第４０９堀：警察署でのお嫁さんたち (Part1)
**Chapter 409: Wives at the Police Station**
**Side: Yuki**
For some reason, Dressa ended up coming along with us.
She probably had her own thoughts on the matter. Since she’s been out and about quite a bit lately, I figured she might have some useful insights to share. In that sense, her proposal was actually quite welcome.
"By the way, Yuki-san. Why didn't we go to the police first?"
"Now that you mention it, she's right. This directly affects public order, so shouldn't the police be our first stop? Or perhaps the military units under Seraria’s direct command? I’m sure Quar would know something as well," Ria and Jessica asked as we made our way toward the station.
"Well, how should I put it? I can't exactly talk to those two organizations carelessly. I mean, the Guild knew about it, so I’m sure the police and military have gathered information too. But I can't just walk in there through the front door and make a scene."
"Why not?"
"…I think I understand. It’s a matter of prestige," Cleena interjected. "Yuki holds a very high position. If he’s seen investigating things personally, it implies that the police and military are incompetent."
"Exactly. And as Guild Master Rock mentioned, right now it’s just words. You can't exactly charge someone with a crime for that. If we started cracking down on every little thing, the residents would feel suffocated, and it would sow the seeds of resentment."
"Ah, I see. That’s why you haven't used the radio to warn people about the agitators," Ria said, finally catching on.
"Wait… what does that mean?"
It seemed Ria was the only one still struggling to keep up.
"Basically, if we put out a warning like that, people won't just think, 'Oh, there are people like that.' They’ll think, 'There are scary people and criminals among us! What are the military and police doing if they can't stop them?' It would be the same if I openly went to talk to the authorities."
"Ah, true. Like Cleena said, it would damage their prestige. It’s like publicly declaring they’re useless."
"The other problem is that if a culprit is arrested, their nationality will obviously become known. That would ruin the reputation of their home country. Then our people might start thinking, 'Are more criminals coming from there?' It could lead to people from that country being avoided or discriminated against—even though the fault lies with only a tiny handful of conspirators."
If that happened, that country might be shunned by the Alliance, trade would be cut off, and in the worst-case scenario, it could lead to war. Civil war is one thing, but it’s even worse if some idiot decides their only option left is to invade us. We’d have to deploy our forces to deal with it, which would be a massive pain.
"I see~"
"Furthermore, we can't even be sure if they’re actually from that country. If someone gets caught on purpose and shouts in front of the citizens of Weed that they’re from Gartz or Litea, it could crack the current alliance. We have to consider the possibility that they’re doing this specifically to create those rifts."
"…I understand the logic, but it sounds incredibly tedious."
"That’s just how international maneuvering goes."
Well, this was the result of us fortifying our defenses so heavily that they had no choice but to rely on petty tricks. It was certainly a viable way to drive a wedge into the Alliance’s unity, but it was annoying as hell.
Still, this wasn't something that would just go away in a year or two. Personally, I’d rather leave it alone, but looking toward the future, letting internal sabotage fester could lead to a fatal wound. It was better to find the source quickly and hand out some punishment.
Based on who stood to gain, the mastermind was likely a country that hadn't joined the Alliance. Since I didn't know which one yet, I had to investigate quietly like this.
"Wait? Then isn't it a problem for us to go to the police station now?"
"It’s fine now. Tori, Riel, and Deryu are there for work, so I’m just here to 'pick them up.'"
"Oh, right! I remember them saying they were heading to the station to handle some handovers and such."
Using my wives to suck information out of Weed’s organizations was easy. However, I didn't just want the summaries they provided; I wanted to hear the voices from the field. It was the same reason I talked to Nana at Super Ratz instead of just asking Ratz. Hearing things directly from the source has more value than any written report. A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.
While we were talking, we arrived at the police station. A police officer was standing out front, acting as a gate guard.
…Wait, what do you call that again? A sentry? Well, whatever.
"Hello, Mr. Officer!"
"Hello there. Be careful not to get hurt, okay?"
"Okay~!"
A child greeted the officer, and the officer waved back with a smile. It was a heartwarming sight.
This police station was located a bit away from the main government office, facing a busy thoroughfare. This was intended to show that the police, unlike the military, specialized in protecting the safety of the citizens. By interacting with the public, they helped raise civic awareness.
It was pretty much the same as on Earth. Police stations are placed where people gather. You rarely—if ever—see a police station tucked away in a back alley. Well, there are always "circumstances" everywhere, but that’s the general rule.
Under the systems of this era, it was normal for the military to handle police work as well. However, by differentiating the two, we ensured that even if a war broke out, the number of people maintaining public order wouldn't drop. It also prevented units with no experience in peacekeeping from suddenly being put in charge of it.
…Well, since war is currently very unlikely for Weed, the military’s position could have become awkward. Fortunately, their necessity had been proven during Liliana’s Demon Lord subjugation, the incident with the Idiot Princess from Taiki’s side, and the suppression of Ranx, so there hadn't been any calls for budget cuts yet.
"Good afternoon. Is there something I can help you with?"
As we passed through the gate, the guard hurried over to assist us with a polite greeting.
"Good afternoon. No, I’m just here to pick up my wives. They’re here on duty."
"Ah, I see. You may already know this if you've been here before, but please wait in the lobby. It would be a problem if people started wandering around the station unescorted."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for being so thorough."
He really was a polite officer. Honestly, I was impressed he could keep such a smile while standing out here in this blistering heat. I guess this is what they call a "refreshing handsome guy."
Come to think of it, I wonder how many female officers we have?
As I was thinking about that and heading into the building, a familiar voice rang out from behind us.
"Alright! Everyone, fall in!"
*Stomp!*
"Good. It doesn't look like you've gone soft while I was away. That’s all for today. Return to your regular duties!"
"""Yes, Ma'am!! Thank you very much!!"""
There stood Riel in a female police uniform, leading a group of officers.
Ah, right. She was the Vice Rep of the police, so of course she’d be wearing the uniform.