After having lunch at the inn, they headed to the agreed-upon meeting spot by the lakeside, where the fisherman was already waiting.
"U-Um, please go easy on me, sir."
Seeing the fisherman's anxious expression, Prince Zifola offered a reassuring word.
"I will not let any harm come to you. Rest assured."
"Y-Yes, Your Highness."
Shortly after, 2nd Frontier Corps Commander Gene's three trusted subordinates returned as well, bringing along a second fisherman to serve as a witness.
"All right, let us be on our way."
Jin D and Reiko mounted Golem horses, Prince Zifola and his party rode regular horses, and the two fishermen followed on foot as they made their way toward the bailiff's estate.
Since it was a small town, a fifteen-minute walk brought them to the front of the mansion.
Surrounded by high walls, the structure was built to serve as a makeshift stronghold in emergencies, given the town's proximity to the border with the Mimaka Principality.
At the moment, its heavy gates were barred shut.
One of Gene's subordinates stepped forward and barked, "Open the gate!"
About two minutes passed before a gatekeeper finally peered out. Prince Zifola immediately thrust a dagger bearing the royal crest right beneath the man's nose.
"I am First Prince Zifola Movie de Norha. Open the gate at once."
The gatekeeper went pale with shock.
"Y-Yes, Sire! Right away!"
With a low groan, the massive gate slowly creaked open.
"His Highness Zifola has arrived for an official inspection. Inform the bailiff immediately."
When 2nd Frontier Corps Commander Gene Raksef delivered the order in a solemn, commanding voice, the gatekeeper practically flew off on foot.
Less than a minute later, he came scurrying back.
"S-Sorry to have kept you waiting, my lords! The bailiff is coming right away!"
Without sparing a word for the flustered gatekeeper, whose speech had dissolved into panicked incoherence, Prince Zifola fixed his gaze squarely on the middle-aged man jogging toward them from behind.
"It has been a long time, Kitori Monas Gear."
"Y-Your Highness! I had no idea you would grace such a backwater with your presence. Please forgive my lack of manners!"
The bailiff, Kitori Monas Gear, bent forward in a deep bow.
"Enough. This is an undercover inspection....I have a few questions for you. Understood?"
"Yes, of course! Right this way, please."
Led by Kitori, the party—numbering nine in total: Prince Zifola, 2nd Frontier Corps Commander Gene, his three trusted subordinates, the two fishermen, and Jin D and Reiko—was escorted into the estate's reception room.
Before long, a lady's maid arrived with cold refreshments.
Reiko took a test sip from hers first.
The bailiff raised an eyebrow at the breach of etiquette, but chose not to comment.
"...It is safe."
Reiko quietly confirmed that the drinks contained no narcotics, poisons, or nanomachines.
Trusting Reiko's analysis, the prince and the rest of the party finally took sips of their own.
"Now then, to get straight to the point: this is regarding the fishing disputes on the lake," Prince Zifola began. "You gave orders permitting our crews to do whatever they liked to the Mimaka Principality's fishermen, did you not?"
The bailiff smirked coldly.
"Indeed I did. Is there something wrong with that? We may not be at war, but they are a foreign power all the same. What is wrong with treating them as an enemy nation?"
"That was your judgment alone....Our country has recently formed an accord with the other two principalities, excluding only the Jagus Principality. Your actions fly directly in the face of that agreement."
Hearing this, the bailiff's expression warped with anger.
"What nonsense! Our nation is destined to crush the other three principalities, conquer them, and reign at the summit! Why on earth should we bow down to treaties and accords?!"
"...Kitori, are you out of your mind?" Prince Zifola asked, staring at him in utter disbelief.
"I have never been more serious! Your Highness, do you truly doubt my patriotism?!"
Kitori lunged toward the prince in a fury, his eyes shot through with crimson veins.
Recognizing that the bailiff was making a disgraceful spectacle of himself, 2nd Frontier Corps Commander Gene quickly signaled his subordinates to escort the two civilian fishermen out of the room.
"Is driving a wedge between us and our neighbors and inflicting misery upon our own people what you call patriotism?"
"What do the common people matter?! A nation exists for its rulers!!"
"You have it backward. A nation exists because of its people. Without its subjects, what purpose does a country serve?"
"Your Highneeeeeeess!"
"T-This is getting out of hand."
Seeing that the bailiff looked ready to physically assault Prince Zifola, Jin D directed Reiko to aim the Weckener at him.
"Aaaaaah... Ah?"
Kitori's manic frenzy evaporated in an instant.
"W-What in the world was I doing just now?"
"...Just as suspected, he was brainwashed," Prince Zifola muttered, his brow furrowed.
"B-Brainwashed, Your Highness?"
"Indeed. Kitori, do you recall the orders you issued to our fishermen?"
"Y-Yes... Ah... A-Ah! I told them they could do whatever they wanted to the Mimaka Principality's fishermen, as long as it boosted our catch..."
"Hmph. Just as I thought."
The prince nodded repeatedly in understanding.
"Y-Your Highness, what on earth has happened to me?"
Seeing the bailiff tremble in confusion, the prince softened his tone, speaking with gentle authority.
"Kitori, you were brainwashed."
"B-Brainwashed... by whom, Sire?"
Still visibly dazed, Kitori wore a blank look, unable to process what he was hearing.
"Most likely by agents of the Jagus Principality."
"............"
Kitori's head dropped, his shoulders sagging in utter defeat.
"You bear no blame for this. You can still restore your honor starting today."
"B-But... how could I possibly do that?"
Seeing that Kitori was still too shaken to think clearly, Prince Zifola took the time to explain slowly.
"As I stated earlier, three of our principalities have forged an alliance. We have also secured external aid and technological support from beyond our borders."
"I... I see."
"This support encompasses both technology and food supplies. We can easily offset any shortfalls in our fish harvests. Therefore, issue an official decree immediately stating that any conflict with Mimaka fishing vessels is strictly forbidden."
"Understood, Your Highness!"
The bailiff bowed his head low.
It was a deliberate act of benevolence from the prince, reasoning that providing clear, actionable directives now would allow the bailiff to regain his footing and make sound administrative decisions going forward.
"...I understand completely..."
Kitori bowed deeply once more, displaying total submission.
"Good. I expect great things from your service hereafter."
The prince then added that an administrative aide would be dispatched from the royal capital without delay.
"...Jin-dono, will this be sufficient?" Gene whispered, consulting Jin D while the prince continued speaking with the bailiff.
"Yes. Next, let us bathe the entire estate in the Weckener's field."
After giving the signal to Reiko and ensuring the building was thoroughly cleansed by the Weckener's waves, Jin D added, "The Hurricane is equipped with stationary Weckener units. It would be wise to install one permanently here near the border."
"Oh, that would be a tremendous help! Thank you so much!"
Having involved themselves this deeply, both Jin and Laojun back on Hourai Island agreed that comprehensive measures against brainwashing had become an absolute necessity.
"I'd like to take a look at the data Shinobi 1 extracted."
"Understood, My Lord. I shall recall the unit at once."
"Thanks."
What secrets would the analysis uncover? Jin waited with quiet anticipation.