第１２６８堀：相手が誰だろうがやることは変わらない (Part1)
Chapter 1268: No Matter Who the Opponent Is, the Task Remains the Same
Side: Yuki
"I see. So that’s what Lowell is up to."
"Yes. She was even paying attention to the movements of the merchants."
I’m looking over the documents Seraria received from Lowell.
Truth be told, she isn’t actually dim-witted, but she tends to wear her identity as a warrior on her sleeve more than Seraria does.
Well, if it got out that she was deceptively sharp, it would only attract strange characters, and more importantly, it would make it harder for her to move freely.
"For now, let’s set aside the merchant’s movements for later. Before that, what are you planning to do regarding the royal families studying abroad?"
"‘What am I planning,’ you ask... well, each country has its own intentions, don’t they? That said, since the main royals can likely attend through conferences and such, I think it would be better to yield those spots to those who don’t often get such opportunities. I mean, I understand the desire to build a track record by escorting royals here, but I have to wonder if it’s truly necessary."
In the first place, royals are used to having others do things for them.
They surely have countless other educational opportunities elsewhere.
"I told them that, too. I suggested that the sons and daughters of dukes would be fine as well."
"Well, that’s a reasonable compromise. After all, we’re hoping for the growth of children who rarely have the chance to visit Weed."
"But won’t there be a disparity based on status and position?"
"That’s inevitable, but the Weed study-abroad system officially prohibits discrimination based on status or position. If we allowed that, they wouldn’t be able to learn properly. More than that, it would imply that nobles are allowed to strut around Weed acting arrogant and haughty."
"Ah, in that case, I’ll just cut them down."
Seraria’s eyes narrow into sharp slits.
I wouldn’t say Seraria leans toward the commoners, but she holds the belief that a noble should be a model for the people.
That’s why, if some idiot tries to rest on the laurels of their status, she really will cut them down.
"Cut it out. Keep it to a stern warning at most. It would be a disaster if the Queen of Weed executed a student she personally welcomed."
"I’m joking."
I’m tempted to think she’s actually serious, but perhaps relaying Seraria’s threat clearly might actually be a good thing for the students.
Should I inform the various countries in advance?
Yeah, that might actually be a good idea.
"Anyway, I understand the situation with the royal students. I’ll handle the communication from our end."
"Yes, please do. Now, can we return to the subject of the merchants?"
"You’re quite fixated on that, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. I heard that the 'Dark Guild' is involved."
"The Dark Guild... that’s the guild that takes on all sorts of shady jobs, right?"
They’re essentially assassins.
However, I heard that their headquarters in the capital of Rumel fell into dysfunction after they poked at Tanaka and suffered damage bordering on total annihilation.
Well, the top brass was wiped out, so it’s probably more accurate to say they can no longer function as an organized body.
"That’s right. By the way, there’s also the 'Thieves' Guild,' which is sometimes confused with them, but they deal with anti-theft measures, exploration, and picking locks on treasure chests."
"Ah, I remember those guys."
Yes, unlike the Adventurers' Guild, the Thieves' Guild is officially recognized on this continent.
They are recognized as experts in disarming traps and picking locks.
If you were to compare them to Japan, they’re like locksmiths.
Just as people trust that a locksmith won’t commit a burglary, the Thieves' Guild is built upon that same kind of trust.
It’s like how a country might hire a brilliant hacker; they hire skilled thieves to be on the side that sets up the countermeasures.
"And Lowell says there are rumors that the Dark Guild, which had been lying low for a while, has started moving again."
"And you think they’re connected to the merchants?"
"Exactly. It helps that you’re quick on the uptake. The Rumel headquarters was crushed, right? I don’t know if that’s the reason, but they seem to have concluded that getting directly involved with nations is dangerous, so there’s talk that they’re mainly taking jobs from merchants now."
"I see."
That makes sense. Since their base in Rumel was thoroughly dismantled—executives and all—they likely decided that connecting with nations was too risky and limited their clientele.
Well, as a target, it’s a logical choice.
"And you think there’s a possibility they’ll enter Weed through those merchants?"
"It’s not an impossible scenario, is it?"
"I suppose not. If their only goal is to assassinate VIPs, there’s no better chance than this."
I doubt the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance would collapse over something like that, but it would certainly cause some stagnation in their activities.
I see—it’s easier to disguise things as personal grudges rather than organized acts by a nation, and since they’re used to being hired for money, merchants who don’t represent a country are more likely suspects, aren't they?
Well, they make for convenient disposable pawns, don't they?
I suppose I need to investigate that area in more detail.
"I’m sure we’ll be vigilant, but it’s not like someone harboring a guilty conscience would brazenly march into a residential district newly created for a study-abroad program, right?"
"Well, that’s true. So, if they’re going to use a cover, merchants, who are always coming and going, are the best choice."
"That’s what Lowell thinks. Besides, in the countries belonging to the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, they basically want to handle hostile forces at the water’s edge—that is, within their own borders. No matter how much we declare that we won’t hold them criminally liable, there are secrets they don’t want uncovered, and accepting an investigation is proof that they couldn’t stop the crime internally."
As Seraria says, even if we announce that we’ll grant amnesty, the label of being a country that produced criminals will stick, and they’ll be forced to accept investigative teams that will pry into their affairs.
That is, without a doubt, an act that destroys a nation’s face.
"Still, every country is the same when it comes to taking action to prevent crimes beforehand. There isn’t a single one that doesn't."
"Well, yes. So, couldn’t there be a possibility that they’ll set their sights on Weed instead?"
"…You mean to investigate Weed thoroughly?"
"Yes. If they investigate the origin and decide to go into that country to conduct an investigation, then if Weed is the origin, they’ll investigate Weed, won’t they?"
"If that happens, Weed will become dysfunctional... That’s truly troublesome."
"From there, another country might step forward and claim the right to manage it."
"That sounds all too plausible."
This kind of pulling the rug out from under each other is usually a massive headache.
After all, in most cases, they’ve already fortified their surroundings well before they actually move to take action.
"Don’t you think we should talk about that beforehand, or it’ll become a pain later?"