第１３１６堀：侵入者について (Part2)
I take the document and verify its contents.
"They’ve already shown their tails. And three groups at that. They truly lack the patience for subtlety. To think they’d even involve their families..."
"Well, it’s a blatant front. We’ve been tracking them, and since they’re even exchanging messages within Weed, I suspect they’re here to monitor our movements. However, they aren’t doing anything overtly suspicious. They’re merely relaying the internal affairs of Weed through casual conversation and letters. If the police were to move on them now, they’d simply brush it off as idle chatter."
"Of course, we shall let them swim for now. Every nation engages in the exchange of information to some degree. Still, I never imagined that those who so brazenly call themselves the 'Anti-Weed Coalition' would operate in such a manner."
Indeed, the reason we could identify them as spies based on mere conversations and letters lies in the titles revealed by the Appraisal System. Weed is a dungeon city. Unless one employs exceptionally robust jamming, its functions allow for the viewing of status windows. Their identities are laid bare.
Granted, Yuki-sama remains skeptical regarding the numerical representation of status. After all, figures fluctuate easily with the use of weapons, armor, or tools. He has often remarked that he refuses to be lulled into complacency by mere numbers.
However, identity and titles are a different matter. Since entering Yuki-sama’s service, I have utilized the Appraisal ability myself, and I have come to understand that for an identity to manifest, it is essential that the individual perceives themselves as such, or that a vast number of people perceive them that way.
A clear example would be Mauve and his companions. Before they assaulted Elju-sama and her party, they had been pillaging villages and towns in Roschur as part of the Gartz invading force. At that time, titles and criminal records—such as 'Murderer'—were attached to them. In this world, killing and looting during wartime are considered standard practice. One kills to diminish the enemy’s strength, and one seizes their resources. In other words, these acts are not inherently viewed as 'evil,' yet Mauve and his men bore those specific records. Conversely, other Gartz soldiers who participated in the war did not carry such titles. This led me to conclude that perception is the very foundation upon which identity, titles, and criminal records are built.
"Well, they likely assume their status windows are not being peered into. Even so, the volume of documents this time is substantial."
"Indeed. There are twenty individuals in total."
"Sigh. It is convenient to know their identities, but we cannot be certain if all of them will turn hostile. In fact, even among those who bear the 'Anti-Weed Coalition' title, those outside of the three groups haven't even attempted to send a single letter."
"It is obvious that if we suppress the three groups acting recklessly, the others will cease their movements. For now, we have no choice but to keep them under surveillance."
"Including those from the Anti-Weed Coalition who have already taken up residence, we are approaching a count of fifty."
"...That is a disagreeable number. Should something occur, those fifty, along with the infiltrators posing as tourists, could rise up in unison. While they cannot bring weapons inside, suppressing a group of that size without causing harm to the exchange students, their associates, or the tourists would be a Herculean task."
"Then you are saying that even as things stand, they are a sufficient threat. The only consolation is that among the citizens of Weed, there are none who harbor such grievances."
"Isn't that a bit naive? I would not call them fools, but people are easily deceived. Just as I once clung to Litea for so long, seeking a divine miracle..."
There is a undeniable weight to Prol’s words. Perhaps it is because they are born of her own lived experience. I cannot say with absolute certainty that no one will be swayed by the strange whispers of these infiltrators.
"...Prol. I had intended to take more time, but it would be best to report this situation immediately. Present your report to Yuki-sama, including the opinions you have just shared."
"Eh!?"
Prol is flustered, but the safety of our nation and Yuki-sama must come first. The Intelligence Department has already established its sub-organizations and is in motion. As the head of Intelligence, Kirika is busy in more ways than one.
Now then, what is the proper way to deal with these intruders?