Chapter 404 - Episode 387: The Suspect
The first to grasp a major clue were the civil servants led by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Honorary Knight Anna Leuschner.
From the various records accumulating daily, they searched for traces of any abnormality related to the series of incidents. They investigated every change within daily life—commercial transactions, tax payments, the holding of markets and assemblies, and even the movement of people entering and leaving the country—and cross-referenced them with the dates and times the incidents occurred.
As a result—it became clear that the dates a certain small trading company from the Kingdom of Roadberg entered and exited the Grand Duchy of Arqvist overlapped with the dates the incidents occurred.
Having heard this from Anna, her husband and the Minister of Agriculture of this country, Knight Edgar Leuschner, spoke with the representatives of the farmers to seek further clues. Consequently, it was confirmed that the movements of this trading company did indeed overlap with the occurrence of the incidents.
Furthermore, as a result of information gathered by the President of the Women's Association, Baroness Mai Granat, it was discovered that there were strange points regarding this company, named the "Milleritz Trading Company."
According to Daniela, a woman from a landowning family and one of the influential members of the Women's Association, a member of the Milleritz Trading Company who had set up a stall at the market possessed a strange aura.
The man in question appeared to be in his late thirties to early forties and looked like a perfectly ordinary merchant at first glance, but Daniela reported that she felt a very slight sense of incongruity—the kind of incongruity one only remembers when asked about it later—that set him apart from other merchants.
Additionally, a report regarding this Milleritz Trading Company came up from another direction, via the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bart.
As a result of an investigation Bart conducted abroad immediately after hearing Anna's report, it was discovered that the Milleritz Trading Company, which was supposed to be based in the Marquisate of Bechtolsheim according to its declarations, did not exist there.
Including small-scale ones, there are over three hundred trading companies entering and exiting the Grand Duchy of Arqvist from the three neighboring countries combined. It is impossible to check every single micro-company that only occasionally visits to conduct small-scale business.
Slipping through those gaps, the Milleritz Trading Company was clearly maneuvering in a suspicious manner. While no decisive evidence linking them to the series of incidents had emerged, the situation was more than enough to warrant suspicion.
"...Which means, it's probably better to think that the current situation didn't originate from discriminatory feelings toward beastfolk hidden within the subjects."
"Considering the reports received so far, that's likely the case. There is no doubt that some among the human subjects harbor complex emotions toward beastfolk, and those emotions are being shaken by this series of incidents, but the trigger was intentionally engineered from outside the country."
Yuri, who had been called in as a strategist, answered Noein, who was pondering in the office.
"Based on the records of the Milleritz Trading Company's previous entries into this country, it's expected they will enter again within a few days. I have issued orders to the checkpoints at the eastern border and the guardhouse at the east gate of the capital, Noeina, to report to me immediately upon confirming the entry of the Milleritz Trading Company. They won't be overlooked."
"That's swift, it helps a lot... Well then, assuming we'll question the company members once the Milleritz Trading Company returns, is there anything else we can prepare in the meantime?"
"There is one thing I'd like to lay the groundwork for. Since it will involve asking for the cooperation of a subject, I would like the permission of Noein-sama as the sovereign."
Upon hearing the details of the "groundwork" Yuri requested, Noein let a thin smile play on his lips.
"I see, that's a good idea... In that case, it seems it would be better if I spoke to that subject directly. Shall we call him here now?"
.....
Ludo is a citizen of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist in his late forties.
Among the subjects living in this country, he is one of the oldest veterans, having been one of the dozens of people who migrated during the first year of reclamation, back when this land was still called the Arqvist Knight's Territory.
Ludo, who began a second life as an independent farmer in this land, worked diligently, participated in several large-scale farmland expansion projects to increase his holdings, and has now become a landowner with a total of over a dozen tenant farmers and serfs.
Not only that, he also manages an inn with over ten rooms, including large rooms and private rooms, conducting business with merchants visiting the Grand Duchy, their mercenary guards, and transport laborers.
One day, such a man as Ludo was summoned to the mansion of the sovereign of this country, Grand Duke Noein Arqvist.
When the reclamation of this land first began, Noein was still nothing more than a low-ranking noble, and he and Ludo had frequently met and exchanged greetings. However, Noein is now an existence equivalent to a living god to his subjects. Even if the man himself treats the people with friendliness, the people cannot speak to him as casually as they would a friend.
He had been summoned directly by that Noein. While feeling a slight nervousness, Ludo was guided to the reception room of the mansion by a soldier of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's Guard, who served as the messenger.
Waiting there was Grand Duke Noein Arqvist himself. By his side, as usual, stood the rabbit-person attendant Matilda, who, despite her status as a slave, currently held an honorary knighthood.
Furthermore, Baron Yuri Granat, who as Noein's closest aide was also an awe-inspiring existence from the perspective of the subjects, and even Knight Pence Schoenberg, the Captain of the Guard, were present.
"Hello Ludo, it's been a while. Sorry for the sudden summons. For now, please sit and make yourself comfortable."
"...Yes, then, excuse me."
It was an extreme honor that Noein still remembered him, but that didn't mean Ludo's tension vanished.
While mindful of the presence of Yuri and Pence, who radiated a sharp intensity that was not directed at him, Ludo timidly sat down on the sofa.
"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask of you. That's why I invited you to the mansion today... There is something very important that I can only ask of you."
The sight of Noein speaking gently with a smile on his face instead instilled a sense of awe in Ludo.
Then, the next to speak was not Noein, but Yuri.
"Before that, I wish to confirm one thing. What you are about to hear is a matter concerning secrets of this country's maintenance of public order. His Excellency Arqvist has judged that it is no problem to convey this story to you, as one of the oldest subjects, and has called you here. Can you swear here and now that you can meet His Excellency's expectations?"
Facing Yuri, who spoke with an aura as sharp as an unsheathed sword, Ludo's tension actually began to fade.
Ludo's current life was given to him by the sovereign, Noein; the fact that Ludo could provide a comfortable life for his wife, and that he could give his children a high education before having them inherit the farmland and the inn, was all thanks to Noein.
His feelings of affection and loyalty toward his sovereign were beyond doubt. Ludo possessed the pride of being one of the oldest citizens of this country.
"Of course. I am a loyal subject of His Excellency Arqvist. I will never speak of the things I hear here to anyone else."
Hearing Ludo's words, Noein nodded with a smile full of benevolence. Seeing this, Yuri spoke again.
"...Very well. Then I shall explain. You are aware that among the regulars at the inn you manage, there is an employee of a company called the Milleritz Trading Company, correct?"
Ludo felt surprise at the story Yuri began, and then felt a slight return of tension at the role assigned to him.
The role Ludo had to perform was not particularly difficult, but it was important. If Ludo could not fulfill his duty well, the movements of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army would not be settled. It was that kind of role.
"—Which is why, can you do it?"
When asked by Yuri, Ludo left a short gap before answering. It was not a gap to deliberate whether to accept, but a gap to steady his breathing, which had quickened slightly from tension.
"Yes, as one who swears loyalty to His Excellency Arqvist and this country, I shall perform my duty to the best of my ability."
Hearing Ludo's words, Noein smiled happily.
"Thank you, Ludo. As a sovereign, I am proud to have subjects like you."
"...I will do my utmost to meet Your Excellency's expectations."
Feeling both awe and emotion at Noein's words, Ludo answered.