Chapter 37 - Episode 8: This Town Shall Be Mine!
Greetings. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
Just a moment ago, I witnessed the Elsemarin Guild being denounced by the capital's soldiers for the 'crime of harboring Violia Nico Fortesia.'
I have no idea why the capital side would want to crush the Elsemarin Guild. No matter how you look at it, it is an act that turns the populace into enemies.
But... the Black Gold Coin they were demanding is a staggering amount. If it's being taken as a fine, such a massive sum suggests... perhaps they have decided to fleece the Guild for money?
Well, speculations are endless.
For now, there is no doubt that this is good news for us.
Yes. Money moves in the shadows of upheaval. If there is any major movement, it serves as a cover for us to move, and even if not, it is a chance to profit.
Consequently, the one most fired up right now is undoubtedly Giovan-san.
"Man, that helps! I was getting worn out because I couldn't buy up weapons as well as I wanted. But if we can use the Guild, we can move all at once! Could there be a more thankful turn of events?"
"It's a nuisance for the Guild, though."
"Doran, you must have felt that way too. For example, wouldn't you be happy if the girl you liked was being bullied by other guys?"
"...I don't understand that."
"Well, I guess you wouldn't. You're dense when it comes to emotional nuances, and besides, if there was a girl you liked, you'd just charge straight in without any schemes..."
I understand it a little bit. It's somewhat frustrating that I do.
"Anyway, whatever. Let's become the knight who gallantly saves the Guild here and start a honeymoon period with the Elsemarin Guild. Oh, of course, the actual legwork is on your end. I specialize in intellectual labor. I won't be stepping outside until the negotiation stage of the deal, so thanks in advance."
"What a selfish fellow."
"You say that, but you can't get by without me."
"The same goes for you."
In the end, it seems Doran-san will be the mainstay while I, Chesta-san, and Keeb-san do the work. Well, I knew that. It is fine. I do not dislike running wild myself.
"Even if we save them gallantly, what are the means? Isn't it more difficult than rescuing a princess from a monster?"
"Of course. If it were that simple, no one would have any trouble. ...And so, Milady. It's your turn."
"Mine?"
Not Doran-san, but me?
What on earth do you mean by me helping the Guild...?
"The Guild is currently being charged with the 'crime of harboring Violia Nico Fortesia,' right? Then, you should just go out there, Milady!"
"We're going to let the Guild take the credit, Milady. Your head is currently worth far more than a single Black Gold Coin!"
Eeeeh...
"In other words, you are telling me to go back to the slammer once more?"
"Of course, we'll help you escape. Doran will, anyway."
"Me?"
Doran-san also has a complicated expression. Yes, yes. Please, feel free to object.
"I don't mind moving, but..."
Please do mind!
"This would be far too dangerous for Violia."
Exactly! It is dangerous! For me!
"Can't we just provide the money?"
"True, the Guild has no room to pay a Black Gold Coin. There's the option of just paying the money instead. But, if possible, we want to do it on the cheap, right? If it's Milady, well... she'll manage somehow."
"True enough."
"I've been listening quietly, but what is wrong with you two?! I will not allow you to treat my life so cheaply just to save money!"
How rude! How rude! I shall beat this skeleton man to a pulp!
"Now, now, now, calm down, Milady. This is for your sake too, you know?"
I decided to calm down for a moment. If he says anything else rude, I'll snap his bones!
"Now that the nobles are gone, who do you think this town of Elsemarin belongs to?"
...I thought, and then a quite unexpected question came.
"Who... well, it still belongs to the nobles, doesn't it? Nominally."
Since Elsemarin was a town with a noble district, it was managed by the consensus of the nobles living there (though, of course, the power dynamics between nobles were vividly reflected there).
The country belongs to the King. The town belongs to the nobles. That is how it is. If it is a town of a certain size, the nobles gather and hold the real power of the town.
However... that should be nothing more than a formality now. Even if the rights to the town were suddenly handed over without any handover or anything, there is no way they could rule it properly. Besides, the ruling nobles are nowhere to be found now.
...Which means.
"...Are you suggesting that, in practice, it belongs to the Guild?"
"Correct!"
So that is how it is.
While the various decision-making powers lie with the nobles, the actual work is often undertaken by the town's Guild.
For example, the guard units protecting this town, other than those dispatched from the capital, are organizations of the Guild. Collecting taxes and managing them is also often done by that department of the Guild in reality.
...Originally, the Guild is like a public works project. If monsters appear, they go to defeat them; if materials are lacking, they go to get them. Sometimes cleaning the town or construction work like building bridges also becomes a request. In short, they are requests issued by the Guild... in the form of requests from the nobles.
Which means.
Now that the top of this town has vanished.
The one holding the real power of this town is... the Guild. One could say that.
"Could it be that the reason the country is trying to crush the Guild is for that? They might be planning to have the country directly hold the real power of major towns."
"Maybe. Crushing the Guild and having an organization directly under the Royal Family run it instead? Since so many nobles died at once, an opening has been created for new nobles or the Royal Family to intervene. Isn't that a sufficiently juicy story? Just by turning the populace into enemies, they can create a town that's more convenient for them."
I-In other words, if the Guild is crushed here, Elsemarin will change its form significantly...! This means the country is going to intensify its tyranny tremendously!
"Besides, if they crush one Guild, they can make an example of it."
"An example. Yes. I think they're aiming for that aspect too."
They can threaten other towns' Guilds that the King's hand will intervene. All the Guilds will become very obedient to the King's words. If that happens, there's no need to crush the Guilds in various places and replace them with organizations directly under the Royal Family in the first place. Anyone will do as long as they listen to the Royal Family.
In short, this crushing of the Guild. This is... the prologue to a wretched story where the King and a few nobles manage this entire country!
But, well. The reverse is also possible.
"If the Guild is kept alive by my hand, and if the Guild joins hands with me..."
"Yes. This town will be yours, Milady."
...Isn't that the best?
"Very well! Let's go with that!"
"Right? I thought you'd like this kind of thing, Milady."
Giovan-san said that and cackled... and then, he said once more.
"And so, Milady. This rugged knight (Doran) will surely come to pick you up, so until then, would you mind being thrown into the slammer?"
"If that is the case, it cannot be helped. It is for the sake of my town."
I am going to end up in the slammer three times within a single year... I have somewhat complicated feelings about this...
But it cannot be helped! I shall give up cleanly here and prepare to surrender myself for the sake of the Guild!