Chapter 81

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictional and have no connection to any real entities.

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076 - Various Matters Leading to Ruin

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After leaving the Minister of Finance's room, I entered the Earl of Elbasil's room this time. It was a room of similar size to the minister's office.

The Earl of Elbasil was a nervous-looking middle-aged man, muttering to himself as he worked on documents. He seemed like a dangerous person.

He looked capable, but the detailed appraisal revealed him to be incompetent. He left all his work to his subordinates and had only reached his current position due to his family background. Even with a good family background, is it right to appoint someone who doesn't work as a Ministerial Assistant?

"The princess must be having a hard time too."

The Ministerial Assistant is a position that literally assists the Minister, with a staff of three. The Earl of Elbasil appears to be the head of the three.

Incidentally, the Minister is at the top, followed by the Deputy Minister, and then the three Ministerial Assistants. Since the Earl of Elbasil is the head of the Ministerial Assistants, he is the third in command in the Ministry of Finance.

Well, the Earl of Elbasil has also committed his fair share of crimes. Smuggling, illegal slave trading, murder, rape, extortion, and so on. Given that he is the father of Grissom, he is quite a scoundrel. Based on this, it's highly likely that his other son is also a scoundrel.

I searched the room without being noticed by the Earl of Elbasil, but there was no significant evidence.

I need evidence that could bring down the entire Elbasil family. I think there should be evidence of smuggling and human trafficking, but I doubt he would bring such evidence to his workplace. I'll search his mansion next time.

I entered the Ministry of Finance's archive and looked around. The financial situation is quite bad. Given that nobles and officials are embezzling, it's no wonder the finances are in such a state. The Minister of Finance is embezzling 40%, and others are doing the same. If the finances were healthy despite this, it would be impressive.

While looking through the ledgers, three people entered the archive.

"Hey, have you heard the rumor?"

"Yeah, I heard it. The Ministerial Assistants Elbasil and Rudil got into a fistfight."

"In reality, they had a terrible verbal altercation that almost turned into a physical fight."

"Rudil is a serious person. I think he really dislikes Elbasil, who embezzles a significant amount of money, even though he is incompetent."

It seems that the Earl of Elbasil had a fight with his political rival. I thought nobles wouldn't fight openly, but it's hard to tell what they do behind the scenes.

It's surprising that even low-ranking officials know about the embezzlement, yet he still manages to hold his position.

The detailed appraisal revealed that the Earl of Elbasil is strongly connected to the Minister of Finance through a family relationship. He has climbed to his current position through these connections. Connections should only be used to get in; if they are used for promotions, everyone suffers.

"I think the current Minister is fine."

"As long as he gets money, he doesn't care what we do."

"But recently, things have gotten worse. Taking advantage of the king's illness, he's doing whatever he wants. This makes the future of the country uncertain."

"Indeed."

I've heard that the king is ill. I don't know the specifics, but it seems that people are taking advantage of the king's absence to do as they please.

The princess is around 16 years old, I think. She is younger than me, yet she is trying to carry the burden of the country. However, it's clear that she lacks the strength to do so.

In Japan, a 16-year-old princess would still be considered a child, yet the adults in this country are doing nothing. Instead of eating the country, they should be supporting the princess. I dislike such adults.

I don't have good feelings towards the princess, but I dislike the adults even more. I want to punish the adults I dislike.

While investigating the Earl of Elbasil, the Minister of Finance, and others who are openly corrupt, the day came for me to have an audience with the king to greet him for the New Year. The king is currently convalescing, so the princess, who is the regent, will represent him.

Actually, I've already met the princess, so it's fine.

"This is this, and that is that."

Zaigen said with a sigh. I wish he would stop reading my mind.

The audience took place in the same location as last time, but there were fewer nobles. The event to reward the demon slayers was held grandly. It was ruined by the fools, though.

"This year, with the appearance of the demon, the Duke of Galderland's territory must have been difficult."

"Not only were the houses in the town destroyed, but a certain castle also suffered significant damage. Therefore, we plan to rebuild the castle."

"The royal family will also provide assistance in the construction."

The finances are in deficit, yet they can assist a duke? Do they not understand the reality? Or do they have some other plan?

Well, it doesn't matter to me if the country goes bankrupt due to financial deficits.

"Thank you very much."

The conversation between the princess and the duke was the main part. Yet the princess kept glancing at me. I have a bad feeling about this.

"The Baron of Futsickle must have been troubled as well."

He must be referring to Akaba and the others. They were reduced to slavery after that. There's no way they could have 250 million grils.

They are now under the management of the Knight Commander, starting their training over. If they act up, they get beaten by the knights. That's just right for them.

"No, I didn't do much."

I was able to vent some of the accumulated resentment. Plus, I received 750 million grils as compensation for the trouble caused by the duel. I was surprised to get the full amount. If there had been any embezzlement, I would have brought about their ruin.

"I would like to make you a direct vassal of the royal family, but the duke looks intimidating, so I'll refrain."

That's a good idea. I'll decline as well.

The princess summoned the heroes, but it was the king and the Minister of Finance who strongly pushed for it. The princess was apparently against the summoning.

I read such records while investigating. I have a slightly better opinion of the princess now. The king and the Minister of Finance are the bad ones. The Minister of Finance was embezzling the costs of the summoning. I have located the hidden ledger. Of course, the Earl of Elbasil was also embezzling.

I have made significant progress in investigating the Earl of Elbasil. I have even found evidence that could bring about his downfall. However, I haven't gathered enough evidence to bring down Grissom, his foolish son. Despite his foolishness, Grissom is very meticulous about covering up his crimes. If I bring down his father, the earl, he might be investigated as well, but I shouldn't rely on that.

Perhaps I can make progress by focusing on the illegal slave trade, but the responsibility lies with Grissom's party members. In other words, Grissom can claim he knew nothing. He's quite cunning, Grissom.

I want to gather evidence of Grissom's crimes, but so far, I haven't made much progress.

At that moment, I detailed appraised Grissom at his mansion, and his criminal record on his record card was erased.

"What's going on...?"

Upon closer inspection, I could see that it had been erased. However, Grissom does not have the skill to alter or change record cards.

"Did he ask someone to change it?"

That seems likely. However, none of his companions or slaves have such skills.

"Who... who did it...?"

The record card was unnaturally altered, and there were also unnatural aspects in the detailed appraisal.

By patiently unraveling these unnatural aspects, I came across the term "underground guild."

It seems that Grissom is also involved with the underground guild.

The audience ended without any issues, and the duke will leave the capital in two days. I need to hunt monsters on the 10th floor of the dungeon, so I will continue to stay at the duke's villa.

At the same time, Yamato and Itsukushima moved into the duke's villa (my lodging). They will continue to make items under my supervision.

I expected the duke to set conditions, such as submitting the items I make, but he didn't. I now owe him a favor, which is a bit scary.

Our lodging is in the duke's mansion, so security is tight. The safety of Yamato and Itsukushima should be ensured while we are in the dungeon.

At that moment, Gandalban brought two explorers to meet us.

"I found some good talent at the capital's explorer guild."

They are explorers who transferred from Kelniffi to the capital and are acquaintances of Gandalban from his explorer days.

"They were part of a five-person party, but two retired due to injuries and were considering their future."

"Hmm, if two retired, what about the third?"

"The third joined another party."

It seems that the other party also had a member retire due to injury, leaving an open slot. They discussed merging, but with five from the other party and three from this one, it would make eight, which is too many. The discussions didn't go well.

After several discussions, one of their companions joined the other party. Essentially, two stepped back.

The two were planning to form a new party with new members and continue as explorers, but they met Gandalban again, and he recruited them.

They are a mismatched pair. One is shorter than me, and the other is taller than Gandalban.

"These two are sisters."

"Huh? Sisters... really?"

"Yes, they will introduce themselves."

The shorter one stepped forward. She is about 140 cm tall.

"I am the older sister, Colun."

What? She looks like a middle schooler, and the shorter one is the older sister?

"Our father is the same, but our mothers are different."

So, they are half-sisters.

"My mother is a Litrana, so I inherited the Litrana's characteristic of a youthful appearance."

I don't know the Litrana race. Gandalban explains that they belong to the dwarf race and are relatively large among dwarves.

Next, the taller one stepped forward. She is about 230 cm tall, a head taller than Gandalban.

"I am the younger sister, Karun. My mother is a Half-Dalgor."

Gandalban, please explain! Half-Dalgor belongs to the giant race and is relatively small.

Yes, a large dwarf and a small giant. Confusing!

"I will hire them based on Gandalban's recommendation, but they must sign a confidentiality agreement."

"Thank you!"

"The employment conditions will be explained by Gandalban. If they are acceptable, we will sign the contract."

I was thinking we needed more soldiers, so it's helpful to have reinforcements. Plus, they don't seem to have bad personalities.

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