第１４４８堀：連絡と状況 (Part2)
"Indeed. We cross paths often due to the nature of our work, and above all, as you said, Yuki, Riel-sama is a truly radiant person. She treats even someone like me with great kindness. Well, as far as her work ethic goes, that’s another story."
Prol has been associated with Riel far longer than Fiora, Orelia, and the others. It seems her assessment aligns with my own.
"She often invites us out for meals."
"Yes~. Riel-sama is so approachable and always looks out for us~."
"She tells us about the best places to eat in the commercial district and where to find rare items. Even the plushie shop run by the Holy Sword Users was a recommendation from Riel-sama."
"I see. That sounds just like her."
It seems she’s been actively engaging with Orelia and the others, and her reputation is quite good. Well, treating people to meals or showing them around is something anyone might do, but that’s precisely why I worry a little. Not that I think Orelia and the others would ever dream of doing anything to harm Riel.
As I was lost in these thoughts, Prol posed a question.
"However, while it’s fine to expand our investigation further than before to account for the dark guild’s shadow operations, how do you plan to handle the situation in Irinau?"
"That part, huh. For now, we’ve adopted the proposal from Tori and the others: a strategy to flush out the unwitting accomplices. I’ve had the wives discuss that as well."
Following the talk with Tori and the others, the plan was to smoke out unwitting accomplices—like Miss Fusora—and use that to narrow down the dark guild’s network. Of course, that’s all thanks to the efforts of Kirika and her team.
Still...
"The enemy is targeting Irinau and attacking Kaya and the others to sow chaos. Their objective remains unclear."
As Nina said, the motive is a mystery.
"Indeed, as Nina-sama suggests, what could the dark guild be aiming for by planning this interference with us and Irinau? If they wanted to throw a wrench in the works, it would have been far more effective during the Kinauf incident."
"Fiora’s doubt is valid, but we don’t have the specifics yet. We’re still letting the executives swim free, so to speak. Right now, it’s all just speculation. If there is a motive, it’s likely just to stall us."
"Stall us?"
"Yeah. In this current climate, do you think they could actually incite a war by framing each other?"
"...No. Kinauf is practically in a state of surrender, and Irinau wants to resolve this as peacefully as possible. Unless something truly drastic happens, a war is unlikely."
"Exactly. Even if it became clear that the Intercontinental Exchange side had killed their king or heirs, it would still be a hard sell."
"Eh? Is that so? Even if the culprit is identified?"
Yayui reacted with surprise to my answer, so I explained.
"Yeah. To start a war, you need a justification, a *casus belli*. But the public already sees that the fault for this entire situation lies clearly with Kinauf and Irinau. They’re at a level where they’d be lucky to just have their royalty removed, let alone their entire country dismantled. And war is only an option if you’re guaranteed to win. Only a handful of loyalists would want to fight just to die."
Nobody fights a losing battle unless they’re exceptionally eccentric. As for whether Irinau has the guts for that...
"I see~. It’s hard to imagine them starting a war in this situation, indeed~."
"Rather, it would be more profitable to leverage this to lower any demands for reparations. Could that be the goal? To refuse the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance’s entry and investigation into the dark guild?"
"That’s not it."
"Orelia, if they did that, it would be as good as admitting they’re connected to the dark guild. If they refuse the investigation, Irinau’s isolation will be sealed, regardless of the circumstances."
"Ah, you’re right."
Well, there’s a non-zero chance that the dark guild or a Dungeon Master is providing support, but... what would that even accomplish?
"We can theorize all day, but let’s leave that to the people on the ground. Our priority is to sift through the paperwork and investigate. Oh, and since you’re all coming off an all-nighter, don’t push yourselves if you need to rest."
"Yes!"
"Ah, really? I’m going to sleep."
Hearing one overly energetic reply that I didn't quite trust and another completely devoid of motivation, we set to work as we always do.
Riel’s communication skills are truly top-tier. And since we’ve laid the groundwork with the relevant parties, we should be fine. Even so, the path ahead remains obscured.
Investigations are, after all, a tedious, steady grind.