CH 194.2

Chapter 194.2. Seeking Profit But In Moderation!

If Solomon is involved, the plan changes. The danger level suddenly escalates. I don’t intend to put Yamiyo and the others in harm’s way.

Let’s prepare and search for Solomon.

Considering that Captain Gotou is also Sena’s guard, I thought he would agree with the plan.

“No, let’s go along with the enemy’s plan. It’s easier to incite the monsters if Solomon is behind it. We plan to investigate further behind the idiot sons and catch them by the tail.”

He returned an answer that was inappropriate for a bodyguard. His expression was serious, showing no sign of joking. Seriously?

“I’ve heard of Solomon too! They’re a scary, scary group. Shouldn’t we reconsider? Right?”

“I will leave the guard to the vice-captains. I’ll lead an elite force to search for the enemy in the rear. If Solomon is there, we’ll surely capture them.”

He’s a man with absolute confidence in his abilities. It seems futile to say anything. None of the surrounding Royal Guards raised objections.

Weren’t they here as Sena’s guards? Were they originally here to capture Solomon? Is that why they came with such a large number?

Persuasion seems unlikely. They’ll probably intend to follow the Emperor’s orders.

“I’ll explain it to Yamiyo-chan and the others!”

Pouting and protesting, but he easily shook his head, making it clear that further persuasion was futile.

Well, there’s no choice. I’ll have to prepare accordingly.

With a sigh, I glanced at Katou Karen and thought to myself.

Her appearance in the story was from the memories of my past life, in Volume 8.

In the original story, Shin, the badass protagonist, steadily gained fame but lacked the power and resources to exact revenge on Duke Kanna, especially in terms of overwhelming power.

That’s when Count Outomo, who had a decent amount of influence and gathered nearly half of the lower-ranked nobles, appeared. Under Count Outomo’s command, Katou Karen came with a request.

The request was to mine Adamantite from the depths of the dungeon in Kofu, as there would be a weapons contest soon. The plan was to deliver the Adamantite to Marquis Malachite, who runs the “Puppy of a Dog” trading company.

If successful, Count Outomo would offer some support to Shin. There was also a possibility of gaining recognition from Marquis Menou, who is the parent of Shin’s former fiancee, Elizabeth. Seeing an opportunity, Shin and the others accepted the request and proceeded through the dungeon under Karen’s guidance.

Karen and the others overcame battles with dangerous monsters and troublesome terrains like poisonous swamps, gradually growing closer.

However, in the dungeon’s depths, just a little away from the Adamantite mining site, Karen betrays Shin and the others.

“I need a large sum of money for the sake of my frail younger brother. I’m sorry!”

While crying and apologizing to Shin and the others, Karen gathers the deep-level monsters and escapes. Then the trailing Count Outomo and his men start mining while Shin and the others get attacked by the monsters.

That was a scheme secretly ordered by Duke Kanna Yamato.

The plan was to kill Shin and gain favor with Marquis Menou.

That was the plan. However, a miscalculation occurred. Shin and the others were too strong, causing the scared monsters to flee. The horde of monsters then turns and attacks Count Outomo, who was nearby.

As the mob underlings die one after another and Count Outomo and Karen find themselves in a desperate situation, Shin shrugs and intervenes with a “Well, well.”.

He saves their lives, and Count Outomo cries and apologizes, declaring that he will support Shin from now on and declares himself an enemy of Duke Yamato.

Marquis Menou, who received the Adamantite, also reevaluates Shin. Finally, Shin obtains a power base.

From then on, Karen becomes a school nurse and assists Shin in various ways, serving as a liaison with Count Outomo and others.

And so, a happy ending. Volume 8 comes to a close.

That’s a convenient and typical fantasy story.

Now, in the world of novels, this is fine.

Hail to convenient plot devices. For Shin to rise to power, convenient plot devices are necessary.

But in reality, what does “convenient plot device” mean?

It means that only favorable things happen to the protagonist. As the name suggests, it’s convenient.

However, it’s not just that favorable things happen. It means someone is making them happen.

That’s what happened to Takano Miu. She accumulates power, makes arrangements for favorable developments, and secretly manipulates events to align with convenient plot devices.

That leads to the result of convenient plot devices.

When analyzing the content of the novel, there are many odd elements.

Some may argue, “Stop analyzing a story about the rise of the protagonist.”.

If this story was a novel, that might be a valid point.

But this is reality. So, when thinking realistically, why did Count Outomo request the mining of Adamantite?

The story says it’s to establish a connection with Marquis Menou, but why not ask a regular high school student for the request?

Because Duke Kanna ordered him to kill Shin?

If that were the case, wouldn’t he have to act without revealing his name?

As Shin gains recognition and reputation, killing him would only harm Count Outomo’s reputation.

Marquis Menou would also not want to receive Adamantite from a request that involved Shin’s death.

After all, Elizabeth is Shin’s former fiancée.

People would inevitably talk about how heartless the marquis is.

And after claiming the need for money for her brother, then after the incident gets resolved, Karen never mentions her brother again.

It wasn’t even part of the game.

It’s a typical lie. However, Shin never investigates that lie at all.

Lastly, how did Karen manage to gather the monsters? It shouldn’t be easy for her to collect that many monsters.

One thing that I was curious about now is here.

It turns out that he was partnering with Solomon, who can control monsters.

And if there is a connection between Count Outomo and Solomon, then there is a high possibility they have a connection with Duke Kanna.

Considering the result, there is no possibility that Count Outomo, who has Solomon, capable of controlling monsters, as an ally, would be in danger.

Could it be they deliberately staged a crisis to become supporters of Shin?

That’s highly likely to be a “match pump” strategy.

They might try to increase Shin’s power base through a clear and understandable event.

In other words, is Shin possibly collaborating with Duke Kanna?

He’s working towards making Shin the Emperor.

Ah, I understand, I understand. Shin is excellent, after all.

However, that’s just one possibility.

Shin’s emotions have been described many times in the original work, and there didn’t seem to be any unnatural writing.

In a famous detective series written by a renowned novelist in my previous life, there was a shocking pattern where the culprit turned out to be the narrator.

There were also cases in detective games where the partner turned out to be the culprit.

Considering that, there is a possibility that there are aspects of Shin that weren’t described in the novel’s story.

Besides the conspicuous villains like Nidhogg and Duke Kanna, I sense someone else is behind the scenes.

There is a cunning individual who moves secretly without revealing themselves.

It’s bothersome, but if they become an enemy of Takano Miu, I’ll deal with them.

Regarding this incident, I’ll take advantage of it, let’s say.

Takano Miu also wants to grasp the enemy’s clues.

And for that, I need a collaborator.

“Karen-oneesan, compensation’s recovery magic.”

After receiving the trunk case from Nimue, I flip it over and let it fall onto the floor with a rustling sound.

Karen looks at it, delighted, trembling with excitement, her eyes practically popping out.

“There are 300 million yen, so I’ll give it all to you, Karen-oneesan. Let the pain fly away~.”

Creating a pile of banknotes, Miu smiles gently and gracefully.