Osian, who had returned to Violet Fox, immediately moved to meet Plimene. Perhaps because they had already received a report that Osian had returned, there was no great difficulty in meeting.

Even if Osian hadn't called, Plimene would have come looking for him on her own. That's how seriously Plimene was also watching the current situation.

"Indeed. So that's how it was."

Plimene, who had heard the story from Osian at the contact point, nodded.

"The Liberation Army has no connection to heretics. That is your position, Lord Osian?"

"There's nothing to call a position. I merely spoke the facts as they are. Even if heretics really did sneak into District 44, the Liberation Army would track them down and eliminate or drive them out."

"I see. It seems we have been misunderstanding the Liberation Army, and the man called Lukai."

At least Lukai knew pride as a human being. Rather, because he knew it too well, he was trying to step forward and fight directly for the sake of suffering people.

"You accept it more easily than I thought."

"I am, at the very least, sympathetic to his position. Though as a high-ranking official of Tirna, I shouldn't be saying such things."

Though she is now walking a path of success that ranks among the best in Tirna, she could never forget her experience of living a difficult life in the past.

At that time, poverty was an inseparable relationship for her. She knew better than anyone how much poverty gnaws at and torments a person.

She had struggled and overcome it, but she also knows that there are far more people in reality who couldn't do so. Plimene sympathized with and empathized with such people.

"Then is this enough for the commission?"

To Osian's question, Plimene pondered for a moment and then shook her head.

"No. To do it properly, we need clearer evidence to convince those above."

"Evidence that the Liberation Army has no connection to heretics."

"Yes, and that is..."

"It would be quite a difficult task."

Evidence is a word you can only present when something exists. Evidence of something that doesn't exist - where on earth could such a thing be found? It's practically equivalent to proving an absence.

This can't be helped. The current situation is one where fear and wariness of heretics has reached extreme heights due to the District 17 incident. In this situation, you can't expect cool-headed and logical judgment.

"How about this?"

Osian brought out materials he had prepared separately and handed them to Plimene. Plimene checked the contents of the materials and widened her eyes. There were evidence photos of the actual conditions in District 44, along with evidence that the religions gathered there were those believed by ethnic minorities, not heretics.

"Where on earth did you get this...?"

No matter how excellent a fixer Osian might be, this isn't the level of material an individual could create and bring.

"I received help."

The information Osian brought was obtained from Zero Ground's informants. Indeed, Zero Ground was an organization that, despite being underground, knew many things above ground.

Thanks to their help, Osian was able to obtain a considerable amount of quality information.

"Who exactly helped you...? No, I suppose that's not what's important. With this level of materials, it's sufficient grounds to convince those above. Though that would only be buying time at best."

"So you can't be certain even with this?"

"This is a disadvantageous fight for us. If even one piece of evidence related to heretics in District 44 appears - even something trivial would do."

Then all 100 materials to refute it would become mere scraps of paper.

"It might seem like too much of a leap for me to say this."

"No. I don't think so. I've seen something similar myself."

"You've seen it?"

"Yes. Those hiding among the protesters."

Osian told her about what he had seen that day. From the forces inciting violent protests among the demonstrators, to those who had disguised themselves as guards to lure the wealthy and make them commit murder in front of citizens.

"At first I thought it was the Liberation Army's doing, but after meeting and talking with Lukai this time, it turned out to be completely different."

"Such..."

Plimene muttered as if she couldn't believe it, then bit her lips.

"It seems the situation is more serious than we thought. Seeing how they're intentionally framing the Liberation Army, this is too blatant."

"From your reaction, it seems you have an idea of whose doing this is."

Osian's eyes gleamed sharply. Plimene seemed to ponder for a moment, then ran her hand through her hair and nodded.

"As you know, Lord Osian, District 40 has been practically abandoned by the current city government. District governors from other areas are practically non-existent here too."

The 40s districts are essentially lawless zones. There are no guards in charge of security here. When something happens, mercenaries or fixers have no choice but to step in.

"Security, administration - everything is smashed to pieces. Though it's grouped as a district of Tirna, from the citizens' perspective, it can only look like unclaimed land."

Osian recalled District 45. There, three organizations had gathered to create their own respective rules. Since the city government wouldn't coordinate, the residents stepped forward directly to find ways to live.

"Do you think they're living wrong lives?"

"Of course not. Every person finds their own way of life. The residents there are also living in their own way to survive. I don't think that's bad."

Plimene is a high-ranking official. She has access to much information that doesn't reach others. Naturally, she would have at least a rough idea of what districts beyond the city government's reach would look like.

"But there are always people who simply cannot stand by and watch that."

"Are those the ones causing trouble now?"

"Several officials in the city government received lobbying funds. I secretly tracked the flow of that money. It took quite a while, but I was finally able to find it. Yes, that's right. As you said, Lord Osian, there are those secretly creating this situation from behind."

From Plimene's mouth flowed their identity.

"Redevelopment Union. And construction companies."

The moment he heard those words, Osian felt his head clear with a thud. No further explanation was needed. These familiar words were ones he had frequently encountered even when he lived on 21st century Earth. That's why he could guess how the current situation was unfolding.

"Indeed, so that's how it is."

"From your reaction, it seems I don't need to explain."

"They want to completely tear down and rebuild the 40s districts?"

"Construction companies are essential in Tirna. New buildings are built every day. But competition among construction companies is fierce too."

And buildings aren't something you can put up whenever you want. Tirna's space utilization is the best on the continent. Just looking at the 10s districts, the areas are so cramped that skyscrapers soar high into the sky.

Construction companies need to build new buildings, but in the now oversaturated Tirna, this is not a feasible task.

"In the endless cycle of competition, the method they found was..."

"Yes. Utilizing the 40s districts that the city government has abandoned."

Osian let out an exclamation.

"This is quite troublesome. Will the city government permit this?"

"Permission hasn't been granted. No matter how much they've abandoned it, many people are currently living there."

Only by proposing reasonable compensation plans to existing residents and reaching agreements can reconstruction be possible. Even that is tantamount to just standing at the starting point for reconstruction.

"The construction companies and redevelopment union don't want to wait for such things."

"It's something that could take who knows how long. They seem to be using this incident as an opportunity to drastically shorten that process."

If the redevelopment union tries to drive out the citizens of the 40s districts, the city government will draw its sword. From the city government's perspective, no matter how abandoned the area is, they cannot allow the residents there to be forcibly driven out.

Companies also know this, so they don't act recklessly. No matter how strong their influence, it's not to the extent where they can ignore laws and handle things as they please.

'Actually, the city government probably has similar thoughts to the redevelopment union. The 40s districts are, to put it bluntly, like a garbage dump with stench wafting up. No one would want to leave that alone.'

It's a matter related to the city's reputation. If it could be cleaned up, the honest feeling would be wanting to clean it up. But if companies try to do it, they have to block it even if they don't like it. That's maintaining balance.

Tirna is a city but also simultaneously a nation. A nation must not be subordinate to corporations. Such things are only possible in dystopias from mass media.

'And the redevelopment union and construction companies know this too.'

That the city government's will is such. Their position too. That's why they came up with a kind of scheme.

"They're making it unnecessary to negotiate with residents."

For instance, if those residing in the 40s districts aren't ordinary tax-paying citizens, but external forces that are eating away at the city, or are connected to heretics who must be eliminated immediately. If that happens, the city government's obligation to protect them disappears. Rather, they would actively step forward to eliminate them because that would be the justification.

"In other words, they used the Liberation Army for that purpose."

The Red Liberation Army that flowed in from outside are not citizens of Tirna. They are terrorists. Having committed crimes in other countries and secretly sought asylum, being treated as illegal immigrants is a bonus.

And forces that gather and coalesce under them are no different from high-risk terrorists trying to overthrow Tirna.

Legitimate targets for elimination. The vacant zones created as a result would be claimed by construction companies and the redevelopment union.

What would normally take 10 years just in administrative procedures would be finished in less than a month. Companies would receive new business contracts and stock prices would soar. They would literally rake in money.

"But it's still insufficient. No matter how much they're called the Liberation Army, if they drive them all out at once, there's bound to be citizen backlash."

Especially since most of Tirna's population consists of middle class and lower class citizens. Would they feel fortunate watching the people of the 40s districts being driven out? Absolutely not. They would be terrified that their turn is next. The protests that had barely subsided would spread like wildfire again.

"In a way, does this mean there's still time left?"

"I'll also try to explore solutions to the best of my ability. I'll deliver the commission fee right away. Thank you."

Osian looked at Plimene for a moment and suddenly asked.

"How are things going with Basilio?"

"...Why are you suddenly asking about that?"

"Just. Since that day, you two seemed to have a lot to say to each other."

He knows it's unnecessary meddling. But curiosity is also something that can't be helped. Plimene was flustered for a moment, then said with her face slightly reddened.

"I suppose it's fine if Lord Osian knows. Well, we have been exchanging contacts separately since then."

"Oh. I'm glad to hear that. I won't ask what the content is about."

So that's why Basilio hasn't been at the office lately and has been away from his desk so much. When Osian said this with a smile, Plimene let out a small sigh.

Thud. She placed her personal communication radio on the table.

"The commission is over, but seeing what's happening in District 44 now, we need to exchange more information. You can contact me with this."

"I'll receive it well."

Osian stood up. He still had work to do.

As soon as he returned to Violet Fox, colleagues who had heard the news approached him.

"Did you go to District 44 to chase the Liberation Army?"

At Loraine's question, Osian frowned.

"Where did you hear that?"

"Those who know, know. And since we're in the same office, how could we not know? How was it? I'm pretty free these days, I can help."

Loraine was in quite a good mood. She had received Rose Melody's autograph, developed a friendship with her, and even received tickets to her next concert. It was all thanks to Osian, so Loraine would want to return the favor in her own way.

"Ah. I want to do it too. Looks fun."

Diolan also joined in. For reference, Mist was also at this place.

This man was elegantly wrapping himself in mist while drinking coffee, but unlike his gaze fixed outside the window, he was concentrating all his senses on Osian.

As if trying to watch and learn what this man was going to do next.

Actually, while they were speaking like this, they were worrying about Osian. It meant the unfolding situation was that serious.

"Don't worry. I'll handle my own path ahead."

Osian immediately prepared to go out. If a client hadn't come to him first, Osian would certainly have gone to District 44 first.

"Martinez?"

The boy, who had become more dignified than when they first met, spoke to Osian with a serious face.

"I have something to tell you."

Osian already had a premonition that the situation was flowing in an ominous direction.