Word had finally arrived from Marquis Strateag, who had been investigating the Criminal Guild.
I'd been preoccupied with reuniting with Diora, repairing the Petite Thunder Lamp, and dealing with various matters involving Nomariola, but this had still been weighing on my mind.
"We have confirmed that the building mentioned by Your Highness the First Prince is indeed a branch of the Criminal Guild. We were watching it as instructed."
I don't know how they confirmed it, but thinking it took quite a while wouldn't be fair to them. After all, I used Sephira, who can turn invisible and pass through walls.
"Furthermore, upon investigating other buildings where the perpetrators were seen coming and going, we discovered they belong to a family engaged in organized crime."
"Organized crime family? Wait, the whole family is involved?"
When I asked for clarification on Marquis Strateag's explanation, Helkov waved his hand, which was covered in red fur.
"They're not related by blood. It's a parent-child bond in form only, advocating absolute obedience and severe penalties for betrayal—common among organized crime groups."
They call that a "family."
In other words, a Family.
Ah, come to think of it, the yakuza call themselves something-something family too.
"If they exist, why don't you crack down on them?"
"We do crack down on them, but first, the criminal damage rarely surfaces. Extortion and violence are everyday occurrences. Retaliation is persistent and malicious. And they use the money earned to silence others."
This time Ikt explained it to me, but apparently this was common knowledge among the common folk.
"So what about the Criminal Guild?"
"That one is said to be an even more troublesome form. Originally, four powerful families gathered and formed a treaty of non-aggression, or so the story goes. Subordinate families joined and it grew massive. Now they deal in information obtained through crime, and collusion to avoid competing for prey. Rumor has it even nobles are involved."
"One should not speak of uncertain matters."
Wearrel cautioned Marquis Strateag.
However, looking at the expressions of the close aides and Levan, it didn't seem to be mere rumor.
"An open secret, then."
"I would prefer you not speak so rashly. Or do you have experience that warrants such statements?"
Marquis Strateag responded with a sour expression.
"I answered because I was asked. If there are people doing such terrible things and you don't crack down on them, it's because there's demand. And if they earn huge amounts of money to use further, it's because it's effective. I just thought that the side doing the cracking down might have their mouths shut with money too."
Even though I only answered what was asked, Marquis Strateag looked up at the ceiling.
Well, he didn't deny Ikt's side about shutting mouths with money.
Levan, no longer concerned with propriety, spoke with annoyance.
"If you understand that much, don't we not need explanations?"
"If you won't explain, I'll just do what I think is right, you know? That would make reporting and cleanup troublesome, so I waited because I was told to prepare for consistency."
I had obtained information from Sephira, and the Marquis was to verify it.
I waited because he said he would prepare and arrange manpower to capture them.
At my words, Marquis Strateag sighed as if resigned.
"Haah, let us continue. The family believed to have provided the perpetrators is called the Varphan Group, led by a boss named Firio, with two hundred members."
"Is that considered large in scale?"
"If I say it is on the smaller side, you can imagine, can you not?"
"Yeah, so another family above them gave the orders and had the Varphan Group carry it out?"
In other words, besides the Varphan Group who carried out the outrageous act of assassinating a prince, there exists another incredible organization that made them do it.
Even if the client was House Edenbar, dangerous criminals are running wild.
(Sephira, Sephirot.)
(I shall immediately proceed to the site and identify the upper organization.)
(The Marquis surely knows that location. We can wait to hear about it. However, depending on the situation, we might handle it ourselves here. Think of effective measures against an organization.)
As I was conversing internally, someone called out to me.
"What are you thinking about? I'm getting a bad feeling here?"
Levan is sharp.
Just as I grew accustomed to things here over the years, has Levan grown accustomed to how things work here too?
"I was thinking that if we're only dealing with the Varphan Group, I could investigate the upper levels and handle that side myself?"
Levan's face contorted, and Marquis Strateag covered his face.
"Your Highness, that is far too dangerous."
When Helkov spoke, both Marquis Strateag and Levan nodded in unison.
"But if we go for a large-scale crushing operation, it would take years. The Imperial Family was targeted, and we must make an example, so there's a possibility we'll stop at crushing just the Varphan Group. In that case, if I steal just one piece of irrefutable evidence of their crimes and hand it to His Majesty..."
"You will be questioned by His Majesty regarding how you obtained it?"
Wearrel raised the issue, seemingly more concerned than anything, prompting reconsideration.
"I'll need to come up with an excuse for that part. But we can't leave them be for Terry and the others' safety either. If it can be used to bolster His Majesty's authority, wouldn't it be a waste not to use it?"
"Indeed. Though it is rumor, it is obvious that nobles suspected of involvement will interfere. In that case, rather than dragging this out, a short-term, certain strike is effective, and ultimately safer."
Seeing that I wasn't acting without thought, Ikt nodded.
"Wait!"
But as expected, Marquis Strateag intervened.
"What do you mean? Is it possible?"
He seems to doubt first whether I can obtain the evidence.
My close aides know about Sephira and invisibility, so they accepted it, but that's where we are.
Of course, I have no intention of revealing Sephira.
"...If you're willing, I don't mind providing the information, but I would like you to establish a proper plan first."
"You don't deny it..."
Levan spoke with disgust, but Marquis Strateag rubbed his brow and composed himself.
"We were considering evidence of connections to the upper levels after securing the Varphan Group."
"That would be too late. Wasn't that the case with House Edenbar? We captured Lithriomass, extracted information, and questioned them, yet it was still too late."
In reality, they are still evading blame, and we cannot clearly establish involvement beyond Lithriomass.
At this rate, House Edenbar might remain merely distanced from the palace rather than destroyed, with only Lithriomass's close relatives being punished.
If criminal organizations are the same as the mafia and yakuza of my previous life, information leaks through noble connections are possible.
That's why acting after they move is too late.
"First, we must crush the Varphan Group thoroughly to make an example. From there, we plan actions aimed at recurrence prevention and suppression through stricter penalties, strengthened crackdowns, and regulations. Is it not true that haste alone is not always best?"
"Have you gathered enough opinions to make that possible, Marquis Strateag?"
"The Imperial Family was attacked, and this occurred within the cathedral. These two points carry great weight. Duke Lukaios, of course, and the bishopric side also view this seriously and concur."
It seems he has made proper political arrangements.
He maintains his own faction, small as it is.
"We should be able to eliminate them by the reign of the Second Prince that you are so concerned about. Of course, if you provide information, that would expedite matters?"
He wants the information but doesn't want me to move, huh.
Or perhaps he wants me to withdraw because if an emperor with weak power like my father appears, it would only delay resolving the situation.
Or as the person responsible for the guards who were assigned, he must step forward.
Would it be troublesome for the Emperor to appear now after all this?
"...Yes, let us have His Majesty complete the elimination of House Edenbar. It would be better to have Marquis Strateag handle the criminal organization side."
"Wise judgment, but why is a ten-year-old so understanding?"
Levan says something that questions my physical age.
Well, I won't answer.
"Marquis Strateag, as my request, I would like you to include regulations that cut off the funding sources of organized crime groups as part of the public example. Also, assuming violent retaliation, do you have people who can protect themselves if they step forward? If so, couldn't we wait for them to be attacked and use that to promote stricter penalties?"
When I proposed this based on my previous life, those around me were taken aback.
My close aides also looked troubled.
(Huh? No good?)
(I believe they have realized anew that their master's perspective is not that of a child.)
I was unexpectedly admonished by Sephira.
Regular Update
Next: Criminal Guild 2 Word had finally arrived from Marquis Strateag, who had been investigating the Criminal Guild.
I'd been preoccupied with reuniting with Diora, repairing the Petite Thunder Lamp, and dealing with various matters involving Nomariola, but this had still been weighing on my mind.
"We have confirmed that the building mentioned by Your Highness the First Prince is indeed a branch of the Criminal Guild. We were watching it as instructed."
I don't know how they confirmed it, but thinking it took quite a while wouldn't be fair to them. After all, I used Sephira, who can turn invisible and pass through walls.
"Furthermore, upon investigating other buildings where the perpetrators were seen coming and going, we discovered they belong to a family engaged in organized crime."
"Organized crime family? Wait, the whole family is involved?"
When I asked for clarification on Marquis Strateag's explanation, Helkov waved his hand, which was covered in red fur.
"They're not related by blood. It's a parent-child bond in form only, advocating absolute obedience and severe penalties for betrayal—common among organized crime groups."
They call that a "family."
In other words, a Family.
Ah, come to think of it, the yakuza call themselves something-something family too.
"If they exist, why don't you crack down on them?"
"We do crack down on them, but first, the criminal damage rarely surfaces. Extortion and violence are everyday occurrences. Retaliation is persistent and malicious. And they use the money earned to silence others."
This time Ikt explained it to me, but apparently this was common knowledge among the common folk.
"So what about the Criminal Guild?"
"That one is said to be an even more troublesome form. Originally, four powerful families gathered and formed a treaty of non-aggression, or so the story goes. Subordinate families joined and it grew massive. Now they deal in information obtained through crime, and collusion to avoid competing for prey. Rumor has it even nobles are involved."
"One should not speak of uncertain matters."
Wearrel cautioned Marquis Strateag.
However, looking at the expressions of the close aides and Levan, it didn't seem to be mere rumor.
"An open secret, then."
"I would prefer you not speak so rashly. Or do you have experience that warrants such statements?"
Marquis Strateag responded with a sour expression.
"I answered because I was asked. If there are people doing such terrible things and you don't crack down on them, it's because there's demand. And if they earn huge amounts of money to use further, it's because it's effective. I just thought that the side doing the cracking down might have their mouths shut with money too."
Even though I only answered what was asked, Marquis Strateag looked up at the ceiling.
Well, he didn't deny Ikt's side about shutting mouths with money.
Levan, no longer concerned with propriety, spoke with annoyance.
"If you understand that much, don't we not need explanations?"
"If you won't explain, I'll just do what I think is right, you know? That would make reporting and cleanup troublesome, so I waited because I was told to prepare for consistency."
I had obtained information from Sephira, and the Marquis was to verify it.
I waited because he said he would prepare and arrange manpower to capture them.
At my words, Marquis Strateag sighed as if resigned.
"Haah, let us continue. The family believed to have provided the perpetrators is called the Varphan Group, led by a boss named Firio, with two hundred members."
"Is that considered large in scale?"
"If I say it is on the smaller side, you can imagine, can you not?"
"Yeah, so another family above them gave the orders and had the Varphan Group carry it out?"
In other words, besides the Varphan Group who carried out the outrageous act of assassinating a prince, there exists another incredible organization that made them do it.
Even if the client was House Edenbar, dangerous criminals are running wild.
(Sephira, Sephirot.)
(I shall immediately proceed to the site and identify the upper organization.)
(The Marquis surely knows that location. We can wait to hear about it. However, depending on the situation, we might handle it ourselves here. Think of effective measures against an organization.)
As I was conversing internally, someone called out to me.
"What are you thinking about? I'm getting a bad feeling here?"
Levan is sharp.
Just as I grew accustomed to things here over the years, has Levan grown accustomed to how things work here too?
"I was thinking that if we're only dealing with the Varphan Group, I could investigate the upper levels and handle that side myself?"
Levan's face contorted, and Marquis Strateag covered his face.
"Your Highness, that is far too dangerous."
When Helkov spoke, both Marquis Strateag and Levan nodded in unison.
"But if we go for a large-scale crushing operation, it would take years. The Imperial Family was targeted, and we must make an example, so there's a possibility we'll stop at crushing just the Varphan Group. In that case, if I steal just one piece of irrefutable evidence of their crimes and hand it to His Majesty..."
"You will be questioned by His Majesty regarding how you obtained it?"
Wearrel raised the issue, seemingly more concerned than anything, prompting reconsideration.
"I'll need to come up with an excuse for that part. But we can't leave them be for Terry and the others' safety either. If it can be used to bolster His Majesty's authority, wouldn't it be a waste not to use it?"
"Indeed. Though it is rumor, it is obvious that nobles suspected of involvement will interfere. In that case, rather than dragging this out, a short-term, certain strike is effective, and ultimately safer."
Seeing that I wasn't acting without thought, Ikt nodded.
"Wait!"
But as expected, Marquis Strateag intervened.
"What do you mean? Is it possible?"
He seems to doubt first whether I can obtain the evidence.
My close aides know about Sephira and invisibility, so they accepted it, but that's where we are.
Of course, I have no intention of revealing Sephira.
"...If you're willing, I don't mind providing the information, but I would like you to establish a proper plan first."
"You don't deny it..."
Levan spoke with disgust, but Marquis Strateag rubbed his brow and composed himself.
"We were considering evidence of connections to the upper levels after securing the Varphan Group."
"That would be too late. Wasn't that the case with House Edenbar? We captured Litoriomass, extracted information, and questioned them, yet it was still too late."
In reality, they are still evading blame, and we cannot clearly establish involvement beyond Litoriomass.
At this rate, House Edenbar might remain merely distanced from the palace rather than destroyed, with only Litoriomass's close relatives being punished.
If criminal organizations are the same as the mafia and yakuza of my previous life, information leaks through noble connections are possible.
That's why acting after they move is too late.
"First, we must crush the Varphan Group thoroughly to make an example. From there, we plan actions aimed at recurrence prevention and suppression through stricter penalties, strengthened crackdowns, and regulations. Is it not true that haste alone is not always best?"
"Have you gathered enough opinions to make that possible, Marquis Strateag?"
"The Imperial Family was attacked, and this occurred within the cathedral. These two points carry great weight. Duke Lukaios, of course, and the bishopric side also view this seriously and concur."
It seems he has made proper political arrangements.
He maintains his own faction, small as it is.
"We should be able to eliminate them by the reign of the Second Prince that you are so concerned about. Of course, if you provide information, that would expedite matters?"
He wants the information but doesn't want me to move, huh.
Or perhaps he wants me to withdraw because if an emperor with weak power like my father appears, it would only delay resolving the situation.
Or as the person responsible for the guards who were assigned, he must step forward.
Would it be troublesome for the Emperor to appear now after all this?
"...Yes, let us have His Majesty complete the elimination of House Edenbar. It would be better to have Marquis Strateag handle the criminal organization side."
"Wise judgment, but why is a ten-year-old so understanding?"
Levan says something that questions my physical age.
Well, I won't answer.
"Marquis Strateag, as my request, I would like you to include regulations that cut off the funding sources of organized crime groups as part of the public example. Also, assuming violent retaliation, do you have people who can protect themselves if they step forward? If so, couldn't we wait for them to be attacked and use that to promote stricter penalties?"
When I proposed this based on my previous life, those around me were taken aback.
My close aides also looked troubled.
(Huh? No good?)
(I believe they have realized anew that their master's perspective is not that of a child.)
I was unexpectedly admonished by Sephira.
Regular Update
Next: Criminal Guild 2