第１４９４堀：取って付けた理由がもっともらしいと困る (Part1)
Chapter 1494: It’s Troublesome When a Fabricated Excuse Sounds Plausible
Side: Riel
We had all gathered to listen to the report from the slaves who had been scouting the area. From what Ria said, it started to sound like the country where the former princess came from might actually be a base for the Dark Guild.
Hmm, why is that?
Ah, right. Yuki-san mentioned it earlier, didn't he? That he wanted to save her.
But since he can't just go and rescue her directly, he’s looking for a way to make it happen. And to explore other methods, he needs to establish that the Dark Guild is likely behind it; otherwise, he can't justify wasting the budget.
After all, our funds are precious resources shared by everyone.
It reminds me of back in the day when I first came to Weed and suggested selling my short sword so easily. I was so thoughtless back then.
But lately, I’ve become a mother, and I think I’ve grown up quite a bit.
Anyway, putting that aside, I need to listen to what Yuki-san has to say.
"Alright, let’s go over the prediction that the former kingdom might be a Dark Guild base again. One: it’s in a state of anarchy, making it easy to hide. Two: the timing of the collapse of the Rumel headquarters coincides with the downfall of the princess’s country. Three: considering the time that has passed, it’s a prime window for the Dark Guild to recover its strength. Four: the Dark Guild is highly likely to be involved in illegal slave trading. Five: the Dark Guild personnel we captured in Irinau aren't heading toward that country at all. Six: merchants are flooding that annexed country with goods. Well, that’s the gist of it."
The way Yuki-san holds up five fingers on his right hand and his index finger on his left looks a bit comical.
"Um, Yuki-sama. You said it was only a possibility, but..."
"It feels like you’re forcing the narrative that a Dark Guild base exists there."
As I was thinking that, Samantha and Cleena pointed out that his prediction felt a bit forced.
Well, I can certainly understand their sentiment. We haven't confirmed anything behind the scenes yet.
From a police perspective, it’s a bit delicate.
"I said it was a prediction. Solving a case means forming a hypothesis and then searching for the evidence to back it up. I’m just putting that into practice. I’m no genius. If there’s something suspicious lying right in front of me, I have no choice but to list what’s necessary to investigate it."
Yeah, that’s true. That’s the only way to solve a case.
You have to reach the answer based on what you currently have, but the pieces leading to that answer aren't all laid out yet.
That’s why, as Yuki-san says, we have to make predictions and search for the truth.
"But we can't move funds based on that, can we? Spending the Alliance's money when it might be a wild goose chase? It wouldn't just be about the money; it would affect the Alliance's honor. The risk is too high."
Indeed, just as Seraria says, this matter involves not just Weed, but many Alliance nations, and many non-aligned countries are watching too.
If Yuki-san’s prediction turns out to be wrong in such a setting, it would leave a massive scar on the reputation of not just Weed, but the entire Alliance.
If the Dark Guild decides to move against us, they’d surely strike at this opening.
Ugh, I feel like I’ve gotten smarter, but this kind of situation just leaves us paralyzed.
Just as I was thinking that, Yuki-san answered Seraria quite calmly.
"Then let’s look at it from the opposite perspective. Is there anywhere else more suspicious at this moment?"
"..."
Everyone except Yuki-san fell silent at that retort.
It’s true; we don't have any other leads on where the Dark Guild’s headquarters might be.
We’ve only just managed to grasp the movements of their executives in Irinau and are currently in pursuit.
"Haa, as you say, that country is indeed the most suspicious place right now. But do you really think the other nations will be convinced with this level of information? Our reputation will undoubtedly suffer. Is it worth that risk?"
"To begin with, we’ve already achieved our goal to a certain extent just by participating in this auction. The Dark Guild shouldn't have expected us to step so blatantly into non-aligned territory. If they had, Suurus would have fallen and fallen into complete chaos by now."
Yeah, as Yuki-san says, the main purpose of joining the auction was to threaten the Dark Guild, letting them know that they aren't safe even in non-aligned countries.
So, we’ve achieved our objective, but the potential hit to the Alliance’s reputation is still a problem.
"…I agree with that. Even so, while this is a deterrent against the Dark Guild, it’s also meant to show the non-aligned countries that the Alliance has no hostile intent, right? And then you go and snatch that princess away?"
"No, no, Seraria. Do you think the small nations haven't noticed what we’ve noticed? Do you really think they believe she knows the location of the treasure?"
"That… I suppose not. If there are people who actually believe that, that’s a problem in itself."
"Exactly. Which means the people targeting the princess are either citizens looking for quick cash or those who hold a grudge against her."
Ah, I see.
It’s said the former princess knows the location of the treasure, but in reality, it’s peanuts for a country, and it’s doubtful if anything even remains.
He’s saying there’s no way the small nations don't realize that.
I think so too, and Seraria even stated it definitively.
So, the people who want the princess are merchants, commoners looking for a quick buck, or those with a grudge against her.
Well, or against the country itself, I suppose.
"And what happens if they don't find the treasure? You don't need me to tell you what the ones with grudges will do, right?"
"..."
That certainly wouldn't lead to a good situation.
Buying her for a huge sum of money only to find nothing—especially with the grudge-holders, there’s no way that ends well...
"Well then, protecting her is the same as ensuring the safety of a rare species. As an Alliance, can we really just stand by and watch when we know she’s headed for a miserable fate? The non-aligned countries will likely turn a blind eye, knowing the truth, and it’s us who will be putting up the money. We aren't seizing her through tyranny; it’s a formal procedure. And it gives us a reason to go to a collapsed country. What do you think?"
Yuki-san says this with a smile.
Yeah, as always, why is he so persuasive?
I’m sure everyone is thinking the same thing.
As for Seraria, who had been opposing him head-on...
"You really do have a silver tongue. What are you going to do about the other rare species?"