Chapter 20: The Temporary Inspector

"Rüdiger, how about assigning him to that job?"

"You mean the bridge area on Beien Boulevard, in the southern district?"

If you cross the small bridge from Beien Boulevard, you reach a concentrated area called the women’s houses—this was Breisburg’s representative brothel district. Just crossing the bridge takes you to a completely different world. And if you go deeper, it connects to the slums.

"Basically, the folks in the brothel district have an uncanny ability to sniff out bureaucrats. It’s become a survival instinct, so even when we try to catch them for inspection or tax evasion, they somehow catch wind of it in advance. But since you’re outside personnel, wouldn’t the investigation go much more smoothly?"

"Indeed, that’s a fair point. Sir Streit, in our investigation of the fence, we suspect the brothel district is a major point of contact. You’ll investigate that area."

The moment they ordered me to investigate that dangerous place where I have no track record or connections, I realized I absolutely couldn’t trust these men. As they said, I’m just outside personnel. A disposable pawn whose presence or absence makes no difference.

It’s fine if I investigate properly, and it’s equally fine if I get caught by a criminal organization and die.

Even if I die during the investigation, they can simply report to the Finance Minister that I fell in the line of duty. I might be reading too much into it, but the power struggles in the noble world are beyond anything I’d imagined.

Unlike the Finance Minister, Adelbert has the disposition of calculation (neutral). Does that mean he’ll side with whichever party benefits him most? On top of that, he’s taken an interest in me. Rüdiger clearly harbors hostility toward me, and his disposition is loyalty (neutral).

So you’re Adelbert’s faithful right-hand man.

If I had the Diplomat Scouter now, I could analyze these men’s objectives and turn things more to my advantage. It can’t be helped. I’ll investigate thoroughly and pile all the credit on Rüdiger.

Was his name Rüdiger?

You become the Elsheimer son-in-law instead of me.

And spend your days as a son-in-law who has to walk on eggshells around everyone.

"I’ll take on the brothel district investigation."

"Good. I’m reassured that you’ll handle it. Keep in mind that the goal is to find the contact person, not to unnecessarily stir things up and put yourself in danger. And the brothel guild is no help to us right now. This is important, so remember it well."

To anyone watching, he might look like a caring superior concerned about his subordinate, but I wasn’t fooled. He means: find the contact person and don’t poke around where you shouldn’t. Or maybe he’s hoping I’ll recklessly stir things up on my own. I don’t know what position the guild managing the brothel district holds in all this.

That’s how I gained the completely unnecessary title of temporary inspector.

But surely they’re not telling me to investigate that entire district by myself?

If they’re assigning me to investigate the brothel district, shouldn’t they at least provide some personnel?

"Setting aside the investigation, shouldn’t there be soldiers to protect Sir Streit?"

"Since we need to conduct the investigation discreetly, wouldn’t two be appropriate? Any more would be too conspicuous."

"That’s suitable. I’ll attach inspector unit soldiers to you, so command them well."

What am I supposed to do with just two?

With Hans included, that’s three, but Hans has no aptitude for using his head.

There’s not much I can accomplish with this personnel. I’m supposed to investigate a dangerous area with no guarantee of safety. On top of that, these soldiers might be keeping tabs on me. No, they definitely are. I can verify it with the Manager Scouter.

After finishing my meeting with Adelbert, I linked up with Hans.

Hans had been waiting for me in the reception room the whole time.

"What? Temporary inspector? Does that mean you got promoted?" he exclaimed.

"Do I look like I got promoted to you?"

"Of course! Doesn’t it? Inspector is an incredibly high position, isn’t it?"

It is a high position in the Finance Department. Inspectors have the powerful authority to legally investigate by monitoring fund flows like embezzlement and tax evasion. It was also a means to legally intervene in other organizations’ affairs.

Though temporary, since I was appointed as an inspector, I might end up on the wrong side of the Administrative and Military Departments.

"Oh wow, to think you became an inspector! My heart swells with pride," Hans gushed.

"It’s temporary. Temporary. I’m not an official inspector."

"Being able to serve Sir Wolfgang is my life’s greatest fortune!"

Hey, can you even hear me?

In Hans’s eyes, all he sees is that his master became someone important.

He’d probably faint if he heard about the Elsheimer son-in-law proposal.

As expected, it looks like a tremendous opportunity and a stroke of luck to everyone else.

Realistically, lowly hereditary knights struggle with poverty and are desperate for any achievement solely to advance. The knight’s pension is 15 silver coins annually, but they’re burdened by maintenance costs. So from others’ perspectives, the offer I received could be seen as incredible luck—even if it is a son-in-law position.

They don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, so naturally they’d think that way.

I’m the odd one out for only thinking about how to escape.

"Keep it secret from Sabine and Daniel."

"What? Why? Of course we should tell them!"

"When the investigation wraps up, brag about it then. Not now."

Hans looked utterly baffled, but I firmly warned him to keep it under wraps. If he later discovers I was being used, it might hit him hard.

Phew, I’m exhausted.

"You’ve worked hard, Master."

"Sir Wolfgang, I’ve prepared your bath!"

When I got home, I relieved my fatigue by eating the dinner Sabine had prepared and the warm beef stew set I’d purchased with points. After soaking in the hot water Daniel had drawn and secretly washing with body wash and shampoo, then lying on a soft bed to ease my weariness, I could finally catch my breath. Ah, having an attendant and a handmaid lets me enjoy such comforts.

I thought about the Diplomat Scouter I’d used for the first time today.

It was the first scouter I received during my meeting with the Finance Minister, and while I don’t fully grasp its functions yet, I’ve learned that it roughly identifies a target’s objectives and the justifications needed for negotiation. Being able to determine the other party’s objective first is undeniably a major advantage.

The mindset and disposition visible through the Manager Scouter alone can’t tell me exactly what intentions or objectives someone has. But the Diplomat Scouter allows me to confirm the target’s objectives in much greater detail. Should I purchase the Diplomat Scouter as soon as I gather 5,000 points?

For now, being able to confirm the other party’s objectives seems like it would help the most—especially to avoid being ensnared in schemes where everyone is trying to trap each other. If I’m a lord, wouldn’t this Diplomat Scouter be an indispensable tool?

A lord fights for the people in his charge, fights for the mundane but necessary matters of livelihood, and fights for advantage within noble politics. Having experienced all of it, I can truly feel how absurdly complex and demanding the noble position is. It’s not simply about ruling and dominating.

Rather, fighting to protect is the noblest fight of all, I think.

For that purpose, the Diplomat Scouter is an invaluable tool.