Chapter 79

The criminal guild in the imperial capital is said to be rapidly weakening.

Starting with one branch, raids on related locations have been carried out one after another.

As the saying goes, when the honey is gone, the ants scatter.

However, Levan, who occasionally visits, has started to complain bitterly.

"I haven't had enough manpower for the past three days, and I can only sleep for three hours at a time."

It seems that every time a related location is raided, a corrupt person appears, and most of them are from the imperial capital's law enforcement. As a result, the number of people available to suppress the criminal guild is decreasing.

Indeed, from the criminal guild's perspective, the first people they would want to silence are those in law enforcement.

Once they are under control, the guild can act as they please in a hierarchical society.

If they can control the most powerful person, they can issue orders from the top and enforce them.

"Did you catch another high-ranking patrol officer?"

"This time, it's a high-ranking official from the water transport department."

Levan says this with a hint of sarcasm, but he doesn't seem happy.

"Oh, related to the warehouses? Around the old port?"

"How do you know? Really, what kind of information network do you have? Or did you gather all this information yourself?"

"Not that much. I don't go in and out frequently because it's dangerous."

"……Even if it's irregular, you must be entering and exiting the palace on your own a few times, right?"

Levan seems troubled as he speaks.

"Aren't you going to tell the Marquis Strategos?"

"I'm so busy with my regular duties that I can't afford to say anything extra."

As the police-like people patrolling the city are caught, the lower ranks become sluggish.

Moreover, the number of people on the catching side inevitably decreases because they are not involved in corruption. As a result, requests for personnel are sent to the Marquis Strategos, who was involved from the beginning.

The available people are either nobles related to the Marquis' family or the palace guards who need to redeem their honor.

Even if they manage to squeeze out some manpower from their regular duties, the gaps created will also be filled by the Marquis Strategos.

"Will you be scolded later for not telling?"

"I'd rather not say anything. If the Prince promises not to do it again, I can keep it to myself."

Is he just trying to pretend it didn't happen?

"Since you've already thought of a way to avoid detection, why not improve the precision to avoid being caught?"

"That's not the point. Why doesn't anyone know that the Prince is sneaking out? I can't find any traces no matter how much I investigate."

Levan seems to have investigated on his own, but he couldn't even figure out that I was entering and exiting through the gate.

In other words, it's all thanks to Sefira's optical camouflage, which makes me feel a bit proud.

"Why are you so proud...?"

"Right now, I'm telling him not to go out because it's too noisy."

Iktu said this to restrain the resentful Levan.

Yes, because the arrests are almost daily, the dangerous imperial capital, where escaped criminals might be, is not allowed to be visited.

Moreover, I was scolded for adding documents on my own, so I can't ask for much.

I'm still getting Mollie and the others to negotiate with Helkoff, though.

"You might only be believed by the Marquis, but keeping it to yourself is also an option."

When Wearrel suggests tacit approval, Levan doesn't deny it.

Since there are no traces and the method hasn't been exposed, it's hard to believe without seeing it.

Moreover, I'm not the only one who enjoys walking around the imperial capital.

Sefira, who has experience tracking the criminal guild on her own, seems to have developed an interest in exploration and now wants to go out for information gathering.

"If you want to restrain my movements so much, give me some information that I need to think about. Do you know anything about the movements around the Emperor?"

"You're not hiding the fact that you're using me as an information source anymore, are you?"

"From the beginning, you intended to show your usefulness and watch me, didn't you?"

"Not cute at all."

He's saying something.

But since he's giving me information, am I that much of a hindrance?

The criminal guild needs to be taken down now before they can implement countermeasures, and I'm prepared to act if necessary.

"Hey, listen properly. Are you planning something again?"

Levan seems quite sharp.

According to him, they have managed to infiltrate the major organized crime group that forms the criminal guild.

If a hole opens up there, they need to stop the flow of money that attracts the next organized crime group.

"To cut off the source of funds, the Emperor's intervention is necessary, and since it also involves the destruction of the Edenval family, Duke Lukaios is also on board. Additionally, they are dismantling the opposition faction centered around the Edenval family, who have been pulling the strings."

From what I've heard, Levan seems dissatisfied despite listening carefully.

"Hey, what happens to the people who are caught? What are the punishments?"

"Well, it varies depending on the severity of their actions."

I learned that the highest punishment in the empire is the death penalty.

However, it is almost never carried out and is not even handed down as a sentence.

This is because the empire has enjoyed a long period of peace, and there is no need to rush to execute people.

"The head of the Edenval family would probably be exiled if another country is willing to take them in."

Their property would be almost entirely confiscated, they would not be allowed to return, and they would not be allowed to participate in politics, becoming a marginalized person.

The country that accepts them would be responsible for monitoring them, and if they misbehave, they would be dealt with accordingly.

Despite not carrying out the death penalty, they are treated as if they could die.

Others might be sent to harsh labor in mines or to work on heavy public construction projects, where they are used until they are worn out.

This applies to both men and women.

"I've heard of being sent to a monastery. What about that?"

"That's a lenient punishment. A patrol officer who abuses their authority and significantly damages the credibility of the patrol force could be reduced to a slave."

There are slaves in the empire.

However, there are only two types: debt slaves and criminal slaves.

Debt slaves are people who use their bodies as collateral because they have no money, and criminal slaves are people who are forced to work for free until their sentence is over.

Both have almost no social status, and it is almost impossible to climb back up.

In general, you wouldn't see slaves in everyday life, as they work quietly in places where they are not noticed.

"There's still a lot I don't know."

"That's the Prince for you."

Levan looks a bit relieved.

The atmosphere isn't right for asking, so I'll ask my attendants later if there are any examples of people being sold into slavery.

Just because I think something is common sense doesn't mean it is, especially if it's influenced by my previous life.

"Also... Ah, do you understand that the palace will also have a hole opened by this incident?"

"Yes, the positions that were filled by people related to the Edenval family. Is the Emperor filling them with his own party? Or has Duke Lukaios taken the good positions?"

Levan's mouth formed a line after I answered his question.

"Really, what do you teach him normally?"

"Would you like to see a class? We only do very basic studies."

Wearrel responded with a calm face.

If there's anything different from usual, it's that I've started asking Wearrel about the academy.

The story about egg hunting in the dungeon was interesting.

Also, the fact that the student dungeons are separated for children and adults is endlessly fascinating.

Oops, my mind wandered.

"So, what's the answer?"

"Well, the Emperor is working hard, but Duke Lukaios has incomparable connections, so the Duke's faction is relatively dominant. Additionally, Duke Eurasion has quietly taken a few positions."

Wow, he's that sharp.

He was easily deceived, but it's better not to underestimate him.

Since he can compete with Duke Lukaios, he must be careful not to do anything noticeable.

Still, I heard that there have been changes in the power structure within the palace.

My father seems to have gained some power.

If that's the case, it might be possible for me to enter the Lukiusaria Academy.

The Lukiusaria Academy, where students enter at age fourteen and study for three years.

I want to believe that I'm a bit closer now.

Regular update

Next: Tea Party with My Brothers 2