I Favor the Villainess

"Secret Service...? I don't know. What the hell does Your Majesty ask me to do?

Looking into His Majesty's eyes without alarm, I asked.

His Majesty stared to try this one for a while, but eventually opened his mouth.

"How do you see politics in this country?

His Majesty abruptly changed the course of the story.

"We're talking about a world that doesn't come to mind by civilians and so on."

"Don't be modest. I know my grades in college. I know there's a deep understanding of national politics."

No, that's just a whole memorization of game knowledge - I can't say.

"I was wondering if His Majesty's capacitarian policy was working and if talented people were being recruited not only from the royal nobility, but also from the civilian population"

"On the other hand, there are radical movements like the civilian movement."

His Majesty sighed.

"Politics in this country has signs of corruption. Leading aristocrats are oligarchic and subversive of high-ranking bureaucrats. I wanted to bring in a new breeze there. That's what capability policy is all about."

"Aren't you having some success?

"Certainly recruiting competent civilians has begun little by little. But with nobility above and civilians below, the structure remains the same."

I know the cause, His Majesty continued.

"Because there is a hierarchical key structure with leading aristocrats at the top. Its structure cannot be easily handled with royalty. Not to mention civilians."

The only way to correct corruption is to slap this structure, His Majesty said.

"There you are."

"I repeat, what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to help me uncover the wrongs of the leading nobles."

"I refuse"

I answered instantly.

"For some reason"

"No, I'm still poisoned by the meal as it stands, and I don't want to do anything to buy that grudge."

"Don't lie"

"I'm not lying."

"Isn't it pimping"

"I detoxified it."

"Then let's not have a problem"

Grr.

Hard to do.

Your Majesty stood up unexpectedly.

That's right.

You're the best politician in this country, aren't you?

"Well, listen. I don't think all nobles are guilty of wrongdoing, but at least two people have a strong suspicion of wrongdoing."

"Ha..."

"Two, Chancellor Saras-Lilium, and Finance Minister Dollar-François,"

――

I needed to change my perception of His Majesty's abilities.

Was His Majesty aware of the injustice of Master Suras and Master Dollar at this point?

In "Revolution," His Majesty has no such great presence.

He had launched a capacitarian policy, but otherwise he had the impression that he was a mediocre king.

Instead, I even have the impression of a dull king who invites the rise of the civilian movement and, depending on the offensive route, loses his own kingdom.

Of course, it may also mean that we wished the people happiness without saving ourselves.

But I couldn't wipe the impression that there was no such thing as a king against a leading nobleman.

"What can I do to a big nobleman like you, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, as a civilian?"

I refused His Majesty's request without saying.

Such a development is not even in the game.

Depending on the attack route, the Dollar and Suras may be pursued illegally, but that is also what the attacking princes do.

I had no idea how I could do this on my own.

"Thou shalt be merciful to the daughter of Sarath, and to the daughter of Dollar."

Does that mean we should use Master Lily or Claire?

"I still refuse"

"Hmm, well. Then let's start with Lily and Claire and charge them with treason."

"One of the things about you is that you instructed"

"It's happening now. But I can also assume that you've figured it out."

I mean, this is a threat.

Besides, from those who stand at the top of this country.

"If you did that, you wouldn't shut up, Mr. Dollar or Mr. Suras, would you?

Because Claire is the daughter of Dollar and Lily is the daughter of Suras.

"I guess so. But only now, under the royal authority, can we reduce two forces."

……

What His Majesty says seems clear.

If such a forceful thing were possible, you wouldn't ask me to investigate the two of them in the first place.

But this case is an unprecedented scandal for the royal family.

In case His Majesty meant it, Lady Claire's body would be in danger.

I turned my head desperately.

You can't get caught for this right now.

If we're going to save Claire, we'll be happy to accept her going to jail, but we can't do that at this time.

Because we don't have that much time left until Master Claire finds herself in a predicament.

I can't leave Master Claire's side until I do something about it.

"Okay. I accept the assignment of Special Agent."

Fine.

His Majesty nodded satisfactorily.

There are several reasons why I received His Majesty's request, but for one thing I have thought that this request might be useful.

I have taken a number of countermeasures against the impending crisis of Master Claire, but I thought this might also be available.

Regarding its contents, sooner or later.

"I want you to do me two favors."

"Allegations"

"Firstly, could you give the same notice to Ladies Claire and Lily? Your Majesty's request cannot be fulfilled without the cooperation of the two of you."

This was really necessary.

"Hmm. I don't mind that. Instead, I thought it would be against you to involve both of us."

"Whatever it takes, it's too big a problem for me to do this alone"

I really don't want to get you two involved, but I can't help it.

"Fine. What about the other one?

"Even if we find evidence that Dollar or Suras is guilty, we ask you not to incriminate Claire or Lily."

"Hmm..."

"I don't mind the destruction of your house, but if you're going to punish Claire or Lily in unison, I'm going to ask you not to have this story."

……

His Majesty did not reply immediately.

With his mustache, he thinks deeply.

"Fine. I'm not going to incriminate you two."

"Thank you"

In the meantime, if this is all you can ask, Your Majesty's request is in my interest as well.

"I actually have a visitor before I go into the investigation, but to what extent are you authorized to be a Special Agent?

"I'll give it if I have to, but it can't be omnipotent. What do you need?

"I want minimum financial and police powers."

The former is to follow the flow of gold, and the latter is to seize the opponent when he finds injustice.

"Hmm. All right."

"One more thing. This is more important, but I also want you to acknowledge the authority of judicial transactions."

"What is a judicial transaction"

I see.

Is it not in this world?

"It's about mitigating a sentence or dropping a charge if the offender pleads guilty, charges an accomplice, or cooperates in an investigation."

"... what happens when you do that?

"There are a few, but the biggest benefit in this case is getting information that will help you make progress in your investigation of more important crimes"

I explained to His Majesty how I was trying to hunt down Master Dollar and Master Suras.

"... Hmm. If that helps."

When His Majesty summoned one of the soldiers, he received one like a card of cards of cards of cards to show me.

"What's this?

"It's a recording demon prop. I can record audio in this. It is used in important transactions and investigations because it is not possible to make duplicates."

Beware of handling it because it is a rare object, His Majesty said.

"Is there anything else?"

"No so far"

When I answered that, His Majesty looked surprised.

"Whatever the reward?

"My reward is enough that Lady Claire and Lady Lily are not guilty."

"... there's no greed for that."

"Really?"

If Master Claire's personality is guaranteed, there is nothing more.

"That's what happened during the Kimyra raid at the academy, isn't it?

"Even then, you saved the lives of the Lehnes. I am well paid."

"... if everyone seemed to have done so, this country would have become a better country too"

No, that would be too much praise.

I mean, I don't know what to say myself, but I have a sense that I'm a pretty freak.

When the kingdom is full of people like me, it is decided without waiting for its demise.

"Okay, please. Ask Rod about the end of the investigation."

According to His Majesty, it seems to be Master Rod who has been conducting the investigation so far.

I was freely authorized to see Master Rod, and I was released.

"How do you convince Master Claire... my head hurts"