The party is finally entering its climax.
As they once again appeared, showing various emotional changes, a sweet atmosphere filled the air. I was walking with Kirie-san on patrol.
The ostensible reason was to deal with any trouble, but the real objective was different.
We were keeping a close watch, hoping that a couple from the spy group would cause some trouble.
“By the way, if you found suspicious individuals who seemed to be acting covertly like this, how would you deal with them, Kirie-san?”
“There are many things I cannot say, but it’s certainly not a method that can be made public. What about you?”
“It’s similar. Unless you do that much, it won’t function as a deterrent.”
We exchanged conversations that were out of place for a party venue meant to support love, and the time spent waiting for them to slip up was far from boring.
We had to constantly sharpen our nerves and keep an eye on the spy couples scattered around, so we couldn’t let our guard down.
Although we walked casually, in reality, we continued our surveillance using familiars, shikigami, and staff.
We wouldn’t miss a single moment that could serve as evidence.
To avoid giving the impression that we were being monitored, we conspicuously walked around while still protecting the privacy of other couples to the minimum extent necessary, so as not to cause them any inconvenience.
We were only extending our surveillance net to those we found suspicious.
As a precaution, we also kept a milder surveillance on couples who seemed to be getting along, just to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
We had rigged the surveillance using both magic and physical means so that they wouldn’t suspect they were being watched.
Thus, they might be thinking something is up or that they’ve been sensed, but they wouldn’t know the reality of being monitored, creating a situation where they become prone to suspicion.
Suspicion works to our advantage, so we left it at that.
Frankly, I don’t have a knack for this kind of probing.
The procedures are troublesome, and there’s a risk of missing something.
It’s incredibly difficult because there’s no sign of physical combat.
Although I’ve become somewhat brain-dead due to the instructor’s influence, I’m acting this way precisely because I understand the necessity of such covert operations.
Furthermore, considering that the president, Evia, and possibly even the instructor might be watching this situation, it’s necessary to employ even troublesome methods.
I thought of the faces of my superiors, who seemed to be enjoying my struggles, and began wishing it would end soon.
“But, I wonder how effective that deterrent will be. There are still those who, even knowing what they’re doing is wrong and that it would be terrible if they were caught, believe that if there’s no evidence, it’s not a problem. By the time they regret it, they’ll just say it was a moment of impulse.”
“That’s a template, isn’t it? If you’ve gone that far, you should honestly admit your crime and commit to being the villain.”
“That’s how crimes driven by greed are. It’s like looking at the benefit of saving time by running a red light without considering the risk of an accident. They assume the worst-case scenario won’t happen and end up getting into an accident and losing. Truly, the karma of greed.”
Having surveillance from above makes things difficult, but performing one’s job properly is the mark of a working adult.
I can accept being watched, but just the fact that there’s such a gaze makes me overthink things and builds up stress.
Despite harboring such tension and stress, I became extremely irritated thinking that the spies might be planning something within my reach.
The law in Japan states that you are not punished if you are merely suspected.
While there are similar expressions in this world, the laws are certainly more violent than in Japan.
Frankly, if it wouldn’t cause international trouble, I would have apprehended them immediately and had a “physical” talk. But I can’t do that.
To resolve things that way, we need them to make the first move, which is the rule with the Demon Lord’s Army.
If they make a move to attack, it’s permissible to strike back, but there are some gentlemen who deliberately get hit and then, with a sly smile, retaliate threefold.
Recalling a certain instructor who loves alcohol, I realized that because physical methods are so prevalent, the justification is crucial.
We need to solve this by presenting solid evidence.
“I wish they would put the saying ‘haste makes waste’ into practice. They’ll try to outsmart us, rush ahead, and end up destroying themselves, leaving their successors to clean up the mess. I can already see that scenario.”
“We are so accustomed to safety. Perhaps that’s why we don’t realize its importance. That pattern remains the same, even across worlds. It’s always the diligent workers who suffer.”
“Indeed.”
However, there’s no benefit in being reactive.
As Kirie-san said, if we prioritized safety, we wouldn’t be doing this.
They want to gain profit even at the risk of sacrificing it.
Therefore, they are likely sending their subordinates under my command to establish contact with this otherworld, going against the president’s decision… Thinking about the machinations of these greedy nobles makes me depressed, and it’s frustrating to be so passive.
“Now, do you think those kinds of people will just sit still?”
“That’s a prime example of a foolish question. If they intended to stay quiet, they wouldn’t have sent talent here. They will probably take some action within the allotted time.”
I mixed in my brain-dead thoughts, wishing they would do something more flamboyant so I could respond in kind. Kirie-san’s words, predicting that something would happen, made me slowly smile.
“That smile is similar to your elder sister’s.”
“Huh? Does my mother smile like that?”
“I don’t know about now, but she used to do it all the time when she was younger. She’d flash that smile when getting back at the elders of the main family, and then howl with laughter afterward. She really hated shrine maiden training even back then.”
“I’ve never met my maternal grandparents, but are they still alive?”
“They are, though your sister’s recklessness has taken its toll.”
“Are they not experiencing any physical difficulties?”
“They’re 77 years old, but they still take their dog for walks energetically. The toll has been on their relationships; they’ve simply retired to take responsibility for your sister’s misdeeds.”
“Mother.”
Seeing my smile, I expected to be admonished for what I thought was a malicious grin, but Kirie-san’s voice was filled with nostalgia.
I thought it was a smile inherited from the instructor, but it seems my mother’s genes were mixed in, and she simply assumed we were straightforward parent and child.
Hearing the wild stories of my mother’s past, I found myself perplexed by the need for understanding and sympathy for my grandparents, whom I’d never met.
“…Human King, there has been movement. We may be able to secure evidence.”
“Understood. Continue monitoring.”
“Did something happen?”
“Yes, they secretly passed a magic tool while exchanging contact information. I’ve recorded it and will now apprehend them.”
At that moment, I confirmed the reports from my subordinates who had taken their positions via telepathic call, shifting from surveillance to action.
I wanted to hear more about our mother, our common topic, but I had to get to work.
“Shall we ask those who messed up to make their exit?”
“Yes, let’s make them pay the price for using this venue, established through divine favor.”
This was originally a venue for discussion proposed by Mimamori-sama.
Causing trouble there would be an act that would tarnish the divine face.
Kirie-san is actually quietly getting angry now that a problem has arisen. She’s reached her limit with the egoistic thoughts and the mindset of her family.
“By the way, what is the price for that debt?”
“I hope their family continues to exist.”
When asked how much anger she had accumulated, the information that one household might come to an end was enough to understand.
The place we are heading to is quiet, and though it may seem like a peaceful conversation, it has already been isolated by a barrier.
This is to ensure that surrounding couples are not disturbed and to quietly escort them out.
“For reference, what is the price for your debt?”
“I’m glad I prepared beforehand,” I thought to myself as I answered Kirie-san’s question.
“Hmm, I’m concerned if they can endure a simple life in the downtown area.”
“Oh my, that’s very kind of you. Will they be able to rent a house?”
“I keep them somewhere they can be monitored, as I don’t know what they might do if they’re pushed too hard.”
“Is that your way of thinking?”
I chuckled beside Kirie-san, who was giggling.
I praised the staff for their wise judgment in averting their gaze and pretending not to see, which was a sensible decision. Fueled by the stress that had accumulated in preparing this venue and the anger towards those who messed up in a place built upon such hardship, the words “mercy” had vanished from Kirie-san’s and my minds.
“Are there any ways to truly make someone understand the meaning of hardship? I’m thinking of using it as a reference for what comes next.”
“Would you prefer a physical discussion or a mental one?”
“Well, I feel like the former, but doing that in Japan would cause problems later, so I’d prefer the latter.”
“Reputation is important, isn’t it?”
We walked with the conviction that what we were about to do would exceed even the concept of regret.
Even my subordinate, who had infiltrated as staff, had a twitching corner of his mouth. When I asked with my eyes where he was, he subtly pointed.
“Shall we proceed with practical instruction?”
“Yes, yes, that would be fine.”
When we reached our destination, a man and a woman who had already been apprehended were seated.
“…!”
The moment they saw us, they let out voiceless screams, likely due to their muzzled mouths.
“If you’re going to be that scared, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”
“I warned you before entering this venue. I asked you to refrain from making any mistakes.”
A warning and then a “please be careful next time” is too out of place for this venue. This is a place intended for national exchange.
Although it was ostensibly a marriage hunting party, the true purpose was to serve as a stepping stone for inter-country exchange.
To think they would approach me with a proposal for under-the-table dealings in such a venue. I’ve been underestimated quite a bit.
“Just so you know, I have no intention of listening to your excuses or letting you speak. It doesn’t matter if you have backing. By now, your supporters are likely busy preparing to cut you loose. There’s only one thing you can do: pray to the gods and gamble on the slim chance of surviving.”
Did they think they could get away with it because I’m a new general? Or was I a litmus test to see how quickly I would get angry?
Either way, it’s not hard to imagine that such acts of sabotage will continue in the future.
The man and woman, their evidence secured, could not imagine what lay ahead.
While other booths were filled with people chatting cheerfully, the air in this one was frozen.
The moment I snapped my fingers, a teleportation gate appeared behind the woman.
“Where it leads is a surprise, so please enjoy it.”
Beyond it was a certain room where Muil-san was waiting. I transferred the woman there, along with the evidence of her offense, before she could say anything.
“And for this customer?”
“I’ll handle them.”
The elimination of the trouble was complete.
Today’s word: It’s better for the behind-the-scenes work to go unnoticed.
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I am currently serializing another work: Pandora Pandemic Panic. The Pandora’s Box has been opened again, but I’m fighting back with various things in my secret base!!
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