Chapter 302 - Lazy Justice
The reporter made an outrageous claim, stating that there was evidence of the Kikyo Society bringing in drugs. I was taken aback by such an accusation.
"Interesting. Show me this so-called evidence, then," Siegrune said with a smug smile, demanding proof.
Ordinarily, one would present such evidence alongside the article, but there was nothing of the sort in the paper. Of course, it was a frame-up, so there was no evidence to begin with.
The reporter, who stood up, began grumbling as he searched through the overturned desk. He seemed to have a tough personality, but someone like him was necessary to write such an article.
After a while, he managed to find what he was looking for and struggled to right the heavy desk, opening the drawer and rummaging through it.
"...There it is, there it is!"
The evidence, it seemed, was a photograph. I had no idea what it showed.
"Show it to me."
The young reporter, who had been holding the photograph proudly, was approached by the swollen-faced, bloodstained editor-in-chief. Upon receiving the photograph, he frowned at what he saw.
"...What is this?"
"It's a new batch of drugs, Editor-in-Chief!"
"I've never seen this before. What do you mean?"
"You weren't here yesterday, remember? The Desk said this would do just fine."
The Desk, who was the target of the editor-in-chief’s sharp gaze, seemed caught off guard.
"Y-You idiot! We had to trust the source; don't pin your hopes on a photograph!"
"But there's also testimony!"
Siegrune, overhearing their argument, approached and snatched the photograph, looking at it and then showing it to me with a bemused expression.
Looking at it, the main subject was a pile of objects wrapped in brown paper. Comparing it to the hand of a Kikyo Society member wearing the society’s coat, each package appeared to be about a kilogram in size.
"Yukari-dono, is this it?"
"Hmm, so that's it. Yes, it is."
If this were drugs, it would be a staggering amount. A pile of drugs divided into one-kilogram packages could total hundreds of kilograms.
Drug prices vary greatly depending on the type and region, but even the cheapest drugs in Exembra cost around three thousand Gist per gram, while the more expensive ones can go up to seventy thousand Gist. And that's just one gram.
Dealing in drugs is an incredibly lucrative business, risk and all, which is why underground organizations are eager to get involved. That's what drugs are all about.
Hundreds of kilograms of drugs out in broad daylight in the market? Even if it's surprising, it's simply impossible.
Valeria and the others joined us, looking at the photograph.
"Onee-sama, is this... wheat flour? It looks like it was taken while they were shopping."
"Yes, it does look like a regular purchase at a store. Is this supposed to be evidence? I don't get it."
Our conversation was clearly audible to everyone around us. Even if it’s a possibility that the flour could be a cover, this photograph alone isn't enough to definitively identify it as drugs. Even as a baseless accusation, it’s too sloppy. The key seems to be the evidence.
"Explain yourself."
The editor-in-chief, having heard our conversation, began questioning the young reporter and the Desk in a low voice. I decided to listen and see how it plays out.
"Well, just looking at the photograph, it might seem like regular flour... but there's a solid testimony!"
"I'll hear you out later, but this is a reliable source. This idiot’s claims aside, you can trust the source on the other end."
"That's not fair, Desk. But, Editor-in-Chief, you know that the man in the photograph is involved in drug trafficking, right?"
The man in the photograph, it seems, was indeed involved in drug trafficking.
Rigaheim has many organizations involved in drugs, and even with the Intelligence Bureau gathering information widely, there are limits. Even a regular purchase of groceries can lead to unfounded suspicions.
"Of course, but all I see is someone buying flour."
"No, it's the opposite. He’s not buying it from a store; he’s supplying it. He’s using the guise of delivering flour to stores to openly hand over drugs!"
...What?
"Not buying flour, but supplying it as a cover for drugs? If the roles are reversed, it does seem suspicious... Did you take this photograph?"
"Huh? No, I received it from the informant."
"So you didn’t witness it yourself?"
"N-No, I didn’t, but there’s a solid testimony from the source! Right, Desk?"
The situation was turning sour. It seemed like the reporter was completely taken in by the source, and the editor-in-chief had the same impression.
However, the young reporter and the Desk still couldn’t doubt their source.
"Well, as long as you’re not lying... Editor-in-Chief, there are outsiders here, so we can’t discuss it here, but the source is definitely reliable."
"You'll be in serious trouble if you’re lying! If you doubt it, check it out yourself."
The editor-in-chief, having heard his subordinates, looked serious as he contemplated for a few seconds before speaking.
"...Got it? The Kikyo Society is known for not being involved in drug trafficking, even in Exembra, where such activities are rampant. The truth may be unclear, but you know they don’t engage in overt drug deals, right?"
"That’s why they showed their tail here! It’s a big scoop!"
Huh, a scoop. Reporters would naturally want such a story. Their sense of honor is irrelevant to me, but their premises are clearly flawed.
If we were to start a pharmacy, we’d do it in Exembra, not in a small town like Rigaheim. The market in a major city like Exembra is vastly larger, and we could easily make ten times the profit.
Families like the Clad Family and the Anastasia Union’s lower ranks do this sort of thing regularly. As long as the volume is accurate, they don’t attract unnecessary resentment. There’s no point in going to great lengths to pretend they’re not involved.
Besides, we are criminals, and we have so many bad reputations that it’s meaningless to care. In fact, some wealthy people even approach us to buy drugs. We don’t need to sell to the general public to make a decent profit.
However, the Kikyo Society prioritizes the well-being of its members and the drawbacks of drug trafficking, and has decided not to get involved. We’ve never done it, and we’ve never had any members foolish enough to get involved. We’ve been strict in our education.
Those who don’t understand our policies and think only in terms of money might see not dealing in drugs as an impossible choice.
There are countless ways to frame us as newcomers trying to open a new market, but without evidence, it’s just baseless accusations.
If the purpose is to stir up trouble, we will accept the challenge.
The editor-in-chief, having finished his conversation with his subordinates, turned his gaze towards us.
"May I ask for your name, Kikyo Society representative?"
He seemed to be looking at Siegrune and me. The golden badge and the numerous Skill Insignias on our chests, or perhaps our presence, would make it easy for someone in his position to recognize a superior.
I nodded to the reliable Vice-Commander, entrusting the situation to him.
"I am Siegrune, Vice-Commander of the Kikyo Society. I can state with certainty that we are not involved in drug trafficking. Of course, you don’t have to believe me."
His demeanor was dignified and commanding, leaving a lasting impression.
His elegant posture and every word he spoke carried an irresistible charm.
Siegrune, a high-ranking member of an evil organization, naturally wouldn’t expect his word to be believed without evidence. Journalists, after all, wouldn’t accept that.
However, there was a persuasive quality to Siegrune’s demeanor and words that made it hard to dismiss them as mere lies.
Furthermore, the atmosphere seemed to shift after he identified himself.
As one of the Three Great Families of Exembra’s underworld, Siegrune’s name should be well-known in the eastern part of the continent. Even the most incompetent members of the Newspaper Guild should know him.
"...I did not expect the Vice-Commander to be here. To the point, what do you require?"
The editor-in-chief seemed to have believed Siegrune’s testimony, including his self-introduction, which seemed to soften the Vice-Commander’s stern attitude.
"Needless to say, we require a retraction for the false or fabricated report. If there are those spreading lies, we demand their identities be revealed."
"Outrageous! The anonymity of informants is an absolute condition! We cannot reveal it!"
This was a reasonable stance for a reporter. However, we have no obligation to respect it when provoked.
We will protect our secrets with our lives, but if we demand a revelation, we will hound them until they confess, even at the cost of their lives.
Is it unreasonable? This is the nature of being a criminal.
"Editor-in-Chief, can you imagine the consequences if we don’t get what we want?"
"I can imagine the worst possible outcome..."
You understand, don’t you? We are here with the intention of getting what we want, no matter what.
Eliminating everyone without leaving a trace wouldn’t be difficult. If it were just one or two people, it might be attributed to personal disappearances, but if it continues, the truth would eventually be understood. Even without a single piece of evidence, the worst-case scenario would still be terrifying. If we apply pressure gradually, they will eventually break.
Perhaps the editor-in-chief already knows about the disappearance of three influential people in town.
"Right. In return, we will provide information. You’ll get several scoops."
We are simultaneously applying intense pressure and offering a trade.
The Newspaper Guild is being pushed to the edge. Revealing the source might hinder future investigations, but what if it was false information? Would that still qualify as a source to be protected?
This is not a fair situation; it’s a forced choice. If you don’t do as we say, you will be destroyed.
"Revealing an informant would compromise the Newspaper Guild branch’s credibility. We can’t do it lightly."
"Then we will have to resort to force."
The editor-in-chief, however, wasn’t finished.
"—However. If the source is intentionally trying to defame someone, it’s a different matter. May I have a moment, please?"
"Go ahead. But leaving this room will be seen as a sign of hostility. You can have a private conversation in this large room, but keep it brief."
The understanding Vice-Commander gave them time to consult. The editor-in-chief likely wanted to verify the source with his subordinates.
If they reveal the source, our retaliation is certain. In a life-threatening situation, their concern for others and their journalistic integrity are commendable.
The editor-in-chief moved away from us and gathered a few men in a corner of the room to confer.
They would normally use a room equipped with anti-eavesdropping devices for such discussions, but since we prohibited movement, they had to whisper.
The room was silent except for the faint murmur of their conversation.
However, with my keen ears, I could hear everything clearly.
"—No, Editor-in-Chief. If we reveal that person, we won’t be able to operate in this town anymore."
"We won’t get any more information, and we’ll have to consider the backlash from that person. But, if we take him down, it won’t matter, right?"
"What about the Vigilantes? They’re past their usual patrol time. Even if the Kikyo Society ordered them, they haven’t cut ties with us. They should at least mediate, right? These women are dangerous, you know."
"You used to believe the theory that they used their feminine wiles to gain power, didn’t you?"
"Most people do. They’re just a group of women, no matter how many. The real power holders are probably using them for fun, right?"
Listening to them was a waste of time. I never intended to give them this much time.
"Shut up. Think about how to resolve this situation."
Just as I was about to declare the time’s up, the editor-in-chief took charge again.
"...If it’s a choice between revealing that person or being destroyed, there’s no room for hesitation. If the rumors from Exembra are true, the worst-case scenario is very possible."
"It’s not just rumors. The brawl in the pleasure district should reveal some truth. Moreover, the disappearance of influential people could be related. Is there any choice other than complying with their demands? I have a young family. This isn’t the time to talk about justice."
"Indeed. With the drug allegations firmly denied, even the notion of justice is questionable. I didn’t hear any lies in the Vice-Commander’s words."
"But why would they go to such lengths to spread false information? We haven’t confirmed it’s false yet, but I don’t understand the motive."
"In fact, the recent increase in drug circulation is significant. If we suspect someone, it’s natural to suspect an outsider. The Kikyo Society has many contacts, and if they had evidence, they would have it by now."
"So... they either genuinely believe the Kikyo Society is responsible, or they’re trying to frame them?"
"It’s already decided. If they had evidence, they would have it by now. To claim this photo as evidence is absurd."
"A setup, then. The Kikyo Society and us are being framed?"
"We’ve received a lot of juicy information from the Deputy Mayor. We trusted it almost unconditionally, but now it seems we need to verify it. It’s clear he’s not a righteous person, and we’re paying the price for not doing the legwork."
"It’s too late. They won’t give us the time to verify. Damn, I’m angry, but there’s no way to fight this head-on."
Trusting the more connected source or the outsider Kikyo Society is a no-brainer in normal circumstances. But with their lives on the line, the decision isn’t so simple. Our gaze, filled with pressure, focused on their whispered conversation.
Regardless, I had already learned what I needed to know. I disengaged from their pointless deliberations.
"Siegrune, the source is revealed."
"As expected, your ears are sharp. What do we do now?"
"Enough stalling. If they apologize and cooperate, fine. Otherwise, we’ll have to use force."
In the end, the Newspaper Guild members, fearing for their lives, completely capitulated.
With no one to help them and no resistance to our violence, they had no choice but to bend. If the source’s information was false, their guilt might be somewhat alleviated. They confessed to the information we demanded and promised to publish a retraction.
To prove that we weren’t the ones making baseless accusations, we intended to share the details with the Newspaper Guild once everything was settled. They could write it up in an article.
By giving them a bit of face, they might feel some gratitude. If they acknowledge that we are the victims and they are the perpetrators in this false information, it would be for the best.
Drug trafficking on a large scale is a clear evil.
Punishing and penalizing such evil is generally considered commendable, and it’s a job the Newspaper Guild should take pride in.
However, even if they were doing the ‘right thing,’ common sense and reason don’t apply to criminals.
No matter how righteous they claim to be, if we don’t like it, we’ll crush them with force. That’s how it is.
If they want to do the ‘right thing,’ they need to have the strength to stand up to it.
Moreover, they must realize that the most dangerous situation is when the ‘righteous’ cause is actually ‘wrong.’ If they claim to be righteous, they should be aware of this.
Justice feels good, almost pleasurable.
Once you believe in it, you might even start to think you’re in an absolutely superior position.
What’s wrong with the righteous attacking the unrighteous? That’s the kind of short-sighted thinking.
Being forced to accept someone else’s justice is utterly annoying. It’s miserable, and it makes you feel like vomiting.
To me, both justice and evil are the same if they try to impose themselves.
But they wave the banner of justice without remorse, as if it absolves them of guilt.
That’s why people who claim to be just are the worst. At least criminals are honest about their intentions.
After all, justice feels good. It’s almost like a pleasure.
Once you believe in it, you might even start to think you’re in an absolutely superior position.
What’s wrong with the righteous attacking the unrighteous? That’s the kind of short-sighted thinking.
Being forced to accept someone else’s justice is utterly annoying. It’s miserable, and it makes you feel like vomiting.
To me, both justice and evil are the same if they try to impose themselves.
But they wave the banner of justice without remorse, as if it absolves them of guilt.
That’s why people who claim to be just are the worst. At least criminals are honest about their intentions.
Reality, and this fantasy world, have their fair share of wonderful people. Truly, there are those who embody justice. Of course, there are many types of people!
In other words, this is just the ramblings of a criminal. I hope you understand that!