"Well, there's no need to be so pessimistic. Even though according to our speculation, the mastermind behind the scenes is likely a noble of this country, and this noble might usually collaborate with other nobles, our enemies shouldn't involve all the nobles of this country."

"But they shouldn't be a minority either."

"Well, about that…"

After some slight contemplation, Katsuragi Reimi continued, "They should probably be about half."

"Half?" Asuka questioned.

"Ah, even though we only arrived in this country today, we have some knowledge about the actual situation in this country."

"The actual situation?"

"In short, it's about the distribution of power. This country is actually not unified, which means the people of this country are not on the same page."

"Well, that's somewhat understandable, considering all the commotion that happened in just one day. Even terrorists have formed groups. Everyone can see that this country is far from peaceful."

"Exactly. Since it's not peaceful, there will be power struggles in the shadows, with the most significant one being the power struggle between the nobility."

"But even so... That's why you said it's half and half?"

Asuka quickly grasped the concept.

"Ah, even though this country is far from peaceful, in reality, there hasn't been a coup or anything like that. In other words, the two factions are more or less evenly matched. It's precisely because of this balance of power that the current seemingly peaceful situation exists."

"But if... due to some opportunity, this balance gets disrupted, this country will undoubtedly fall into chaos, and this opportunity..."

Asuka tightened her gaze involuntarily.

"Ah, someone is deliberately creating this opportunity, and they are using that group of terrorists to do so."

"But in that case, isn't the mastermind behind the scenes the leader of one of these factions? After all... if successful, the leader will undoubtedly gain the most benefits."

"That should be the aim of that man in black. After all, he's not the mastermind behind the scenes. More accurately, he's just the one strategizing for the mastermind behind the scenes. It's more appropriate to think this way, even though we know nothing about him."

"However, it seems like the upper echelons of this country are familiar with that man."

Arashikaze Manami recalled the reactions of those people from earlier.

"Ah, judging by their reaction at the time, it's clear they know that person, but perhaps…"

Katsuragi Reimi hesitated in speaking further.

"What?"

"They probably don't know the true identity of that person, just like those terrorists. They might have seen that person before but don't know their real identity."

"In that case, it's quite possible..."

After a brief contemplation, Arashikaze Manami nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, let's leave it at that about the man in black for now. After all, we know nothing about him, and even if we ask around, no one will be willing to answer, right?"

"That's true."

"Next up is identifying the kidnappers, if I'm correct, they should be connected to the people from this afternoon."

"The Imperial Liberation Front?"

Arashikaze Manami quickly made the connection.

"Well, their specific motives, although not clear at the moment, can easily be guessed when linked to the Imperial Liberation Front."

"Will the afternoon plans continue? Through that Marquis de Durland?"

"Ah, undoubtedly, because for some reason unknown to us, the Marquis de Durland has become the catalyst for disrupting the balance."

"In other words, the Marquis de Durland should be the opposing force to the clandestine manipulators behind the scenes," speculated ArashikazeManami.