Early on the morning of the 9th, the fishermen set out on the water.
Jin D and his companions had also risen early and gone down to the lakeshore to observe the fishermen's behavior.
(Shinobi 1 reported that the fishermen from the Mimaka Principality have been fishing in the middle of the night.)
During the conversation overheard the previous night, someone had mentioned that catches were dwindling. One of the reasons appeared to be that the Mimaka Principality's fishermen had taken to working in the dead of night to avoid clashes with the Norha Principality's crews.
Consequently, the Norha Principality's haul had decreased by that same margin.
Of course, that was not the sole cause of the poor catches. Overfishing also seemed to be playing a part.
(We must bring these facts to light as quickly as possible and establish proper oversight...)
Laojun, who was currently piloting Jin D, harbored those very concerns.
"Hmph. Even from here, their conduct is far too brazen to ignore..."
They could clearly see the Norha boats barging ahead and scattering the smaller vessels of the Mimaka Principality.
"Ah, one of them just overturned."
"How reckless... At least the surrounding craft managed to pull them out....Regrettably, the rumors seem entirely true."
Because the Mimaka Principality used small boats, they fished primarily near the shore, which meant the altercations with the Norha vessels could be witnessed plainly from land.
"Seeing this leaves no room for doubt....If I recall correctly, this town is governed by a bailiff, is it not?"
Sounding mildly irritated, Prince Zifola turned to Gene, the commander of the 2nd Frontier Corps.
"Yes. His name is Kitori Monas Gear. By all accounts, he is supposed to be a mild-mannered man."
Gene answered without hesitation, having evidently looked into the matter beforehand.
"...Very well. Then let us go and interrogate him at once."
Prince Zifola made up his mind on the spot.
(Is that... truly wise?)
Laojun, still operating Jin D, considered the situation.
Among the knowledge acquired from Jin, there was information regarding period dramas where influential figures traveled the countryside incognito to punish whatever villainy crossed their path.
According to those tales, whenever a culprit feigned ignorance and claimed to know nothing of the misdeeds, the protagonist would corner them with indisputable evidence to force a confession.
Acting on that precedent, Jin D offered a suggestion.
"Would it not be better to gather evidence first?"
"Evidence?"
"Indeed. Otherwise, he might simply play dumb and claim the fishermen acted entirely on their own initiative."
As Jin D laid out the reasoning, Prince Zifola appeared to regain his composure.
"...A fair point. What do you think we should do, Gene?"
"Let me see... Would it not be prudent to bring along witnesses?"
"I see."
In short, they merely needed someone to testify that the bailiff had authorized—or even encouraged—the aggressive fishing practices.
"Two witnesses should be more than enough to serve our purpose."
With that, the plan was set.
Returning to the inn, they finished breakfast.
"Now then, the question is whom we should recruit as our witnesses."
"About that..."
Jin D pointed out that since they were still concealing their identities, ordinary fishermen would likely refuse if simply asked out of the blue.
"In that case, would it not be better to quietly disclose who we are?"
Unlike a tidy historical drama, the victims in this dispute were the fishermen of the Mimaka Principality—citizens of a neighboring nation—which made navigating the issue far more delicate.
"...I believe it would be best to formally introduce ourselves as an official inspection delegation," Jin D (= Laojun) suggested after a moment's thought.
"Given the circumstances, whether we hide our status or not, the bailiff's attitude is unlikely to change."
The rationale was simple: if he was under the influence of brainwashing, a mere change in their approach would not alter his behavior.
"Do you carry anything that can verify your standing?"
"That poses no issue. I carry a dagger bearing the royal crest."
Forging such an item carried severe penalties, making counterfeits virtually nonexistent, so it was deemed entirely foolproof.
"Furthermore, I possess a ring that only members of the royal family are permitted to bear."
It was a ring inlaid with a black magi-crystal carved with the royal crest, designed to emit light whenever infused with mana by someone of royal blood.
(I see. So that is how the magi-device functions.)
Jin D deduced that it was likely inscribed with a magi-sequence tuned specifically to react to the mana pattern of the royal bloodline.
"In that case, we should have nothing to worry about."
Jin D nodded in agreement.
"Then let us proceed to the bailiff's estate just after midday."
"And between now and then, we secure our two witnesses, correct?"
The party split into two groups of three to track down witnesses. Jin D, Prince Zifola, and Gene, the commander of the 2nd Frontier Corps, formed one group, while Gene's three trusted subordinates made up the second.
Finding suitable candidates proved effortless.
Nearly every fisherman on the lake had been actively harassing the crews from the Mimaka Principality.
All they had to do was find someone willing to state that they had acted with the bailiff's approval—or rather, at his direct urging.
Ultimately, the two groups headed to separate fishing docks and approached the crews coming ashore.
"Eh? A-A prince, you say?!...W-Well, truth be told, driving off those Mimaka boats was done under the bailiff's direct orders..."
"I see. Would you be willing to come to the bailiff's estate later and testify to that effect? You will be compensated for your trouble."
Since it would take up a portion of the man's working hours, the prince offered his normal wages plus a generous bonus, to which the fisherman eagerly agreed.
"Aye, if that's your command, your Highness."
"Excellent. We are counting on you."
It turned out to be far easier than expected. With the man readily on board, they handed him a modest sum of spending money, instructed him to return to that spot at noon, and parted ways for the time being.
Back at the inn, the other three men returned shortly after, reporting that they had secured a similar promise from another fisherman.
"Good. Now we can properly confront the bailiff."
Prince Zifola looked satisfied.
Since there was still some time left before lunch, they decided to retire to their respective rooms to rest.
(This timing is quite opportune.)
Piloting Jin D, Laojun took the chance to issue fresh instructions to the Shinobi Squad.
'Use Trans Info on the bailiff and copy the details of his brainwashing or Seduce suggestions.'
<Shinobi 1, acknowledged.>
'I will send the necessary magi-crystal now....Three, two, one... Transfer.'
<Received.>
'Very good. Use the Mild option and take care not to draw notice.'
<Shinobi 1, acknowledged.>
With that, Shinobi 1 cast Trans Info Mild on the bailiff inside his private office.
To thoroughly examine the implanted suggestions, the spell was executed at Level 6, allowing it to reach into the subconscious.
<Trans Info Level 6 Mild.>
"...Nngh... hm?"
As expected of Level 6, the bailiff sensed a faint, vague discomfort and glanced around the room. But because Shinobi 1, a five-centimeter mini-golem, instantly deployed Invisible, the man saw nothing out of the ordinary.
<Operation successful.>
'Very good. Remain on standby where you are. Jin D and the Norha Principality delegation will arrive shortly, so you may need to provide support.'
<Understood. I shall hold on to the magi-crystal until later, then.>
'That will do fine.'
With this, even if the bailiff's brainwashing were purged, the exact nature of the tampering would remain on record.
Hidden in the shadows, Shinobi 1 waited attentively for Jin D and the others to arrive.