Chapter 137.2. Politician
He was noted as a man with a sense of justice in the documents, but it sounds like a lie. He probably just wanted the position of fortress commander, but he stayed at the fortress out of concern for the refugees. Surely he thought it would be bad for their reputation if only they returned to the inner town.
Since we're going to exploit them, Miyoshi decided to play along. It was a vague answer. Among the remaining refugees, the researchers have a considerable amount of money in their accounts, so there should be no problem welcoming them into the inner town. As for the other refugees, Miyoshi thought that if he answered that he would consider accepting them, it would be satisfactory. He also felt they should be grateful for his intelligence.
Seeing Miyoshi's arrogant and self-centered attitude, Masamune understood.
This inner town is controlled by corrupt elites.
He glanced at me and sighed faintly. Didn't I tell you that the inner town was like this? Miyoshi seems like such a nice guy.
Exhaling a resigned breath at my gaze, Masamune smiled politely at Miyoshi.
"Understood. In that case, please accommodate the 500 refugees."
With those words and attitude, Miyoshi was easily deceived, wearing an ugly smile as if to say, "Yes, yes, I understand.".
"We must compromise where we can. It seems you understand that well."
"Thank you. Then, would it be possible for you to provide trucks and buses for transport? Since the fortress has run out of weapons and ammunition, and there's no gasoline."
With a cheerful smile, Masamune politely asked Miyoshi, trying not to appear too pushy. Hearing this request, Miyoshi frowned and looked displeased.
As we ate, there was silence for a while. Can I eat this fish in one bite? Isn't it too small?
Even though it's grilled fish, it's small. As I ate it, Miyoshi seemed to come to a decision, clearing his throat with a cough and reluctantly speaking up.
"Are there no vehicles left at the fortress?"
"Unfortunately, most of the vehicles got destroyed in battles with monsters. Therefore, we hope to gain the support of Miyoshi-san. Please also provide escort soldiers. I managed to come here with my subordinates, but the refugees are exhausted, and our soldiers are worn out."
"Hmm... is that so? Except for you guys, nobody else could come here on their own?"
"That's correct, Miyoshi-san. In front of the Tsukuba Line Fortress, there's a fortress created by monsters, so even going outside is a matter of life and death."
Masamune looked pained. Was the fortress really that bad? Well, it must have been tough. It's news to me too.
As a sign of irritation, Miyoshi rudely shoved food into his mouth and chewed, swallowing with a disdainful gulp.
It seems that Miyoshi, thinking it would be easier to acquire soldiers than anticipated, was deeply annoyed at the prospect of extra expenses. He glared at Masamune with a hostile expression.
"Understood. We'll prepare the trucks. We'll also provide escort soldiers and weapons and ammunition."
"Thank you. The refugees at the fortress will surely be delighted. Shall we then hurry back to the fortress and inform the refugees that help from the country is coming? Is that acceptable?"
With a very serious expression, Masamune stared at Miyoshi with his back straight, and Miyoshi, looking uncomfortable, turned his face away but still nodded arrogantly.
He's truly a politician. He firmly believes he's superior and doesn't back down in the face of Masamune's intimidation. Although his shoulders seem to be trembling, it must be my imagination.
The discussion ended mostly in silence, and we left the restaurant. "You're not going to ask anything, are you?"
"I'm doing it to inform them that there's no support from the country. The refugees still seem to believe that help from the country is coming."
The military will probably come to rescue the refugees as the country says. The true refugees will be happy to see help arrive, but they need to know the truth. We must be careful not to have casualties.
Masamune sighed as he looked at my face. What's with sighing when you look at someone's face? Isn't that rude?
"During the return to the fortress, I'll die in battles with monsters. Most of my subordinates will probably die too."
"Oh, I see. Then, Amatsugahara Corporation will hire a newcomer with the same name and surname."
That's the way it is. Let's not change our names as a provocation.
"I admire your intelligence. How far did your plans go?"
"Well... more importantly, there's someone who made a profit without any trouble. They're probably going to ask for a brokerage fee for this... "
While smiling wryly, I deduced. Miyoshi will get a brokerage fee for introducing Masamune. Miyoshi will end up with a profit, but he'll also weaken, and he might even lose.
If he thoroughly investigated Masamune, he should be able to deduce that it would be impossible for him to receive 10,000 refugees. In other words, the Minamoto family I wanted to contact managed to avoid this trap. And Miyoshi's family will probably be happy with the weakening.
Serika, who achieved success with this scheme, will receive a reward. Thinking of it as something she owes me, she should be able to appeal to the Minamoto family, who are being pressured by the Taira family, for help.
Huh? While I'm struggling to defeat Crystal Golems, she hasn't done anything?
"You seem to be dealing with a troublesome opponent."
"...Feels like a battle of wits between a fox and a tanuki."
Masamune said with a look that was a mixture of amazement and pity, but yeah, it's like that.
Let's consider this kind of exchange as a mental exercise.
Let's go with that.
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