Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 349

Volume 12 content starts here, and I updated accordingly.
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"Freed, the results you had asked for came."

A while after the matter of the former Baron Wire was settled. While I was alone in my office, Alex came back after stepping outside. There was a bundle of documents in his hand. Seeing that, I stopped working and stood up from the office desk.

"I'll listen."

I asked Alex about Sahaja.
Some time ago, I heard from Hendrik that Maximilian had begun working behind the scenes, so I ordered Alex to find out who was likely to cooperate with Sahaja.
Maximilian contacted the King of Irvine. According to Hendrik, it was not only Irvine that he made a move on.
In which case, he might be approaching Wilhelm in some way. That man is eager to obtain Wilhelm. I gave the order since it wouldn't be strange if he had already begun exerting his evil influence, but I wonder what the result is.
I hoped it was an absurd fear, but I shook my head denying the thought.

―― No, it's not absurd.

There's no way Maximilian would stay quiet. Now that he fulfilled his ambition and became the King, he can move freely. As soon as the country calms down, no, even before it does, he will take action.
I told Alex with my eyes to sit on the sofa. I sat down first, and he sat in front of me.

"I found who could match your conditions. So far there's one person who I can assert is guilty."
"There's one person?"
"Unfortunately."

With a bitter feeling I received the documents Alex presented.
Written in them was an investigation record of a certain person.
I read it aloud dispassionately.

"Count Rog Viran. His territory is located near Sahaja, so he naturally interacts with Sahaja. In particular, he trades with nearby villages that lie within Sahaja and holds no bad feelings towards it. He's unmarried and is extremely fond of women. He frequents the Royal Capital and is a sociable person who actively participates in evening parties… huh."

Most of the border with Sahaja is under the kingdom's direct control or is left to trustworthy margraves, but it doesn't apply to his territory.
Count Viran's territory is certainly near Sahaja, but it's not in a particularly dangerous location.
It's not a very affluent land. But as Alex's report said, its population seems to make ends meet thanks to the trade with Sahaja.
Alex pointed at the report I was holding and spoke.

"I think it's written there, but recently a man has been frequently visiting Count Viran. My subordinates investigated his surroundings and made the picture of that man. It matches with the information we have on a high official from Sahaja, Marquis Westin. It seems he's very devoted to the new King, Maximilian."
"I see. You said recently, which means they didn't associate before?"

I confirmed if they perhaps hadn't met when he traded with Sahaja, but Alex readily denied.

"They didn't. Count Viran himself isn't a big deal, he doesn't have any important positions in the castle. Even his trading is limited to exchanges with small villages in Sahaja. Such a man being acquaintances with a high official from Sahaja? I very much want to hear how they got to know each other."
"Indeed."

A high official of Sahaja frequently visits a count who's of no particular importance in Wilhelm. Moreover, it started only recently.
No matter how I look it's suspicious, or rather, it's clear he's guilty. It's natural it would catch Alex's eye.

"The purpose is to tempt him defect to Sahaja, huh."

When I muttered that, Alex frowned.

"Well, it can't be anything else. If he sides with Sahaja, he'll receive an important position or status. Isn't that what's dangled in front of him? The Count himself has little power, but it would appear bad if a Wilhelm noble betrayed his country. He doesn't matter, but it wouldn't be good if citizens were aware that that there's somebody who betrayed Wilhelm."
"Trust in the Royal Family would undoubtedly fall. We mustn't let him carry out the betrayal."

I don't know his motives for defection at this time, but if it happens, there'll be a significant unrest among the citizens. That's what Maximilian wants. It's a situation that must be avoided no matter what.

"It's impossible Sahaja contacted only a single person. That man excels at luring people to him little by little. Even in Sahaja he seems to have taken control of almost every subordinate of the late King after his death."
"It feels like your footing will disappear before you know it. I'm getting chills."
"We need to carefully investigate precisely because he's such a man. Alex, investigate again whether there are no other people like that. And if possible, visit Count Viran as my representative once. It would help me if you examined whether he's a man who could carry out a betrayal under my watchful eye, no, whether he's being incited to carry out a betrayal in the first place. I don't doubt your report, but after all, I want to see firsthand report."
"… You're asking something unreasonable."

Alex's mouth warped, but he still nodded.

"Well, it makes sense for me to go. Got it. Please pass my documents to Sion. He knows how to handle them… It's really a relief to have him. Recently, my overtime has decreased by more than half."
"Ooh?"

Since I got married, my father has increased the amount of work given me, so as my close aide, Alex's work has also increased proportionally. When I showed interest in Alex going home earlier despite that, he nodded deeply.

"People like Sion are quite hard to come by. I'm glad you recruited him. I'm grateful to you from the bottom of my heart…"
"… I'm happy to hear that."

I didn't recruit him with that in mind, but if Alex is happy, it's fine.
I know Sion was also saying he wanted some work, so since everybody is happy, I have nothing more to say. While I was thinking that, Alex looked at me with suspicious eyes.

"? What?"
"No, I just find it strange. How can you finish on time?"
"Hm? I'm newly married. It's natural to go home on time."

I don't understand what's strange about it at all.
While tilting my head, I placed the report I was holding on the low table.

"Wouldn't it be worse if I didn't return when my beloved wife is waiting? I want to see Lidi quickly. I don't want to stay here even a moment longer than I have to."
"It's not like I don't understand that feeling, but hasn't the amount of your work increased more than mine? I think it would be impossible normally."
"I just need to increase my efficiency as much as the amount increases, right? Thinking that Lidi is waiting, I'll manage no matter how much the amount of work increases."

When I clearly declared that, Alex made a tired face.

"How can you work so hard… and moreover, succeed…"
"Is there something strange?"

I don't understand what's there to wonder about.
Wanting to quickly meet Lidi, I can concentrate on work more. For me it's obvious.
But Alex looked at me in exasperation.

"I know you're a severe fool for Lidi, but… Well, whatever. More importantly, Freed. When is this year's international conference scheduled?"

As Alex changed the topic, I spoke while recalling what I'd heard from Father recently.

"… Let's see. It's still being adjusted, but for now it's planned around fall."

International conference, an occasion where representatives of each country gather once a year.
It's held between spring and fall, the host country can freely decide on the exact time.
This year it will be held in Wilhelm, but as my wedding was in spring, that was ruled out.
That leaves summer and fall. Both are fine, but considering the announcement time and climate, fall was a better choice. Currently, final adjustments are being worked on.
When I informed Alex of that, he muttered, "Fall, huh…"

"… I hope Lidi doesn't do something until then."
"… Alex."

When I reflexively glared at him, Alex said, "Because," with a large sigh and continued.

"This time the lottery event involved the whole southern town. Do you understand how hard it was? No, the Japanese café showdown before was hard too, but because of its huge scale, the lottery was really not a laughing matter. Every day I was summoned somewhere, and it was hard to clean up… I don't want to do it ever again, even with Sion's help."
"… I see."

I was complicit in Lidi's plan, so I couldn't give a clear reply. I knew it would cause trouble for Alex. But, I had no choice but to do it.

"I do feel sorry for you. But, you got results, right?"

When I asked that, Alex made the worst frown today.

"I got them. Foreigners visiting Wilhelm spent an incredible amount of money, and perhaps because it was the first project like that, the Royal Capital citizens also loosened the purse strings. Certainly, I took charge of security and other various things, but… it was a great success. Last night in the mansion, Old Man was praising Lidi while grinning… She'd get carried away, so I'll never tell her that though."
"The Prime Minister did? That's really great."
"Well, at least it made him turn a blind eye to her going around the southern town, so that's good."
"It's most important."

I don't want Lidi to be banned from going outside, so it's great he quickly gave up on it.

"When she goes outside, Lidi is energetic and cute. I don't want to stop her, so it's great the Prime Minister gave up on it."
"Well, she also has Red Shinigami with her. Since he has a telepathic communication contract with you, she won't do anything rash."
"Indeed."

While nodding I decided to keep it a secret that Lidi is thinking of a way to involve all towns next. I feel like Alex would collapse from shock if I said that.
However, I'm Lidi's ally despite knowing that.
There's no reason not to listen to my dear wife's pleas.
I feel sorry for Alex, but I decided to surprise him when the time comes.

―― Sorry, Alex.

I apologized to him in my mind and looked at him.
Feeling my gaze, Alex made a mystified face. Despite that, he said, "Talk to Sion," stood up, and left the office.

Chapter end