「……Me?」
Pointing at herself, Kazane said that. Then Runei nodded.
「That's right. Anglais Messi has approached Zenith Firm's Makka Tomac with a considerably favorable offer to negotiate the transfer of the hot spring's ownership.」
「Favorable offer?」
Kazane tilted her head. It was an adorable, childish gesture, but her eyes were dollar signs.
「It's not an extraordinary sum, but the amount offered isn't bad at all. Well, since it's a health resort near the border of Minshiana and Lindo, future demand can be expected. Anglais Messi also seems to think it will be profitable. For the ordinary person Kazane Yuihama, I think it isn't a bad story.」
(I'm not an ordinary person. I'm more or less a merchant) Kazane thought, but since she wasn't particularly active as a merchant, she didn't say anything.
「Of course, since Zenith Firm is also in a position where they're simply allowed to use Kazane-san's hot spring, they can't do something like selling it of their own accord. Kazane-san's input would naturally be necessary for that negotiation.」
「Well, that's right.」
Even though Kazane was considered the owner of the hot spring's source, she honestly didn't really understand what kind of added value it possessed. However, Kazane understood that since she was the owner, it was something she had to deal with.
「So, should I not accept the negotiation?」
After Kazane's question, Yuuko-nee shook her head and answered.
「For me, it's better for you to possess it, but it's Kazane's right. Do as you like. Since it's in Minshiana territory, at worst, I can seize and nationalize it no matter who owns it, so it doesn't matter.」
The queen smoothly said something terrible.
「Gu, you incarnation of political power.」
「Say whatever you like. Power is justice. And political power is the surest type of power in this world.」
Yuuko-nee wasn't perturbed by Kazane's censure. After many years of living as a queen, Yuuko-nee's skin was now as thick as an iron plate.
「You seem to be enjoying yourselves.」
「You two seem close.」
However, Kazane and Yuuko-nee couldn't win against Runei's scoff and Anne's smiling face, and they groaned「Gununu.」So they decided to return to the subject as if nothing had happened.
「Anyway, the problem is Anglais Messi's background!」
「You took out the black potion because it's related to that, right?」
Kazane's gaze turned to the black potion bottle placed on the table.
「Black potion and magic hot spring. Well, I can roughly imagine the reason.」
After Kazane's words, Yuuko-nee and Runei's eyes narrowed. Then Garua, who had been silent so far, opened his mouth.
「Could you let me explain that reason?」
「Nn, yeah. I simply heard an incomplete explanation from Louise-san, so please.」
Garua nodded after Kazane's words.
「Well then, it seems everyone here already knows what I'm going to say, but I'll explain just in case.」
Then Garua stepped forward and picked up the black potion.
「It's about the raw materials for this black potion that is currently spreading all over the world. We've confirmed that it's either made from a devil or an Astral body with devil traits.」
It was speculated that the Astral bodies with devil traits were probably human beings who had been ruined by the black potion.
「Although I said that was the raw material, that's the undiluted portion. The raw materials of the items actually in circulation are also diluted with something.」
Being able to grasp that much meant that the number of people relying on black potions was increasing. Being an adventurer wasn't viable without power. Even if there was a risk, if one wanted to advance, it was true that gaining power was the only way.
「And it seems the liquid used for dilution is a liquid that contains a large amount of magical power. In other words, the water of Kazane Magic Hot Spring, which has a Magic Power recovery effect, could qualify.」
「Does that mean Kazane Magic Hot Spring water is being used for the black potions?」
After Kazane's words, Garua shook his head.
「No. Considering the time when Kazane Magic Hot Spring was discovered and the first discovery of the black potion, that probably isn't the case. Just to be sure, we investigated the area, and as far as we could confirm, there was no trace of a third party carrying away that water. It's likely that Soldard either has a similar hot spring or regular spring.」
There's also a magic hot spring in Soldard. Kazane wrote that in her mental notepad.
「We're currently in the middle of popping the distribution routes. Ah, thanks to Kazane and the others, one of the routes was crushed. I have to thank you.」
「Ehehehehe.」
Kazane was bashful.
「Well, we're also being pestered with questions from the Dragon Boat Administration Bureau about the Dragon Boat incident, though. There are some headache-inducing parts.」
「Ehehehehe.」
Kazane's laughter changed into something apologetic.
No matter how much they were threatened from above, the existence of the Dragon Boat Administration Bureau was predicated on the automatic operation of the Dragon Boats; Kazane and the others' deed of manually operating the Dragon Boat shook the very foundations of the organization.
And at Yuuko-nee's order, information about that matter was currently being strictly controlled. Since the military balance of the countries was quite likely to be tilted, Yuuko-nee thought that at minimum, she needed to share information with Hyvern and decide their plan to deal with it before she took any actions. The problem was that it didn't require Kazane's individual Skills or an Artifact; anyone with a security key from the ancient Ishtaria civilization could operate one.
Also, at the present point, the Guild Master Runei had not been informed about the details of the Dragon Boat matter. For that reason, Runei listened to their conversation with great interest.
「In the current state, if the group making the black potions wishes to expand their reach, they might be searching for water that could be used for the black potions. We want you to confirm whether or not Anglais Messi is a devil, devil-possessed, or a devil believer. That's the reason for this time's request.」
Then Yuuko-nee summarized the request to Kazane like that. Runei added a supplement.
「With his position, he's usually surrounded by guards and can't be approached by an ordinary adventurer. But if you go to do business, you'll definitely be able to meet.」
「Nnn」
Kazane groaned after the two spoke. Kazane understood the story from Yuuko-nee and Runei up to now, but there was one thing she was bothered about.
「I've understood everything so far. Nevertheless, is there any evidence that Anglais-san is connected to the devils?」
While looking at the request form, Kazane asked that. It was certainly possible, but she felt like the motive to suspect him was weak. After her words, Yuuko-nee replied「There is」with a subtly displeased expression.
「There are rumors that Anglais Messi was one of the supporters when Barom Soldard, the current King of Soldard, seized the throne.」
The current King of Soldard, Barom Soldard. She'd heard that he had seized the throne and was even now continuing to massacre the royalty and aristocrats who opposed him. She'd often heard rumors that, starting with the former king, the main plaza of Soldard's royal capital had become an exhibition of the heads of royalty and nobles. And the origin of the problematic black potion was also the Kingdom of Soldard. Moreover, it started spreading immediately after Barom's coronation. Therefore, Yuuko-nee suspected that he was the mastermind behind the spread of the black potions.
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