Chapter 156.2

Chapter 156.2. December Is For Preparation

“Washizu seems to be hosting a New Year’s party. Isn’t it strange? Especially during the prosperous period of the Takano family. I’ve been thinking about this situation, and I believe it might be the history that occurred in the original timeline where Takano Miu died.”

“Yes. If Takano Miyu had died, many things would have changed significantly. Considering Kazamichi’s personality, there is a high possibility that Takano Arashi had already been exiled due to his extreme cruelty. In that case, who would become the next head? The Washizu family?”

“That, that’s also strange, you know. B, but Kazamichi cherishes the family. While adopting someone as the successor to Takano County is possible. I don’t think the Wazhizu would replace by the Takano County, I believe.”

While gently stroking her chin with slender fingers, Frigg mentions the possibility of the Washizu family becoming the head, but Freyja denies it with uncertainty.

“I agree. That’s right. Grandpa Kazamichi values the family greatly. I don’t think he would hand everything over to the Washizu family. And the car that the thieves used? The implication suggests that the company was somewhat suspicious as a transportation business. Therefore, I speculate that they don’t have the broad market share that the current Takano County has.”

“So, Takano Coounty disappeared, and the transportation business split. The Washizu family couldn’t become the head. However, they were able to control a part of the transportation business.”

Frigg connects the conversation, and Odin continues with further speculation.

“So, a New Year’s party, huh… It means something is happening within the Takano family. Are you suggesting that the force of the original storyline is starting to manifest, young lady?”

“Um, I don’t think it’s going that far. But something certainly happened when Grandpa Kazamichi died. Or is it something they are planning to happen?”

They are already killing the bosses of the original story, like Gerer and Zephyrus. Even though history is flowing along the lines of the original story, the main plot is shaking.

From there, we can say there is no compelling for the original storyline’s force.

“That’s why you’re in a bad mood. You’re expecting an attack before the New Year’s party.”

“The New Year’s party for the 36 families will be held on the 2nd. By planning the New Year’s party to coincide with that, Washizu must be expecting a reason for the Takano family not to be able to hold their party. Or am I overthinking it for a different reason? No, isn’t it like confessing to being the culprit by conveniently holding the New Year’s party at that time?”

The position of the Washizu family is difficult to grasp. If it were a villain in a novel, they would do something stupidly obvious, but the Washizu family wasn’t defeated. They weren’t even mentioned in the game.

“So, why don’t we wipe out the Washizu family quickly? Like, have monsters appear or something. Then we won’t have any concerns, right?”

Freya glanced at the ants, who were quietly eating sugar cubes in the corner, but it was not that simple. Besides, I don’t want to eliminate them based solely on suspicion or because they seem dangerous. It’s too arrogant.

“The problem lies in them being ‘mob’ characters, right? They don’t appear in events, and they are involved in shady activities. Or perhaps they are just puppets dancing at someone else’s command?”

“If someone were to wipe out the entire Takano County and hold a New Year’s party like the head of the family, that would be acceptable, right? But what if the reasons were completely different?”

“If they are insignificant ‘mob’ characters who don’t even deserve a sub-story, it becomes troublesome… Indeed, even with the information we’ve acquired, there isn’t any substantial evidence of serious wrongdoing.”

Frigg sent a new hologram. It contained information about the Washizu family.

It mentioned smuggling and aiding illegal entry. That was all. The smuggling was not of drugs but stolen goods, and it was mentioned as a possibility without any concrete evidence.

It also mentioned that other shipping families were involved in similar activities to varying degrees, implying that it wasn’t a significant issue.

“The important thing is that they keep records on paper. And being a family involved in shipping for a long time, they have a close-knit pirate-like camaraderie. Gathering information from them is difficult.”

“According to this content, the New Year’s party… the Washizu family intends to hold it only with their allies, and they seem to have an attitude of not recognizing Yoshiyuki-san as the acting head.”

“They’re reaching out to the branch families, but that’s just a facade. But is it just a facade?”

“If they wiped the entire Takano County, everyone would think it’s just a facade.”

If this is not just a facade but the truth. It would become a highly troubling situation. If the Washizu family values martial prowess, it’s understandable they wouldn’t recognize my papa. Moreover, the shipping business hasn’t generated any profits from my ventures.

So they simply dislike Papa Yoshiyuki. That possibility arises.

In that case, someone behind the scenes is likely manipulating the Washizu family and scheming. Within the nobles who support making the Washizu family the head, someone is pulling the strings.

“It’s likely that there’s a noble manipulating the Washizu family and operating behind the scenes. That’s why the Washizu family, even in the game, is merely used as a transport vehicle for thieves. They’re just minor mob characters.”

“Maritime shipping provides wind magic tools to two marquis houses involved in shipbuilding. In return, they receive benefits such as purchasing ships at a low cost and establishing connections through trade with other countries. It’s not just about money. There are intangible assets involved. As an indispensable background character, we can’t easily eliminate them. Even if they get suspected as the culprit for having such an important business, their reputation will only suffer without evidence.”

Frigg elaborates on why maritime shipping cannot be severed, and, indeed, it’s not just about monetary value.

“If their reputation declines, they won’t be able to become the head of the family. In that case, Takano County will get split. In the game, no, in the original story, it seemed to have happened, right? Now, with even more businesses at stake, if they were to get split, it would be beneficial for other nobles.”

“A noble seeking chaos, aiming to absorb the split Takano County. It’s a highly possible scenario, young lady. The Washizu family serves as a convenient scapegoat, I suppose.”

However, the actions of the Washizu family also serve as an indicator. I noticed something intriguing written in one of the documents.

“They transport supplies to Yggdrasil, don’t they? And this particular day seems suspicious. Are they also delivering doujinshi?”

I tap the hologram with my tiny finger.

“If it’s about the seals, it’s fine. I’ll give them a ball and let them perform their tricks. But we should greet the puppeteer properly.”

I’ll have to confirm if I can purchase doujinshi directly.

After all, there’s a ship scheduled to arrive on New Year’s Eve. Moreover, it’s in the middle of the night.

Miu’s ice-blue eyes gleam with a fierce and menacing light as she smirks, revealing a dangerous smile.