"Stealing?"

"Absolutely."

"Of course someone dares to steal it."

"In fact, in the last five months alone, I have dealt with 200 people who dared to [steal food] throughout the territory of Otlama: one hundred and twenty-seven condemned prisoners, forty-eight who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and the remaining twenty-five were exiled to the fringes of Otrama for disciplinary colonial labor, serving sentences ranging from twenty to fifty years."

"Of course, these are only the first offenders, and they often have a high status and prestige in their own realm, or they are simply part of the administrative system, so important that I need to sign the execution papers: in addition to this, there are tens of thousands of accomplices, whose crimes are tried by the various high courts of Otlama or the world courts."

The Monarch of the Five Hundred Worlds recited the judicial file at a rapid pace, like a ruthless administrative processing machine, and he and Morgan sat face to face on either side of the table, each in the seat of the main seat: while Killiman was clearly recounting a large and complex and obscure judicial record, he could accurately depict the frontier of Avalon and the Five Hundred Worlds on the star map with one hand, and with the other he grabbed a jug and poured the wine for his guests. The grace of the movements is better than that of the top masters of mortals.

Each of these three actions occupies a portion of the original body's energy, and they begin in turn, in a different order, and in a different order, until there is not even a second of error, and at the same time it is over: by the time Gilliman finished telling this judicial record, he had already drawn all the points on the star map, and at the same time calmly pushed the glass full of fine wine in front of Morgan.

Along with the wine glasses arrived, an apologetic smile on Killiman's face.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Morgan, but the vast majority of these crimes have arisen around the trade between Avalon and the Five Hundred Worlds: the sudden emergence of a chain of interests has brought not only huge profits, but also immature institutions and gray spaces to manipulate, and although I have been working to combat corruption in them, it seems that those who are willing to take risks for huge profits will never be cleaned."

At this, the original body sighed.

"In the past, the prison world in Otlama was often overcrowded: after all, although our crime rate was already low, the huge population base still brought a very high absolute value, and I had to give several orders to transform more of the world into a prison world."

"But in the last decade, the frequency of orders has increased several times."

"Our cooperation has indeed brought convenience to our people, but it seems that not every mortal can remain calm in the face of a huge space for interest: this may be the drawback that we have to accept."

"I have systematically categorized and summarized the worlds where crime is soaring, hoping to stifle the soil of corruption at the source by improving their quality of life and morality: but the effect of this method is slow, and it will take at least 50 years or so."

"And the speed of strangulation may not be able to keep up with the speed of expansion."

The vassal king of the five hundred worlds discussed this matter with his sister with some embarrassment, and his embarrassment even got Morgan's empathy, because in Avalon, the Spider Empress also had to face exactly the same situation: the Avalon Legal Department managed by [Orion], although it has been expanding its manpower in recent years, it has always been in a tense state of overload, and there has even been a large number of non-combat attrition.

However, Morgan, who has a more flexible bottom line than Killiman, has some additional ways to deal with it: don't forget, in the first place, in order to expand the borders of the Far Eastern Frontier at the lowest cost, the Spider Queen signed cooperation terms with a large number of Rogue Traders.

These [sword merchants] who walk in the gray area in terms of morality and means need a large amount of cannon fodder all the time, and they do not refuse to come up at this point, not caring at all whether it is the slaves they have captured or the prisoners sent by Morgan: after throwing most of the prisoners to these rogue merchants, the number of prison worlds under Morgan's rule is even less than a quarter of the five hundred worlds.

The Spider Empress didn't mind telling her blood relatives about this method, and although Killyman didn't have an alliance with a large number of merchants, didn't he also have several casting worlds under his command: didn't these Omnisaiah followers need a stable source of machine slaves?

The only thing that stands in the way of this is Killiman's own moral bottom line, and this is the only thing Morgan can't change: so, after hearing Killiman's concern about the soaring crime rate, the Lord of Avalon just took a sip of wine, and after a little thought, decided to shift the wind of this discussion to another, more probable line of thought.

[My brother: Perhaps, we can think differently. 】

“…… For example? ”

The Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds rubbed his hands together and looked at his blood relatives with some expectation: the reason why he took this somewhat heavy phenomenon as the first topic of his talks with Morgan was that he wanted to get some different ideas for solving the problem from his blood relatives.

Morgan laughed.

[I admit that your method is the cure for the root cause, Robert, but as you just said, this method is too slow and may not be cured: after all, according to my information here, corruption is only a small part of the lawlessness that is attached to the trade operations between our two sides, and more is such as smuggling contraband, or absconding with criminals. 】

[Of course, there is also the piracy and plundering of legitimate merchant ships: but there are not many stunned people who dare to do this, and they often don't last long, compared to the smuggling industry, which is a maggot on the tarsal bones, and has not been effectively cleaned up.] 】

[Compared with the windfall profits of these criminal activities, no matter how much the standard of living is improved, it is still too bland: there will always be people who are not willing to work hard, eager to make a quick buck and invest in it. 】

And, more importantly, the cost of these smuggling operations is very low. 】

At this point, the Lord of Avalon raised her finger and pointed to the areas marked by Killiman on the star map, where the Far Eastern Frontier and the Five Hundred Worlds meet: because of the existence of Damocles Bay, this intersection is relatively small compared to the border between the two sides, but it is still filled with a large number of unguarded galaxies or celestial domains.

After all, whether it is the Dawnbreaker Legion or the Ultramarines Legion, the troops deployed on this [national border] are very small, and even the police force used to patrol the border has been sparse to the point of being stretched thin on this star map.

[That's the problem.] 】

Morgan's fingers flexed and tapped on the sparsely guarded forts, believing that Killeman understood what she meant, and that the next step was for Killeman to take the first step in Morgan's plan.

[Robert, my brother, I don't know if you have noticed this: because of the good relationship between you and me, we have not deployed many armed forces along the border in the more than 20 years since the boundaries of our respective countries were established, which is of course a sign of trust in each other, but it has also caused a shortage of border patrol forces. 】

“…… What do you mean......"

The original body narrowed his eyes, he had already guessed what Morgan wanted to say, but these words were somewhat contrary to his code of conduct, so the Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds seemed a little hesitant.

"Let's increase our patrols along the border so that the security costs of these smuggling activities are unbearable for them, so as to deter these criminals?"

[More than deterrence. 】

Morgan laughed.

[Catch the point, do the propaganda, shoot the first bird: find the most notorious criminals, have our warships smash their smuggling ships to pieces in space, and record their dying wails into a video that will be played on a rotational basis at every trade transit point near the border.] 】

[This is not only to tell those legitimate businessmen our unwavering confidence in fighting crime and maintaining the safety of shipping routes, but also to tell those smugglers who hide in the crowd that the days of impunity are over, and they will only be greeted by merciless killings.] 】

"Are there no arrests and convictions?"

[Of course: if they can cooperate with us.] 】

“……”

The original object immediately frowned.

"Isn't that going to be a bit ......?"

[Cruel? 】

“…… Yes. ”

The Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds nodded, but he didn't have enough confidence, because he realized that this was indeed a feasible solution: if he wanted to curb criminal behavior in the shortest possible time, what could be more effective than a ruthless iron fist?

Well, that's cruel indeed. 】

Morgan shook her head, leaned forward, and in the kind of low tone she was best at, slowly spat out in front of Killiman a great reason that the people of Maculag could not refuse.

[Then be aware of this, my dear Brother Maculag: our trade routes are vital to the well-being of the tens of billions of subjects on Avalon and Otlama, and these acts of smuggling and corruption are maggots clinging to them, and if we show mercy to them, it will be cruel to those tens of billions of subjects. 】

[Prosperity and education can certainly eliminate those who have no choice but to commit crimes, but for the deep-rooted soil of greed and sin in the depths of human nature, only merciless judgment and iron fist can strike at them. 】

Therefore, in many cases, if you want to spread your kindness to every subject as much as possible, then you have to learn to be cruel, brother: cruelly strike at those who hurt your subjects, in order to remove the factors of instability, in order to protect your people as much as possible. 】

“……”

The Spider Queen's words seemed a little too straightforward, making Killiman's breathing a little heavier, but the sincerity and efficiency contained in Morgan's words fiercely tugged at the heartstrings of the Macurags, especially the sentence "For the benefit of more people, remove those unstable factors".

Isn't that right?

Killiman narrowed his eyes: he was indeed a man who loved his people, and that didn't mean he was a good old man through and through, and that there was no shortage of prison worlds in the realm of Otlama, and that the Iron Fist of the Lord of Maculag had never shown the slightest mercy to anyone who had made a big mistake.

So, as Morgan's harsh words echoed in Killman's mind over and over again, the expression of the Lord of Maculag gradually became serious and firm, and he didn't even notice that on the soft sofa next to him, far from the center of the discussion, the dark shadow that had been spread out on the cushions had already shown a playful smile on his pale face, and sat up straight nonchalantly.

"You have a point. Morgan. ”

Eventually, the original nodded.

"However, my Ultramarines have never been good at this, they are not good at tracking down the cunning shadow hiders in the vast universe, nor are they good at giving the verdict in the shortest possible time: I don't mean to belittle my heirs, but I am well aware that they have the shortcomings of scriptedness, which is a very bad factor for any independent judicial action."

I'm glad you thought of this so quickly, man. 】

Morgan smiled and reached out to pat Killiman on the shoulder, drawing closer.

[However, since you have been able to think of this, Robert, you should also be aware of another problem: not all legions are not good at tracking down or trying these criminals in the shadows, and right next to us, isn't one of our brothers, himself known as the Inquisitor of Midnight?] 】

“……”

Killyman was stunned.

Of course, he understood the meaning of Morgan's words, but then, he felt the absurdity: although after Conrad's apology, his hostility towards the Nostramo people was not so deep, but so quickly let his heir cooperate with those famous Midnight Lords?

This is a bit ......

"Ahem!"

Before the thought was over, Conrad coughed pretendedly, and after catching Killiman's stunned gaze, Midnight Wraith allowed himself to laugh as gently and harmlessly as possible: judging by the look on Killiman's face, he seemed to have failed.

"I've been listening. Two people. ”

Conrad spread out a hand.

"Perhaps, you'll need some professional help?"

The Lord of Maculag licked his lips, he still had some hesitation in the face of Conrad's initiative, and his voice was a little floating.

"Your ...... Midnight Lord? ”

"I know they didn't have a great reputation, man."

Conrad didn't mind.

"But believe me, after the previous expedition of Salamas, I have purified the interior of the Eighth Legion, and besides, I will choose from among the garrisons of Nostramo to assist you: they are the best inquisitors and executors, and they will not produce the problems you feared."

“…… Really? ”

After seeing that there was still some residual vigilance in Killiman's eyes, Conrad pouted helplessly: this Marcurag man was still a little more difficult to fool than the other brothers, and he had to offer a more tempting reward to impress Killiman.

"So be it, brother: I promise that my Midnight Lords will only be helpers, and that they will never execute without permission from your heirs."

"Besides, we can completely bring the Daybreaker in: your Ultramarine, my Midnight Lord, and Morgan's Daybreaker will form a military organization responsible for finding the frontier, my Midnight Lord will be responsible for tracking and giving the verdict, your Ultramariner will be responsible for the final approval, and the Daybreaker will be responsible for overseeing the whole process, how about it?"

“……”

This time, Killeman lowered his head and thought for a long time, which is often a clear sign that he finally agrees with a certain idea.

Now, it's no exception.

"I thought, we can give it a try."

The original smiled at Morgan.

"Let's gather a group of heirs and do a tentative patrol to see how well our children work together, and what problems will arise in the actual process: if there are no major problems, I think this can become a permanent military institution."

[As it should be. 】

Morgan nodded in satisfaction.

If nothing else, the phrase "permanent military organization" alone is already one of the things that Morgan desires most now: a standing military organization made up of soldiers from three legions, and if it is properly functioned, its future is limitless.

As the Spider Queen said before, she may not be able to bring about the formation of the Far Eastern Customs Union overnight, but the long joint operation of several legions piecemeal as it is now, setting the stage for something to happen in the future is a small achievement that Morgan is happy to see.

Now, it may just be a military organization of a few hundred fighters at most, operating only to patrol borders and fight smuggling, but in a few decades, when the cooperation between Avalon and the Five Hundred World grows closer, who knows what kind of behemoth such a military institution will eventually develop?

You know, even the empire of mankind, which now spans the universe, started in a narrow corner of the Himalayas on the Holy Terra.

The Lord of Avalon smiled, she was content for the time being, and on the other side of her, following the etiquette in her mind, facing Conrad who offered to help, Killiman did not hesitate to smile with a friendly smile.

"How shall I repay you, brother?"

The original asked, and Conrad didn't mean anything polite.

"Well, I don't have much desire for the Five Hundred Worlds, but as I said before, Killiman: I suffered heavy losses in that Salamath expedition......"

The Lord of Maculag nodded, he understood what he meant, and quickly focused his gaze on the star map in front of him, looking for a gift that could repay his brother in the territory of the five hundred worlds.

He gestured apologetically to an area to the south of the galaxy.

"Most of the area of Otlama has just gone through a round of conscription, and I can't ensure the quality of the troops in these worlds, but in the southwest of Otlama, I have just subdued a domain composed of wild worlds, and they may be able to provide you with enough troops."

“……”

Conrad blinked, first glancing in the direction Killiman was pointing, and then his brow twitched involuntarily: there was hardly any hesitation.

"Deal."

"Couldn't be better, Conrad: thank you again for your help."

Midnight Wraith nodded, he didn't pay attention to the smile on Killiman's face, just stared at the star map, the world marked by Killiman as [Nucadia], and fell into deep thought.

"You know what, Killiman."

“…… What's wrong? ”

"In fact, my Eighth Legion has always had a recessive genetic trait."

“…… What? ”

“……”

Conrad was amused.

"We can always find the best recruits in the galaxy."

(End of chapter)