第１５０６堀：これからの行動について (Part1)
Chapter 1506: Future Courses of Action
Side: Lowell
"So, how have things been from the day before the auction up until now?"
The question comes from Seraria. Yuki is here, of course, along with the other key figures of Weed. Since we are all acquaintances and friends, there is no particular tension in the air.
"How have they been? Well, it’s been a case of 'nothing to report.' You’ve seen the reports submitted by Steve, haven't you?"
We were tasked with protecting VIPs here in the town of Wean in the Ewai Kingdom, but to my surprise, there hasn't been a single incident. There isn't even a trace of the Dark Guild. This town is truly peaceful. Of course, there are plenty of petty criminals, but that is for the local lord to manage; as long as there is no direct harm to our interests, we have no reason to intervene.
"That’s not what I meant. I’m asking for your personal impression, Lowell."
"Hmm. I understand what you’re looking for, but there really is nothing to say. Literally speaking, this town holds no value to anyone."
Indeed, the town of Wean is—depending on how you look at it—either unexpectedly or predictably a place of no interest to any organization. One could find value here if they tried, but if you’re going to go to the trouble of finding value, there are far better places to focus on.
"So even you reached that conclusion, Lowell."
"I told you from the start, didn't I? The town's location is mediocre. It doesn't have a large population, no special local products, it’s not the birthplace of any hero, and it doesn't even have any wicked traditions. People here just live their lives modestly day by day. This whole event was the only real irregularity. That is precisely why the Dark Guild couldn't send any personnel. It’s just too much of a backwater."
Over the past few days, I’ve toured the town and spoken with the lord to gather information, but perhaps due to its peculiar location, there isn't much foot traffic. No, it’s mostly the same people coming and going; newcomers are a genuine rarity. The influx of workers for the construction of the lodging facilities for this event caused quite a stir. I had to discuss security and patrols in great detail with the lord just to ensure the peace wasn't disrupted. It was a wide enough gap for unsavory types to slip in, after all.
But...
"Even with this congestion, those kinds of people didn't show up. Well, the number of visitors only increased by about two hundred at most."
"With only two hundred extra people, it’s easy enough to keep them under surveillance."
"And we have the surveillance from Yuki’s dungeon, too."
I suppose the enemy realized they couldn't infiltrate, given those factors. The town of Wean is simply not suited for underhanded schemes.
"And what about the poison? Any leads?"
"That’s more your department, isn't it? Well, as the head of security, I’ve been spreading the word. I’ve made sure to tell the non-aligned nations at the conference that the former princess and the slaves hold critical information regarding the Dark Guild. I don't know how far that information has permeated. I know a few messengers were sent out, but I doubt that’s the only information they’re carrying."
After all, a gate connected to the Alliance was constructed right here in Wean. The non-aligned nations have felt the utility of that firsthand over the last few days. Fresh local food—especially fish—changes flavor drastically based on transport speed. Here in Wean, they can taste it while it’s still fresh. There is no need to ponder the impact of that fact. The ability to transport goods is synonymous with national power. Anyone foolish enough not to understand that is a lost cause. I’d like to believe they aren't just carrying information about the Dark Guild. Those types seem like the kind who would cooperate with the guild, after all.
"True. I don't need fools who only act for the sake of the Dark Guild. I’d rather just wipe them all out at once."
"I agree with that sentiment, but we can't be too blatant about it. Anyway, leaving that aside, what about your end? Anything from the slaves?"
"I haven't heard the details yet. We plan to have a proper discussion once we return to Weed. The fortunate thing is that they have all settled down reasonably well. Thanks to that, I think I’ll be able to get some answers once we’re back."
"I see. They were people deemed worthy of being put up for auction, so they’re at least somewhat composed. Then, what about the Dark Guild members you swapped out during the negotiations in Irinau? How is that going?"
Yes, the two nations that had been invading Suls—Kinauf and Irinau—had Dark Guild members embedded in the latter. We’ve been tracking them and replacing them with our own. We haven't received any updates on that front yet.
"Ah, that. Do you know how that’s progressing?"
Seraria turns her gaze toward Yuki. Intelligence operations like this are certainly Yuki’s specialty. Yuki, now the center of attention, replies:
"The executives have only just returned to the merchant companies they control. It feels like a long time ago, but it’s only been a little over a month since the negotiations in Irinau. Even if the executives moved quickly, not enough time has passed for them to initiate their next move. They haven't even finished laundering the money and valuables they took from the Irinau treasury."
"Ah, I suppose that’s true."
I felt like it was a story from a long time ago, but it’s only been a month. Yes, that’s right.
"Thinking about it, Yuki’s actions are truly astonishing."
"They really are."
"Hey now, you two were the ones who jumped on board and helped out, so you’re just as involved."
"Being astonished and being involved are two different things."
"That’s true."
"Especially you, Lowell—you were the one who brought the auction information to the table, weren't you?"
"Ah, so I was the cause of all this?"
"How could you forget that?"
Seraria teases me, but I offer a rebuttal.
"No, look at how it’s turned into a massive undertaking! I only brought it up because I thought we might be able to trace the Dark Guild through the slaves. I originally thought it would just be me and a few people from Weed participating to conduct a small investigation."
" " "Ah..." " "
The others offer sounds of realization at my defense.
"It is true that, initially, it was just a local auction."
"And the more we looked into the former princess, the more it became clear she was just a walking landmine. It was obvious she was just trying to collect money by advertising it grandiosely."
Eris and Ratz chime in, agreeing with my assessment.
"No one would normally think to turn that into such a major affair. Especially when a small nation has just suffered a Great Flood and is being invaded by others."
Everyone nods at Seraria’s final remark. It is truly as she says. Under normal circumstances, who would imagine that VIPs—including the leaders of major Alliance nations—would participate in an auction in a backwater town of a non-aligned country?
Well, that aside, let’s move on.