Chapter 20

After returning from his gate security job, the first thing he did was to tidy up his room and surroundings.

Cleaning, doing laundry, and taking out the trash. Various tasks such as ventilating the room and replenishing consumables.

Once those were done, it was time to browse the internet.

He enjoyed watching videos and chatting with like-minded hobbyists to his heart's content.

The next day, he went to "Animember" to buy new releases and then visited second-hand bookstores, spending a fulfilling weekend.

On the third day after returning from his gate security job,

he went to the mercenary guild to take on a job, but it was unusually bustling.

When he spotted Mr. Loanz, he headed straight for him.

"Is something going on?"

"It's a power struggle between nobles."

"Oh... What's the reason?"

Summarizing the information Mr. Loanz told him with a sigh,

- The conflict is between the Rosero family and the Grient family.

- The cause of the power struggle is an oil painting by a painter recently designated as a national treasure.

- The painter passed away last month.

- The Rosero family is a count, and the head is a chubby old man.

- The Grient family is a baron, and the head is a beautiful baroness who lost her husband.

- Both claim that the painting was left as a token of gratitude when the artist stayed with the previous head of their respective families, and they have a written note to prove it.

- The painting is currently owned by the Grient family.

- The Rosero family claims it was stolen.

"From a visual standpoint, it seems the Count Rosero is at a disadvantage."

"It looks like they're trying to take it by force, using their noble status."

If it were Hero-kun, he would undoubtedly side with the baron.

By the way, in such cases, the mercenary guild accepts requests from both sides and lets the mercenaries decide whether to take the job and which side to support.

This system prevents the guild from being hated by either side and maintains neutrality.

"The guild has properly issued the request. If you have any complaints, blame the mercenaries who didn't take the job or didn't support your side."

Furthermore, it's standard practice that mercenaries don't hold grudges even if they fight each other.

So, mercenaries who are friends often end up on the same side.

By the way, one of the guild's regulations is that

"Mercenaries must take at least four requests involving combat (such as conflicts between factions or pirate hunts) within a year.

If such requests are not available, this requirement is waived."

According to this regulation, I don't need to take any more, but with the large pirate groups being destroyed one after another, pirate activity has decreased, and so have the requests for pirate hunts and escorts.

Since I can't just do nothing until the pirates become active again, I'm planning to take the job.

A power struggle between nobles is unlikely to end anytime soon, given the current situation.

However, I don't have enough information to decide which side to support.

Considering the deadline, I'm thinking of putting off my response.

Just then, a loud voice came from the other side.

The speaker was a woman with yellow-green hair and fair skin, wearing what looked like a military uniform.

"This is undoubtedly a baseless claim by Count Rosero! I will deliver the righteous hammer of justice to the evil Count Rosero, who is trying to steal a national treasure from a weak woman!"

Her statement clearly portrayed Count Rosero as the villain.

I can understand that.

Mr. Loanz and I both considered that possibility.

It does look that way on the surface, but the information isn't properly gathered.

Besides, she looks like a female version of Hero-kun.

Mr. Loanz answered my question.

"That's Fadilna Priliera, who recently became a bishop. Remember the girl who hit you before? She's her sister."

"Whaaat!"

Seriously? That's the worst!

And it's even more concerning that she became a bishop without doing proper research.

I definitely want to avoid getting involved.

By the way, Hero-kun's name is Yuri Priliera.

"Is there still time before the deadline for this request?"

"Yeah, it's fine until five days from now."

"Then I'll do some research first."

Such battles usually start with a countdown and are hectic,

but a power struggle between nobles has a strong duel-like aspect, with a set date and time, and both sides gather and start the battle formally.

That's why I can take my time.

It was the same with the previous conflict between the Baccaho Count and the Jimas Baron.

Of course, there are those who do preliminary work and use underhanded tactics, so caution is necessary.

I left the mercenary guild and headed straight for the black market shopping district.

To gather information to decide whether to take the job or not.

Still, this place is full of suspicious vibes.

What does that sign on the meat shop say, "Born from boiling oil mud, the dark gold of bitter acid"?!

While looking at various suspicious signs, I arrived at my destination, "Patson Pharmacy."

The store was still filled with the smell of wood, earth, and herbs, and the counter had a row of candy bags.

"Welcome. ...Oh, it's you."

Just like the last time, he had an unlit cigarette in his mouth and a lackluster expression as he read the newspaper.

"You... You greeted me the same way last time, didn't you?"

"Shut up. So, are you here to listen to some gossip today?"

Since the time span was short, he must have realized that the candy wasn't my purpose.

"Yeah. Do you have any information on the Rosero Count and the Grient Baroness?"

At my question, Gonzales raised his glasses.

"Two hours. You can hang around here."

It seems the information is relatively easy to obtain.

If it were difficult, it would take more than a day.

"I'll read some light novels here."

I sat in one of the waiting chairs in the store and took out a light novel.

"Let me know if any customers come."

With that, Gonzales brought the hair tied around his neck to the front, exposing the back of his neck, opened a connector, and inserted a cable connected to a PC. He then remained motionless in his initial posture.

He must have entered a digital space to gather information.

No customers came, and two hours passed.

The results were as follows:

- Despite his appearance, Count Rosero is known for his benevolent rule and is beloved by his subjects.

- His taxes are fair, and he has a gentle personality. He works diligently.

- His chubby appearance is due to his constitution and a love for sweets.

- He is not popular with women and remains single.

- He started preparing reluctantly after a declaration of war from the other side.

- The Baroness Grient is beautiful and well-figured, but her actual age is unknown.

- She is fond of luxury and raises taxes to buy her favorite brands, leading to poor public opinion.

- As a result, more people are moving to other planets.

- She was previously married to three husbands, all of whom died.

- The baron died of illness the year after they married.

- In terms of private army strength, they are evenly matched.

This clearly shows that the Baroness Grient is out of the question!

Of course, it could be false information spread by Count Rosero.

"Hey, you gathered the information pretty easily, but how reliable is it?"

"Regarding Count Rosero, there are few sources, but the information from the residents is consistent. It's peaceful, so there's not much to write about. I checked the street cameras, and it was indeed peaceful. ...Hmm..."

While answering, Gonzales made a strangely seductive sound and pulled the cable out from the back of his neck.

"As for the Baroness Grient, it's a storm of insults and defamation. The streets are nearly empty, and those who are there look gloomy."

He put his hair back, retied it, and put away the cable, then took a carbonated drink from a small refrigerator under the back shelf.

Why does Gonzales, who is entirely mechanical, eat?

The reason is related to human instinct.

To move his mechanical body, he could use an external battery.

For his brain, a special nutrient solution injected once a month would suffice, but not eating is a significant source of stress.

Therefore, it is essential for a fully mechanical body to have the function to digest food and generate the nutrient solution for the brain.

Of course, it is also possible to inject a special nutrient solution externally.

However, the body cannot move without using a battery.

By the way, for bio bodies and clone bodies, both can be achieved with regular food.

"Personally, I wouldn't want to live in the Grient Baron's territory."

While drinking the carbonated drink, Gonzales sighed.

After hearing this information and considering it, I decided to support Count Rosero.

The Baroness Grient is definitely suspicious.

This is a small-scale participation in the war.

I would appreciate your opinions, comments, and any corrections.