第４０５堀：情報を集めよう (Part2)
"That’s to be expected. The Grand Master has also told me to provide full support, so don’t worry about that. However, to give you the conclusion first: we haven’t managed to secure any concrete evidence yet. If there were movements plotting a coup d'état behind the scenes, I’d report it immediately. But in that regard, Weed has been perfect, hasn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"First of all, it’s impossible to smuggle in concealed weapons. Even if you manage to arm yourself, it’s restricted to the Adventurer District, and there’s a penalty if you draw your weapon. This makes armed uprisings or rebellions impossible. Second, attempts to sway or threaten influential figures don't work. Those figures have their safety guaranteed by designated protection, and even if someone tries to bribe them, their terms are fixed. Their influence only lasts for that duration, and the overall management is handled through discussions between Queen Seraria, Representative Labyris, and the other representatives to ensure there are no loopholes. Therefore, even if you manage to get to one person, you can’t commit fraud, and there’s no real benefit to be had. No one is going to take the risk of trying to sway everyone. Even if they did, it’s 'goodbye' once the term ends. Furthermore, all trade-related activities and financial transactions are openly published to foreign nations. If they succeeded in bribery or fraud, it would just be exposed to the rest of the world. If this were just a private business’s ledger, it might have been fine, but since it’s part of a national project, it’s as troublesome as it gets. So, the truth is likely that our opponents simply can’t do anything. That’s why we haven’t been able to secure any proof. Everything we have is just talk that such rumors exist."
Well, that’s about what I expected.
The way Weed is structured is unorthodox, not just for this world, but even for Earth.
Because the dungeon’s functions allow everything to be prepared from the start, it’s not wrong to say that most of Weed’s workers are essentially civil servants.
Of course, as more time passes, individuals will become independent, and millionaires from private businesses will eventually emerge in Weed. But that’s a story for the future; right now, the ones holding the reins of Weed’s economy aren't wealthy merchants, but Weed’s representatives.
Normally, a nation is built upon initial financing from influential figures, which inevitably creates vested interests.
It’s the kind of thing where they expect favors in return because they provided the capital.
Well, that’s natural.
It costs money to start anything.
But Weed doesn't fit that mold.
No, it does cost money, but it uses DP—a unique currency that only has meaning to a Dungeon Master.
Therefore, in terms of who provided the initial "funding," Roschur, which provided the land and plenty of DP, is number one. In that sense, places like Ritia or Gartz should be the ones receiving favors, but they already got their due when the gates were opened first, and they have plenty of credit with the great powers in various ways, so that’s not an issue.
So, the only remaining targets would be individual merchants with deep connections who provided funding, but no such people exist.
Well, if I had to name one, maybe the slave merchant who brought Ria to sell?
Because of Rock’s story and these reasons, the foreign nations that haven't joined the alliance have no foothold to interfere with Weed, even if they wanted to.
If they were caught doing something underhanded, they’d be shunned by other countries and annihilated.
"But there are still people talking about it, right?"
"Yeah, that’s all they have left."
Exactly.
That’s all they have left.
They can’t apply pressure as a nation, and they can’t touch the influential figures.
So, the only thing left is to target the citizens.
"Um, what does that mean?"
"…I don’t really understand either. If it’s about what Yuki and Rock are discussing, there’s nothing to worry about anymore."
Ria and Cleena seem puzzled that we’re still talking.
Well, it sounds like there’s no problem, after all.
But Jessica and Samantha, who understand the situation, have serious expressions on their faces.
"…They are whispering falsehoods to the citizens, aren't they?"
"…We must drive out such unscrupulous individuals at all costs. They intend to incite an internal conflict."
"Eh!?"
"…Why does it come to that?"
"In short, if the nation is untouchable and the big shots are untouchable, then they’ll stir up the citizens' anxieties. If an internal conflict breaks out, they can finally intervene and profit from the chaos."
"It’s not as simple as that, though. If they go too far, word will reach us or Tori’s police force immediately, and as you can see, Yuki and I are already discussing it. But it costs nothing to try. They can just claim it was the citizens of Weed acting on their own and pretend they know nothing. Well, it’s incredibly tedious, and since Weed has good public order and education is starting to take root, it takes time and money. Unless they hold a deep grudge, it’s usually more profitable to just maintain normal relations."
"And what about those documents?"
"Ah, I haven't compiled them in detail yet since there’s no concrete proof. But if you’re moving on this, Yuki, you intend to crush them completely, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then I’ll have it finished by tomorrow. Should I bring it to the government office or the police station?"
"The police station, please."
With that, I stand up from my seat.
"Well, I’ve heard what I needed to hear. Let’s go do some steady, ground-level questioning."
The foundation of an investigation is earned with your feet.
Yeah. I think that’s a classic saying.
The steady investigation begins now.
Cases don't happen in a conference room. They happen in the field.
As you all know, I’m not exactly the hot-blooded type who says things like that.
Well then, let’s see how this plays out.