第１５２６堀：本当の交渉？ (Part2)
"Yes, that is exactly right. A dark guild that has seen its headquarters and numerous branches decimated will struggle even with basic logistics, and they will go to great lengths to erase their tracks. Once that happens, tracking them becomes nearly impossible. That is why I have intentionally rebranded my business, posing as a private shop or a moderately successful merchant house, specifically to hunt them down."
I see. So, the things Yuki and the rest of us had been pondering—this person wasn't doing them for profit, but to track down the dark guild.
Still, whether or not I can fully trust that is a different matter.
Though, my Appraisal skill didn't flag them as being part of a dark guild, so I suppose I can at least trust that much.
"I see, I see~. So you've been using the conclusions reached by Litea and Weed to hunt for the dark guild~. Well, I’ll ask just to be sure~, why didn't you report this to the country~?"
"Even if I had reported it to Litea in that situation, they wouldn't have been able to act. After all, the dark guild's headquarters were annihilated and their branches were crushed one after another. What remained were merely low-level remnants—more of a small team than an organization. Given the defeat of the Demon Lord and the subsequent emergence of a new continent, prioritizing them over matters like forming alliances was simply not in the cards."
Bamai-dono shook his head as he spoke.
"I did try to report it, but the scale was small, and it was questionable whether they were truly linked to the dark guild. Above all, with the Demon Lord defeated and peace restored, everyone is singing the praises of this new era. It looks bad to bring up a 'dark guild' when everyone is celebrating peace. I was told they were likely just common bandits."
"I see~. So there was no concrete proof~."
"Haha, you hit the nail on the head. That is precisely why I am operating under the guise of a different merchant house to gather information."
So that’s how it is.
The reason they hadn't moved was because there was no proof they were a dark guild.
And with the surrounding areas having crushed the dark guild's headquarters and branches, the Demon Lord defeated, and exchanges with the new continent beginning, it’s a delicate situation to claim a dark guild still exists without solid evidence.
No, in normal circumstances, they would just be ignored.
"I see~. That’s good~. Then we can cooperate~."
"Cooperate, you say?"
"Yes. The current situation in Litea is exactly as you described~. And what do you think that does to our reputation~?"
"Ah, I see. So Litea finds the situation intolerable."
"Exactly~. Alstaire-sama is absolutely furious about the Suurus incident~, and we realized it the moment they decided to participate in this auction, despite the former Vinosia territory being a lawless vacuum~."
"I see, so that is why you approached me. Litea and the allied nations suspect the former Vinosia territory."
Bamai-dono seemed convinced, turning his gaze toward me and Mikos.
Mikos and I nodded without hesitation.
We truly do find this current situation troublesome.
"That's right~. So, if we could get the cooperation of someone like you, Bamai-san, who has wide trade routes among non-allied nations, perhaps our accuracy would improve~. You know, if the military moves, they'll notice, right?"
"Indeed, the current dark guild is sensitive to those kinds of movements. I have only just begun to gather enough information myself."
"Does that mean you have a lead on where this dark guild might be~?"
"That is... difficult to say, as I haven't been able to confirm the details. I only wish I had more resources."
"Mm-hmm, and if we were to say we’d cooperate, would you be willing to share that information~?"
Uh, Lilishe-sama, you really are straightforward, aren't you!?
Did she get permission from Yuki for this? I hope we don't get turned down!
A wave of dread like that washed over me and Mikos...
"Ah, could you please give me a moment to think about that?"
"That's fine~. But you have to hear our conditions first~."
"Conditions? I hope it doesn't involve funding, as that would be..."
"The opposite, actually. How much would it take for you to cooperate with us~?"
"Pardon?"
Bamai-dono’s eyes went wide.
Right.
Usually, when someone asks for cooperation, they expect to take a loss.
But in Yuki's case—no, in Weed's case—they don't do things like that.
They don't compromise on what needs to be done.
Above all, because this involves the dungeon.
As it turns out, the merchant was also highly motivated and had been investigating on his own.
And so, how would they cooperate?