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After returning to the inn with Mr. Novak and finishing dinner, I was summoned by Mr. Hailwood, who was in charge of the escort of Viscount Lagart and his party.
He wanted to discuss the method of escorting them from now on.
“I’m sorry I called you out at this time.” (Hailwood)
“No, I heard you wanted to discuss the matter of the escorting…” (Nyango)
“Hmm, due to our clumsiness, we let the catkin escape. They won’t be able to attack us right away, but there’s a possibility that we’ll be targeted when we return from the Royal Capital. We’ll be fully prepared now. I want to do something about this. Can you help us?” (Hailwood)
“Of course. The viscount is an important person to protect the peace of Ibouro and Atsuka. Since I have joined the escorts, it is only natural that I should cooperate with you.” (Nyango)
Hearing my reply, Mr. Hailwood’s expression relaxed a little.
“It’s reassuring to hear you say so. When we were attacked in the village of Flos, it was you who protected the Viscount without a doubt.” (Hailwood)
“It just so happened that I was in the right position to protect him. But more importantly, is Caballero going to attack again?” (Nyango)
“Honestly, I don’t know. It’s difficult to predict without knowing how big an organization the Anti-noble Faction is and where they are based. We have no choice but to always be prepared.” (Hailwood)
“Where did they come from?” (Nyango)
“I heard that the so-called Anti-noble Faction first appeared in the Old Royal Capital.” (Hailwood)
The old royal capital was a prosperous city centered on the dungeon, and the Royal Castle was moved to the New Royal Capital due to deteriorating security and other reasons.
The reason for the deterioration of security was apparently the Anti-noble Faction.
“In the Old Royal Capital, there were many adventurers who explored dungeons, and the quality of adventurers was high. The Anti-noble Faction was said to have joined up with these adventurers and attacked the residences of Royalty and Nobility. However, the Anti-noble Faction, which was a factor in the relocation of the Royal Capital, was later driven to destruction by the Royal Knights. Those who have been active recently are thought to be a different organization.” (Hailwood)
“Then, isn’t it true that they have a base in the Old Royal Capital?” (Nyango)
“That’s what I heard from Duke Letburnes.” (Hailwood)
“They were using those crude magic guns. Are they connected to the people who took over the Academy in Ibouro?” (Nyango)
“I don’t know. Maybe they are, maybe they are not.” (Hailwood)
“I don’t want a suicide bombing to occur in the city of Ibouro.” (Nyango)
“Neither I. That is something that ordinary soldiers and adventurers have no way of preventing.” (Hailwood)
In my previous life as a high school student in Tokyo, I never had the chance to actually see it happen, but I remember seeing it many times on TV and other news outlets.
If you are confined to your mansion like Count Grobrus, you may be able to prevent it, but if you are suddenly attacked in the street, there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
In this attack, I was able to protect the viscount’s convoy because I happened to know the pulverization magic circle and I was able to build a defensive wall with void magic.
“Mr. Hailwood, can the magic carriage withstand the blast?” (Nyango)
“We haven’t experimented with it, so I can’t say for sure, but I think it could probably withstand a blast if it wasn’t detonated at point-blank range.” (Hailwood)
“Then, we should not let them get close to the mage carriage, right?” (Nyango)
“In theory, yes, but I’m not sure if I can protect them if they come out of the shadows.” (Hailwood)
“Shall I create a wall?” (Nyango)
“Is that the wall that protected the viscount from the blast?” (Hailwood)
“No, it’s not that. It’s a wall to keep them away from the carriages.” (Nyango)
What I thought of was a way to create a kind of guardrail outside the knights protecting the convoy, using void magic.
If we set up a pipe about 10 centimeters thick at a height of about 50 centimeters from the ground, we should be able to prevent them from approaching quickly.
“In order to blow up a magic carriage and harm the passengers, it is necessary to get very close to the car, isn’t it? If we can obstruct them, I think we can protect the Viscount and the others for now.” (Nyango)
“I see. So, if the pipe is invisible, the attacker will not notice it tripping them.” (Hailwood)
“Yes, but this method cannot be used in the city.” (Nyango)
“Well, if there are passers-by or passing carriages, they will bump into it.” (Hailwood)
“If so, shall I build an invisible wall right next to the magic carriage?” (Nyango)
“Can it withstand the impact of the explosion?” (Hailwood)
“Well, I don’t know, but even if it breaks, it should have the effect of reducing the force of the explosion.” (Nyango)
“Yeah, that’s what we will do while in town.” (Hailwood)
When traveling in a magic carriage, it was decided to keep suspicious people away anyway, and if they could not be kept away, to fortify their defenses.
“Inside the capital, the residents are divided according to residential areas. The area where the Viscount will be acting will be safe, as no suspicious people will be allowed to enter.” (Hailwood)
In the New Royal Capital, with the royal castle at the center, royal residences, knight orders, and royal research facilities are built on the east side, and residents are said to reside in the western half of the city.
The west side of the city is also divided into three areas: the central area is the residence of the nobility, the outer area is where government offices, schools, theaters, and high-class stores are located, and the outer area is where the commoners live.
“The common people are required to undergo strict identification before entering the second district, where government offices and other buildings are located. Nyango will accompany us, so you can enter without any problem, but if you want to go outside, you must talk to someone at the mansion and ask for a certificate. If you want to go outside, talk to someone at the mansion and ask for a certificate because they might get suspicious if you only have Ibouro’s guild card.” (Hailwood)
“Is it really that strict? But since the government office is inside, the commoners can…” (Nyango)
“Oh, the government office where commoners go through formalities is located in the third block, so it’s okay.” (Hailwood)
“I see…” (Hailwood)
I can’t be sure until I actually go there, but I feel a kind of selective thinking based on status and race.
I’m worried that if there is too extreme a disparity in social status, it will become the basis for the rebellion of people like the Anti-noble Faction.
“Um… Will there be the same security system as now on the way back from the Royal Capital?” (Nyango)
“No, the knights stationed at the residence in the capital will join them, and knights from the Royal Knights will also accompany them.” (Hailwood)
“Is that for conducting an investigation?” (Nyango)
“That’s right. They will assist the guards and at the same time conduct an investigation in the Grobrus territory…” (Hailwood)
Mr. Hailwood paused and thought for a moment.
“What’s the matter?” (Nyango)
“Maybe that’s what they’re aiming for.” (Hailwood)
“Ah… Is this to have the Royal Family investigate irregularities in the rate of taxation and annual tax?” (Nyango)
“The captured perpetrators will be handed over to the Royal Knights. The Lagart family members will also be present, but basically, the Royal Knights will take the lead in the investigation. If there is any mention of an auction, an investigation will naturally be carried out.” (Hailwood)
According to Hailwood, there are two types of royal investigations: those conducted openly and those conducted in secret.
It seems that when an open investigation is conducted, a secret investigation is also conducted at the same time.
“In this case, there was also talk about the allocation of annual tax. Since the annual tax is a matter that affects the very foundation of the nation, there is no doubt that investigations will be conducted on both sides.” (Hailwood)
“If that is the case, why not appeal to the royal family instead of attacking the viscount.” (Nyango)
“It’s impossible… As I said before, it is difficult for ordinary people to even enter the second district. To appeal directly to the Royal Family, they would have to go further through the first district to the Royal Castle… and that’s not realistic.” (Hailwood)
“Since they can’t appeal to the Royal Family, did they attack us to force the Royal Family?” (Nyango)
“That’s just a possibility. The real purpose may be something else, but this is probably one of the reasons why they carried out the attack.” (Hailwood)
“It’s difficult if you’re not blessed with a good lord…” (Nyango)
If the lords are so terrible, you might think that you should just give up on them and live in a different land, but it is not easy to build a foundation for life in a new land.
If you have a job, you may be able to find work in the new land, but if all you have ever done is farming, it is difficult to get a job.
Farming requires land.
Even if you go to a new place, it is not easy to get farmland.
“Even if you are dissatisfied, you have no choice but to endure it… What if that patience reaches its limit…?” (Nyango)
“I don’t know what the people pulling the strings behind the scenes are thinking, but I’m sure many of the perpetrators are driven by such thoughts. Well, they’ll tell us all about it when they get to the Royal Capital.” (Hailwood)
“So, they want to convey their feelings and influence the Royal Family?” (Nyango)
“That may be true, but the Royal Knights’ interrogations are not as gentle as ours.” (Hailwood)
It seems that the people captured this time will basically be executed for the crime of attacking a noble.
Therefore, it seems that the Royal Knights will conduct a strict interrogation, even if it means killing them in the process.
Like in prewar Japan, there is no such thing as the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, or other basic human rights.
Inhumane torture also seems to be practiced.
“Is it just me, or does it seem like nothing is going in the right direction?” (Nyango)
“That’s not true, I feel empty too, but they attacked a noble, I’m sure they’re ready for the consequences.” (Hailwood)
There are two days left until we reach the Royal Capital.
First of all, the top priority was to arrive safely, and we decided to discuss the return journey with the knights dispatched from the Royal Knight Order and decide on the final plan.
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