"So they're in on it. ......


　In a spacious restaurant in the capital.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
　It was such an inspiration that landed in my head at a moment's notice.


　As I was trying to sort out in my mind whether the idea was really correct or not.
　As I was sorting out the ideas in my head, Kazui gave me a disturbed look, probably because I had suddenly said something that didn't make sense.


What the hell is this all of a sudden?

I'm not sure what that means, but it means that Pirocolo and the bandits were in on it.

It's ...... what?

That's .......


　You think that's out of the blue?
　Cazi and Noah look surprised.
　But...


I'm sure of it. They were friends, you know.


　The bandits and Pirocolo didn't show any signs of it either.
　But if you think about it, there were many strange things.
　This was evident in the series of actions of the bandits.
　They raided the village at night.
　They created a diversion.
　They broke through both the north and south gates.


　So far, so good. I'd say it's a good plan.
　But then comes the problem.
　After they break through the gates, they retreat immediately without checking for damage.
　It's true they may have secured the pyrocolo's cargo at that point.
　But he didn't pay any attention to the village's property, the money and goods they were holding, the women and children, and other things they could have stolen.


　It could be said that the decision to retreat was made too quickly .......
　But at that point, they did not know whether they were outnumbered or not.
　If they had continued to avalanche, it would not have been impossible for them to disrupt the defenses of the village.
　Once the defenses were breached, they could set fire to them.
　The villagers would be distracted by defense and firefighting, and confusion would be inevitable.
　If we take advantage of the chaos, we can achieve our goal like a fire thief.


　It was not yet the right time to retreat.
　But for some reason, they just gave up after stealing the silver.
　He was too greedy to be a bandit.
　Those who do not care about others, who loot, should not be able to control themselves like that.
　They would act momentarily to satisfy their own needs, without regard for the lives of their comrades.


　But...
　If you think that was the only purpose of the bandits, then this case can be explained.


...... and the bandits were in cahoots. That should explain this strange incident.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You've suddenly lost the plot.　Explain it to me from the beginning.

Yes, sir. I'm not saying it has to be easy to understand, but you have to make your initial point clear.

Oh, yeah, sorry. Right. Let's see, .......

"What is this 'incident' you speak of, Mr. Arx?　Let's start with that.


　A good squire, one who doesn't speculate and encourages you to sort things out first.
　It may be because of our past relationship that he does not take my inspiration as a child's comment or a joke.


　In response to his words, the first thing he says is.


"The incident was the attack on that village. I'm sure that the bandit attack this time was arranged by the bandits and Pilokoro.


　After saying that, he explained to them why he thought so.
　The fact that the bandits retreated immediately after breaking through the gate.
　Even though there were other things they could have stolen.
　But that's not enough.


But that's not the only reason they're in on it, is it?　It's all just a coincidence, right?

That's true. But the fact that the bandits were able to carry the silver can't be dismissed as a coincidence. There were several wagons with that amount. How the hell could bandits carry that?

"Mr. Piroccolo was also carrying carts and the draught animals to move them. If they stole the whole thing, ...... it would be difficult.

I'm sure that even if the bandits had some carrying capacity of their own, they wouldn't be fit to carry it all.


　The weight of refined silver is also considerable.
　Even if they had wagons and draught animals, they would still need a certain amount of manpower to carry it.


There was no way they could carry such a bulky and heavy thing unless they knew it was there in advance. In fact, it would be more natural to exclude it from the list of things to steal because it would interfere with their escape. Besides, silver is a commodity that can be sold for a lot of money.


　These are people who are based in the mountains and fields and engage in illegal activities.
　Naturally, they would avoid heavy objects to avoid slowing down their movements.
　Nevertheless, they took only the silver as if they had targeted it.
　You can't do that unless you know it's there beforehand or your goal is to get the silver.


　......, but that's still not enough reason to conclude that they are in on it.
　That's why .




"The key is what the pyrocoros did. They didn't go after the cargo, they just gave up and went to report to their lord.

It was certainly an unnatural move.

They're well-equipped, with several warriors as guards. There's plenty of room to retake it. We could have attacked them on the back of the runners. And yet, they gave up immediately without giving chase.

"Right. It's the lord's cargo they're carrying. When it's taken from you, it's normal to be desperate to get it back.

Right?　Pirocolo didn't originally intend to get the silver back, so he was the first to make an excuse. Isn't it natural to think so?


　It's hard to imagine that he was so upset by the loss of his cargo that he was unable to make a normal decision.
　It is normal for a person to want to take something back when it is taken from him, and other people would also act to take it back.
　However, they did not even try to chase the bandits, but moved to the capital first.


　This is inexplicable at any rate.


...... After the bandits enter the village, they evacuate the villagers and lead the bandits to the silver cart. That's why the whole process of breaking down the gate, stealing the cargo, and retreating was so fast.

So they were friends, right?

"The pyrocoros were the procurers of the silver, and the bandits were the carriers of it. If you think about it that way, it would make sense of their inexplicable behavior.


　The loss of the cargo being transported would cast suspicion on Pirocolo.
　But if he had a bandit steal it, suspicion would not fall on him.
　He loses the cargo, is scolded, and fined.
　No suspicion, just a minor penalty and that's it.
　It's a small price to pay for such an expensive item.
　If you're lucky, you can even get a job transporting silver again.


Is that what happened to Gills?

"No, I don't think he is. He's been with us since the bandits attacked the village, and they've been watching us since Diet and the others came. What's the point of sticking with us in the first place?　You're not even distracting the investigation.

So we're clean because we're not doing anything meaningful?

So it's a different story altogether.


　Cazi raised his eyebrows and asked the question.


I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.　I'm not sure what you mean by that.　If you want silver, you can buy it yourself.

It's .......


　It's roundabout.
　That's true.
　If you are a merchant, even if you buy a product at a high price, you can just sell it at a profitable price. Nowadays, there are people everywhere who are willing to pay a lot of money to buy silver because there is a demand for it.
　This means that the purpose of acquiring silver is not to trade it.


　And there must have been a reason why he had to go to such lengths to cover it up.
　They need silver.
　He does not want others to know that he needs silver.
　It is difficult to imagine that this is the case with .......
　There is no way a merchant would want silver that badly.
　Then, is there anyone else for whom these things are true?
　Yes.
　It is the one whose name has been mentioned in an unnatural way.


...... There's going to be a lot of speculation, not circumstantial evidence, okay?


　The two squires nodded.


I suspect that Count Nadar is involved in this one.

"Count Nadar ...... Polk Nadar, is it?

Why?

Count Nadar's name has flashed around a lot in the past. The reason why we are here is because of the silver hoarding story, the inspection of the crown prince mentioned by Diet. And then there's the pillow talk. All mentioned Nadar's name. And Nadar territory is adjacent to Rustinelle territory.


　Poluk Nadar.
　The name is mentioned too much.
　With so many names, there is no room for doubt.


First of all, the Guild has confirmed that Count Nadar has been buying up silver. I don't know why, but Nadar wanted silver. I'm not sure if he still wants it now.

You think it's possible he still needs it?

Yes. But because they've been buying it up so openly, it's become too much of a rumor. And now that the government officials have come to investigate us, we can't buy as much as we used to. That's why he came up with a plan. I prepared merchants and bandits, and entrusted them with the acquisition and transportation of silver. It would be unnatural for them to obtain or secure silver legitimately and then lose it ......, so if we just pretend that it was stolen by bandits, we can make the silver disappear, right?

That's true. If we can't buy it, we'll have to steal it.


　And.


"That's why the bandits had the poison hidden. That's why the bandits had poison hidden in their pockets, because they had someone of high rank behind them, so they would kill themselves to avoid being questioned. Isn't that what counterintelligence is all about?　I'd rather die than give out information like that. ......



So you're saying it wasn't bandits, but the Count Nadar's men?


　Yes, it was. The most plausible reason for taking the poison is to prevent the torturers from investigating his background: .......
　It's still unclear if it was really Count Nadar's handiwork.
　At the very least, he would not have committed suicide before the interrogation unless there was something big behind it.


That's why silver production is normal, but it tends to be scarce.

"Not only the Rustinelle territory, but also the surrounding silver mines continue to be victims of theft. That's why the officials in King's Landing couldn't keep track of where the silver was flowing .......

I see. The lords don't want to honestly report that they've been stolen by bandits.

That's right. I tried to solve the problem by delaying the information as much as possible, or muddying the real numbers. And that's what Diet and his team were doing. I don't know if Deet and the others know if Nadar is involved or not.

From the looks of it, they were pretty serious about the investigation.


　In this world, people who have a certain status are usually competent.
　In this world, people who have a certain amount of position are usually competent. If you put a team of competent people together and give them a certain amount of authority, they will solve the problem by themselves or by using others.
　Then, as long as they get their silver back, the supply will stabilize and the price will return to normal.
　Then the problem will be solved without forcing them to report their own fault.
　But then, of course, it would be too late to get to the bottom of it.
　The officials couldn't figure out where the silver was.
　The lords would just catch the bandits and be done with it.
　There is no one in a position to guess where the stolen silver is going.
　That's why it's hard to notice what's going on.


　...... It's a nasty trick that takes advantage of the holes in the bureaucracy and the relationship between the local lords and the royal family.
　If this is true, then there are some very wily people on Nadar's side.
　That is, if this is indeed the case.


　But if that is the case, then Nadar may have more silver than we think.
　The question is, what is Nadar doing with it?
　He's using it to expand his army.
　Of course, that would be the first and foremost reason.


　--But it's not the only country that needs its own supplies.


"............!


　Suddenly, the words I had uttered one day came back to my mind.
　It was something I had said to Suu when I talked to her before I came here.
　In order to get information about the other party, you have to establish a friendly relationship.
　Naturally, this would involve buying and selling goods.
　But what will happen if this goes too far?


"Isn't Count Nadar selling silver to the Empire?


　Nadar is diverting silver to the empire.
　That's how it fits in.
　Nadar was dealing in contraband goods, including silver, with the Empire.
　If the empire were to use this as an excuse to extort him, Nadar would have to somehow continue to acquire silver.
　In this world, silver is a strategic commodity.
　It's like oil in the world of men, everywhere wants it, and it's always in short supply.
　It is only natural that an empire that is currently at war with two other nations would want it.


That's not too far-fetched.

Yes.


　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.


...... Well, that's a bit much, isn't it?


　I leaned back in my chair to rest my head.
　I tried to come up with a reason, but once again, it was too much speculation and not enough proof.
　And now.


　"Pirocolo is in league with the bandits.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.


　It is too hasty to conclude that .......
　It is possible that the man liked to read, but he was too biased to read too much into it.
　In the end, I came to a joking conclusion like that.


　Suddenly, Noah smiles at me.


"No, I think it was quite an interesting story.

"Really?

I think it's possible, or even likely, when you explain it that way.

You're really good at thinking up bad things, aren't you? You're good at thinking of bad things, aren't you? You start a small fire and escape. It's not like you're a nobleman.　Khihihi.

Sorry about that, .......


　That's when the three of us were talking about it.



I'm sure you're right, it was pretty funny.



　Suddenly, a familiar voice came from somewhere.
　It was a young man with a distinctive Imerian accent.
　You notice a presence from the side.
　He was shaking his chair with his weight resting on the backrest, his feet resting unceremoniously on the table.


"Gills. ......


　Yes, it was the man in the tulip hat who had accompanied me on the road to the capital, and whom I had parted ways with just after entering the capital.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information.


"......, when did that happen?

You're not here until ...... now, are you?


　Noah stood up as if he had been knocked down, and stepped forward to protect himself.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.


This is one of my many specialties. ...... No, no, no, you two, don't rough me up at the restaurant. I'm not going to do anything. We just want to talk to you, Arx.




　Even though the two of you have taken up a battle stance, Gills has not changed his aloof attitude.
　He put the sword he was carrying on the floor and raised his hands in a pose that indicated he had no intention of defying them.
　When he was sure that Noah and Kazi were not going to leap at him, he started talking again.


Anyway, the silver is going from Count Nadar to the Empire. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a bit of a stretch to link the whereabouts of the silver to the Count.　I think you're assuming that the Count is at fault.

"Maybe. You're right, it's possible that other nobles, lords or powerful merchants are involved. But if you sell such a thing in the first place, it's bound to get traced somewhere. It's not something a mere thief should steal, and if they do, they'll have someone powerful enough to ...... take care of it after they steal it. And?

And?

When the crown prince is on his way to inspect, Nadar is under suspicion, right?

That may be true. Is that a reason for suspicion? ...... So, you think that Count Nadar is going to get the silver and then sell it to the Empire or divert it?

Yes. You can't trace it within the kingdom. If it's the Empire, they won't be able to trace it.

"I see. ...... Good thinking.


　Gills sounded convinced, and then he thought about it.


"So, what are you going to do now, Arx?

"What do you mean, ......?

Pyrokoro and the bandits were in on it. So you're going to defeat those scoundrels that are running the world?

You can't do that. ......


　I sigh back at Gills' radical imagination.
　Yes, even if that were true, I have no control over it.
　It's all speculation at the moment, and of course it's not something we can act on.
　It's not our place to investigate when there are people who should.
　We can't do anything on our own.


I have a question for you, Mr. Arx. What do you think Count Nadar will do when he finds out that you're selling silver to him?

"If he's found out, he'll go to ...... first to save his own skin, right?　I'm sure you've heard of it. I'm sure you're right.

That's right. And I'm told that the crown prince will be there in person to question him. But if Count Nadar doesn't take that option, what do you think he'll do?

"Count Nadar is ......


　What would he do?
　The diversion of strategic materials is a clear betrayal of the royal family.
　There is no way he can escape punishment.
　The sentence will not be commuted and he will be sentenced to death.
　Currently, Count Nadar must be in a state of desperation.
　Would he really be caught quietly under such circumstances?
　As I think, I move my mouth.


"On the contrary, I will avenge your highness. ......?

"Yes, yes. And then what do we do after we kill him?

We take the Dauphin's head as a souvenir and turn him over to the Empire. ......

Scary!　You think of scary things, Arx-kun.


　While he was talking in the air, his main concern was to come up with possibilities.
　Suddenly, I realized that Gills was taking me for a ride.
　When I looked up, I saw a man with a particularly deep grin on his face.
　The man's smirk deepened and he asked me more questions that I was still confused about.


So, what happens when that happens?　I'd like an answer soon.


　It was as if he wanted me to get to the point quickly.
　What the hell? What is this guy?


I don't know if he's going to kill ...... or capture and negotiate with him, but if he does, the kingdom will do everything in its power to destroy Nadar. That's why the Earl of Nadar is preparing for war by buying wheat and salt in advance. ......


This is ......

Hey, hey, hey. ......

As Arx said, it must be 'in advance'. ......


　Gills chuckles at that.
　And then.


"So, back to the topic at hand, what are you going to do now, Arx-kun?

"Well, with all these coincidences. It's too risky to just leave it as irrelevant.

I guess so.

You ......

Don't stare at me like that. I was just helping Arx clear his head.


　That's true.
　If I hadn't had this conversation with Gills, I wouldn't have gotten to the heart of the matter so quickly.
　But what is this man really?
　His behavior was so suspicious that my guard was up unnecessarily.


　Then Gills stood up and said.


"Well, I'll tell you something good, Arx, for telling me such an interesting story.



Is that good?

Pyrokoro, you're in a warehouse in the north of the city. He's in a warehouse in the northern part of the city with some interesting-looking people.

"What?


　When I let my surprise show on my face, Gills smiled at me suspiciously.


"What?　What do you think?

"Gills. When did you know Pieroccolo was suspicious?

That's not the first time. And I was convinced when they showed me the permit to transport it. It was a good fake. But I couldn't see that it was connected to the bandits.


　I wonder how much of that is true.
　When he knew where Pilokoro was going, he must have considered it as a possibility.
　If you keep your guard up, Gills will whisper to you that he's up to no good.


"Hey, isn't now the only time to get evidence?

Why do you say that?

Why not?　The question is, how the hell are we going to get the silver that Pyrokoro got to Nadar?


　Silver is heavy and bulky.
　It takes a lot of effort to transport it.
　But here's an easier way than carting it.


You want to bring it here by river, and then take it to Nadar, saying it's for the next job. ......

"I guess so. That would be the most natural, easiest and safest way to transport it.


　To the north of the territorial capital, there is a warehouse district for the transportation and distribution of goods.
　It was designed to transport goods by river.
　If Pirocolo is here, then there is a possibility that silver is also here.
　If that's the case, now may indeed be the time to expose the crime.


　...... What will you do?


　Gills turned toward the entrance, as if he did not intend to hear the answer.


"Well, good luck. I'll be cheering you on from the shadows.


　Then he fluttered his hand behind his back and walked away.
　As if he knew what we were going to do.
　As I watched the man's back...


"Ah!　Oh, no!　I forgot something important!

What's going on?

I want you to think about that deal I made with the Mark. This time, I'll bring you a bunch of stuff that Arx will want.


　That again?


"...... Okay. Come to my place when it's convenient for you.

That's great!　I know what you're talking about. I love you, Arx.

I love you, Mr. Arx. - Don't try to be weird with me.


　Where did that weirdness go?
　Gills turns on his heel and tries to hug me.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.


　...... strange merchant, Gills.
　He is very suspicious, and it is best to be wary of him.
　It may be necessary, for good or ill, to have a connection with this man.


　While I was thinking like this, Noah said.


"So, Mr. Arx. What will you do now?

"As a nobleman on a stipend, I guess I'll have to move.

Don't you think that that bastard's blowing it?

I can't find any reason why the Gills would frame us. There's no reason for Gills to set us up. If all he wanted to do was make us dance, he wouldn't have had to tell us that story in the first place.


　And.


...... Noah and Kazui, go to the north warehouse first. I'll bring reinforcements.

Reinforcements?　Who?

The Deets.

Oh, I see.

I see. We'll need them to make things happen.


　We're in Rustinell territory.
　Even if it's an emergency, we can't do anything without permission.
　If that's the case, it's imperative that we call out to Diet.

　The three of them nodded to each other and began to move.