It was a matter of time before the low-ranking guards who’d had to pull consecutive graveyard shifts started to complain. Had they been on an actual battlefield, they would’ve felt purpose in their all-nighters, but a childish claim of a monster in the hallway was bound to lower morale. Mitsuha figured the city guards relaxed their security by now.
I didn’t wander around the building like last time. I narrowed the hiding spots down to three locations where I previously caught gossip, jumped there, and immediately retreated after planting the devices. Each one only took 0.2 seconds, so there was very little chance of anyone seeing me. If they did, they would’ve just thought their eyes were deceiving them in the dark. I knew exactly where I was setting the recorders before I jumped, so there was almost no danger.
For good measure, I hid under a black cardboard box as I jumped and reached out from underneath to set the recorders. It would’ve been impossible for anyone to see me. Perfectamundo!
So yeah, I heard all the sinister plans they discussed at the headquarters. I’m also regularly swapping out the voice recorders at Enoba and listening to them for information. Those who control information control the world!
Mitsuha explained to Larusia that the enemy had panicked and sent the city guards for a direct attack. The girl wasn’t fazed, though; she’d already suffered a barbaric assault unbecoming of a merchant. Multiple employees were injured, and a security staff was even killed. Her workers were doing all they could to help her achieve her dreams, and she cared deeply about them. Her heart especially ached for the guard who left behind a family. That kind of experience hardened a person.
“Goddess of revenge, give us your blessing,” Larusia prayed.
I didn’t recruit a harmless little kitty. I recruited a wolf pup and she’s now starting to bare her fangs.
“We’re from the city guards. You’re coming with us to our headquarters.”
The very next day, the same group of men came back to Larusia Trading and confronted the young storeowner while she was working outside the shop’s entrance. They’d sent in a scout in plain clothes to confirm that the noble girl wasn’t around.
Larusia said, “If this is about the thugs who broke in and attacked us, I’ve already shared everything I know. I’m currently very busy dealing with the damage from that incident, so if you have any additional questions, I’d be happy to answer them here.”
“We’re not here for that! You’re under suspicion of sabotaging Enoba Company’s business. We’re bringing you in for questioning!”
The noble girl wasn’t here today, which let him assume his usual intimidating attitude to strong-arm the girl into obeying him. But Larusia wasn’t about to comply.
“Huh? I haven’t done anything…” she said. “What exactly happened? Is it something related to our business or are you saying I’ve committed an actual crime? Do you have proof? Is there a reason I am being suspected? Does the victim believe that I resent them for something?
“The only people I bear a grudge against are the brigands who attacked my store. If Enoba Company believes that I have reason to resent them, does that mean they were behind the attack? And does the fact that you’re here running errands for them mean they have accomplices among the city guards?”
“Wha…?” the officer hesitated.
She was in front of the store talking loudly. And very clearly.
“Someone, please! Contact the royal palace!” she yelled. “We must tell the nobles in charge of the city guards and the leaders of the capital army about this right away!”
Her efforts paid off as a crowd of people gathered around the store. Their chattering grew louder and louder.
All nobles had political rivals. Families could end up opposing each other because of factional disputes, competition from selling similar local specialties, or long-held grudges. As a result, rumors of ineptitude or a scandal under a noble’s jurisdiction could spell trouble even if the rumors were untrue.
It would be especially disastrous for them if an official complaint was filed by the country’s sole distributor of particular luxuries that were favored among the upper class.
The noble and royal lords had a weakness for alcohol and delicacies. The men were also constantly under pressure from their wives and daughters to procure some of the rare Yamano County cosmetics and jewelry. Would they dare antagonize Larusia Trading?
Normally, a noble had no qualms about silencing a troublemaker, but this was different.
Because of the special circumstances, they were much more likely to silence the people who caused the problem rather than the person who complained about it.
“Huh…?” The officer was paralyzed by Larusia’s outrageous claim.
As he stood frozen fumbling for words, her employees began darting out of the store and racing in all directions. They were headed for the royal palace, just as Larusia commanded.
“Hey! S-Stop! I order you to stop!” the officer yelled frantically, but of course, no one listened. He turned to his subordinates. “Seize those people! Now!”
But it was too late. The employees had already sprinted down different routes leading to the royal palace. They were in better shape than one might expect; unloading cargo and carrying them to the storehouse every day was strenuous work. The city guards couldn’t possibly catch up strapped in their heavy armors and weapons.
And thus, none of them tried. They also knew that following his orders and detaining innocent civilians could get them punished. They had no desire to throw their lives away for a disreputable officer whose days were numbered.
The guards were all thinking the same thing:
Too late for that!
Larusia continued to shout her accusations against the city guards as if they were established facts. She didn’t even pause to let them have a word in.
This is a mess, sweated the officer.
This guy is finished… thought the other guards.
The officer’s act today was problematic. The misdeeds that were about to be exposed after the inevitable investigation were going to be fatal.
Meanwhile, the other guards hadn’t done or said anything since they arrived at the shop. They accompanied their superior, but they objected to his clearly illegal commands. We refused to comply with his orders at the risk of being punished for disobedience. This would demonstrate our morals as city guards. Our superior officer would be convicted for his crimes while we’d be exonerated, they all hoped.
The guards weren’t exactly thrilled about being dragged into the unsavory job of arresting innocent victims. Now that they suddenly gained evidence that they’d resisted, they were relieved.
Just according to plan, Mitsuha thought, hiding among a group of employees in the corner.