Chapter 140

Cornered Fools (1)
"What is going on here!?"

A man slammed his desk in the Guildmaster's office at the headquarters of the Merchants' Guild. His name was Brockus, a man of medium build with sharp eyes and dull brown hair. Despite being in the headquarters, his outfit and accessories were excessively luxurious, giving him the appearance of a nouveau riche noble.

"There's no mystery here. You have made an enemy of someone you should never have crossed."

Brockus glared at the man before him with hatred. This man was a royal inspector, and Brockus was under investigation for corruption.

The charges were minor. In terms of Japan, it was equivalent to a parliamentarian claiming cabaret club expenses on a business account. While that would be a significant issue in Japan, in this world, such minor corruption was usually overlooked as a matter of custom.

This was a simple case of arresting him under a minor charge while investigating further. The authorities had confirmed Brockus's corruption but needed to detain him temporarily to search his residence for evidence. Even the Kingdom couldn’t arrest the Guildmaster of the Merchants' Guild headquarters without cause. Thus, they nabbed him on a small confirmed offense to gather more evidence.

Brockus was panicking. Everything had moved too quickly. Even his comrades had been suppressed.

(This wasn’t supposed to happen... At least not until spring...)

Brockus tried to figure out how things had come to this.

He was an infiltrator working for another nation. No, that might not be accurate. Brockus had originally been just an ordinary merchant—an ordinary merchant with supremacist ideals.

Arland, the so-called "shame of the continent," was a foolish country that pandered to demi-humans. Brockus had acted in accordance with his beliefs, spending many years rising through the ranks of the Merchants' Guild.

Arland’s intelligence network was no joke. Since entering the country, Brockus had only contacted his comrades within its borders. Anyone maintaining external connections met with "accidental deaths" almost immediately.

Supremacist sympathizers were increasing within Arland, aiming to corrupt the Kingdom from within.

Their initial target was the Noble Council. While the nobles were foolish in their eyes, a collective of nobles—even those under royal authority—couldn’t be ignored by the Kingdom.

The internal corruption progressed steadily, but the noble lords and titled officials remained steadfast. These nobles, filled with pride, were impervious to the whispers of Brockus and his comrades or to bribes of gold and women.

Still, progress had been made—until Alicetia’s rise.

Initially, Alicetia had been a kidnapping target. With the Eye Mark, she was this era’s Spirit King—or rather, Spirit Queen. Someone like her didn’t belong in the barbaric land of Arland. She needed to be taken to the Empire for proper education, free from the filth of panderism.

However, from the moment of her birth, Alicetia had been guarded under extreme security by the Kingdom's secret service, making it impossible for even her allies to meet her.

By the time she was old enough to move freely, she could seemingly smell out her enemies and refused any contact with them.

While her enemies waited for an opportunity, Alicetia climbed her way to becoming one of the Kingdom’s key figures. She survived two stampedes and was even hailed as a saint in Ostland, all while wielding terrifying magical powers.

Alicetia had a remarkable affinity for technology, seemingly able to master anything she encountered. Calling her a genius didn’t do her justice. She had secretly developed airships, with no one knowing when or where she conducted her research.

This secrecy wasn’t surprising. Alicetia primarily conducted research in simulations within her mind. Except for the actual production process, she didn’t engage in traditional research activities. Moreover, most of the technologies already existed on Earth, and her soul retained knowledge of them, which she simply reproduced using magic.

However, airships were a game-changer. They would alter the continent’s power dynamics.

Airships were directly linked to military and economic power. What’s more, Arland had allied with other nations.

These included a vassal state of the foolish kingdom, a nation of lowly merchants, an undeveloped island nation, and a small country with nothing but culture to its name.

The traitors deserved punishment, but the airship construction technology was invaluable. Yet, they couldn’t even secure a single blueprint. Worse, the ship’s design alone was meaningless; the critical components were what mattered.

Alicetia was an extreme adherent to secrecy. No one knew where she kept her research materials.

While Brockus and his comrades scrambled, the export of airships was decided. It was madness. Airships were military assets. Selling them to other nations was unthinkable, especially brand-new models.

Their purpose became clear almost immediately: money. The airship exports were a means to revive the Kingdom’s finances, which Brockus and his comrades had quietly strained through corruption and economic pressure. The construction speed was abnormal. It was possible they possessed ancient magic tools or facilities for building airships.

This couldn’t be ignored. Then, reports came in: in spring, when the snow melted, Alicetia would supposedly be liberated from the "barbarians" and sent to the Holy Church.

The Empire was likely behind this. While it was hard to imagine them handing over Alicetia quietly, the Empire was still a follower of the Holy Church, unlike the heretical Arland. Dialogue was possible, and, in the worst case, they could use otherworlders to take her by force.

(The princess is a problem. Her actions are unpredictable.)

The comrades gathered. Most were merchants, with a few nobles among them. Officially, this meeting was a business negotiation. It wasn’t a hidden discussion—they used communication magic via enchanted tools, appearing to be merchants and nobles chatting amicably in a café.

(We must bring her to the Empire and purify her. For a world without blemish.)

(The princess cannot be left unchecked. We must hinder her movements.)

(How? Capturing her is near impossible. We don’t even know where she is.)

(You’ve seen it yourself. The princess is developing new airships. The exports are a ruse. If she remains in the Kingdom, our plans will unravel. No, they’re already falling apart. We must act now.)

They had seen it: steel airships and iron birds (mistakenly identified as airplanes) flying swiftly through the skies.

These were dangerous. Alicetia was likely mass-producing them.

What they didn’t know was that the large airships they had seen weren’t military vessels. Nor were they aware that Alicetia was working on a warship comparable to a WWII destroyer, with weapon precision on par with an Aegis ship connected to satellites. Construction of these armed airships had already begun, accompanied by the weapons they mistook for birds.

(Infiltration of the Air Force?)

(It's impossible. Their internal unity and the princess's charisma are too strong. Moreover, the princess herself is interfering. Perhaps she has already sensed our activities.)

This notion was immediately dismissed. If their plans had been exposed, none of them would still be there.

(We'll take down the trading companies allied with the princess. That should slow down her actions.)

(Do you think she'll react?)

(Knowing the princess's personality, she will. We will then disrupt her efforts.)

They could no longer afford to choose their methods. Arland was entering its snowy season. For an empire accustomed to a warm climate, a winter invasion would be suicidal. In past attempts, they had only suffered devastating losses to Arland's forces, adept at fighting in the snow. The Arland army was a formidable force, capable of marching even through blizzards.

However, waiting until spring was not an option. Nobody could predict what Alicetia might do by then—she might even summon a goddess. Her unpredictability made her a severe threat.

Thus, they launched an attack on the Ponpoko Company and other smaller trading firms that had long been in their way.

Alicetia, busy building a village near the royal capital, initially remained unaware. As they were about to take control of the Ponpoko Company, after drawing in several allied trading firms, Alicetia intervened.

The acquisition of the Ponpoko Company and the sale of storage bags followed.

"Damn it, why does she always show up at the worst possible time?!"

Alicetia appeared as if she had calculated everything, sweeping away all their plans. But that was only the beginning of the nightmare. The speaker was the Guildmaster of the Merchants' Guild headquarters, someone they thought untouchable.

"Guild Master, there has been a demand for your dismissal from Merchants' Guilds across the kingdom."

Two weeks had passed since the princess began interfering, and Brockus was in dire straits. Guildmasters from branches across the kingdom had defected. This alone was catastrophic, but a more significant issue loomed.

"Furthermore, major trading companies are also demanding your dismissal. They have stated that if their demand is not met, they will leave the guild and obtain commercial permits directly from the lords.

Additionally, over half the staff at headquarters have gone on strike, rendering guild operations impossible."

The Merchants' Guild, a powerful influence even within the Kingdom, was essential. A weakened economy under attack would pose problems for the Kingdom as well.

However, without major trading companies, the Merchants' Guild would lose its value entirely.

Even some of the firms he had acquired, as well as branch Guildmasters, sent letters stating, "This is indefensible. Even if you expose my secrets, I will not change my stance." It was clear that a force stronger than the leverage Brockus held was in play.

The Noble Council, usually active in such situations, remained silent. Brockus cursed internally, wondering what all his bribes had been for. But even the Noble Council had been pressured. The Council of National Defense, a far more authoritative body, had warned the Noble Council that any interference would result in the revocation of their titles.

The Kingdom and its nobility had decided to hunt Brockus.

"What about the Locas Company?"

"They seem to have been abandoned by their clients and business partners. They’ve likely fled the Kingdom, but they won’t survive for long."

The Locas Company, painstakingly built, was doomed. A business cannot operate without customers or suppliers. Losing both spelled inevitable collapse.

The Locas Company faced a grim fate. Most residents of the royal capital trusted Alicetia and refused to buy from a company that had antagonized her. Losing the Kingdom’s largest market—the capital—was a fatal blow.

Alicetia's reputation extended to villages, towns, and noble territories throughout the Kingdom. Villagers distanced themselves from the Locas Company, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble. No one wanted to risk associating with a company that had openly opposed Alicetia.

From abroad, Alicetia was hailed as a saint, while within the Kingdom, she was lauded as a great mage. Associating with a company that dared challenge her was seen as inviting disaster. Naturally, suppliers felt the same.

Moreover, fleeing would only confirm guilt. The Kingdom’s secret service would swiftly act, leading to either capture or assassination. The consequences of capture were clear.

"What did she do? How could this happen so quickly? This is impossible! The princess isn’t even a politician! Her connections with the Kingdom’s nobility aren’t strong either… Wait, Gilbert!"

"That barbaric crown prince!" Brockus spat, cursing under his breath.

Gilbert's obsession with his sister was infamous. While Alicetia remained unaware, Gilbert had forced all her suitors to withdraw. Despite Alicetia's immense value and status, every candidate had stepped back. Such was Gilbert’s terrifying obsession.

There was no way Gilbert wouldn’t act. A chill ran down Brockus's spine. It felt like he was already cornered.

"I can’t stay here. I have to—"

"That’s enough. Are you Brockus, the Guildmaster of the Arland Kingdom’s Merchants' Guild headquarters? You are under suspicion of embezzlement. Please accompany us to the castle peacefully."

As Brockus attempted to flee, knights burst through the door of his room.

There were no screams or warnings outside. Through the crack in the door, the receptionist was seen peering inside. She had been coerced.

Even internal control had failed. Normally, no one would have betrayed him. But the enemy was Alicetia. Living in the capital and opposing her meant jeopardizing one's livelihood. Brockus had been abandoned.

"You barbarians…"

"Say what you will. You’re also accused of supremacist activities. Unfortunately for you, you picked the wrong opponent."

Thus, Brockus was captured by Arland. Numerous instances of corruption and misconduct were discovered at his residence.

These had been meticulously concealed, but Gilbert had a knack for knowing exactly where criminals would hide evidence—his intuition rivaled that of Japan’s tax authorities.

By the time Gilbert entered Brockus’s residence, all the necessary evidence had already been gathered.

Brockus remained silent during his interrogation and ultimately bit his tongue to end his life. This information was carefully suppressed and never reached Alicetia.