Maou No Utsuwa

Sudden reports of vice struck the Kamuis. What brought it about was in a casual conversation with Princess Sophilia.

"Picking up rogue merchants?

"That's right. There's a couple of merchants hooked up with a network of investigations into fraudulent transactions that we've been working on."

"What does it mean to trade fraudulently?

"Bribery of officials, undue price hikes, obstruction of other merchants, etc."

"Why are you doing that now?

Empress Sophilia's explanation does not fall into Kamui's heart. The example given by Princess Sophilia does not seem special.

In the peripheral territories, similar things are routinely carried out at the hands of officials seconded by the Empire. That's why the border lords are struggling.

"The money the merchants are unfairly lumping in is going to be considerable. Comparable to the Empire's budget for a year, but more than that."

"Oh, you want that money"

If that's the case, Kamui thought.

"No, I'm not. It's supposed to be money paid to the Empire as taxes and returned to the people? The tax burden on the people is heavier than it can be correctly paid as a tax."

In the position of the royal Crown Princess Sophilia, it seems to be received differently. That doesn't seem like a good thing to Kamui.

The words of Princess Sophilia are only shifting the blame elsewhere.

'Cause I don't have any money to spend.'

"What?"

"You just have to do it within the amount of tax the people can pay. You're going to spend that on people because they don't have the money, right?

First you have a budget to consume and collect the necessary taxes for that budget. Not really, Kamui says look at the collected taxes and decide on the budget to consume. It's natural.

"It won't be that easy."

But the obvious doesn't make sense. The vice of being captured by previous customs and common sense also possesses the Princess Sophilia.

"But the people do. Some of you are in debt, but that's too much trouble, isn't it? And because you don't have enough money, if you take it from people, it's a thief."

"Even if they make the operation of the country the same as the lives of the people."

"Is it? I don't think it's going to change the basics."

Little by little, Kamui is trying to change the consciousness of these Sophilia princesses, but inside, it hasn't gone as far as he thinks.

"Anyway. Any money a merchant has illegally should be put into the country. That's not wrong, is it?

"Right. So how do you take back the money that was sent as a bribe?

"What?"

"There was also a bribe in the fraudulent trade earlier, wasn't there?

"Right..."

Empress Sophilia's momentum fades at once in Kamui's questioning.

"Then the money sent as a bribe should also be in the treasury. You're gonna wash out the tip I sent you, and you're gonna take it back, right?

I don't think I can do that.

"Why?

"It's..."

"Because many of them include aristocrats, and even royalty officials, right?

"Yes, it is..."

"Are you done making only merchants bad guys? It's a one-handed drop."

"You can't do everything at once."

"Yes, I know that. But Sophilia didn't seem to understand what was missing."

"Right. Reform has progressed. That's all I thought about."

"Well, hey."

"Problem."

"Yes, in this case, there's quite a problem"

"That much?

Where Empress Sophilia's feelings have settled, Kamui's guidance begins. It's the usual pattern.

"Those who have been bribed by the picking and doing will be more vigilant. If there was anything like evidence left, you would naturally erase it. I'm going to give you that time. If you look for something, you won't find it."

"Right."

"Is it all the merchants who are picking on it this time? They just hide evidence in the same way if only part of it is picked. You can't pick after this."

"I know that. But there was an explanation that picking up even part of it meant something."

"Maybe, show it to me?

"That's right. The picked merchant will be subject to a rather severe disposition. If you don't want to be the same, don't ever do anything wrong again. That sort of thing."

"You need a lot of merchants"

"Yeah, there's a pretty big merchant in there, too. What did I tell you about the biggest one? Oh, Simon, the Chamber of Commerce."

With this word of Princess Sophilia, the time for instruction is over.

"Become?! Could it be from an arms dealer?

"Yeah, that's right. You know me well."

"It's my friend's home."

"What?!

"I heard it was a severe disposition, what is it like?

"I haven't heard the individual dispositions. But the Lord is guilty of death, and so is his family. All assets are confiscated. I think it's like this."

"Same goes for my family?

"That depends on how much you're involved in sin. And then the weight of the merchant's sins."

"... when is the picking?

"Today."

"Huh?! Why have you ever shut up about such an important thing?!

This is just a proposition. Princess Sophilia doesn't know, such as the relationship between Kamui and Otto. On this matter, Kamui, who hid it, is worse.

"Even if they say that, I heard it today, too. Of course not. I don't know where it's coming from, so it's a secret picking date."

"I'm leaving."

"What are we going to do? It's already been decided. There's nothing more we can do."

"There's nothing you can't do. There's got to be something."

"What's that?

"I'll think about that now. Anyway, I need to hurry up and meet my friends."

The answer to Empress Sophilia is there too. Kamui is about to jump out of the room and go.

"Wait! I'll lend it to you, so use the carriage! That's faster! Zenlock, get ready!

"Ha!"

"Thank you!

The Kamuis jump out into the hallway in thanksgiving to Empress Sophilia. Then he panicked and went after Zenlock as well.

"... what can we do in such a groundfield?

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't think of anything for Empress Sophilia.

◇ ◇ ◇

In a carriage that goes pretty fast. Alto writes hard on paper.

"Oh, keep writing"

On a rocking carriage, Alto complains without being able to write very well.

"Be patient. If they take you, it's over. Anyway, we need to hurry to Otto's."

"I know. Almost there."

"What's in it?

"Do you have time to check?

"No. Let's keep going."

"Oh."

Otto's home I eventually saw. It's just a big merchant, and it's a pretty fine mansion. But many armed soldiers are now gathered in front of the mansion. He's a guard soldier in charge of policing Wang Du.

You're already here.

"Can I see you?

"Go strong. It's a carriage with a royal crest. If that doesn't work, it's the advisor's turn."

All you had to do was get ready for the carriage, and Zenlock ended up coming with you in the carriage.

Because there was resistance to letting the Kamui use the Empress's carriage alone, but that was fortunate for the Kamui.

"What can Non do? It's the National Guard, isn't it?

"That's why the status of Kingsguard Knights advisor helps, isn't it?

"Why?"

"Guard soldiers are civilians. I can't resist being put in a lie."

"Hey, that's"

"That's fraudulent. But if you don't give me the money, it's not a bribe. It's just a threat."

"You..."

It is a fine injustice of abuse of authority or transgression of authority.

"Okay, here we are!

Kamui get out of the carriage, ignoring the frightening Zenlock. The guards are puzzled by the sudden appearance of a royal carriage.

"Guards there! What about the Lord of this Mansion?!

"Ha, now the soldiers in custody are on their way. I thought you'd be out soon."

"Right. Are you detaining anyone but the Lord?

"No, I don't think so."

"So you're okay with that? Any chance of escape?

"You can't escape from the Imperial Capital. Each gate should already have instructions and handwriting around it."

"What about the mansion security?

"Naturally, soldiers stick around."

"You can't go in and out of the Mansion, can you?

"No, that's all the instructions. I've been told never to forgive me for taking out family belongings."

"I see that's enough. Okay."

"Oh, uh, what about you?

"Me? I am from the castle. Can't you see the carriage crest?

"Excuse me. You look so young."

That would be so. Kamui is a minor. Besides, he's small at his age.

"Well said. I guess it's because the companions are young."

So it works, thanks to a great attitude. As for the attitude that looks great, the other person is not uncomfortable at all either.

"Right."

"Ah, apparently you're out. Coming through."

"Ha."

"Lord Zenlock, have a seat!

"... the guy named you"

"Come on, let's go."

Bringing Xenrock, who is stunned, Kamui speaks to the guard who came out. It feels really great.

"Um, what about you?

"He who came from the Sara royal family. I'd like to have a word with the Lord of this mansion."

"No, even if they say so, this man is going to be sent to jail."

"I'm not going to interrupt that. I know exactly what your mission is."

"So why now?

"I have a contract I have to put on before I go to jail"

"Um, this guy's going to jail. Now, contracts, etc."

"That's why. Or something? You think you can get me in trouble? You know what I mean when I say I'm in trouble?

"But it is."

The guards didn't even try to give way to Kamui's threats. That means it's not enough.

"You, what's your name?

"Yes?"

"Let me get your name. I never forget the quality of saying this. It seems better to remember your name for later."

I don't know what I'll remember for, that's a more discretionary decision to make when I'm told.

"It's..."

Kamui pushes no further at the opponent, who finally sees the color of agitation.

"If you don't say, let's ask someone else. Oh, you should ask him about the Lord, too."

"Wow, I get it. If only for a little while."

"Right. Oh, good. I think I can do something with this. You, what's your name?

"Oh, that."

"Oh, it's better not to ask here. I wanted to thank you, but I'm a little dissatisfied with the hassle."

"Yes."

"Then bring the Lord to the carriage"

"Ha."

I managed to round up the guards. After that, just proceed to the finish. Coming to the front of the carriage, Kamui took control of the guards.

"That's all you've got."

"No, but"

"It's not like I'm going to grab anything. Even so, do you have a mission? [M] Fine, I'll leave the door open. Is that all right?

"... Yes"

"Then, Lord, let's talk about a contract. Get in the carriage."

"What about you?

"Fine, get in the carriage!

"Yes."

Kamui, who brought Otto's father into the carriage, quickly offered his father the paper he had prepared.

"Well, let's get this contract signed"

But what are you talking about?

"If you look inside, you know what I mean. Just make sure."

"... What's this?

Otto's father gives a small and surprising voice when he sees the contents of the paper given as a contract.

"You know what the contract is, don't you? Don't get me to sign it."

"... what happens to me?

"Probably a capital offense. It could be similar to family. That's why we're gonna need this."

"... Really? Okay."

Heard of death, he was a disappointed father who dropped his shoulder, but when he was given a pen, he honestly marked his signature on the paper. Otto's father knows why he needs this.

"What's the date?

"I don't mind today. It's not as if the crime has been proven yet. Well, if you stick around for a couple of days, you'll be more certain."

"Okay."

"Now, Counselor Zenlock, sign it, too."

"Non, too?

"You need third-party proof, right? Or do you think I can't help you with this?

"Okay. Do you threaten me at all?"

"Nothing. I'm not threatening anyone."

Playing a great official makes me look like Kamui right now. I didn't mean to threaten Kamui, even if I meant to cheat him.

"... Look, I wrote it"

"Sure. That's good for now. So... you can't say you're well. Leave Otto to to me."

"Yes, please"

With his own feet, Otto's father gets off the carriage. The guard immediately holds down both arms of the father.

Seeing how he was detained, he suffered a slight chest injury, but he doesn't have the power to help even Otto's father.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your mission."

"No."

"Are you guys going to pull up now?

"Yes, because we must take them immediately"

"Right. Leave the guards behind, right?

"No, there will be a replacement soon"

"... is that okay?

"That's..., with that kind of instruction"

"Oh, I see. I heard something unnecessary about this. … so much so."

"Ah, yes."

The guards replied with a smile to Kamui, who had said meaningful words.

"Well, now I'll be excused"

"Ha."

This concludes Kamui's role. Zenlock, sitting in the front of Kamui, is totally through a shake, and I just have to laugh.

"Can you get the carriage out and pull over the first corner?"

Without worrying about Zenlock, Kamui gives instructions to you.

"You're not going back to the castle?

"Not since I picked up the alts."

"Hmm? Speaking of which, what happened to them?!

"Inside the Mansion. They're supposed to bring Otto out."

"When? Can you do that and come out?

"There's got to be a little while before a replacement guard comes along. No problem."

"With that said, you said that. What's that all about?

Zenlock did not understand the meaning of Kamui's words. Zenlock, who was often inside the royal castle as a Kingsguard knight, is dull on these things.

"Are you blind, or are you thinking about something bad back there? He laughed as hard as I did, so he probably laughed."

I don't know what that means.

"The people at the mansion deliberately made the time to escape, and where no one else is, steal the gold eye."

"Hey!?

"It's a joke. But I'm pretty sure you have time to run."

Kamui, who thought it would be troublesome to make more noise about Zenlock's reaction than he thought, decided to delude him.

"Right. But Petten's a good place, too. Weren't you there?"

"You're not supposed to be lying."

"No, that's not true."

"At least I didn't say use it with the Crown Princess Sophilia. I told you I'm from the castle, from the royal family. I'm not lying because I'm here from the Sophilia Empress's room in the castle."

"That's called Petten."

"You shouldn't be guilty. If I were to be questioned, I'd be the guard who inadvertently allowed contact."

"Poor thing. So, what was the contract earlier?

"... you didn't even sign without looking inside?

I had a thin feeling about Zenlock's public ignorance, Kamui, but I didn't think so far.

"Because you told me to, didn't you?

"Careless. What would you do if you were a guarantor of debt?

"No way?"

"That's no way. That's proof of insulation."

"Proof of insulation?

"Simply put, cut off the edge of the family. Documents proving that he is not a parent or a child."

"Was there such a thing?

"Yes, I have a lot of things to do when an orphan is adopted."

"Why would you do that?

"It would be a hassle if the birth parents came after I was adopted and told me to give my own child back, wouldn't it? And if the adoptive destination is wealthy, few parents try to get to it."

"Right..."

Asked about one end of the orphan's dark circumstances, Zenlock shows how he fell.

"With this, we can argue that there is no parent-child relationship, even if blood is connected"

"In other words, he said that as a family he would never be brought together in sin. You're still Petten."

"It is properly prescribed by the laws of the Empire."

"I don't have anything to use like this."

"But it should be legal. Unless you change the law."

"Right."

Every time I hear these stories about Kamui, I get anxiety on Zenlock's chest. This does not mean anxiety about the Kamuis.

Listening to the Kamui people comes up with ideas and measures that I wouldn't have thought of myself. The same is true of the fact that Empress Sophilia is often surprised.

Kamui and Alto, who are still students, are responsible for the staff of the Sophilia Empress faction today. But the Kamuis will eventually return to their territory.

After they're gone, I can't think of a replacement for Zenlock.

Empress Claudia flourishes like that, not just for that matter, but she is looking for, but from Zenlock's eyes, there is no such thing as lining up with the Kamuis.

Instead, I am so anxious about the aggressiveness of Princess Claudia.

So far, the inheritance struggle has progressed to an advantage. Though the eldest son, Prince Therese, has a handful of words, I don't think the measures shown by the Kamuis have affected him.

Well, there's a good chance that the forces that Kamui are trying to pull together will be the determinants of the inheritance struggle.

After the Kamuis have left the Imperial Capital, can they fulfill and maintain this advantage? This was making Zenlock anxious.

The carriage door was smashed while Zenlock was turning such thoughts around in his head. When I opened the door from the inside, it was the alts who were there.

"You were late."

Kamui speaks to those alts.

"A little hassle"

"Did you rub it?

"If you're asking about me with the guards, that's not true. I didn't even have a watch."

"Right. And Otto?"

"Oh, he's safe."

From the shadow of Alto, a caped otto appeared. But no matter how you look at it, you don't look like you're wearing clothes under your cape. My feet are barefoot.

"... what, exactly?

"Alto says take it all off."

"Huh?"

"The taking of property is incriminating. Unless I can clearly prove it's mine, I've never left it behind."

"That was thorough again. Then get in the carriage. You'd be ashamed if they thought you were one of us with a naked man, wouldn't you?

"I'm the one who's embarrassed. Not at all."

While complaining, Otto hurries into the carriage. The otto was followed by a woman Kamui had never even seen. Otto is the cape, whereas women wear multiple sheets.

And it's the long, pointed ears that caught Kamui's attention more than he looked like that.

"Who?"

"Otto's father was surrounding him, Elf. Took me a long time to untie her."

"You kept it at my parents' house?

"Sounds like it. I was a little surprised, too. I thought you left your mistress in a separate house."

"Bring him in. Are you okay? Things get rough when they're considered property, huh?

In fact, slaves are property. If it is a slave obtained through due process.

"It's illegal. There is no proper contract. You should be fine. On the contrary, it would be fine, I brought her alone"

"Was there anything else?

"Well, you're a human race, and you're usually the one who broke down in debt."

"Right. In the meantime, let's get the carriage out."

"Oh."

"So where am I supposed to go?

As soon as the carriage moved out, Otto opened his mouth.

"Take him to the orphanage. You're an orphan, so you got no problem with that, okay?

"Orphans?"

"Otto cut the edge with his parents. There's no one in this world who can call themselves a family."

"Hey, what's going on?

Otto hadn't heard anything from the Kamuis yet.

"This. Otto's father's autograph has been received."

"Insulation proof......, what is this?

Otto's reaction is the same as Zenlock's. Other than an orphan or someone who was involved with an orphan, it's normal not to know right away when you see this.

"Use this as a shield to escape the syndicate of sins. That's what this is all about."

"You mean that much sin?

I absolve myself of sin by cutting off the edge of my family. Conversely, it is a sin that extends to the family.

"Oh, there's a good chance your father's on death row. Now, as I said, the family could also be brought together"

"Oh no..."

"It seems to show off. To show it to other merchants. That's Otto's house. I'm pretty sure it's because of the size of the merchant. For that matter, the punishment will be severe."

"Yes."

"Do you actually have a fraudulent transaction?

"I just don't know the details, but how many merchants have never used bribes at all?"

"It would be quicker to count that way"

"There's no way to lift the price. It is natural for the price to increase if there is more demand. You're wrong to blame me for that."

"I don't care if you say that obstruction to other merchants is vague and that's obstruction. That's the place."

"Right."

"That's a sniper. Whatever you say about fraudulent trading, the contents are vague. Every merchant can apply it. Otto's place was targeted in there."

"I guess."

"Do you have any idea?

"I don't have it. The weapons dealer, the big mouth, the small mouth, even though there are many places to wholesale them. There's no connection to any particular nobility or organization. If that happens, I'll have trouble doing business."

"If you pay for an enemy or an ally, a customer?

"You may sound like a bad guy when you say that, but you can't trust an arms dealer who only sells weapons to one side."

"Convinced. What's the big mouth about the National Army or something? You think I'm being resented for selling too high?"

"I can't say I don't have that, but then, are there any other arms dealers who can just pay big mouths like the National Army?

"Is it a weapon of commerce to be able to count?"

"If it's just a few, you can buy them from all over. But it's not easy to align with the same quality."

"Is that what you mean? I suffer from the understanding that I'm going out of my way to crush a place like that, but think about it later."

So Kamui turned his attention to the elf. The pointed elf looked frightened and immediately distracted.

"Alto, what are you going to do?

"For once, the proposal was considered. But I doubt she'll accept it."

"Say it."

"First of all, she is not the property of Otto's house. In that sense, she's free."

The elf looked hazy at the alto's words.

"But there is no free elf in the royal capital. Being free will be her misfortune."

"You're still unhappy, aren't you?

"Yeah, but if you suck, you're going to an illegal whorehouse, right?

"Behold! What?!

The first voice the elf released was surprise and anger.

"It's not like we're selling them out. I'm telling you, if you walk around there all by yourself, you'll be there in a few minutes. That's how much you know, right?

"... I know"

"So my plan is to become a slave."

"Don't be ridiculous! Now you guys told me I was free!?

"Listen to me till the end. I'm telling you to be a legal slave. Otto is good for them."

"Me? Why me?!

"Nothing. Anyone, but I was at Otto's house."

"No, that's not the problem, is it?

"Anyway, I suggest you become a legal slave. That way, we can legally protect them from the others. I can't say it's perfect because I can't force it the most. On top of that, look for a final resting place. Worst of all, you can come with us to the realm."

"Territory? Where, what's that?!

"Nort Ende"

"Are you Northende people?!?

As soon as I heard of Nort Ende, the color of relief floats on the elf's face. For non-human species, Northende is a special place.

"Kamui is the next lord there, by the way"

"Become?! Is that true?!

"What do you do with lying? I am certainly Lord Northende, son of Viscount Kreutz."

"Right.... So, aren't you good with your slaves? No, it's not that I want to be a slave, it's that there's only one way."

"Joke. If you do that, I, the masters, will kill you."

"Who is the Master?

"Our master in Northende. Because there are elves. Let them know I enslaved my own people. I don't know what I'm gonna do."

"The Elves are highly homogeneous. There may be that."

An elf captures an insult to his fellow countrymen as an insult to himself. There was this kind of awareness in the Elves.

"Right? That's the same for Alto and Lutz. After all, Otto's the only one left."

"Wouldn't they kill me?

"... it's okay"

"Hey, now, there was a time, wasn't there?

"It's my fault. It's a little over a year before I get back to the realm. You can ask Alto to cancel the contract then. So what do you say?

"You want me to trust that?

"You think a man who breaks a promise can be Lord of Northende?

"... would be good. That sounds like the best part."

Elf understood exactly what Kamui meant by asking.

"Okay, settled. Later, when you get back to the orphanage and settle down. Bye, Otto."

"What?"

"You can cry now."

"... will you look forward?"

"Oh, okay"

Otto cries in the carriage. Never to look at it, the Kamuis stared out the window silently.