第９６４堀：尋問と血染め悪魔 (Part1)
**Chapter 964: Interrogation and the Blood-Stained Devil**
**Side: Mauve**
"So, why exactly are we the ones on guard duty?"
That’s right. For some reason, we’re currently here to act as bodyguards for Yuki—a task that makes absolutely no sense. Guarding this guy is, quite literally, a pointless job.
No, that’s not to say the girls' work is meaningless. It’s just that, to prevent unnecessary women from getting too close, it’s better to have his wives constantly by his side.
"No, Mauve. Yuki is a Prince Consort, isn't he? No matter how strong he is personally, there’s no way he can go off to interrogate an enemy alone."
"Raiya is right. Honestly, I would have been fine going alone, but the wives insisted that wouldn't do, so I tried to play it off by having you guys come along, but..."
"Hmm. The idea of Yuki being in a situation without his wives' protection is simply unacceptable."
"Exactly. Yuki-sama, please value yourself more."
And so, it’s not just us acting as guards; Deryu and the young lady Qual are here too. But no matter how you look at it, we’re truly unnecessary combat power.
"I understand that guards are necessary, but wouldn't Deryu and Qual be enough? Plus, there’s the guard for the Great Imperial Envoy, Show-dono, right?"
Indeed, if there were zero men present, I’d understand, but the Zuraburu Great Empire has brought a bunch of intimidating-looking guys to guard that young lady, Show. If it’s an interrogation, we should just leave it to them.
"It’s not that simple. Show-dono’s people are Zuraburu soldiers, through and through. We, Weed, have to provide our own people."
"Is that how it works?"
"That’s how it works."
As I thought, I don’t understand politics at all. All I can do is stroll around town and keep the peace—that’s the extent of my capabilities. As we were talking, Show-dono joined the conversation.
"Yuki-sama. Pardon the interruption during your chat. May I ask a question?"
"What is it?"
"You speak to Mauve-dono and the others as if you are on equal footing. Are they not your retainers?"
"Ah, well, technically they are, but they were adventurers originally. We’ve had this relationship since before I became Prince Consort. I’ve given them permission not to stand on ceremony, and they’ve earned the right to that treatment through their achievements."
"I see. Former adventurers. That explains their demeanor. I didn't realize the profession of 'adventurer' existed on the other side of the Great Mountain Range."
"Well, even if it exists, only a handful of us ever become famous. Most guys eventually quit, find normal work, go back to the countryside, or, well, end up as corpses."
"It seems adventurers there are not much different from ours."
Show nodded at my words. It’s a harsh world; every profession is the same everywhere. Only a few make it big. And the life of an adventurer is just one where death is a frequent visitor.
However, something caught my interest.
"According to what you said, Show-dono, adventurers exist here as well, don't they?"
I knew there was an Adventurer’s Guild here related to the reconstruction of Aurelia Port, but I hadn't looked into it. We were far too busy with the reconstruction. When I asked Show-dono what the adventurers here actually do...
"Yes. The Adventurer’s Guild handles the tasks that we, as administrators, cannot manage—the work that slips through our fingers. It’s mostly related to monster subjugation. And, of course, exploring uncharted lands or caves."
What a shame. It seems there really isn't much difference from the Rogari Continent. Well, that’s what adventurers are, I suppose. You’re an adventurer because you go on adventures. It would be a problem if they expected us to provide them with academic knowledge or wisdom anyway.
"Well, let’s save the talk about adventurers for later. Shall we proceed with the interrogation of Hein?"
Yuki stopped in front of a heavy iron door. This appeared to be the interrogation room. There were goblins standing guard, so there was no mistake.
By the way, the Hein members who resisted were currently in the cells in the basement of this governor’s mansion. Those who surrendered peacefully were waiting on the captured Hein ships. Even though they were only five small merchant vessels, there were over a hundred people, so we couldn't bring them all into Aurelia Port. Well, we did sink two of them in that battle.
If we carelessly brought the Hein people ashore and they attacked the port, we could handle it, but the people living in Aurelia Port would suffer without being able to fight back. We couldn't let that happen, so the surrendered forces were kept at sea.
Still, after being blown away by Deryu and seeing their ships sunk by an aircraft carrier, I doubt they’d try anything stupid. The only ones foolish enough to try would be the ones locked in these cells.
I saw the footage from that time, and even I was surprised. Yuki explained the background, but that attitude was inexcusable. They acted as if the Emperor and the Hein Empire were so high and mighty. Well, it’s a typical response from rotten aristocrats.
...And now, the interrogation. It’s a hassle, but since Yuki and the others were going in, we had no choice but to follow.
Inside, the arrogant guy from the footage was sitting there...
"You! To treat me, an envoy of Hein, in such a manner! Do you think you will be forgiven for this?!"
...Or so I thought. The moment he saw us, he stood up and started pounding on the table, screaming.
At that attitude, Show-dono’s guards immediately moved to protect her, and we took up a defensive formation around Yuki. Still, everyone must have expected this much. Not a single person panicked or overreacted; we simply proceeded with the interrogation.
"Unfortunately, in our country, we do not consider someone who raises a weapon against us to be an envoy."
"What are you talking about! Weed? Sea-Cypho? I’ve never heard of such—"
Before he could bark any further, Show-dono stepped forward and slammed a document onto the table.
"This is the trade record for Aurelia Port. The name 'Sea-Cypho' is in here. And it has been for a very long time. The Kingdom of Gusdo has had dealings with the Sea-Cypho for ages. And it is that Sea-Cypho that has accompanied Weed here as a friendly nation."
"Guh..."
Oh, she silenced the noisy one by presenting the evidence.