The place is a city created by outcasts and criminals who can’t reside in the Zers Empire, the Kingdom of Ra, and the Yura Republic, located in the border area of these three nations.
Like most cities of this type, it started as a small group.
Then, as people gradually gathered, it grew larger, and various crime organizations began to use this border area for smuggling routes, attracting more money.
With money flowing in, more people came, and again, with the new arrivals, money accumulated, leading it to grow from a village into a city.
Typically, cities like this would be obliterated by public authority, but it was fortunate here.
Because it was in a border area of three countries, the involvement of public authority was ambiguous, and the power structures of the three nations began handling things through this place that were difficult to process legally at home, creating a sort of tacit extraterritorial zone.
This place is the city of “Pleasure” and “Crime,” an otherworldly “Sodom” and “Gomorrah,” known as the “Triad.”
*
Reminded of the “Triad,” I explained it to everyone.
Hearing my explanation, Sylvia looked intrigued and said.
“I’ve only heard rumors about it, but is there really a city like that?”
“It exists; some of my acquaintances have been there for work.”
I first learned of the city’s existence while working near the border.
I had tried to procure some materials needed for jobs, as it was said to be easy and cheap to buy from the “Triad,” and that’s how I became aware of it.
At my words, Sylvia spoke with a worried look.
“It does seem like it would fit this game, but… do we really have to go there, Yuren? It sounds too dangerous.”
“Don’t worry, Sylvia. As far as I know, it’s just like any other place where people live, so if we follow a travel route, it should be safe.”
“That’s a relief, but…”
However, it seemed Sylvia was worried about me going to such a dangerous city.
Honestly, I found Sylvia’s concern incredibly cute.
To ease her worries, the Master spoke up.
“Don’t worry too much, Sylvia. If I go with you, there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Indeed, if the Master goes, there would be nothing to worry about.
To be boastful, I could manage on my own, but there’s always a chance of something unfortunate occurring.
But if the Master goes, that chance would vanish.
“Then let’s just send a small group to investigate the Triad as a travel course.”
I roughly organized my plan and spoke.
Since this place is what it is, many were concerned.
“I don’t want to go out of fear.”
“Me neither. Yuren oppa.”
“Me too…”
Julia, Lauren, and Noirin didn’t want to go, probably because they were aware of the Triad’s notoriety.
I understood.
In terms of my past life, it would be like suggesting a trip to Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong, so it was understandable.
But there’s always an exception.
“Yuren! I definitely want to go!!”
“Me too!!”
Jiren and Sora appealed to me with sparkling eyes more than ever.
Their eyes seemed to envision a hardboiled future as if they were already at the “Triad.”
Hehe, this is how my family should be.
“You two sometimes seem like you’re addicted to dopamine.”
“Dopamine?”
“Is that a thing?”
“It is.”
Once the group was decided, I immediately contacted an acquaintance.
The acquaintance with connections to the “Triad” was a mercenary, that person.
“It’s been a while, Apollo.”
“Haha! So it’s you, Sir Yuren. What brings you here?”
Apollo, who I hadn’t seen in a while, displayed his usual scar on his cheek and showcased his muscles.
No, his muscles seemed even bigger than before.
I figured this was the kind of figure required to be the Master of the mercenary guild, and I jumped straight to the point.
“Well, I want to know how to travel to the Triad.”
“The Triad? Why would you want to go to that crazy city? Are you really thinking of a vacation trip with such beautiful wives?”
“I don’t need such a vacation!!!”
I’ve heard that the “Triad” has a significant business related to prostitution, so there are people who travel for those reasons.
That had nothing to do with me.
If the Master had been here with the girls, it would have been a huge problem.
Thank goodness Apollo and I met alone.
I explained to Apollo the kind of trip I wanted.
A trip to explore the “Triad” and experience crime-related activities there, in a relatively safe manner; upon hearing this, Apollo laughed heartily.
“Is that the kind of trip you’re after! Hahaha! Alright, let me look into it. But I’ll need about four big ones, is that okay?”
“Four should be manageable from my personal funds. Thank you.”
“Haha! Now that you’re a knight, your means have certainly grown! I’ll find out for you!!”
With four big ones, Apollo quickly looked into it, and a few days later, we received a unique travel pamphlet.
“Experience crime travel in the Triad!”
“What is this, Apollo?”
It was an exceptionally well-made travel pamphlet beyond my expectations.
Not quite to the level of my past life, but the guide was made of luxurious parchment and included a rough map of the “Triad,” along with plans for various courses to experience being a criminal there.
“I know an organization that has been pushing this travel course lately in the Triad.”
Apollo unfolded the travel pamphlet and pointed with his finger to explain.
“This organization dominates this area in the Triad, and they provide experiences of becoming a robber while visiting the shops they manage.”
At Apollo’s words, Sylvia wore an incredulous expression.
Who in the world would want to experience being a robber?
Sylvia thought it was absurd.
“Who would want to go on such a ridiculous travel course?”
At Sylvia’s words, Apollo looked dumbfounded and, glancing at me, Jiren, Sora, and the Master, remarked.
“Seems like we have quite a few here.”
“Ah…”
Right, this is exactly what I wanted.
A travel course to enjoy a hardboiled journey.
Not only I, but it seemed Jiren, Sora, and the Master were also starting to find this trip increasingly exciting, and Apollo added.
“However, it’s a bit pricey, and just in case, all participants must either learn transformation magic or use transformation magical tools. If your face gets known in the Triad, it can lead to serious troubles.”
I understood what that meant.
If someone was wealthy enough to embark on such a journey, they could easily become a target for robbers or have problems back home.
To prevent that, they wanted people to use transformation magic.
And if they couldn’t, they’d need to spend a lot on their transformation magic tools.
But who are we!
Transformation magic was mastered long ago by the Irene School for character modeling!
“That’s nothing!! Right, everyone?”
“Yes! Yuren-nim!!”
“Of course. Older brother!!”
“I’m always ready. My disciple!!”
Having received everyone’s consent, I declared right there.
“Then, let’s go with this. Apollo.”
“Haha! Got it. Then I’ll take care of the arrangements and the amount.”
“We just need to have four big ones, right?”
“Haha! You do think big, Sir Yuren! Yes, that will be enough!!”
Once the travel was decided, the four of us quickly prepared.
Given the nature of the place, our travel preparations were quite unusual.
“Older brother, it’d probably be good to bring a shotgun, just in case?”
“You’re right, let’s take one along.”
“We should pack slugs and lightning paralysis shells.”
“That should be enough.”
I packed three shotguns just in case.
And I made essential items for robbery myself.
“Uh… what’s this mask for, Yuren?”
“Yeah, what’s with this old-fashioned mask with just holes for the eyes, nose, and mouth?”
I created the robbers’ must-have item from my past life—a robbery mask.
I even numbered them from 1 to 4 and made them in various colors from blue to green.
“This is the mask that bank robbers use where I know.”
Seeing the mask, Sora and Jiren’s expressions became very serious.
Hehe, it seemed they liked the masks enough to look that serious.
“Um…”
“Uh… we’re supposed to wear this to commit crimes?”
“That’s right, isn’t it cool?”
Joining in, the Master examined the masks, and all three of them began to thoughtfully deliberate.
Then the three of them spoke at once.
“Older brother, no matter how hard we try to look at it positively…”
“Yuren, this is a little…”
“It’s just tacky, my disciple!”
“How… how could this be…”
Thus, the plan to go to the “Triad” wearing robber masks was dashed.
We simply used transformation magic and set off for the “Triad.”
