Chapter 41
"You want me to introduce you to some notorious criminals?"
At Roa's matter-of-fact declaration, the troupe leaders who had been waiting for him frowned.
"Yes. Preferably someone among the bandits who can be reasoned with—but do you know any suitable criminals?"
"You can't reason with criminals."
Roa gave a wry smile at Gubeck's words.
"But there must be people among them who are willing to receive traveling troupes, or at least make use of them. For traveling troupes, some bandits are 'customers,' just like ordinary people."
"You certainly know an unpleasant amount about traveling troupes..."
In response to Gubeck's slightly sarcastic remark, Roa merely replied, "Thanks," then immediately sobered.
"I'm serious. We don't have much time..."
"Why criminals?"
"You've already been briefed on the poor harvest, haven't you? So you were worried that starving bandits might attack you as well. Am I right so far?"
"Ah... I see. So you're worried that those criminals will attack towns and villages in search of food."
"Exactly as Gubeck-san says."
"But what will you do? Give the criminals food and try to persuade them to stay quiet?"
Roa gave another wry smile.
"We're not that softhearted. So we'll give them 'work' as well. We'll provide them with food in exchange. For a year. After that, they can go wherever they like, and if they intend to live honestly, we plan to keep employing them."
"What kind of work?"
"Managing their territories. We want them to keep watch and prevent starving bandits from other countries from entering. Of course, the knight order will also be on guard, but it takes a thief to catch a thief. We'd like them to cover the areas beyond the knights' reach."
Listening beside them, Zodia thought it was utterly outrageous. But at the same time, given the poor harvest, perhaps it might be an intriguing idea.
"You're going to pit one snake against another?"
"Something like that. There are probably local kingpins in each area, aren't there? Ideally, I'd like to get word to every one of them."
"And what about the work after the year is up?"
"I'm considering a fairly large-scale construction project, so I'll need workers. We'll also send some to Gadeland. The navy there is chronically short-handed right now, so anyone willing to work will be more than welcome."
Another troupe leader timidly raised his hand. "May I ask something too?" Roa replied, "Of course."
"How will you negotiate with them?"
"The traveling troupes only need to make contact with them. We'll send people to designated locations afterward. They'll probably be wary at first. Once we've secured their cooperation, they'll have to come to the fortress to collect their food, just as you have."
"Do you think something like that will really work?"
One of the leaders spoke anxiously. At this, Roa smiled calmly and spoke to the leader in a gentle tone.
"If it fails, then it fails; there's nothing to be done. They probably don't want to starve to death, either, so I hope they'll be willing to listen. Still, if even half of them agree to a genuine discussion, I'd count that as a success."
At that point, Zodia realized Roa's other aim.
Even as Zodia was privately astonished, the discussion continued steadily.
The leaders listened favorably to Roa's explanation. As Roa had said, criminals were also important customers for traveling troupes.
Looking ahead, earning their goodwill here was not a bad idea. Even if the other side refused to listen, the traveling troupes would have done their duty.
After a detailed question-and-answer session, each leader was satisfied, and they decided to accept Roa's proposal.
"Then let me know in advance which criminals you intend to contact. We'll need to prepare personnel to send out and explain things as well."
With Roa seeing them off, the troupe leaders filed out of the room one after another. The only ones left were Zodia, Belluman, and Gubeck, who had stayed behind, saying, "I have another matter to discuss with Zodia."
As the atmosphere relaxed, Lapiria called out to Roa.
"Roa, it's about time..."
"Oh, is it that late already? Well then, Belluman-san, Gubeck-san, until next time. Zodia, I'm sorry, but please give the same explanation to the traveling-troupe people who come from now on. You can just send any questions my way."
"Understood."
Having said only that, Roa and his group hurriedly departed. A brief silence enveloped the three who remained.
Gubeck was the first to speak.
"So that's... that's Roa=Stein..."
The words seemed to be squeezed out of him.
When Zodia remained silent, Gubeck opened his mouth again.
"...Of course you noticed too, Zodia? That we're being used."
Judging from his tone, Gubeck had realized it as well.
"...What do you mean?"
Belluman alone looked confused.
"Belluman, what did you think of the matter with the criminals?"
"What do you mean? I thought, 'Wow, that's quite a plan.'"
Gubeck shook his head vigorously at those words.
"A great plan? It isn't anything so easygoing as that. That man is trying to put collars on the criminals through this whole affair. Isn't that right, Zodia?"
"That's what I thought, too."
Each traveling troupe would contact the prominent bandits in its area—and, before doing so, provide the criminals' names and arrange meeting places as well. What did that mean?
―― Whether the criminals agreed to the proposal or not, Roa would be able to identify the major criminals and the territories they controlled. ――
If the criminals agreed, all the better. He would probably have them perform the role he had described. Those who refused to answer the call would undoubtedly be placed under tight surveillance.
Out of consideration for the criminals who agreed to cooperate, he would probably let those who refused remain at large for the time being. But under those circumstances, they would not be able to attack towns and villages. What awaited them was starvation—or annihilation by the knights, who would have cause to act if they made any suspicious move.
At first, the criminals who cooperated would probably laugh scornfully. They had drawn the short straw.
Then, after similar things happened several times, they would finally realize that Roa had ensnared them. But would it be better for the traveling troupes not to contact them? That too would probably be difficult. Troupes that refused to cooperate might be cast aside.
"He's merciless. A terrifying opponent..."
In response to Gubeck's words, Zodia quietly made a gesture from across the room, as if to cover his mouth.
"He may indeed seem merciless. But that's only when the person on the receiving end chooses to exploit it with malicious intent. If they properly honor Roa-sama's terms, then in the end, whether they are a traveling troupe or a criminal, they can survive this year."
"I suppose you're right."
Gubeck exhaled deeply, but, as if unable to leave it unsaid, muttered once more.
"So that's Roa=Stein," he said.