area filled with monsters is also a part of the eastern district, you know. Safety is an expensive commodity. It’s important to remind the people in the inner wall not to get too comfortable with their easy life.”

But then another guy joined them and asked.

“In that case, wouldn’t monsters from the other ruins work just fine? There was no particular reason why we had to bait those super strong monsters roaming in the deeper part of the Kuzusuhara ruins, right?”

“It has been quite a while since the last expedition was sent to scour the outskirts of the Kuzusuhara ruins. So the Corporate Government must be thinking that it might be the time to send a real expedition to the deeper part of the ruins. That’s why we thinned out the number of monsters in the deeper part. We baited them out into the wasteland since if it’s over here, we could use tanks and other weapons with huge firepower to annihilate them. That method is much safer than sending soldiers into the ruins, you know. But with that being said, it’s not like anyone would volunteer to be the bait, right? That’s why I went through all of these troubles.”

“So that’s why you brought Alford’s squad, huh?”

“Yep, that’s the reason. And luckily, that guy said that he would happily sacrifice his own life for something like that. And since I don’t want to die, so everyone got what they wanted. Well, if they had asked for more explanations, I would have explained everything truthfully. But since we’re originally enemies, I have no duty to tell them everything.”

Some of his squad felt disgusted, some were laughing and some just ignored it when Yanagisawa said that with a big smile. They had different reactions and opinions about it, but no one there doubted his skill and ability.

Another of his men then asked him.

“But some Hunters were harmed and even killed, right? If they come to know that it was Captain who was responsible all along, the dead Hunters would come back and haunt you, wouldn’t they?”

The man who asked Yanagisawa that question was originally a Hunter who was scouted into the squad. His face looked stern since he felt a kind of camaraderie with the other Hunters.

Yanagisawa just brushed it off as he said.

“The Hunters also earned a lot of money from that battle. I bet some of them just got rich in one go. But well, I don’t deny that some of them also got killed in the battle, but those people decided to be Hunters even after knowing all the dangers. Not to mention that those Hunters who have no luck or skill would eventually die sooner or later anyway even if that battle didn’t happen. Working as a Hunter means that they have to risk their lives for money. I don’t have the time to listen to their complaints just because they lost their gamble and died.”

“...Well, it’s true that’s what it means to be a Hunter.”

“The city management wanted to shut the people in the middle district, the defense squad wanted to see more action and have more meaning in its existence, Alford’s squad wanted the renown, the Corporate Government wanted to explore the deeper part of the Kuzusuhara ruins, and finally the Hunters sought rich and fame. Other than for the people who were killed, that battle was a good thing for everyone, don’t you think so?”

Some of his men felt ridiculous seeing how Yanagisawa boasted about himself.

“But you did all the hard work there. So, what did you get from that? What is your plan? Is there something you need to do in the deeper part of the ruins? Since you called for us, it’s not like it’s going to be a normal search expedition, right?”

Yanagisawa deliberately laughed invincibly.

“It’s a secret. If I have to say it, it’s to pave the way for the future of humanity. Don’t worry. I won’t do anything bad. We’re simply going to search the ruins, it’ll earn us quite a lot of money too. After all, if it doesn’t, we won’t be able to pay back for all the equipment that we borrowed. These are the latest equipment used in the Frontline, you know? I even went to get that Ragnarok too. It’s also loaded with the annihilator warhead. Of course, I’m not saying that you can go trigger-happy with that, but it really kicks a punch, you know. It’s exactly because we’re on this occasion that I decided to get one. That’s why I want you guys to understand that I’m serious here.”

The normal equipment for this squad was advanced enough. But this time, they brought even better equipment than usual. And it was Yanagisawa who prepared all of the equipment.

Yanagisawa was having silly talks with his men and he seemed to be in a very good mood. But once they reached a certain area, his mood suddenly turned serious as Yanagisawa said to his men.

“The silly talk stops here, let’s go.”

And with that, Yanagisawa’s squad continued venturing deeper into the Kuzusuhara ruins.

Silavin: This chapter has a ton of moving parts. I believe they are foreshadowing something really big.