First chapter of explanation.
There are various types of those who live in darkness and shadows, depending on their actions.
For example, succubi are involved in all sorts of behind-the-scenes work, starting with espionage.
However, this is done by serving the king or nobles of a certain country and carrying out various dark tasks that do not see the light of day, based on their instructions.
Separately, there are also organizations that consolidate criminals such as thieves and robbers in towns.
Such organizations are generally called dark guilds, but that is merely for the sake of clarity, and unless it is a very large organization, they rarely identify themselves as a dark guild.
This is only natural, as if such an organization were to become publicly known, it would immediately become the target of knights and guards.
A dark guild that becomes known to the public is already considered to have a certain connection with such individuals and proves that they cannot be easily dismantled.
However, in the case of dark guilds, it is customary to have a stronghold where they are absolutely safe, and to act in a way that they will not be dismantled in other towns.
Thus, there are various forms of organizations that engage in dark work that cannot be brought to light.
Espionage organizations, dark guilds, shadows, darkness, and so on.
Even though ordinary people know of their existence, they have various names for them, with whom they have almost no direct contact.
This also differs depending on the nature of their activities, but there is a fundamental reason for it.
It is said that the origins of those who live in darkness began with information exchange, that is, espionage activities, conducted by merchants.
For merchants, information can sometimes be more valuable than the goods themselves.
This is because that information can be said to be the deciding factor in their success or failure as merchants.
Nobles and those of royal lineage who took notice of this information began to extensively employ those who were engaged in such activities.
Those employed by superiors gradually began to not only gather information but also to engage in dark tasks that those with status in the open could not undertake.
As they accomplished these tasks, they became useful and indispensable presences for royalty and those of high status.
The reason for this is simple: organizations that perform such work are not easily developed.
In the course of this history, succubi, who are known for their beauty, became important underground figures in various countries and organizations.
Conversely, for those in high positions, succubi came to be regarded as skilled individuals who carried out dark tasks.
Organizations that are employed by those of high status from the beginning come to be called darkness or shadows.
In contrast, organizations that consolidate robbers who repeatedly commit theft and robbery within cities are called dark guilds.
Darkness and shadows, and dark guilds, differ in their origins and are therefore referred to differently.
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Kousuke, who had just heard the history of the shadow dwellers from Peach, let out a big sigh.
“I knew it, but every organization has its history, doesn’t it?”
“Wouldn’t you say so? No organization just pops up out of nowhere. If there were, it would be when someone like you, with knowledge from another world from the beginning, establishes it. Just like Crown.”
Floria, who was listening to the story, added, shrugging her shoulders.
Floria was not in a position to directly use the shadow dwellers in the kingdom, but she knew their history to some extent.
However, she only knew it to some extent; only those who employ them or are employed by them know it completely.
Unlike dark guilds, shadow dwellers are mostly active without being known to the public, so their origins are rarely revealed.
Kousuke, convinced by Floria’s words, nodded and looked at Peach.
“Sorry for interrupting. So, there’s a reason you went out of your way to tell me this story, right?”
Peach rarely talks about “work,” so Kousuke knew there was a reason this time too.
“Yes~. This connects to what Miku just told me. Rather than using the food stall directly, advancing matters from behind the scenes is more our domain than the dark guilds.”
“Is that so?”
Kousuke, who had not expected such a distinction, looked puzzled and tilted his head.
He thought that if there were such a clear distinction, it would not be strange for people of a certain rank, if not ordinary people, to be aware of it.
However, judging by Floria’s expression, she seemed to be hearing this for the first time.
He wondered what this difference meant.
As if understanding Kousuke’s doubt, Peach gave him a somewhat awkward look.
“It’s not that dark guilds don’t do the same thing~. It’s more like a feeling that can’t be put into words…”
Peach herself seemed unable to explain it well and looked troubled.
Kousuke knew that Peach was an expert in her field, so he had no intention of strongly denying it.
“Ah, sorry. I was just a little curious. You don’t have to worry about it too much. More importantly, if it falls under your domain to move that food stall, is there a problem?”
“Uhh. It’s not a problem, per se, but rather that we don’t know yet if it will become a problem~.”
Even Peach doesn’t know for sure if something specific is going to happen at the moment.
After all, all they currently have is Miku’s sense of unease, which Peach needs to investigate.
In such a situation, if asked if something is happening, Peach has no answer.
Kousuke, realizing this immediately, apologized again.
“No, I’m sorry. It’s understandable that you wouldn’t know if I asked you that now.”
Floria cast a slightly exasperated gaze at Kousuke, who looked like he had goofed.
“Kousuke, don’t be too reckless. Isn’t it more important to believe in Miku and Peach’s intuition right now?”
“That’s true. Peach, I’m sorry.”
Peach, flustered by Kousuke’s continuous apologies, shook her head.
For Peach, it wasn’t something that required such an apology.
It seemed like it had become a time for Kousuke to apologize, but in any case, unless Peach moved and investigated, they wouldn’t know what was happening.
Peach would apparently start investigating the very next day, and Kousuke and the others would act accordingly.
However, Kousuke wouldn’t be doing anything in particular, just being available for contact at any time was all he could do.
If Kousuke and the others were to act carelessly, there was a possibility that they would be dealt with by the organization if it truly existed.
Kousuke and the others believed that in such situations, it was best to leave it to the experts and not act rashly.
This explanation was the reason why this chapter was started, so to speak. w
Of course, with this in mind, the story will proceed from here…
I wonder what will happen.
(After setting up so many flags, it’s not like it will turn out that Miku was mistaken! w)
