第４９５堀：押さえておくべき情報源 (Part2)
No matter how much I hear about Baide or the Findar Empire, those are ultimately just two sources of information. To get a clear picture, one needs multifaceted intelligence, and that kind of information tends to congregate where the outcasts dwell.
You could call it a slum of sorts, but the residents there know all too well that information is literally a matter of life and death.
"But where should we go?"
"Yuki-sama, do you have any leads?"
"Yeah, Catherine told me about this place and has already made the arrangements. She wasn't exactly thrilled about us going there in person, though."
It’s a situation that could make it look like we’re in danger or that we can't manage the city properly. But such places exist everywhere. In Weed, for instance, it would be the Adventurer District. It isn't overtly dangerous, but there were those types who attacked Dressa and her group. If a place as young as Weed has such spots, it’s only natural that Baide does, too.
"That is true. But even if she made the arrangements, will they actually meet with us? I would imagine they’d be wary..."
Shera agreed with Catherine’s assessment but seemed doubtful that a meeting would actually take place.
"They'll be wary, sure, but they can't afford not to meet us. The leadership has changed, after all. If they refuse us, they risk putting themselves in danger."
"...I see. But do they have that kind of judgment? If they had that much foresight and information-gathering capability, wouldn't they have already escaped Baide?"
Shera’s point was valid, but it was a matter of perspective.
"True. Looking at the big picture, fleeing before getting caught up in the fighting would be the right move. But they’re outcasts to begin with. Even if they leave Baide, they have nowhere to go. Anyone with a place to go would have run away already."
The elites have connections elsewhere, but the common folk rarely do. For outcasts, that’s even more true. Organizations where such people gather are often quite robust; much like in movies where the yakuza are portrayed with a certain flair, they hold sway and are often looked up to. In that sense, the option of abandoning this city simply doesn't exist for them. Since even modern Earth hasn't been able to eradicate the yakuza or the mafia, it’s even less likely in this world.
"That is certainly true. However, will such people really hand over information so easily...?"
"That shouldn't be too much of a concern, since Catherine introduced us. Ah, that’s the shop."
"...The shop?"
Shera tilted her head, looking at the building in the back. It was understandable; at a glance, it was just a building with no sign. But unlike the shacks surrounding it, it was a simple two-story structure. The fact that Catherine knew it immediately meant it stood out quite clearly in this area. To make it obvious, a rough-looking man who appeared to be a lookout was standing guard.
He noticed us and called out.
"You must be the ones the boss mentioned. Let’s see that letter of introduction."
"Will this do?"
"Yep, that’s the lord’s seal. Get inside."
I thought there might be trouble, but there wasn't; we were ushered into the building without incident. There was a proper reception room, and shortly after we were led inside, a man appeared.
"Welcome to the trash heap of Baide, our new big shots."
He looked to be in his late thirties, and with his beard, he looked older than Mauve.
"Want a drink? Well, it’s nothing as good as what they have at the lord’s place. Ah, but I’ve got some hidden stock of liquor, so I think that’ll hold its own."
"You’re more welcoming than I expected."
"...Honestly, I thought this whole thing was a lost cause. You might have found us a nuisance, but for us, you were a godsend. Besides, I already know that resisting is futile—those girls over there tossed me around with the rest of the soldiers the other day."
Ah, so he was among them.
"You’re cooperating with Catherine more than I thought."
"I owed her old man. He’s the one who gave me the responsibility of managing this dump. Catherine-jouchan recognizes us, too. It’s a give-and-take relationship."
So, these connections already exist in Baide. It makes things easier, I suppose.
"I see. In that case, I’ll have some liquor sent over later, so give me the information. Based on what you said, you’ve heard about our circumstances, right?"
"Yeah. That princess and those magic students were a plague on me, Catherine-jouchan, and apparently, on you lot too."
"Then we can skip the pleasantries. Tell me about the situation in the surrounding countries. And if you have anything on Baide and the Empire, give me the details."
"Understood. By the way, what should I call you?"
"Yuki is fine."
"Yuki, huh. I’m Big. I hope we can get along."
With that, Big began to speak. Now, let’s see what kind of information we can get.
As you’ve likely realized by now, Aslin, Shera, and Vilia have grown quite impressively. There’s a certain shrewdness in choosing to move about in their "little girl" forms. There may be friendship involved, but there could be other motives as well. Women are terrifying.
And so, they begin to move to gather information from the general public. With this, we should have all the intelligence currently available. Why don't you all consider our next move after hearing this information?