When the darkness ruled the town and the prostitutes and their guests were pulling sweet dreams together on one bed, a man was waiting for his guest in the secret room set up in one corner of the brothel, who had not yet been seen.



　A man crosses his legs and smiles happily at the hands of the clock on the wall. Then, holding the sake cup on the side of the sofa, he gently dipped his lips into the bright red liquid inside.
　When the mellow aroma spreads in your mouth, the man nodded deeply and swallowed slowly with satisfaction.
　Bliss enveloping his entire body. It's the only comforting time for a man whose whole body has been dyed red by intrigue and violence.
　However, it seems that God is not very happy with him.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're ready to buy.
　That's the attitude that a boss would have towards his subordinates.　　　

"Sudo-san, I'm done talking to Saito-kun for now.

'Thank you for your time. It seems to have taken you a long time to get here, what's going on?

　The man took one look at Kikugawa as he opened the door and walked in, and the man gave his usual devouring smile.
　At his words, Kikugawa turned his attention to the clock on the wall and gave a small sigh.
　It's certainly more than an hour past the originally scheduled time.

''I'm sorry. It took me a bit of time... well, I can fully understand it from his point of view.''

　The pain of losing a family member. It causes people unbearable pain and grief.
　If it's an illness or an accident, it's still easy to put one's mind in order. But when it is taken away by another person through force, it is a different story.
　The flames of intense hatred held by many people in organizations. It's the same for Saito, who is seen on the surface as calm and cool-headed.
　No, he usually hides it and works for a hated enemy, so it's understandable that he can't calmly accept the current situation, where the day of revenge is approaching by the minute.

''I see. I suppose it's only natural for him to do so.''

Yeah.

　Sudo beckoned to Kikukawa, who smiled bitterly at him.

''Well, thank you for your efforts. Well, Kikukawa-kun. Don't just stand there and have a drink with me first.

　Sudo's demeanor is no different from his usual one, even in front of the senior executives of the organization. It's a natural attitude.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"Yes, well then, I'm going to take my leave.

　Kikugawa sits down in front of Sudo, who is sitting on the sofa in a room of the building and tipping his cup of wine, and holds the cup on the table.
　The cup is a silver cup with fine carvings.
　After a moment of admiration for the magnificent shape of the cup, Kikugawa slowly tipped it back up.

It's a good drink. It's a waste of two men drinking it.'

　The rich aroma tickles Kikukawa's nostrils.
　The wine is made from high quality grapes, and has been aged for at least a few years. This is a wine that has been aged for at least a few years to a dozen years.

Oh, I heard that a famous brewery in the south of the country bought one of its own. Hmm. It must be great to drink it with a beautiful woman.

　Surrounded by the most beautiful women in the world, you'll be intoxicated by delicious food and drinks. It's a sight that every man has dreamed of at one time or another.　
　And in a world where entertainment is scarce, there are only a few things that can be called fun in the world of the earth other than s*x work.

That's certainly a tempting proposition, but I have to get to work first.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the marketplace.

You're serious, aren't you? It's a good thing........that's why he was selected to be one of the executives at such a young age.

You're the one we've been working with.

'I see, well, it's a natural move considering his character.

　Sudo skimmed through the proffered document and raised one eyebrow.
　It described the series of aims of Simone Christophe and her collaborator, Mikoshiba Ryoma, and their movements.

I've heard the story from Sudo-san, so I was able to prevent it from happening this time. But Mikoshiba, Ryoma Mikoshiba. He's quite troublesome.

　Zaruda and Oltmere. The current war between the two countries has led to a significant increase in prices throughout the western continent.
　That's natural in a way.
　Wars that consume a large amount of goods are the best places for merchants to work, and if consumption goes up, supplies will be scarce and prices will rise.
　It's the rudiments of economics that anyone with a little brain power can understand.
　The problem is that what you understand in your head and what you can actually do are two different things.

Well, yes, he is cunning in spite of his youth.

　How many of us could make the same kind of moves as Ryoma Mikoshiba?
　Most people can't take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself.

''Aside from Zaruda, who went there as a reinforcement, I didn't expect him to make a move to try to bite into the hostile country of Oltmere. Moreover, I didn't know that a fallen merchant association in one region, such as the Christophe Commerce Association, had a pipeline to the political merchants who are fighting it out in the imperial capital...

'I guess the honest truth is that for him, he doesn't care what happens to anyone else but himself. He's pretty lucky, and he has the wherewithal and energy to make the most of it. Well, he's quite a promising young man. He is.

　Kikugawa shook his head in dismay at Sudo's attitude of laughing and cowering his shoulders, saying that he seems to be hiding his true intentions.　
　Certainly, I don't intend to deny that I am wrong in my assessment of Sudo's character.
　In fact, Mikoshiba Ryoma is a young man who has the kind of luck that the goddess of fate loves and has the capacity to make the most of it.
　However, that also means that he has the potential to become an obstacle to the organization that cannot be ignored.

''It's no laughing matter. If I hadn't put pressure on their business partners this time, how much money would they have earned? If that had happened.....

You're lucky we prevented that from happening before it did.

　Driving up the value is akin to pumping air into a balloon. And once the balloon is puffed up with air, it can easily be popped with a little poke with the tip of a needle.
　Even if you intend to pop it at some point, the timing of the popping has to be determined by the organization.
　And in the meantime, we're going to make money while maintaining a fine balance of high prices.



　Sudo, who never seemed to stop behaving as if it was someone else's business, sighed softly and shook his head in disgust.
If it had been delayed, the organization would not have reached its original target and might have even been forced to rethink its plan.
　The organization had spent years preparing for the plan. A chill runs through my veins just thinking about it.
　It would mean that the organization's longed-for goal would be lost.　

I told you from the beginning, didn't I?　I'd better warn him.

　While being gazed at with a strong sense of resentment, Sudo tipped his cup with an attitude that he was not going to let it go.

I understand that. But if you sensed the danger of this happening, couldn't you have done something a little more?　

　Indeed, Sudo informed the organization about Mikoshiba Ryoma beforehand. And he also warned them that they should be careful when doing so.
It was. But that was only in the sense of developing information just in case.
　That's why the organization did not take the information submitted by Sudo seriously.
　I'm sure that the blame lies with the top management of the organization, who did not pay attention to Sudo's words at all.
　Kikugawa himself understands that. But it's natural to want to say a word of resentment.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that, but I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.

And I don't think the result would have been the same no matter how you tried. Even if I had predicted his move and told you about it, it would have made no difference. It's hard to believe that the delegates would have believed in my words, and if we strengthen our surveillance of him, we will surely have to make up for it.

　Who in the world would expect such a move from that situation? It's impossible to predict that from the beginning.
　And even if one valued Sudo's information, it would be impossible for the current organization to monitor Mikoshiba Ryoma's movements and block his movement.
　Although the organization has an immense power that is darkly active among the nations, with a huge enemy, the Light God Sect and the Kirtantyre Empire, which are comparable to it, there is no choice but to allocate power to that side.　

Well, either way, you'd better keep an eye on him in the future.

'I and others intend to do just that. However, we have very little information about it. The other day I offered to set up a branch of the guild, but was summarily rejected, saying I was too busy dealing with the monsters to do so.

　Sudo narrowed his eyes at Kikugawa's words and asked.

"Oh, we still have no information about the interior of the peninsula?

Yes, they refused to set up a guild branch, so we selected some skilled people in the eastern suburbs and sent them over, but we never heard from them. The fort built at the base of the peninsula is the point of contact, but when I contacted them, they just replied that they were probably attacked by a monster. These days, rumors are spreading and adventurers and mercenaries are deliberately avoiding work related to the Woltenia Peninsula.



'Do you still think so too, Sudo-san........'

　Normally, if there is a need to deal with the monsters, it is common to rely on the power of guilds.
　Of course, there are some powerful nobles who organize powerful vassals and deal with them on their own, but there is usually no reason why Mikoshiba Ryoma, an upstart nobleman, would not rely on the power of his guild.
　The only possible reason would be if he didn't want the information inside the Woltenia Peninsula to get out at all costs.

'What do you want to do?　Is there an option to move some of the hounds to raid the peninsula?

Hmmm ... are you trying to move the S-rank?

　Ostensibly, they are the S-ranked handlers, the highest fighting force in the guild.
　They are literally monsters that boast a single combatant, and they are also the best fighting group the organization has.
　If we sent twenty of them, the Woltenia Peninsula would be reduced to ashes in no time.
(Sure, if you just want to get rid of him, that's fine, but... hey.
　It would be easy and sure to kill them, but that would not be good for the organization or for Sudo.

　Sudo, who had been silent for a while, shook his head slowly.

''It would be best to stop doing that. It's not a good idea to move the hounds now to show an opening to the Cathedral Knights, no matter what you think.

　If the hounds are the trump card of the organization, then the Order of Light God has the trump card of the Cathedral Knights.
　It could be said that the two sides are almost evenly matched in terms of combat power.
　It was a dangerous decision to move the forces under such a competitive situation.

''Then what will you do?''

　His own proposal was denied, and Kikugawa's words were laced with harshness.
　However, his eyes widened involuntarily at the words that popped out of Sudo's mouth.

'Well ... how about we just leave it at that?

　The words were so unexpected that Kikugawa couldn't help but choke on his words and his eyes became black and white.　

''Sanity........?　I am well aware of the danger of that man. I wouldn't let it go unattended....

Well, he is indeed a dangerous man, but as long as you don't use him in the wrong way, I think he can be a good shield. Especially since he smells just like us.

　With a meaningful look in his eyes, Kikugawa couldn't help but nod his head.
　However, after a moment of silence, one answer floated in his mind.



'Yes, the more he blocks information, the more suspicious the Order and Kirtantia will be of our relationship. Not knowing is something that stirs up a sense of danger more than you can imagine. Besides, from the side, this move looks like they are working with us. It will probably be impossible for them to wipe away their suspicions. And if that happens, there is no way they will remain silent. I'm sure they will definitely try their hand at the Woltenia Peninsula and Mikoshiba Ryojin. What do you think, don't you think that would make a great shield?

But will it work out that way?

That's why we leave it untouched to make it work.

　It's unlikely that Mikoshiba Ryoma knows the full extent of the organization, but he should be aware, albeit dimly, of the existence of an organization that thinks the same way he does.
　But on the contrary, that's the extent of it right now.
　If there is another organization standing in front of you that will use its power, you will try to prioritize your response.

'So it's about exploiting the difference in priorities,'

Yes, I'm sure he's capable of that level of judgment.

　It would be the same thing as no one worrying that their relative's house might be hit by an earthquake when their own house is on fire.

'I see ... not a bad plan.

　Kikugawa was honestly impressed when he heard Sudo's plan.
　The stronger the medicine is, the more deadly the poison it can be if it's used incorrectly.
　On the contrary, the difference between medicine and poison depends on the competence of the person using it.
　While Kikukawa tried to get rid of the poison named Mikoshiba Ryoma, Sudo's plan was to use it as a medicine, which was the exact opposite of what Kikukawa and Sudo had in mind. This shows the difference in competence between Kikukawa and Sudo.　

'I understand. I will inform the representative of Sudo's current plan. Perhaps, but I don't think the representative will have any objections.

Is that so? Well, I'll leave that to you, Kikukawa-kun.

Well, I think it's time for me to leave. Counselor Sudo.

'Yes, thank you for your time. Let me know if you need anything else.

　What needs to be said is said. It's not a bad idea to have a good time with them.


　Sudo, who was left alone in his room, looked up at the ceiling while slowly resting his body on the sofa.

''Kukkuk. It's going to be fun........''

　To Sudo, the ideals and longings of the organization were no longer important to him. It's just that he has a little bit of righteousness and that's why he doesn't cut ties with them.
　Red blood ... blood ... blood.
　That is the only desire that drives Sudo's body.

"Well, well. How do you move, Mikoshiba-kun?

　Sudo's voice echoes through the room as he laughs happily.
　It was a feeling similar to that of the strong watching the weak struggle with ease.
　However, he also had no way of knowing that Mikoshiba Ryoma's new plan was already in motion.