第４５２堀：鬼退治の準備と新しい研究 (Part1)
**Chapter 452: Preparations for the Demon Hunt and New Research**
**Side: Taiki**
"Uhh, let’s see. The execution of that guy, Rei, has been finalized, but..."
"Taizo-dono. I request your confirmation on the security arrangements."
"My apologies. Ruth-dono."
For some reason, it feels like Taizo-san is coordinating security for the execution with Ruth. Just as I was thinking that, Kinog comes running up to Taizo-san as well.
"Taizo-dono. The rumors of the execution have been spread. With this, the news will reach the Kingdom of Swords in ten days, and we should see some sort of movement one month after the day of the execution."
"Kinog-dono. Thank you."
Wait a minute.
Is Kinog also discussing the schedule?
You two are both high-ranking officials of Ranks, right? You’re my subordinates, aren't you?
Watching Taizo-san issue orders with such efficiency, I’m starting to lose confidence in my own status as the King of Ranks.
As I was pondering this, Taizo-san gathered some documents and brought them over to me.
"Taiki-kun. I would like you to check these documents."
"Oh, right."
Before I could even look through the papers, Taizo-san began explaining their contents.
"As you know, the main focus is on Rei’s execution. We’ve finalized the details."
"...So it seems."
I had been listening from afar, after all. Yuki-san had already returned to his own business, claiming he had research to do regarding countermeasures for the *Dojigiri*, so I’d have to leave his confirmation for later.
With that in mind, I scanned the documents. The gist was as follows:
* **Primary Objective:**
Execution of the former Ranks Imperial Guard Vice-Captain, Rei.
Charges include high treason and various other crimes. There is no room for leniency.
By carrying out this execution on a grand scale, we aim to firmly demonstrate King Taiki’s rule to the former Ranks royalist factions within the country and to other nations.
* **Secondary Objective:**
Rei is known to be the aide, adulterer, and lover of the former Ranks Princess, Bitz.
Targeting this connection, we will advertise the execution widely to lure out Bitz and Nogosh, who is likely harboring her and her cohorts, providing an opportunity to end this conflict.
* **Logistics (Locations, Supplies, Personnel, Costs):**
The location will be a village near the Kingdom of Swords to make it easier for the enemy to approach.
Supplies include the construction of facilities at the village and securing temporary evacuation sites for the villagers.
Personnel will involve beefing up security to ensure Rei doesn't escape, and replacing all the villagers at the execution site with soldiers.
Additionally, monsters from Yuki-kun’s side are scheduled to stand by as an ambush force.
Given the nature of our opponents, we recommend filling the security and execution site with highly trained Ranks soldiers.
Costs include the reinforcement of Rei’s cell, which I have requested from Yuki-kun (a technical fee), the procurement of costumes and weapons for the soldiers posing as villagers, and compensation for the villagers during their temporary evacuation.
It was, in a word, logical. But...
"Taizo-san."
"Yes? Is there something unclear?"
"There’s no mention of the swords..."
I was unnerved by the fact that despite how angry he had been, there wasn't a single mention of the blades in this document.
"Ah, I wouldn't bring up matters unrelated to the Kingdom of Ranks. This is strictly a tactical plan for Rei’s execution and luring out his associates."
*Phew.* It seemed he hadn't completely lost his mind.
"And here is the main event."
Oh, no. He *had* lost his mind.
He had prepared a separate document specifically for the swords.
* **Regarding the Retrieval of the Shimazu Ichimonji and Dojigiri Yasutsuna:**
Since we are constantly monitoring via Yuki-kun’s call screen, we will know if Bitz or Nogosh are carrying them when they visit the execution site.
If they are in possession, we will kill them to take them back. If not, we will resort to torture to extract their location.
If the swords are safe, we plan to allow them to commit *seppuku* rather than beheading them.
Ah, right. "At best, suicide."
"Uhh, I’m sorry, but... I can’t exactly decide the execution of Bitz or Nogosh on my own..." I asked timidly.
"...It is merely a hope. Don't worry. I don't expect to be able to do this much. I understand that, considering the various circumstances, executing them on our own would cause many problems."
Thank goodness. It seemed a shred of rationality remained.
"However, our master house’s Shimazu Ichimonji and the national treasure-class Dojigiri Yasutsuna have been stolen. We must demand a proper response from Japan. As Japanese people living in this other world, we carry the weight of Japan on our shoulders."
"Yes. I... I understand that."
*Sigh.* They really have caused a massive headache.
In any country, having a national treasure stolen is fundamentally unacceptable.
A "National Treasure"—the name itself implies the country has recognized its value. It is an indisputable treasure.
If one were stolen, it would naturally cause an uproar both domestically and abroad.
If that has such an impact in modern Earth, then in this medieval European world of swords and magic, national treasures are literally symbols of the nation.
That’s why Yuki-san and I didn't want to make a scene, but Ruth, Kinog, and Teague of Gartz—who deeply understand the importance of such treasures—panicked and entrusted the retrieval operation to Taizo-san.
As the representative of the Japanese.
Yuki-san and I are busy with being the King of Ranks or managing Weed, and we aren't the type to stand in the spotlight anyway. Thus, the arrow fell to Taizo-san, who is highly motivated due to the Shimazu Ichimonji affair.
"But as you can see from the retrieval document, the priority is the operation to lure out those thieves. Can you approve the budget and this execution plan?"
"Uhh, I need to check the available personnel, budget, and supplies with Ruth and Kinog..."
As I turned my gaze toward Ruth and Kinog...
"Yes! We have already begun selecting personnel. We will ensure there are no shortages and will even set aside surplus manpower."
"Yes! The budget has already been secured. The supplies will be provided by Yuki-dono, so there will be no delays. This matter could affect the very survival of Ranks. We will not be negligent. Naturally, we have left enough funds for the future operation of the country, so you have nothing to worry about."
Ah, they had been talking to Taizo-san earlier, hadn't they?
So they were just waiting for my "GO" sign.
Fine, fine. I just have to give the permission, right?
"That’s fine then. Start the preparations as planned. I don't want to hear that you 'didn't make it in time'."
" "Yes, sir!!" "
The two of them bolted out of the room, presumably to contact the relevant departments. I suppose their enthusiasm is a good thing.
"But Taizo-san, this operation is meaningless if the opponent doesn't move, right? What if they just hole up or play dumb? What do you think about that?"
"Haha. That has already been accounted for. You don't really think the two people who can be considered the enemy commanders will just stroll in over something like this, do you? The key is provocation."
"Provocation?"
"Indeed. With this provocation, the enemy will show some kind of movement. It might be hard to see on the surface, but Kirika-kun and Mauve-dono should be able to track the movements of Nogosh and Bitz. It is impossible for them to stay completely still."
"Ah, so you mean that when we leak this information, Bitz and Nogosh will inevitably make contact?"
"Exactly. Nogosh is also a king, so his movements are easy to track. If we follow him, we will arrive at Bitz. Then, we will rethink our strategy."
"I see."
"Well, we will also secretly send word from Ranks that, depending on the negotiations, we might be willing to return Rei."
Wow. Is that a temptation, or just a trap-filled offer?
They’re likely to fall for at least one of these.
"Well, we won't be directly involved in the preparations."
"Yes. That’s true."
If the planner has to do the actual legwork, that’s a sign of a dire situation.
The duty of those in charge is to ensure the budget, personnel, and supplies are secured so that it doesn't come to that.
"So, Taizo-san, will you be resting now? You’ve been working non-stop, haven't you?"