The following day, on the 8th, Prince Zifola's party—now joined by Jin D—arrived in Basisus on the shores of Lake Yato shortly after noon.
This was the southernmost town in the Norha Principality. Heading south along the highway past the border with the Mimaka Principality would lead straight to the town of Colada.
It was the perfect base for probing into the reality behind the fishing disputes on the lake.
Since exposing their true identities and mission would likely derail the investigation, Jin D had disembarked early from Hurricane, choosing to travel on horseback alongside Prince Zifola and the others.
Naturally, the mount Jin D rode was a Golem horse.
"That is a marvelous horse," Prince Zifola noted enviously.
"I heard you also rode a Golem horse when you escaped with Lordtoss-dono back then," added Gene, commander of the 2nd Frontier Corps.
"Quite a few people own them in the Conference Countries," Jin explained.
"We hope to catch up to that level before long," Prince Zifola said with deep conviction.
Since one of Commander Gene's trusted subordinates was somewhat familiar with the area, they let him take the lead, and he soon found an inn well-suited for their investigation.
"Let us stay at this lakeside inn."
The establishment stood right on the banks of Lake Yato, boasting dishes made with fresh fish caught daily from the waters.
The inn owner also kept two fishing boats of his own, ensuring a steady supply of fresh fish.
"We managed to secure one large room and two private rooms."
Accordingly, the prince and Jin D each took a private room, while Commander Gene and his confidants shared the large one.
Reiko remained close beside Jin D, keeping her presence hidden with Invisible.
After dropping off their luggage, they gathered in Gene's room to hold a meeting.
"Well, we have secured our lodgings as planned," Prince Zifola opened, chairing the discussion.
"I suppose we should stay for a few days to get a feel for the situation?"
When Jin D spoke up, Commander Gene nodded in agreement.
"Indeed....Considering the grave reality that a merchant with access to the Royal Palace had fallen under Seduce, there is every possibility that multiple people in this town have been compromised as well."
"We brought a Weckener with us, so we can deploy it at any moment. Dispelling the effect, however, also erases the subject's memory of the brainwashing or Seduce itself, which makes timing its use rather tricky."
"I see..."
In truth, they could cast Trans Info on a subject beforehand to record the details of the mental tampering, but that remained a closely guarded secret for now.
"Shall we begin by observing the fishing operations tomorrow morning?" Prince Zifola asked Jin D.
"Sounds good. We could observe from the air if necessary, but bringing Hurricane too close to this area would probably do more harm than good."
Commander Gene concurred with Jin D's assessment.
"Quite right. If it comes to that, we would gladly ask to join you in observing from above, Jin-dono."
"I have no objection to that....Shall we do so tomorrow?"
"No, for tomorrow, let us start by checking what we can from the ground."
"Understood."
With the plan set, the meeting adjourned for the day so everyone could rest up and recharge for tomorrow.
Though Jin D had retired to a private room, as a Doppel, he naturally had no need for sleep.
He decided to launch an independent investigation of his own.
To that end, he deployed the Shinobi Squad he had brought along in his baggage.
The units accompanying him this time were five in total: Shinobi 1 through 5.
"I'm counting on you for the reconnaissance."
"UNDERSTOOD."
As the sun sank and darkness enveloped the streets, the five figures slipped silently into the night.
The Shinobi Squad communicated among themselves via their built-in manacam. Their reports to Laojun were relayed in the same manner.
This operation was a rare case where even they had no clear idea of what they were looking for or what they might uncover.
〈Above all, report anything that appears out of the ordinary.〉
Shinobi 1, the squad leader, issued orders to Shinobi 2 and the others.
〈Acknowledged.〉
The four units melted into the nocturnal town.
〈...Now then, time to conduct some reconnaissance of my own.〉
Shinobi 1 set off to scout the streets of Basisus.
First, it slipped into a nearby tavern.
Though nominally a drinking establishment, it felt bleak and devoid of energy. Shinobi 1 deduced this was due to a lack of active commerce in the town.
"...I've got fishing first thing tomorrow morning, so I better call it an early night."
"...Ah, who cares? We'll just scatter those Mimaka boats right out of the water."
〈Well now, looks like I hit the mark right off the bat.〉
Overhearing the fisherman casually talking about running off fishing boats from the Mimaka Principality, Shinobi 1 decided to tail him.
The man nursed his cheap liquor for about half an hour, bid farewell to the companion who seemed to be his friend, and headed home.
With a slight, drunken stagger, he ambled down the main street, turned a corner, and entered a house by the lakeside. After enduring a brief scolding from his wife, he went straight to bed.
〈Hmm... Would anyone truly bother to brainwash an ordinary man like this?〉
Seeing just how utterly mundane the man was, Shinobi 1 began to second-guess the lead.
Meanwhile, Shinobi 2 was gathering intel not in a tavern, but at a local eatery.
"Hasn't the catch been running a bit low lately?"
"Yeah. Those Mimaka bastards keep getting in our way."
"Just smash right through those tiny skiffs of theirs! Even the bailiff's telling us to do it, ain't he?"
〈...The bailiff? The equivalent of this town's local lord, perhaps?...It seems he might be the instigator behind these hostile acts.〉
Acting on this lead, Shinobi 2 made its way toward the bailiff's estate.
It had pieced together the approximate location from the chatter at the diner.
〈It appears to be the mansion situated in the center of town.〉
In the Norha Principality, ordinary households bore nameplates indicating the resident's identity.
The bailiff's manor, however, had no such marking, so the unit decided to simply infiltrate the premises.
〈Security is practically nonexistent...〉
Given that no one in this region could ever anticipate a spy the size of a Shinobi Squad automaton, slipping inside was trivial.
Even so, Shinobi 2 remained vigilant as it pressed deeper into the interior.
〈...Voices. Could that be the bailiff?〉
From a room that appeared to be an office, raised voices could be heard, as if someone were arguing with a secretary or adjutant.
"...That is precisely what I am telling you! There is no need to show any deference to those Mimaka dogs!"
"B-but Your Excellency, they are our neighboring state. If we do not exercise at least a modicum of restraint, it could escalate into a diplomatic crisis..."
"Hmph! What is there to worry about?"
"Because half of this lake is legally the territory of the Mimaka Principality as well..."
〈Oho. Now this is definitely a hit.〉
Shinobi 2 strained its audio sensors, listening intently to every word.
While Shinobi 1 and Shinobi 2 had both managed to dig up plausible leads, Shinobi 3 through 5 had come up empty-handed. Shinobi 3 and 4 rendezvoused with Shinobi 1, while Shinobi 5 joined Shinobi 2.
Leader Shinobi 1 assigned the task of keeping watch over the fisherman to Shinobi 3 and 4, taking upon itself the duties of reporting to Laojun and monitoring the overall situation.
Thereafter, the rest of the night slipped by without further incident.