第１４８５堀：どんな話がいいでしょうか？ (Part2)
"To put it simply, the Ewai Kingdom seems to enjoy a degree of protection from Gartz. It’s quite a distance from both Rumel and Gartz, so it’s less about who claims them and more about whoever has the spare resources to look their way. If you had to divide them by sphere of influence, though, it leans toward Rumel."
"…Ah, a small nation of that caliber, then."
I suppose they have no choice but to seek shelter under someone’s umbrella to avoid trouble.
"Calling them 'that kind of country' sounds a bit harsh, but are they actually okay? What about public order?"
"Surprisingly peaceful, apparently. Though, their trends and fashions are hopelessly outdated, but that’s to be expected given the distance."
"So, there’s no seed of conflict?"
"Exactly. They don’t possess gold or treasures that would invite envy, nor do they have any notable products. There are no dungeons spawning monsters, and they hold no strategic importance. In a sense, their location is nothing short of a miracle."
Indeed, a place so devoid of value that it remains peaceful—that truly sounds like a miraculous location.
"Well, that’s precisely why the talk turned to us handling the lodging and defensive facilities for the alliance, including Lowell."
"So, they don't have the budget to prepare anything themselves, nor the military strength to maintain order?"
"Better that than them putting on airs and failing."
He has a point. If they tried to act tough and took on the responsibility only to have it collapse, that would be worse. If we’re the ones handling it, we avoid the headache of cleaning up the aftermath, so I suppose I should be grateful.
"So, does that mean I—or rather, Ranks—will be under the Gartz umbrella?"
"That’s how it will be. Also, while you’re participating, I’d like you to purchase a slave or two."
"In connection to the Dark Guild?"
"Yes. If you can target anyone, aim for that former princess who supposedly knows the location of the 'eye-catching' treasure."
"Huh? That’s got to be a lie."
I stated it flatly. I’d seen the marketing flyers, sure, but there’s no way a princess from a collapsed nation actually knows the location of some grand treasure. Even if something remained, it would be enough for one person or a family to live on for a lifetime at best.
Seeing my reaction, Yuki-san gave a wry smile.
"I see, Taiki-kun doesn't believe the sales pitch either."
"Of course not. I was in Ranks right before it collapsed, remember? The higher-ups were obsessed with lining their own pockets, while the commoners were scraping by. The treasury was empty, and the burden was pushed further down onto the people. That’s how I was able to take Ranks, but even then, a certain number of those greedy bastards managed to escape. We searched high and low to try and improve the fiscal situation, but there was nothing. That’s just how those types are when they run."
As I finished, Orelia and the others furrowed their brows slightly. They were commoners, after all. And since they were slaves brought by As-san, they likely became slaves due to family circumstances rather than state failure, so they probably can't fathom a government being that incompetent.
Unfortunately, it’s a common enough story even on modern Earth; they’d do well to remember that fools are capable of truly absurd things.
"So, the Dark Guild is going to get involved to find out the location of the treasure held by this dubious former princess?"
Yuki-san didn't seem to believe in the treasure either, so if he’s telling me to buy the former princess, that’s the only motive that comes to mind.
"Who knows? But what would you think if all the allied nations were targeting her?"
"Ah, that’s the angle. It’s not about whether the princess actually knows anything, but about making us convince them that she *does* have value, right?"
"Exactly. If the allied nations are all paying attention to a former princess who should just be a sideshow attraction, they’ll assume there’s something more to it, won't they? Especially since this auction participation was so sudden."
"The Dark Guild will have no choice but to keep a close eye on our movements. And if they see us fixated on the former princess, they’ll at least investigate."
Looking at the situation, it would seem like everyone gathered for the sake of that princess. The original goal is to harass the Dark Guild, but if we all act in unison, eyes will naturally turn toward her.
"And while you're at it—what kind of secret do you think would make everyone scramble to target her?"
"Ah, is *that* the real question?"
"Yes. I wanted to decide what kind of rumors we should spread."
I nodded with a wry smile. I finally understood. We’re creating a situation that the Dark Guild simply cannot ignore. This whole thing is a stage set up to hook them. If the target won't come to you, just spread a rumor that makes them *want* to come!
It’s a brilliant plan—or perhaps just sheer madness.