective on that dream.

"A life free from the expectations of society, huh?' Aru muttered, pursing her lips in thought. She leaned against the railing, dipping her head further into thou-

"Wait, what's that?"

There was a strange black mass on the debris net under the bridge. Haruka walked up next to her and leaned over, squinting to look at something just under the bridge. "It looks like… a bag? Here, Lady Aru, let me get it for you!"

Haruka got down on the ground to reach under the railing. It took a few moments of reaching, but the anxious purple managed to snag the handle with a cry of triumph. She pulled it up and it hit the deck of the bridge with a hefty *thump*. Everyone gathered around it, examining it closely.

Now that Aru could see it clearly, there was a rather familiar logo on the side of the bag. In fact, she had only just seen it earlier today.

"Wait…" Aru muttered, eyes widening in recognition. "This is one of the bags from the Stygian Bank that the Masked Swimsuit Gang stole! You don't think they left it here as a gift for us, do you?"

"I don't think so… They probably just forgot about it," Kayoko concluded; her voice unusually terse.

Aru didn't pay it any mind though. Kayoko was probably just stressed by the chase. Mutsuki, meanwhile, was busy lifting the duffel bag and comparing it to her own. "It feels pretty hefty. I wonder what's inside?"

Without any further comment, her friend unzipped the bag fully.

Black Market District Transfer Station – 5:22 pm

"Hoshino?" Shiroko asked, looking around as they waited for Nelson-Sensei to return. "How did you get rid of the bag of money?"

Hoshino stared at her, then tilted her head to the side in thought. After a moment, the tiny president answered. "I just threw it over the bridge, why?"

That… could be a problem. Shiroko was hoping that Hoshino at least did the smart thing. "So, you saw it fall into the river?"

Hoshino laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. "Well, no? We were kinda in a rush."

"So, it could still be there?"

Hoshino shrugged. "Maybe. But who'd look for it there?"

Black Market District Outskirts – 5:22 pm

The reactions were instant as all of Problem Solver 68's jaws dropped at the sight of countless bills sitting in the bag.

"No. Way." Mutsuki exclaimed, stunned.

Kayoko stared at the money. "Isn't this…?"

Haruka frowned, looking at the money, and then looking at everyone else. "I wonder if that means we won't have to share ramen next time?"

"Huh?!" Aru exclaimed, shell-shocked at the sight.

Except, even as Aru and Haruka puzzled over their sudden windfall, Kayoko and Mutsuki seemed to remember I was standing right next to them. Slowly, the two looked up at me with clear concern on their faces. Aru must have noticed after a few moments, as she glanced back and forth between her two friends.

"What's wrong? We just struck gold!"

Mutsuki's smile was clean, even as she stared at me with narrowed eyes. "Aru, it's cute you think that, but I think we have a tiny big problem."

Aru must have realized Mutsuki was looking at the problem. She turned around and, upon seeing me, frowned and looked back at her friends. "Is something wrong with our guide?"

"I don't know," Kayoko cut in, a worried frown on her face. "Is there going to be something wrong, Mrs. Guide?"

I sighed, taking a step back. "Well, I believe there is."

Aru whipped around, surprise and shock clear in her expression. "What do you mean?!"

I tugged the lanyard out from under my jacket, clearly revealing the Schale badge. Aru stared at it for a second, examined me for another, and then stumbled back. She pointed a single trembling finger at me. "You work for Schale!"

I nodded solemnly.

"That's impossible!"

"I am afraid it is quite true, Ms. Rikuhachima," I answered, voice serious. "I was acting undercover, but I cannot ignore a stolen item that was abandoned here."

Aru was still trembling, betrayal clear on her face. "But how?! I would have known if there were two Adults in Schale!"

I paused, looking up and staring at her. So did Kayoko, Mutsuki, and Haruka. After a moment, Mutsuki leaned in. "Aru, that's Nelson-Sensei."

Aru frowned and looked at me, then looked back at Mutsuki. "That can't be. Look at her, they look nothing alike."

My palm met my face. So too did Kayoko and Mutsuki. Haruka was the only one unaffected, instead choosing to keep her eyes on me and her hands on her shotgun.

I sighed as I removed my sunglasses, giving Aru a clear look at my face. "She is telling the truth."

She stared a little more closely, before shaking her head. "You look similar, but I don't believe you. There's no way the Monster of Abydos," I stared at Kayoko at the title. She just shrugged apologetically as Aru continued to speak. "Could possibly walk beside us for so long without her bloodthirst," this time Mutsuki shrugged, looking mildly amused. "Tipping all of us off that she was next to us! That's what all the Underworld Forums say!"

I felt bad for her friends if Aru was this bad at recognizing people. Still, if she wasn't going to believe me with just the sunglasses off, then I might as well remove all the accessories. I grabbed the hat and casually tossed it aside with one hand, even as I ran my other hand through my hair with a flick of the wrist; pulling the elastic free of my ponytail at the same time.

Aru stared at me for a bit longer until my hair settled down. Then, slowly, she pointed up at me again as shock firmly settled into her face. "You're Nelson-Sensei!"

"Yes, that is correct."

"The President's Appointed Teacher!"

"… well, yes that is accurate."

"The Fox Hunter!"

"What?"

"The Desert Titan!"

"Where did you even find out about all of these?" I interrupted before Aru could come up with some equally inane epithet to give me. "I am fairly certain you only know my name because Ms. Asagi told you."

"I checked online," Aru answered confidently, before frowning. After a second, she straightened out as a familiar sneer settled on her face. "But of course," she said grandly, losing the nervous shock she had just a moment ago. "I would expect nothing less of the General Student Council's most powerful Adult than the ability to expertly disguise themselves. So, have you come to finish us off? I assure you; it won't be easy when it's 4 to 1."

The silence that met her was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Kayoko looked nervous, even as Haruka seemed set in for the fight. Mutsuki had an unreadable smile, playing with the handle of her duffel bag. All waiting for my answer.

"Ms. Rikuhachima, I am not here to fight you," I said calmly, returning to lean against the railing with my arms crossed. "It really is a rather surprising coincidence that we encountered each other at all."

Aru seemed to deflate slightly, Kayoko let out a breath of relief, and Mutsuki just kept watching with rapt amusement. Even Haruka lowered her shotgun. The anxious girl glanced between me and the rest of Problem Solver 68 before speaking. "S-so are you just going to let us go?"

"I was intending to do that, yes."

"An-and the money?"

"Even if it is taken from criminals, I am afraid I cannot let someone take and use it. Duty demands I confiscate it and remand it to the proper authorities."

My admission seemed to knock the wind out of their sales. Kayoko and Mutsuki were better at hiding their disappointment, but Aru was as easy to read as a comic. Actually, why were they at the bank anyway? I couldn't help but ask, "Is something the matter? It is an awful coincidence that we met at a Black Market bank today."

"Oh, we were just planning to get a loan to-" Aru started absentmindedly before a very nervous-looking Kayoko shoved her hand in front of Aru's mouth.

"Nothing," Kayoko said, locking eyes with me. "We weren't planning to do anything with the criminal bank."

Kayoko was trying her best, but it was just a bit too late. It also didn't take too much to put one and one together. Hoshino and Ayane said the number of mercenaries was massive, and they clearly didn't have enough to pay for them. If they were delinquents, then getting funding from legal means might not be feasible.

"Money troubles, I presume?" I asked aloud, my eyes falling on the bag of money between us. "Troubles which could be resolved with that influx of funds?"

They didn't have to answer. The looks they shared amongst themselves answered enough. I sighed as I pushed myself off the railing, turning to face them. "I hope you can understand that I cannot encourage theft by Students. However..."

"However?" "What?" "..." "Y-yes?"

A twist of my will brought a piece of heavyweight certificate paper into my hand, surprising the girls of Problem Solver. I pushed off the railing and turned to face them, before presenting the document to them. A large "Letter of Marque" written in large fancy font printed at the top of the documents underneath my personal badge. "If they, perhaps, carried a Letter of Marque that granted them the right to raid organizations backing certain criminal elements, then I would be able to let you leave."

Aru stared at the document in my hand, looked up to stare at me, and then looked back down at the document. "What?"

"Just so it happens, I prepared this letter authorizing the signing party the right to raid elements hostile to my current operation several days ago. However, its intended recipient refused my idea." I didn't want to find out how Ayane would react when she found out I had this letter produced. "And circumstances meant I had not yet had the chance to dispose of it properly."

Aru took a few steps closer and reached out to pinch the edge of the document. She brightened up immediately as she inspected it. "This texture and quality..." She muttered quietly to herself, looking at the gold-trimmed border of the letter, "This is a serious contract!"

"That is correct," I said, retrieving a pen from my pocket and presenting it to the wannabe delinquent. "All you would need to do is sign, and it will allow you to act against any organization that is hostile to my current work in Abydos. Just so it happens, the Stygian Bank falls into that category."

Aru stared at the pen, and then slowly shifted her stare to the bag on the ground. "I'm guessing that means we wouldn't be able to attack Abydos?"

"Correct. But you would be able to leave with that money as a prize." I replied, waving the pen temptingly before her eyes.

Aru's eyes shifted between the pen, the letter, the money, and her friends. After a second, her focus locked onto the pen. Slowly, her hand came up to grab it-

Only for Kayoko to step forward and grab Aru's arm, stopping her from moving any further. She stared at me, even as she spoke. "Aru, did you read the contract? Or ask for details?"

"Call me Boss, Section Chief," Aru said absently, as she leaned in to read the document. After a second, she turned to look at Kayoko. "Section Chief, please confirm the details of this agreement for me."

Kayoko rolled her eyes but didn't say no. She reached out for the document and I passed it to her. She began to read it closely as I explained it to Aru. "I assure you on my honour, there are no traps in there. In summary, the letter places you under my personal umbrella rather than Schale's. While it means you will not enjoy the benefits that Schale's membership grants, it does give you wider… leeway, in what you can do."

I could see the gears spinning behind Aru's eyes as she pursed her lips, hand rubbing her chin in thought. "What exactly are we allowed to do if we agree?"

"It allows you to continue taking contracts as before, although I expect that you inform me of any outsider contracts you take. You will also agree to accept any tasks I provide to you directly. Finally, I expect that you will decline any contracts that you know will come into conflict with my operations."

I could see Aru's brow furrow with every item listed, even as Kayoko continued to read the document closely. Haruka was glancing back and forth between the three of us, and Mutsuki was just watching, eating from some bag of snacks she must have kept on her person.

"You're giving us a lot of demands," Aru said, after her silence, face cool and composed. "What are the benefits if we sign up with you?"

"You may keep any legitimate prizes you capture from targets I assign you that I deem unimportant for my own goals. I will also be paying you a retainer fee of approximately 3 percent from my share of Schale's income." I answered her before a thin smile crossed my lips. "And, of course, I will come to your defense to the extent which I can, both legally and physically."

"That sounds rather intriguing. Do you mind if I discuss this with my team?" Aru asked. I nodded in response and watched as she walked over to Kayoko.

The serious Gehenna Student's face was staring at the document, eyes scrunched in concentration. She looked up as soon as Aru drew near, a contemplative frown on her face. "She's telling the truth," Kayoko concluded. I wasn't sure if she intended for me to hear it, but I could. "I don't know how this is legal, but she's telling the truth."

It was very legal. I had Arona research prize laws in the lead-up to my suggestion to the Foreclosure Task Force meeting. To my surprise, there weren't any. For all the chaos in Kivotos, high seas piracy and state-commissioned merchant raiding just… didn't seem to have ever happened.

So, it wasn't too hard to create a document that authorized its holder to act as a special police force. From there, I just had to add provisions and definitions to add prize taking and keeping to their list of authorized activities.

It was oddly easy to do. I don't know who had written the laws for Kivotos, but they left a disturbing number of loopholes and blind spots.

Aru and Kayoko walked back towards Mutsuki and Haruka, and the four of them huddled up. I waited as the four of them spoke at length and emotion. Then, they broke. Once again, Aru approached me with the document in hand.

"Nelson-Sensei," Aru said, meeting my gaze with her head held high. "Do you expect us to tell you who hired us to attack Abydos?"

I shrugged. "No. I would like to know, but I expect you to treat my employment with the same level of discretion and secrecy you are affording my enemy."

Aru nodded as she digested my answer. Finally, she sighed and held her hand out towards my pen. "You drive a hard bargain, Sensei," She said as I passed it to her. "But I look forward to a well-paying contract."

She signed the document and passed me the pen. A few quick strokes to sign my name as well. Aru picked up the document, pausing to look at my signature. "Just Nelson, Sensei?"

"Just Nelson, Ms. Rikuhachima."

Aru nodded, before rolling up the contract and presenting her hand for a handshake. She smiled widely, a genuine smile amongst the cool smirks and sneers I was more used to. "Well, we're partners then? I hope you don't regret signing Kivotos's most notorious rising star of the underworld on your side."

I laughed and took her hand, shaking it heartily. "Only so long as you do not regret siding with the Desert Titan, was it? Or would you prefer I refer to myself as the Monster of Abydos instead?"

Mutsuki burst out laughing, even as Aru turned beet red. She pulled her hand back with a huff, crossing her arms across her chest. "I told you; I didn't come up with them! The Underworld Forums did!"

Aru gave a friendly wave as Nelson-Sensei walked off 'to meet up with some colleagues'. The day wasn't quite what she expected, but she got what she wanted. She secured some new funding for their business and some amount of protection from their former employer.

"It must be my lucky day!" Aru said, nodding happily to herself. "First, I ran into a new source of inspiration, then we ran into Sensei, and now we have funding and a patron! What are the chances?"

She turned around, ready to head back to the office, only to notice everyone staring at her with pity, guilt, or amusement. Kayoko, Haruka, and Mutsuki all glanced at each other and, after a few nods and points, Mutsuki stepped up with a sly smile.

"Say, Aru," Mutsuki said slowly, drawing out the words. "Isn't it weird how Sensei was in disguise?"

Aru blinked at the question. She paused, tilting her head as she thought about it. Now that Mutsuki pointed it out, Nelson didn't seem like the type to hide who she was. It was pretty weird that she was in disguise.

"She did say she was working undercover..." Aru muttered, before realizing something. "Oh! She must have been doing a sting operation! I wonder if she was trying to arrest those robbers."

Mutsuki's smile grew even larger. "Well, Aru, is there anyone else who was in disguise?"

"I mean, the robbers were, but I don't see how that matters?" Aru answered with a frown, the gears spinning as she tried to see where Mutsuki was going with this.

"And who has been hanging out with Sensei? And just happened to not be here today?"

The gears kept spinning as she did the math. Nelson was working with Abydos right now. Nelson was at Stygian Bank without Abydos. She was there at the same time as these robbers. She showed up just after the robbers were escaping from the Market Guard. Almost as if the robbers were distrac-

The gears clicked into place.

"WHAAT?!"

AN: And with that, we have a roving band of fixers on board! The wiki states the game implies that Sensei hires them at some point but, uh, I haven't reached or seen any of that yet as of the writing of this AN. Still, having a group of morally flexible guns for hire is a good idea. And surely, we can't possibly go wrong by adding piracy into this volatile mix.

Right?

Thanks to my friend for beta-reading!