Chapter 281
Now then, I had a very enjoyable tea party with Lady Iris, and we tentatively decided on a plan to train her as a hero using my methods. As a former FBO player, I was able to fully showcase my game knowledge to my favorite character, Lady Iris, engaging in what could truly be called 'evangelism' or otaku activities. This refreshed me both mentally and physically, replenishing my energy, which had been stymied by noble interference in our Azhdaha countermeasures.
I'd like to start acting immediately, but first, I need to set up a little scheme.
The date changed to the next day.
After breakfast, I was in a secret meeting with the Duke and Lotus-san in his office.
"So, please have your covert ops use these. Payment can wait until after we defeat Azhdaha."
Piled high on the office table were scrolls gathered by the spirits. We had secured so many, with countless duplicates, that selling them could risk crashing the market. This time, I'm using them to strengthen the Edelgard Duchy's covert organization and carry out sabotage operations against the Boltlinde Ducal faction.
In this upcoming battle against Azhdaha, the thing we must be most wary of is any action that might accelerate Azhdaha's revival.
According to my calculations, there is time before Azhdaha's revival. In the game era, the basic flow was that Azhdaha's seal gradually weakened as you progressed through story events, ultimately leading to its revival. But there are exceptions to everything. If certain hidden flags were triggered, sudden events would occur, like massacres under the guise of bandit suppression near the seal site, or bandits wiping out an entire village, all of which accelerated Azhdaha's revival.
Some of these hidden flags could be intentionally avoided, while others were completely unreasonable random elements, almost like critical failures.
"It's a collection that makes me afraid to ask the price. Lotus, give me an estimate. How much would it cost to buy all this?""Even at a conservative estimate, it would exhaust our house's assets. Liberta-sama, are you truly offering this?""I won't say it's free, but precisely because it's you, Duke, I'll put it on tab, payable later.""That is a great help."
If those flags kept triggering, Azhdaha would revive at a moment that made you go 'Huh?', forcing you into battle unprepared. Do you think I'd leave it alone, letting Azhdaha revive early due to such malicious flags? The answer is no, absolutely not.
"Also, I've placed equipment that might be useful for your covert ops in the warehouse you mentioned. Please use that as well.""Is that also to be paid for later?""Yeah, well. We accept installments too?"
Most reasons for these flags triggering are due to Duke Boltlinde's machinations in the north. To break those flags, we need a sabotage unit, but I can't have the spirits do it. Well, I suppose if I taught them ninja wisdom and skills under the guise of 'sneaking missions,' they'd probably keep breaking the flags in Duke Boltlinde's territory as if it were a game. But if it were discovered to be the work of spirits, it would cause various complications, so I'll keep that as a trump card.
Fundamentally, spirits and Azhdaha have very poor compatibility. It's even possible that a high-ranking spirit could become a sacrifice for Azhdaha. One high-ranking spirit is equivalent to a sacrifice worth about one village. Considering risk and return, I'd rather not move the spirits if possible.
But that means we lack personnel for sabotage operations. That's why I set my sights on the covert organization under the Duke.
I thought, 'Wouldn't it be fine to strengthen an inconspicuous organization like the covert ops?' and the result of discussing it led to this meeting with the Duke to discuss payment.
"Hmm, it seems the payment would be finished around our grandchildren's generation."
I broached the topic directly: 'I want to conduct sabotage, so can I strengthen your covert ops?' which led to this exchange. At first, the two made pained expressions, but after I explained my reasons, they understood and became cooperative. Of course, I can't see the members of the covert ops or level with them, but I'm providing skill scrolls and equipment that seem usable for covert operations.
"If you handle this part for me, I'll give you a discount."
It's about counter-espionage and spy strategy directed at the north. The Duke took the paper I gently offered, and Lotus-san peeked over to look.
"'Eradication of northern covert ops, eradication of underground organizations, patrols of villages, eradication of bandits, eradication of corrupt merchants.'""There are many mentions of 'eradication.' Liberta-sama, is there something in the north?"
The request I wrote had many instances of the word 'eradication,' causing the Duke's brow to furrow each time he read it. Lotus-san was also being evasive, but she probably wanted to ask if I had some grudge or something.
"No, it's because doing this will buy us time and serve as harassment. Also, I want to create a situation where Duke Boltlinde can't move freely.""I understand buying time, but what do you mean by harassment?""Duke Boltlinde's main force appears to be his territorial army, but his true strength lies in his covert organization and its subordinate groups like bandit gangs and underworld organizations. He maintains his surface forces to a certain degree, but pours massive funds into strengthening the shadowy side."
If asked whether I hold a grudge, I'd answer 'No.' And the reason I'm doing this is to whittle down Duke Boltlinde's main strength. Intrigue and covert activities are Duke Boltlinde's playground. If I can cut into that and excise it, I can cripple his movements.
"The underworld has its own methods. So, I thought I'd use the most readily available channel to harass them, apply pressure, and prevent them from acting freely.""So you want to use my covert ops for that.""I believe it's not a bad course of action. Your Excellency, I think we have nothing to lose by accepting Liberta-sama's support.""Hmm, I had no intention of refusing in the first place. I was already weary of my dealings with him in the shadows. If that's the case, then I have no problem mobilizing them."
The Duke grinned, slapping his knee with motivation, knowing he could counterattack effectively using my wisdom and assets. Originally, combat between covert organizations is hard to bring to light. Unlike regular army battles, it's difficult to produce evidence saying, 'You did this, right?' Therefore, while Duke Boltlinde heavily relies on his shadow power, the same goes for us. That's why I'm investing the equipment we're mass-producing in the Spirit World right now primarily into the covert ops. On the surface, there's no reason for the Ducal houses to conflict. It's like shaking hands with the right hand while hiding the left behind your back.
"In fact, are there any more ways to harass them?""In that case, how about this?"
Thinking this wasn't something the female members should hear, I leaned in and grinned back at the Duke, who was wearing a mischievous smile, and began plotting our harassment.
"It's about this area on the map. Actually...""Oh? Then I should send a subordinate knowledgeable about water management there.""If you have someone familiar with plants and animals, if we could establish a hidden base around here, it would expand our range of activities.""Hmm, the covert ops have many intelligent members. Establishing a base shouldn't be a problem."
Right about now, the other side is probably sending their own covert ops or others against us, but over there, they only have Duke Boltlinde as the head. Here, however, we have the combo of me and the Duke.
"Liberta, if that's the case, we should probably secure this area as well?""You understand perfectly, as expected.""Hmm, should we prepare safe houses in the town? Also, we should secure a few merchant guilds, even small ones.""Please avoid using merchants. Surveillance on merchants is strict over there.""I know."
We steadily drew our plans on the provided map, plotting how to shred the enemy's covert ops. We refined the plan using fantasy-themed chess pieces.
"While we're at it, shall we stir up the people's discontent and increase our collaborators on that side?""In that case, it might be good to prepare something like a 'righteous thief.' Normally, they'd be like a natural enemy of nobles, but since 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' it might be good to support them.""A righteous thief, huh?"
Among the ideas, I presented one that, while a bit of a meme, would be quite effective against Duke Boltlinde. The piece I picked up was one modeled after a bandit. I placed it directly within Duke Boltlinde's territory with a *tap*.
"The current northern territory should be accumulating discontent due to Jakaran's selfish actions. Letting that explode and leading to civil unrest would be a bad move against Duke Boltlinde. Causing civil strife and bloodshed would only accelerate Azhdaha's revival."
A righteous thief. In stories, they are dark hero-like figures who use evil to restrain evil, helping the weak and crushing the strong.
"In that case, we should employ a presence that can adequately vent the citizens' discontent while also being able to carry out sabotage against the enemy. That, in a sense, best matches our needs."
In this covert operation, minimizing casualties is a must. Understanding this, the Duke crossed his arms and began considering how to use the righteous thief.
"So, you're suggesting we use our covert ops to support a righteous thief? As a role to disrupt Duke Boltlinde's funding sources and shadow movements, that could be quite effective.""The problem is, who will do it?"
Simply stealing money from corrupt merchants won't bring about change. Simply stealing treasures from nobles living the high life won't change anything. The most important thing is that the corrupt merchants and nobles troubled by the righteous thief seek help from Duke Boltlinde, causing him trouble and wasting his resources.
"It's possible to set up one of our covert ops as a righteous thief. But for the sake of concealing our existence, it would be more convenient to support an unrelated person if possible."
Increase their workload, trip them up. Delay the enemy's movements and postpone Azhdaha's revival without shedding blood. I have someone in mind for the key person in this. Two people come to mind. But in this case, one of them would be more suitable.
"Do you have someone in mind?""In that case, I have one person in mind. I can assert that they are quite suitable for this plan."
I nodded at the Duke's questioning gaze and told him we needed to make contact with that person.
"Oh? Who is it?"
To establish that connection, I need to complete a certain quest.
"The second son of the Rizel Baron family, a vassal of the northern Duke Boltlinde: Judas Rizel. He is perceived as very mild-mannered, easily swayed by the atmosphere, and someone who prioritizes avoiding trouble, so he isn't seen as a threat."
The name of that quest is 'The Mischievous Brat,' a righteous thief-type quest that exists within FBO.
"The Rizel family... Indeed, they fell into decline around the time of Duke Boltlinde's grandfather's generation. They were a house with considerable influence back then, but they should be so destitute now that they're unrecognizable."
This character, Judas Rizel, is so faintly present that at first glance, one might mistake him for a mob character.
"Can he be of use?""Yes. Right now, he hasn't yet found his own value."
Even in noble society, few remember him; no one expects anything from him; people say it's only a matter of time before he disappears—the second son of a noble. Would such a person be useful in this important operation? I assert that he can.
"If we ignite the hidden desire for transformation within him, the longing to become someone other than himself, we'll encounter unexpected talent."
In a word, he is a performer. His desire to become someone other than himself gives him a stronger obsession with those he admires than anyone else. If he believes he can become such a person, he will transform dramatically with just a little help. His nickname in the game was Chameleon.
"Very well, Liberta. Prepare credentials and travel arrangements. Make contact with him and bring him to our side.""That seems to be the way, doesn't it?"
And since I made such a proposal, it falls to me, who knows the circumstances, to act.
"Please arrange for the fastest horse.""Of course, I'll prepare a special one."