[FMMIKA] Chapter 268: Treasure

"Yosh!"

"My comrades, don't be afraid!"

"No matter what, let's not stop!"

"The flower of hope blooms in Europe!"

"We can do this!"

Time had passed since Mash's sword beam had obliterated half of d'Eon's body, and the chaotic group was feeling worse for wear after last night's revelry.

Many of them, looked like zombies with dazed expressions and slow movements, but there was one exception—Fujimaru Ritsuka.

She stood on a makeshift platform, uttering 'chuuni' words in Japanese from anime she always watched, perhaps believing that her peculiar speech could boost morale.

One might say she truly embodied the spirit of Gudako.

Or perhaps it was a testament to the energy of youth?

In any case, the dispirited assembly of guerilla troops merely gazed at Ritsuka with bewildered eyes, utterly clueless about what their leader was saying.

After all, they didn't understand Japanese or the concept of anime and the like. Why not spend that time with a few ladies instead of hearing nonsense from her?

"Really..." Mash sighed.

"Meh, whatever. I didn't have high hopes for these cannon fodder anyway. Not everyone can be like Jeanne, easily taming bandits or pirates into warriors. Guess I'm just not cut out for it."

Seeing the lackluster response from the troops, Ritsuka decided not to continue. Just as the troops had thought, she too believed it might be more satisfying to cuddle with ladies instead.

Who else if not Mash's soft body?

"I'll take a nap—wait, what are you all doing?!"

As Ritsuka spoke and turned to go back to her nap, intending to ask Mash to be her human pillow, she spotted the troops dismantling her and Mash's tent. She was immediately infuriated and ready to confront them, but Mash managed to hold her back.

"Senpai, please calm down. We're in the process of moving."

"Moving...? Oh, I see."

After a moment's reflection, Ritsuka understood Mash's meaning. French spies had been here last night, and it was no longer safe to stay. The French army wasn't something to be taken lightly.

Her guerilla group had spent this time plundering the riches of France. Many had made a small fortune, and valuable items had been sold through the channels of Barbary Pirates. But there were still many personal belongings to gather, and the silk tent that she cherished so much was one of the top priorities.

After all, it was in this tent that she, Mash, Marie, Jeanne, Elizabeth, and Kiyohime had shared many memorable nights (cuddle).

"That damn Charles, I'll make him pay if I ever get my hands on him."

As Ritsuka mumbled her complaints, the troops cheerfully packed their belongings, preparing for the relocation.

But before they could do that...

"Boss!"

An excited voice rang out, followed by a more astute-looking member of the guerilla group, who approached with a beaming expression.

"Boss—"

*Swish!*

When the person was still a considerable distance away, Ritsuka pressed a sword against the member's neck—just to clarify, the sword was drawn from Mash's waist.

Although it was Mash's Noble Phantasm, the legendary red-handled sword capable of firing light beams, Ritsuka showed no resistance to using it. In fact, it made one wonder if she were a proper Master of Chaldea, and not a Servant herself.

"Boss, it's me, your own guy!" The member with the sword at his neck raised his hands and said in panic.

"Someone speaking Japanese in France in the early 15th century doesn't really look like 'one of our own' you know." Ritsuka said with a mischievous smile. "You're neither a Servant nor a mage. That's even more suspicious. I mean, really, you expect us to believe you're just an Arab who once traveled to the East, ended up sold as a slave, and then joined the pirates?"

The member continued with a pleasing smile and said to Fujimaru Ritsuka, "I've explained this before, Boss—I'm an Arab. I visited the East in the past, Japan included, and then I was sold into slavery and eventually ended up as a pirate. It may sound too convenient, but that's what happened."

Ritsuka responded with narrowed eyes:

"Well, a good boss should always stay vigilant and maintain a sense of suspicion. Yes, before the Europeans opened new trade routes, the Arabs controlled the trade between the East and the West. You visited the East, Japan, then came back and was sold as a slave and ended up as a pirate? It sounds plausible, but it's just a little too convenient."

"Alright, enough with the games, Senpai."

Although Ritsuka claimed to be vigilant due to her role as the boss, Mash knew that she was just feeling a bit annoyed and bored, looking for some mischief to vent.

"In any case, Mr. Alibaba, can you ignore her and tell us what information you've brought this time?"

Mash took on the role of communicating with the intelligence gatherer.

Apart from being a pirate, Alibaba had a more significant role as a merchant. He had made a comeback in the Mediterranean region, owning two warehouses and a small fleet of trading ships. It was because of this that he could provide enough intelligence to the guerrilla group.

The guerrillas would attack, and then they would bring the loot to him, both sides benefiting from the relationship. Trust wasn't a significant factor.

There were several individuals like him in the guerilla group. Alibaba knew a bit of Japanese, had a sharp mind, and had an Arabic charm. That's about it.

"It's good news, great news!" Alibaba said with a grin. "Those infidels have brought back a massive haul from North Africa, and they're currently docked in Toulon Harbor. This is a golden opportunity! If we can get our hands on that treasure, we'll be rich!"

"Treasure from North Africa? Did they dig up oil?" Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled. According to her limited historical and geographical knowledge, North Africa didn't have much besides oil.

"It's not oil, Ritsuka-chan." Da Vinci in the headquarters, serving as an encyclopedia, explained. "Strictly speaking, it's not from North Africa, but they brought it over via the Sahara Trade Route from East Africa. This ancient trade route was one of the most significant sources of precious metals in Europe before the large-scale influx of gold from the New World."

Before the advent of fiat currency, even a fool knew the importance of precious metals.

If they succeed with this, Chaldea would gain recognition among the other European monarchs, and they would go from mere bandits to high-sea pirates. It was advantageous for their plan.

"In that case, hehehe~"

Ritsuka spoke with a bright and innocent smile.