第１４２７堀：小さいところから準備をしていく (Part1)
Chapter 1427: Preparing from the Smallest Details
Side: Labyris
Yuki is as Yuki as ever.
During the recent meeting, everyone was worried about how the others would react to Litea’s extremely hardline stance, but they were shocked by the support measures proposed as a pacification strategy.
Usually, you don’t offer support to a country that has been doing bad things.
But then again, there is nothing more effective than this.
While a country might have individuals connected to dark guilds or Dungeon Masters, not everyone is involved.
There are, of course, people who despise such things.
By offering support while simultaneously purging the dark guilds those people hate, the country can justify its actions by claiming they were just caught up in the mess and won’t be held criminally liable.
Once things are set up this far, one could even consider creating a group of "bad actors" to turn in, but to account for even those possibilities, personnel like me who can use mind-reading are useful.
With one or two of us in every country, there’s no room for falsehoods.
They know that, so they’ll surely be investigating thoroughly on their end as well, since they don't know what might happen otherwise.
Furthermore, regarding the support, we’ve steered it so that cash is minimal, making it more profitable to receive support for construction and business projects. This prevents funds from flowing into the dark guilds, and we’ve even included an item for "weapons for monster subjugation."
Those are equipped with tracking systems created through the cooperation of Narjia, Zargis, and Comet.
It comes with the bonus that if they flow into the dark guilds, we can track them down.
Once you hear all that, you can’t help but be convinced after the initial surprise.
After all, it becomes a means to pursue dark guilds whose tails we could never catch.
"Hey, Labyris-chan. Why do you think we were called to the principal’s office?"
"That is correct. I think we could have talked about this at home."
As I was thinking about these things, Aslin and Firia approached me with those questions.
We are currently attending the International Exchange School, observing how things are going.
That said, there aren't any particular problems, and we spend our days leisurely.
Of course, there are minor troubles due to cultural differences, but nothing that would escalate into a major issue.
And then, we were summoned to the principal’s office via a broadcast, in a way that made it obvious to everyone.
Everyone knows we were called by the principal, Ratz.
Both of them are tilting their heads, not understanding why they would choose to announce something in a way that draws so much attention.
"That is true. If it’s something to be discussed at school, it must be related to school matters. Above all, it’s not just us—Vilia, Dressa, and Hiiro were called as well."
"Hmm. A gathering of Onii-sama’s wives who attend school."
"Wives is correct, but... it feels ominous, doesn't it?"
"True. We do have military standing, so maybe it’s related to that?"
"If it were military-related, I’d be excluded. Besides, that’s something that should be discussed at the military department."
I said this in response to Dressa’s off-base answer, and as I opened the door to the principal’s office, Ratz and Eris were there, doing paperwork on the desk as usual.
Or so I thought.
"Oh, welcome. Seeing you come in like that in your school uniforms really makes it feel like you’re students."
Yuki was there for some reason, too.
Ah, Fiora, Orelia, and Ryshi are there with him as well.
"I’m happy you all came, but please wait just a little longer~"
"We’ll be done in a moment, so have a seat."
It seems the two of them can’t step away from their work just yet, so they asked us to wait.
Since I know the principal’s office well, we didn't sit on the sofa; I just sat on Yuki’s lap.
"So, Yuki, why are you here?"
"You just sat on my lap so naturally."
"It’s fine. I’ve been busy lately, too."
Yes, unlike Aslin and the others, I’ve been given the role of a Dungeon Master for Weed, so I have a lot of work regarding the provision of supplies.
You might think it’s just a matter of handing things over, but looking at the mountain of documents handed to me by Eris and Ratz, I have to actually provide them on-site, and of course, there’s the inspection process—you have no idea how hard that is.
Moreover, since the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance and the International Exchange School began, the supply requirements have increased even further.
Of course, when it gets too busy, Yuki and the others help out, but since I am the one officially designated as the Dungeon Master, I can’t just skip it.
That’s why the number of times I get to sit on Yuki’s lap or ride on his shoulders has decreased.
So, this much is fine.
"So, for the second time, what is the reason you’re here?"
"Because I had business with you, Labyris."
"With us?"
Aslin and the others tilt their heads at my words.
"Unyu? You could have told us at home, you know?"
"That is correct. Onii-sama is busy, so coming all the way here is a lot of trouble."
"Hmm. Onii-sama shouldn't push himself. He should rest properly."
"That’s right. Onii-sama pushes himself too hard."
Aslin and the others were genuinely worried about Yuki’s fatigue due to his busy schedule, but...
"Hmm. If Yuki-san came here in person, is it related to the school?"
"That’s right. Since Yuki went out of his way to come to the school, it must be related to that. Well, maybe he just missed us so much he couldn't help himself."
"Ah, if it’s the latter as Dressa says, I’ll be happy to keep you company, you know?"
I say that with a smile, but—
"Unfortunately, I didn't come here for a break like that. Now, regarding the reason I came, let me explain before Ratz and Eris finish their work. It’s not a difficult story."
Yuki said that and began to speak again.
"Yesterday, you remember the talk about the forced investigations and support we’re going to launch against those two countries, right?"
"Yes, I remember."
It’s a method that balances the carrot and the stick.
A brilliant move, one could say, since we can’t just leave them be.
But that is only possible because we have vast resources and funds.
No, it means that to do anything, you need the corresponding power and supplies.
Weed has that much power.
We are challenging them by fully utilizing the power we can wield precisely because we have worked so hard.
"So, as part of the information manipulation, I want you to talk about these forced investigations and the support measures at this school where you all are currently."
"Eh, is that alright?"
Shera’s face shows her surprise.
That’s only natural.
Usually, such matters would be classified information, and you’d be told to keep it to yourself.
"It’s fine. I’ve already made contact with each country. The goal is to increase credibility by having the information flow not just to the top, but to the citizens regarding the support as well. In that sense, refusing this forced investigation would mean..."