“……Wait a moment. If that were the case, more detailed information should flow to the Nevis family and others who are doing business on the back side.”
“Is that so? But if that’s the case, what are you saying?”
Not understanding what Aoi wanted to say, Rocks tilted his head. Nodding at this, Aoi opened her mouth.
“In other words, it might not be simple smuggling by merchants or rogues, but someone with much greater power might be involved. Perhaps royalty or high nobles are giving orders and trying to do something……”
“What?! That is……”
To Aoi’s imagination, Rocks responded with seeping anxiety. Dignitaries from various countries are here. In a sense, nothing that happens would be strange. Tension immediately filled the air.
“……It would be troublesome if major incidents occurred. I’ll go ask Karila-san as well.”
Saying this, Aoi turned in the opposite direction from Rocks.
“That helps. If possible, try asking Garonne and guys from other organizations too.”
“Understood.”
Information would gather more deeply if Aoi asked rather than if he asked himself. Thinking this, Rocks immediately adopted Aoi’s suggestion. Having become quite accustomed to such investigations, Rocks decided without hesitation to move to the Court-Highland trading company branch he had originally planned to visit.
He visited the trading company and stepped inside.
“Excuse me! Is the representative of this trading company here?”
Perhaps because he was accompanied by knights, his entrance was more imposing than usual. Rocks wondered if he had become too high-handed, but since it was already done, there was no helping it.
Resigned to it, he watched the back of a portly merchant running toward the back of the store.
After a while, a tall, well-built man came out from the back. Though dressed as a merchant, he had a physique that would fit better if introduced as a veteran knight.
When this well-built man recognized Rocks’ figure, he immediately approached while bowing.
“Well, well, knights and……surely this couldn’t be Rocks-sama?”
Wearing a gentle smile, the merchant looked at Rocks’ face.
“You know me?”
When Rocks asked back, the merchant nodded deeply many times.
“Of course. There couldn’t be anyone who doesn’t know of Prince Rocks-Kilbegan, praised as a genius even within that Fidic Academy. Now then, what reason brings the genius Rocks-sama to our trading company? Do you need something?”
While blatantly appealing that he had no intention of being hostile, the merchant inquired about his business. A wariness that couldn’t be hidden floated in the depths of his eyes. It was natural since a prince had visited accompanied by knights, but Rocks felt there seemed to be something hidden.
“……It’s just a simple confirmation. Every year, many merchants from Court-Highland opened shops inside the academy during the cultural festival. However, this year such signs cannot be seen. Why is that?”
At the overly straightforward question, the merchant couldn’t help but blink. Rocks had thrown out his question honestly without any maneuvering or anything. However, precisely because of this, the merchant was unable to respond immediately.
“Ah, y-yes. Usually we are allowed to do business inside the academy, but this time business at this shop has been quite busy……”
The merchant tried to muddle through with vague reasons. At this, Rocks shook his head left and right.
“Know that speaking lies will only disadvantage you. With that understanding, I’ll ask the question once more. Answer carefully.”
Rocks stared piercingly at the merchant’s eyes and said this calmly. That quiet declaration had enough force to make the merchant’s eyes widen.
“……Please, anything.”
Confirming the merchant had answered, Rocks threw out his question again.
“Every year, numerous merchants from the Court-Highland Federation should visit and conduct business during the cultural festival before returning. Aren’t those different from the merchants running this shop? Are you saying that this year, no such merchants have visited at all?”
“……No, many merchants from Court-Highland have come to the city.”
“Then where are those merchants and what are they doing?”
As Rocks questioned in sequence, the merchant immediately fell silent. Right now, multiple calculations were probably being conducted simultaneously in his head. These related to his own risks and profits, and he couldn’t easily arrive at an answer.
Against this, Rocks’ irritation grew.
“……Answer quickly.”
When he said this in a low voice, the merchant looked up with an ingratiating smile.
“I’ll speak honestly.”
As a result, the merchant chose to avoid the risks that would befall him.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
“Court-Highland is governed by multiple senior legislators. Also, since it was originally a confederation of small countries, each possesses independent power and financial resources.”
“Hmm. I know that, but……”
At the merchant’s explanation, Rocks tilted his head. He didn’t understand what the man was trying to say. Thinking this, he waited for the continuation of the merchant’s words.
The merchant opened his mouth while laughing in a troubled manner.
“Due to that structure, Court-Highland has been a much more competitive environment than other countries. Therefore, each trading company prides itself on having wide sales channels, distribution networks, and product manufacturing capabilities. For trading companies and legislators to join hands is as natural as fish living in water.”
“……Hmm? So you mean that because the merchants who come every year are under the umbrella of different legislators than you, you don’t know what they’re doing?”
Rocks rushed to a conclusion while tilting his head. The merchant smiled ambiguously and shook his head left and right.
“No, that’s not it. What I wanted to say was that Court-Highland’s trading companies have deeper connections with legislators—that is, nobles—than other countries. So when there are strong requests from senior legislators, we trading companies must lend our assistance as much as possible.”
Having heard this far, he finally understood what the merchant wanted to say. Rocks let out a light sigh and spoke words to reassure the merchant who was being roundabout.
“Haah……I understand, I understand. Rest assured. I won’t ask who issued the orders, and I’ll consider the merchants’ crimes as not prosecuted. However, if the content would cause major damage to our country, that’s a different story.”
When Rocks said this, the merchant seemed relieved as he patted his chest.
“As expected of His Highness. You are truly wise.”
“Shut up. Hurry up and continue.”
Dismissing the flattering merchant appropriately, the merchant smiled wryly while nodding and answered.
“Yes, I apologize. Like all trading companies, we are attempting to investigate and make contact with the academy’s witch.”
The merchant spoke of something completely unexpected, and Rocks’ eyes widened.
“……Investigation of the academy’s witch? What do you mean?”
To Rocks asking back in surprise, the merchant nodded with a troubled expression.
“Our trading company as well, but we’re receiving payment in the form of commission fees from legislators to investigate the academy’s witch, Aoi-Konominato-sama. Gathering valuable information and, if possible, creating opportunities for legislators and Aoi-sama to speak. That’s the job description.”
Saying this, the merchant waited for Rocks’ reaction.
At the unexpected answer, Rocks stopped moving.
“……Contact with Aoi-sensei? Does that mean you want to bring Aoi-sensei into Court-Highland?”
Speaking it aloud, Rocks understood with a “I see.” Certainly, making Aoi an ally would produce the greatest profit. Thinking this, he immediately thought of the opposite as well.
If Aoi left, it would definitely be a loss for the Varted Kingdom. Having immediately arrived at that answer, Rocks glared at the merchant while opening his mouth.
“I judge this content as something that would cause our country to suffer damage. I’d like you to call the representatives of each trading company in this city. You may use the royal family’s name.”
When Rocks immediately made such a judgment, the merchant’s eyes widened and he froze. He probably hadn’t thought there would be such a reaction to contact with just one teacher, even a senior one.
After that, Rocks issued a directive to all Court-Highland trading companies that contact with specific instructors or students must always go through the academy. Since this was an originally existing rule, it could be done under the pretext of properly informing outsiders.
However, explaining to Aoi proved extremely difficult.
“……And so, be careful not to accept anything from strangers or go along with them just because you’re invited……”
“Why must I receive such childish warnings?”
“N-no……recently there seem to be a lot of strange incidents……”
As a result of explaining while obscuring various things, Rocks ended up giving warnings like those given to boys and girls going shopping alone for the first time. While being looked at strangely by Aoi, Rocks desperately tried to persuade her.
Because it involved important figures and trading companies from other countries, consideration for multiple parties was necessary, while swift action was also required. Rocks’ experience as royalty seems to be steadily accumulating.
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