Chapter 97

The Prisoner's Dilemma is a game theory that is set up so that when multiple individuals prioritize their own interests, they ultimately end up at a disadvantage.

Sora explained the judicial plea bargain often used with prisoners to Chaf and the others.

"I don't really get it."

Zezu grumbled, looking confused. Gorge and Cole felt the same way.

Chaf, however, crossed his arms and wore a difficult expression, not giving up.

In contrast, Ruru seemed to understand.

"I see, you make the prisoners suspicious and get them to talk by showing them the bait."

"Indeed, Ruru understands quickly."

– Sometimes I think you might be a reincarnated soul like me.

Sora inwardly sighed but still praised her.

"The prisoners are the town officials. Many of them are already known to be corrupt, so we will frame them as the ones who mixed the poison into the wheat."

By making the town officials scapegoats, Sora planned to divert the attention from heading towards the Bartzel Marquisate.

While still concerned about Chaf's deep thoughts, Sania raised her hand to draw attention.

"What about the evidence? Since Lord Sora is being watched by the church, if the evidence is only a confession, the town officials might side with the church."

When Sania voiced her concern, Lazzette and Gorge nodded in agreement.

The church, which is on good terms with the sorcerer faction, is hostile towards Sora.

However, Sora is popular among those who are not believers due to his good governance.

There have been no significant failures, and the dissatisfaction of the believers has only simmered.

The problem is that if it is discovered that the officials were framed, the church will gain a justifiable reason to criticize Sora, potentially pouring gasoline on the smoldering embers.

"That's why we use the Prisoner's Dilemma."

Sora intended to apply the Prisoner's Dilemma to stop the church's actions.

Only Ruru, who understood the meaning, nodded in agreement.

With Chaf still frowning and muttering, the plan progressed.

"Weaken the church's power in the viscount's territory and put a collar on the town officials. At the same time, select a scapegoat from among the town officials."

Sora, who already had a plan, turned to Chaf.

"Chaf, what will you do?"

In response to Sora's question, Chaf frowned unhappily.

"…Even if they are corrupt criminals, do you think I will help set a trap for them?"

Chaf glared at Sora.

Facing the challenge head-on, Sora spoke.

"If it's to save the people of the domain, you will."

"Don't spout such high-minded words after making the decision to let the people of the domain die, even if it's temporary!"

Chaf raised his voice in anger.

Ruru, with a sharp look, tried to move but was stopped by Sora's gaze, turning away with a dissatisfied expression.

Sora looked at Chaf as if he were a stubborn child.

"What you say is just. Indeed, I am wrong. But the fact that this is the best course of action remains unchanged."

Chaf glared at Sora, who easily dismissed the righteous argument.

Seeing that Sora was unmoved, Chaf sighed bitterly, realizing that further debate was futile.

"…This time, I will turn a blind eye."

Without an alternative plan, merely continuing to object would be no different from a child throwing a tantrum.

Chaf promised to overlook it and slowly thrust his fist towards Sora.

"But correcting the mistakes of Viscount Kleinzelt is my role as an advisor. I will definitely achieve greater results with the policies of justice that you have discarded!"

Chaf's declaration of war echoed through the room.

Sora let out a small sigh.

Suddenly, Sora smiled challengingly and looked around the room.

"Everyone, did you hear that?"

Suddenly standing up with a serious face, Sora declared:

"Regarding the matter with Chaf, act according to your own discretion. There is no obligation to report to me. …Do you understand the meaning?"

Chaf, surprised by Sora's sudden grant of free rein, looked puzzled.

However, the reactions of the vassals were different.

Lazzette and Zezu smiled wryly, Ruru sighed loudly, and Sania, looking troubled, muttered to herself, "That's the spirit."

Gorge seemed unusually enthusiastic, and Cole was thinking about what he could do.

But no one failed to understand the meaning.

Sora quietly punched Chaf's fist.

"Try it."

Chaf pulled back his fist and left the room without a word.

Staring at the closed door, Lazzette spoke to Sora.

"Your expectations were not met."

"About the special medicine? I wasn't expecting that much. But this is not bad either."

Sora gave a precise answer to Lazzette's statement, which lacked a subject.

Sora had hoped that there might be a unique treatment method in a world with magic.

From Chaf's attitude, it was clear that there was no such convenient magical treatment.

Sora looked around the room and began giving instructions.

"Zezu, go around the nearby villages and towns and investigate the distribution of ergotism cases. Consider quarantine under the pretext of an epidemic investigation."

"Understood. I'll take a ship and a few vigilantes."

"Alright, take them. Just be careful not to let it be known that the wheat is the cause."

Zezu took the map from Lazzette and left the room.

Sora turned his gaze to Cole.

"Host a cooking contest. The theme is alternative staple foods that do not use wheat or rye. Use the innkeepers' guild to spread the word. During the contest period, I will partially cover the cost of purchasing ingredients for dishes that fit the theme."

This was a plan to reduce the consumption of wheat and rye, the cause of ergotism.

However, the viscount's finances were tight, making a long-term event difficult.

It was a stopgap measure.

Cole, looking tense, put his hand on the door.

Though he was unaware, he had been feeding ergot to Sora. He must have felt responsible.

"Cole, no one has died yet. What do you think needs to be done?"

Sora quietly asked Cole, who was about to leave.

"I understand. This is my responsibility."

A firm voice came back, showing no trace of his usual timidity.

"Good, get to work."

Sora sent Cole off with a smile.

Looking around the remaining people, Sora got up from the bed.

"I'm going to meet the craftsmen who built the lord's mansion. They have already made the necessary items for the plan."

It seemed they had been prepared in advance.

Sania tilted her head in curiosity.

"Why are they already made?"

"…Originally, I intended to catch the officials."

Sora averted his gaze, and Sania nodded in understanding.

However, Lazzette sensed something off in Sora's tone.

Thinking he might be hiding something, Lazzette decided not to press the issue.

– I'll prod him later; it sounds interesting.

Lazzette remained as laid-back as ever, regardless of the situation.