Episode 66 — Formation of the Shadows and the Integrated Resort (Part 1)

Quite the unusual trio had gathered today. Gustav, Elishua, and Volg. The moment I saw them on the intercom monitor, I couldn't help but let out a sigh.

(...That is one weird combination. A Lord, a former criminal, and a selfie-obsessed mage. I did say I wanted to talk to Volg eventually, but...)

"Come on in. The door's open."

I unlocked the door, and the three of them entered the living room. Gustav gave a polite bow, Elishua walked in at an angle that screamed, "How do I look today?", and Volg stood there with his hands in his pockets, scanning the room as if sizing it up.

"...Huh. Weird house. The air in here is completely different from the forest outside."

"I get that a lot."

I stayed on the sofa with Tama on my lap and gestured for Volg to sit. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before sinking into a chair without a sound.

Gustav straightened his posture and spoke up.

"Mr. Zect, I’ve come today with a report and a proposal."

"Go ahead."

"It’s regarding Volg."

Gustav spread a sheet of parchment on the table. It was the management regulations for the Tax-Free Zone, along with Volg’s official appointment, all laid out in an orderly fashion.

"As we discussed the other day, I am officially hiring him as the Manager of the Tax-Free Zone. However... I’ve also decided to give him one more role."

(Huh? Gustav came up with something on his own? The guy who usually follows my lead like a loyal puppet?)

I leaned forward slightly.

"Felsen has developed significantly," Gustav continued. "All sorts of people are gathering from both inside and outside the territory—merchants, craftsmen, adventurers, and... those with less than noble intentions. Thinking of the future, I believe we need an organization that can act as our 'Shadows,' gathering information that the public Knights cannot reach. Volg, I want to entrust you with the formation and command of that unit."

One of Volg’s eyes glinted quietly.

"...A 'Shadow' organization, huh? You’re a strange one, Lord. Entrusting a direct intelligence network to a former criminal like me."

"What about the manpower? Even if you're the boss, you can't move without a crew."

Gustav answered my question flatly.

"I previously promised amnesty to the high-ranking members we captured in the Old District."

(Oh right, the guys who were imprisoned with Bartos... the promise he made during negotiations.)

Volg narrowed his eyes slightly.

"...Amnesty. For those guys?"

"As a Lord, one must never lie," Gustav stated plainly, his face serious. "Besides, you said it yourself, Mr. Zect: 'You just have to design the system so that the benefit of obedience outweighs the return on betrayal.' I simply thought... this would be the most rational use of human resources."

(...This guy. He’s actually started thinking like this on his own. I’m actually a bit moved. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but still.)

Internally, I was quietly impressed. When I first met Gustav, he was driven solely by the earnestness of "needing to be a righteous Lord." Now, he was different. He was thinking in terms of systems. He was starting to treat people as variables.

"...Not bad, Gustav. That makes sense."

When I said that, Gustav’s expression softened just a fraction.

"Volg. What do you think after hearing the offer?"

Volg brushed his bangs aside and looked up at the ceiling.

"It’s not a bad deal. I have no intention of crawling back to a rotting organization like the Black Corridor anyway. If I’m going to work, I’d rather have a job with a bit more class."

"A job with class, huh?"

I took a sip of my cola and looked Volg dead in the eye.

"By the way, Volg, what exactly were you doing back in the Old District?"

"Hm? All sorts of things. Running the black market, arranging muscle, managing the flow of smuggled goods, and..."

Volg started counting on his fingers.

"Running red-light establishments, managing gambling houses... well, someone with my upbringing has to do whatever it takes to eat."

(............Gambling.)

My train of thought stopped right there for a second.

(So this world has gambling too. In that case...)

"Volg, can I ask you something? What kind of gambling do people do in this world?"

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