Black Cat Chapter 85: A Secret Passage

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　The teachers’ building is a three-story stone structure in the shape of a U. It is located in front of the school gate.

　On the first floor there is a reception room where visitors and teachers meet, and an executive office for the student council. The staff room is on the second floor, the principal’s and vice principal’s rooms are on the third floor, and there is a reception room for royalty and nobility when they visit.

　While we were moving from the cafeteria to the teachers’ building, soldiers who had noticed the commotion rushed to us, but they were unable to approach us because of the hostages being used as shields.

　I was not wearing a uniform, and the men in black were suspicious of my identity, but I was saved when Professor Lembolt told them that I had come to deliver materials for an experiment.

　From the point of view of the men in black, they did not feel it was a problem even if there was at least one poor catkin in the mix.

　I was about to make a move right after the commotion, but Professor Mendez stopped me.

　He said that we could not make a poor move and get injured when we did not know the number of people involved or the purpose of the attack.

　In his position as a teacher, the safety of his students is an absolute goal.

　The guns that the men in black were carrying seemed to be genuine, and during the walk to the teacher’s building, they were actively firing magic at the soldiers who were trying to approach them.

　From the way they were shooting, it seemed that they were not the type that was powered by magic stones, but the type that shot out with magic power, and unfortunately, they were not expected to run out of bullets.

　The students and teachers who were taken to the teachers’ building were divided into two groups: those from Ibouro and those from the rest of the country.

　The students from Ibouro were tied behind their backs and their neighbors were tied to each other’s right and left arms, tied side by side, and made to stand facing the entrance or window.

　They were tied side by side and made to stand facing the entrances and windows.

　If anyone attempted to enter from the outside, they would injure the students.

　Furthermore, behind the barricaded children, there is a division of men in black as guards to keep an eye on them.

　Students from other cities than Ibouro were shoved into a conference room on the first floor along with the teachers.

　I was shoved in there with Professor Lembolt and Professor Mendez.

　The teachers were given the task of calming the students, and they were on the verge of panic.

“Mr. Nyango, I’m scared…” (Olivier)

“Nyango, you’re an adventurer, do something about them!” (Miguel)

“Shhh, don’t raise your voice, Miguel. If we are spotted, we won’t be able to move. Besides, if you have time to complain to me, focus on protecting Olivier.” (Nyango)

　When I was pushed into the conference room, Olivier suddenly came to my side and was trembling while holding my hand.

　Even Miguel, who didn’t have to come, followed me, looking around anxiously.

　The men in black who had pushed us in went out of the conference room and closed the door behind them.

　Probably to keep us in the dark about what was going on outside.

　The conference room is only large enough to accommodate all of us, with the desks and chairs pulled to the edge, and there are no windows other than the entrance and exit.

　It was the time of year when the season was moving from late fall to winter, but the room temperature was rising when the room was so densely packed.

　Some girls start crying from fear and anxiety, and their cries are followed by sobs that spread throughout the meeting room.

“Mr. Nyango…” (Olivier)

“It’s okay, I’ll protect you Olivier.” (Nyango)

“What are you going to do, Nyango?!” (Miguel)

“I’m going to go out there and see what’s going on, so please be quiet for a minute.” (Nyango)

“What do you mean see…” (Miguel)

“Mr. Miguel, don’t disturb Mr. Nyango!” (Olivier)

“Fine, I know…” (Miguel)

　Seriously, why does Miguel act like he does, and lower his evaluation himself?

　Focusing my attention, I scatter detection particles outside the conference room to search for the men in black.

　Fortunately, the only other people outside the room besides the men in black are children from Ibouro, and all of the men in black are carrying magic guns, so I was able to distinguish them.

　In addition, a microphone was set up to collect the sound from outside.

　Outside the conference room, the cries of the barricaded children could be heard, but after a while, a voice that sounded like the leader of the men in black could be heard.

　Apparently, he was conveying his demands to the soldiers surrounding the teachers’ building.

“Listen, I want five hundred large gold coins by four o’clock! If you are even a little late, I will throw the hostages off the balcony directly from here, and for every half hour you are late, I will throw one of them off the balcony, so just keep that in mind!” (Ruffian Boss)

“Stop this nonsense, drop your weapons and surrender!　More soldiers will be here soon. You won’t get away with this!” (Soldier)

“Shut up! Don’t be lazy, prepare the money quickly, otherwise a hostage will die!” (Ruffian Boss)

　It seems that negotiations between the holed-up ruffians and the soldiers are similar in any other world.

　It seems that the men in black had been carefully planned, and more than half of the men had stopped moving while at their posts.

“There are 54 in all, not only on the first floor, but also on the stairs going up to the third floor.” (Nyango)

“How the hell do you know that?!” (Miguel)

“It’s an application of air magic. Move away, I want to talk to Professor Mendez.” (Nyango)

　Professor Mendez is a little far away from me, and I want to talk to him, but I can’t get close to him.

　I had no choice, so I decided to use [Step] to walk above the students.

“Professor Mendez.” (Nyango)

“Wow, is that also void attribute magic?” (Mendez)

“Yes, please tell me. What that thing underground here?” (Nyango)

“Underground?” (Mendez)

“Yes, it looks like a bunch of men in black are breaking from under the stairs going up to the second floor…” (Nyango)

　If you listen carefully, you will hear thumps and thumps mixed with the sound of sobbing students.

“There should be nothing underground. …No, wait. Nyango, do you know what this place used to be?” (Mendez)

“I heard it used to be a military fort, if I recall.” (Nyango)

“That’s right, and it seems that the teachers’ building was used as a command center. The location of the walls and gates have changed since then, and although they are now located near the gates, they used to be located at the far end.” (Mendez)

“Well then, it could be…” (Nyango)

“Maybe there’s some kind of secret passage there.” (Mendez)

　If it was used as a military command center, it would not be surprising if an escape tunnel was dug in case the enemy attacked.

　I set up a sound-collecting microphone at the guys working at the bottom of the stairs and picked up their voices.

“Hey, you haven’t opened it yet?” (Ruffian)

“I’m working on it, so don’t rush me!” (Ruffian)

“Don’t be slow, or you won’t get your money.” (Ruffian)

“Shut up, we’ve got hostages. Shut up!” (Ruffian)

“It’s open! Hey, are you there?” (Ruffian)

“Oh, that’s good, we got it!” (Ruffian)

　When we moved the detection bit, we found that there is a space connected to the one we are digging from this side, and it seems that there is someone there as well.

　Carefully moving and increasing the bit so as not to be noticed, we explored the space ahead.

　Apparently, there is a tunnel leading underground, and about six people are waiting there.

　After descending a flight of stairs so narrow that one person could barely bend down to pass through, I found that a similar narrow passageway continuing ahead.

　The underground passageway seemed to turn several times along the way, but continued in the same direction.

　I closed my eyes and concentrated, but before I knew it, all eyes in the conference room were on me.

“How is it, Nyango?” (Mendez)

　Mr. Mendez whispered because it would be bad if the students started to make a fuss.

“There is a narrow passageway in the basement, and about six people are waiting there as well. The passage turns several times and goes in a straight direction.” (Nyango)

“I see. So it looks like your information was correct.” (Mendez)

“Yes.” (Nyango)

　The secret passage is heading in the southeast direction from the Academy, and there is the slums at the end of it.

“Perhaps someone found the buried exit and followed it to where it led. No, this is about the only place such a passage would lead.” (Mendez)

“Once they took the money they demanded and fled through the passageway. It would mean that if they somehow destroy the middle of the pathway, it would be impossible to track them. What do you suggest?” (Nyango)

“Hmm……” (Mendez)

　Professor Mendez put his hand to his chin and sank into thought.

　Before long, the sobbing stopped, and a small voice calling for surrender came from behind the door.

“Nyango. I’m willing to give the money, as long as the students are safe. Let me ask you frankly, if they were to fire their weapons at us from outside the door in this condition, would you be able to protect the students here?” (Mendez)

“No problem. As far as I saw in the cafeteria, they were just flying fireballs and did not seem to have any penetrating power. As proof, the walls of the cafeteria were only slightly blackened, but not damaged at all. Even if dozens or hundreds of shots were fired with such strength, the shields I make won’t let us get killed.” (Nyango)

“Wonderful, I’m relieved to hear that. For now, please do your best to protect the students here. Of course, if they are released safely, I will give you a reward, and I will also thank the guild.” (Mendez)

“ I understand. I’m involved in this with you, so I don’t really care about the reward or anything else… and I’ll protect them.” (Nyango)

“Please……” (Mendez)

　I shook hands with Professor Mendez and prepared to set up a thick [Shield] on the inside of the door at any time.

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