Chapter 71: The Regulatory Audit
Notice. High-ranking diplomatic signature detected. Analysis. Individual matches 'Auditor' profile from the Council of the West. Warning. Current political exposure is elevated due to unregulated Dungeon betting pools. Notice. [Croesus] Stage 1 Query: Flagging 'Reputation Protection' for Rimuru Tempest as a high-cost, high-value priority.
The reception hall of the Obsidian Vault is not designed for comfort; it is designed for intimidation through excessive quality. Every pillar is a single block of polished basalt, and the air is chilled to a precise degree that discourages loitering. I sit behind a desk of fused magisteel, the silver-white hair of my vessel reflecting the cold glow of the chandeliers.
The Council sent a 'regulatory expert', I think, my internal persona mentally checking the bribe... I mean, 'facilitation' drawer. They see Rimuru's kindness as a loophole they can exploit. They think they can audit a Demon Lord's nation like a back-alley merchant guild. They've fundamentally misunderstood who owns the ledger here.
"The Auditor has arrived, Lord Shinji," Vesper says, her voice a sharp, clinical note. She stands by the massive doors, her red eyes devoid of warmth. "He refused the manifested tea. He claims his mission is 'strictly professional'."
"Professionalism is just a baseline for a higher opening bid, Vesper," I respond, my voice porcelain-cold. "Show him in. I want to see if his soul is as rigid as his paperwork."
The man who enters is draped in the heavy, ornate robes of the Council of the West. He carries a staff of office and a stack of scrolls that radiate a faint, annoying 'Order' magic. Behind him, two guards in plate armor stand stiffly, their hands on their hilts.
"I am Auditor Plisken," the man states, his voice thin and nasally. He doesn't bow. "The Council has received reports of massive, unregulated financial transactions within the Jura-Tempest Federation. Specifically, the 'Labyrinth Betting Pools' and the 'Resurrection Insurance' premiums. We are here to place these assets under Council oversight until a full audit is completed."
Notice. Opponent's claim is legally insolvent under current Octagram Sovereignty treaties. Analysis. Target is posturing for leverage.
"Oversight," I repeat, the word tasting like a bad investment. I don't stand. I don't even look up from the single, blank sheet of paper on my desk. "Auditor Plisken, you are currently standing in a private domain. This estate is not public property. Your jurisdiction ended the moment you stepped onto my marble."
"The Council does not recognize 'private domains' within a Demon Lord's territory!" Plisken barks, stepping forward. "You are monetizing death! That is a violation of—"
"It is a service," I interrupt, my sea-grey eyes locking onto his. I let a sliver of [Dragon Spirit Haki] leak into the room. It isn't a roar; it's the sound of a closing bank vault. "A service that ensures your 'Hero' Masayuki remains a viable asset. If you interfere with the liquidity of our resurrection field, the Hero's survival probability drops to zero. Are you prepared to explain that market crash to the Western Nations?"
Plisken pales. His guards take an involuntary step back.
"I... we only wish to ensure fairness," he stammers, the 'Order' magic in his staff flickering.
"Fairness is a subjective variable. I prefer 'Optimization'," I say. I snap my fingers.
[Luxury Manifestation]
On the corner of my desk, a small, velvet-lined box appears. Inside sits a set of three 'Executive Resurrection Bracelets', glowing with a purity that the Council's smiths couldn't replicate in a century.
"These are not for sale," I state. "They are 'Regulatory Samples'. If the Council finds our operations to be... compliant, perhaps more samples can be provided for the Council's inner circle. Safety is, after all, a high-value commodity."
Notice. [Croesus] Stage 1 Query: Flagging internal contradiction. ROI of 'Regulatory Samples' is high, but the cost to Shinji's autonomy is noted. Warning. Continuous bribery may lead to systemic dependency.
Plisken looks at the bracelets. The greed in his eyes is a readable data point.
"I... suppose a preliminary report of 'Compliance' could be drafted while we study these... samples," he mutters, his hand trembling as he reaches for the box.
"Lord Shinji," Vesper interjects, her voice carrying a hint of genuine warning. "Master Rimuru is approaching the estate. He looks... concerned. He believes the Auditor is being mistreated."
Internal persona: Oh, for the love of... Rimuru, I'm trying to buy the government here!
"Rigurd, show the Auditor to the secondary lounge," I command, my voice gaining a sharper edge. "Vesper, prepare the 'Harmony' tea for Lord Rimuru. I need to balance the books before he sees the bribe."
Current Magicule Reserves: Infinite (Linked). Location: The Obsidian Vault. Status: Audit Facilitated. Rimuru: Approaching. Soul Capacity: 38%.
Azathoth, calculate the risk of Rimuru's 'Heroic' honesty blowing this deal. If he apologizes to the Auditor, the price of our sovereignty doubles.
Chapter End.