第１００７堀：微妙に進む事態 (Part1)
### Chapter 1007: A Situation Progressing Subtly
**Side: Yuki**
"Report the details on that."
"Understood. Regarding that..."
Magno-dono paused there and turned his gaze toward me, so I gave a nod in return.
"Yuki-sama happens to be here, so I will have him report in my stead."
*“What? Yuki-dono is there? As expected, or perhaps... isn't that a bit too fast?”*
"Regarding that, I was already planning to visit to oversee the transport of supplies, so I happened to arrive early. My apologies for the delayed greeting."
Originally, I had a meeting scheduled with the Emperor of Eupia later, so I had used the pretext of accompanying the supply transport to check on Firia and the others. I never dreamed that the Highn Empire would arrive at this exact moment today. Honestly, it makes me want to suspect someone planned this just to mess with me.
*“I see. That actually works out conveniently for us as well. Since you are at the Information Management Bureau, the distance is short. Could you come over and explain the details in person?”*
"Understood. That would be better. I will head over there immediately."
*“Very well. I shall have a conference room prepared for you.”*
And so, I ended up heading toward the Imperial Castle where the Emperor of Eupia was waiting, but...
"So, why did you go out of your way to stop by here, Yuki, even though you had such important information?"
"That’s right. You should have just gone straight to the Emperor of Eupia’s place from the start."
"No, I only just got the confirmation a moment ago. The supply transport was just an excuse to come early and check on Firia and the others."
"Big Brother, Firia-chan is doing just fine."
"Yes, Yuki-san. Firia is working hard, so you don't need to worry."
"I think being this overprotective is a bit much, don't you? Right, Deryu?"
"Indeed. You need not worry; our little sister is doing just fine."
"I know, I know. But still, can you blame a guy for worrying about his precious wives?"
"Muu. When you put it that way, I can't really say anything. Firia and the others were often worried about you too, Brother."
"That's true~."
"Haa, I suppose that can't be helped."
"When you put it like that, I guess you're right."
"Well, I suppose so. Still, take this opportunity to improve a little. If you’re too overprotective, it just becomes a form of restriction."
"I know, I know."
After receiving a light lecture from Firia and the others, I promptly left the Information Management Bureau.
"So, how was it?"
I joined up with Tori and the others who had been waiting outside the mansion, and as we walked toward the Imperial Castle, I checked the results of the investigation into the surrounding area.
"They haven't done anything in particular."
"Yeah~. I think they’re just watching us."
"...Surprisingly little movement."
"I see. We had reports of suspicious individuals being spotted, but they can't move on that alone, so they came to gather evidence... I suppose things don't go that smoothly."
My reason for coming here wasn't just to check on Firia and the others. It was also to investigate the suspicious rumors surrounding the Information Management Bureau's mansion. That’s why I had the security team composed of Tori and the other police members.
"I wish we could have allocated more personnel for surveillance, though."
"That's impossible. There are tons of countries we're monitoring even now. We can't station that many people just to defend the Information Management Bureau, which isn't even our main base."
"...Besides, this place is the Imperial Capital of the Zurable Empire. If we overstep our bounds and start arresting suspicious people, they won't be happy about it, and it would raise questions about how we identified them in the first place."
"That's true."
We are still keeping the existence of our dungeon-based surveillance system a secret from the Zurable side. After all, we are operating it completely without permission, and since it actually encompasses the Imperial Castle itself, it could be seen as an act of blatant aggression. If we're not careful, our friendly relations could go up in smoke.
"For now, all we can do is report the information that suspicious individuals are approaching the mansion. It would be a problem if we started tracking and investigating them on our own."
"It's a hassle, though~. Whenever you stick your nose into jurisdictions or organizations that aren't yours, you get scolded."
"...Riel, you ignore jurisdictions and organizations too much. Just like Deryu, you use your 'Special Duty' authority as an excuse to barge into other places and cause a mess, which is why you're disliked."
"Boo! It's for the sake of the job!"
"That doesn't mean you should just go barging into the Adventurer's Guild, the Commercial Management Bureau, or the General Government Building."
"...Complaints have reached Milly, Ratz, and Eris. I understand that you want to hammer down criminals, but you can't act in a way that makes people who are cooperating with the investigation feel uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry."
Under the pincer movement of Tori and Kaya’s scolding, Riel apologized honestly. The police hold significant authority, which naturally invites a lot of backlash. While it’s true that Riel’s case-solving rate is high, it seems there are complaints that her investigations are too heavy-handed. Currently, Riel herself is popular as the face of the police department, so those people are keeping quiet, but the common rumor is that after Riel leaves, the police will face a difficult situation as a backlash.
Even within Weed, such investigations are often difficult, so there’s no way we could openly conduct investigations of suspicious persons here in the capital of the Zurable Empire.
"Well, let's talk about that with the Emperor of Eupia. If they ask us for investigative cooperation, we can cooperate openly."
"Ah, that's right~! We just need to get permission from Emperor Eupia!"
"Hey, Riel. You can't call him that."
"...The Emperor of Eupia would probably laugh and forgive you, but his subordinates won't. Riel, what would you do if a stranger suddenly started talking to Yuki familiarly and tried to touch him?"
"I'd kill them."
"No... is 'if they touch him' the extra part? Also, Riel, you reach that conclusion way too quickly."
I couldn't help but retort to such a violent answer. Still, it is a fact that if you treat a foreign authority figure with a crude attitude, they won't be pleased. I think that’s what Kaya wanted to teach her, but...
"No, that part is absolutely forbidden, Yuki-san. The only reason a stranger would contact you, Yuki-san, is for assassination."
"Eh..."
"It's not an 'eh.' And Riel, you understand now, right? To avoid making people around you uncomfortable, you have to call him 'Emperor' properly."
"...Yes. Riel, you should do that properly."
"Okay~."
"Well, let's get going."
Despite the slightly violent detour, we reached the conference room where the Emperor of Eupia was waiting while we were having that conversation.
"Indeed. You have come, Yuki-dono."
"Yes. My apologies for keeping you waiting."
The Emperor of Eupia was already waiting in the conference room and welcomed us. Well, since I was already in the castle, it was only natural that I arrived early. After finishing the greetings and taking the seat I was guided to, Show stepped forward to begin moderating.
"Then, without further ado, regarding the matter we were contacted about earlier..."
"Wait, it's no fun to jump straight into business."
"Your Majesty..."
"Show, do not make such a face. Now, Yuki-dono, let me confirm: this matter regarding the Highn Empire—it isn't the case that they are currently leading an army and closing in on the borders of our Zurable, is it?"
"No. According to the radio I provided, they said they would rest and resupply at the port for about three days before heading to the Imperial Capital."
"I see. So you are analyzing the geography and their movements?"
"Yes."
As I concisely explained the core of the Highn situation for this meeting, the Emperor of Eupia turned to Show.
"There you have it. It is not an urgent matter. It will be a long session anyway. Let us have some small talk first."
"...Haa. Yuki-sama, I apologize for calling you here only for it to end up like this. I am truly sorry."