第１００６堀：報告あり (Part1)
**Chapter 1006: Report Received**
**Side: Eupia**
"…And so, the establishment of the Information Management Bureau is complete. All that remains is the training of personnel for actual operations."
Show, who had been working at a breakneck pace to prepare for the opening of the Information Management Bureau, reported the progress to me.
However…
"And what of the search for the individuals who seem to be entering and exiting that mansion, as mentioned in your initial report?"
That mansion. Apparently, some unscrupulous characters have been frequenting it. For some reason, Firia decided to go ahead and use that very building, but as for me, I cannot shake a lingering sense of unease without knowing who those people are.
Well, I suppose I understand the logic behind Firia’s reasoning—that because of the rumors of ghosts, few people approach the mansion, making it easier to spot suspicious individuals. Even so, the anxiety remains, which is why I have had Show investigating it.
Now that we are finally beginning the training of personnel for the Information Management Bureau, we must apprehend such interlopers quickly, or it will inevitably lead to information leaks.
"My apologies. We have yet to grasp their true identities. The nobleman in the backyard, the blood-stained woman by the window, and the monster wandering the halls—we have not encountered any of them thus far. Furthermore, there have been no approaches by outsiders other than our own patrolling soldiers."
"Hmm. Those rumors seem to be nothing more than a means to keep people away. Still, it is strange that someone would go out of their way to do such a thing in the Noble District."
"Yes. I never imagined such things would occur in the Noble District, where security is so tight. We are currently further strengthening the checks on entry and exit to the district to flush out any suspicious persons."
"Indeed. But tell me, the Noble District is supposed to have gates that restrict access from the start. Does this imply an inside job?"
The Noble District is not merely a place where those of high status reside. Because many who hold key positions in the government live there, it serves both to protect their persons and to prevent espionage. Therefore, the security is quite rigorous. I find it hard to believe that anyone could slip through so easily.
"…We are conducting our investigation with that possibility in mind."
"Very well. Continue to gather intelligence. Though it will not be made public, the Information Management Bureau will be the second nerve center of our nation. Ensure its safety beyond a shadow of a doubt."
"Understood."
I know that Show is well aware of the gravity of what I am saying, but I make a point to voice the order regardless. It is that level of importance.
"Now, setting aside the investigation of the suspicious persons, how are you handling the security?"
"Yes. Regarding that, we do not intend to set up a large-scale guard unit, but rather to deploy an intelligence unit."
"Is that because the ones coming to snoop are likely of that same ilk?"
"Yes. And if those who spread the rumors find that our defenses are thin, they will likely try to infiltrate again."
"I see. Is that why you only invited Firia and her guards to transport the supplies for the Information Management Bureau?"
"Exactly."
No wonder they didn't make a grand announcement even after the building for the Information Management Bureau was completed. As I thought that through, I remembered something.
"Ah, this is also the 'concealment of information' that Firia spoke of, isn't it?"
"Yes, exactly. Just as our intelligence unit is unknown to the public, Firia-advisor’s words were that the Information Management Bureau should also be kept from the public eye."
"If they don't know it exists, they won't think to probe it, will they?"
"Precisely. Therefore, we are continuing to promote the Military Headquarters as usual, focusing the public's attention there."
"Indeed. That is for the best."
*Ugh.* As expected, Firia—or rather, Weed—has a way of managing information that is several levels above what we had conceived, and it is perfectly logical. It is the most effective method of information management and operation possible.
The fact that it has come to this clearly means that such precision was actually necessary, but…
"…Hmm. To think that a battle requiring such accuracy exists… it is a terrifying thought."
"Indeed. And this technology was provided to us merely as a system. Naturally, on the ground, we are required to respond and improve according to ever-changing situations, and if we are given the latest information, we must adapt. In other words…"
"Weed is far, far ahead of us even in intelligence. Well, the idea that they kindly and honestly gave us the latest information is… unlikely, isn't it?"
"Impossible."
Both Show and I know full well that they would never do such a foolish thing. Queen Seraria and Yuki-dono are not so dull-witted.
"Well, for now, that terrifyingly powerful nation is our ally. That is something to be happy about."
"A 'powerful nation'… is it? Though in terms of land area, they are smaller than even a minor nation."
"A country cannot be measured solely by the breadth of its land or the number of its soldiers. This was a good example of that. Even the guards and maids I took with me, upon seeing it with their own eyes, did not dare to look down on them as some nameless, insignificant small country."
"I am no one to talk, but initially, many of my subordinates were skeptical as well. Even the maids, who would never normally doubt your Majesty's words, were the same."
"Indeed. When we said we were going to Weed ourselves, they all spoke in unison to oppose it, saying we must not go."
"Well, from the perspective of safety, and with the only information being that your Majesty was visiting a small country they had never even heard of, it is only natural that they would oppose it."
"I know. I know, which is why I did not punish a single one of them."
"If you had decided to punish them, I would have stopped you."
Naturally. It was not the time to show such narrow-mindedness.
"Well, before we went, I was anxious that even if they saw Weed with their own eyes, my subordinates' doubts might not be dispelled… but they gave us souvenirs that blew those doubts away."
"Indeed. That was intentional. I wouldn't go so far as to say they were targeting the rank and file, but they likely showed their hospitality to the fullest to earn the trust of not just us, but our subordinates as well."
When everyone is captivated by the food in Weed and told to buy as many souvenirs as they like, they are bound to be impressed and think of them as generous. And it wasn't just about winning over the subordinates I brought along…
"Just going for a sightseeing trip wouldn't convince those who didn't go."
"That is exactly why they gave us those souvenirs. When such treasures are distributed so freely, even those who didn't go might not know exactly what to believe, but the name 'Weed' will surely remain in their memories."
"No, since we who went are not denying it, they will believe. With this, Weed is now widely recognized from the top down as an ally of Zrable. Yuki-dono… I do not know if he thought of this himself, but either way, we should consider Weed to be skilled in diplomacy as well."
I see. Yuki-dono is indeed a greater tactician than I had imagined. Certainly, if we say we trust them, and our subordinates bring back a mountain of souvenirs that others find hard to believe, and then distribute them to their superiors, subordinates, and even acquaintances, the name of Weed will spread in the blink of an eye.
"To ask 'why did they do this?' would be a foolish question, wouldn't it?"