There’s a concept called the prisoner’s dilemma.

    It involves two criminals locked up and pressured to confess.

    If one confesses while the other remains silent, the silent one bears the full brunt of the other’s sentence.

    If neither confesses, the crimes remain unproven, resulting in a very light punishment. If both confess, they are equally punished—a classic dilemma.

    Theoretically, the best outcome is for both to remain silent, but in reality, similar situations often lead to both confessing.

    Why? Because, like the executive in front of me, they cannot trust one another.

    “Be specific.”

    The executive, a director of our spice guild, continued speaking as if he had a motor in his mouth.

    “As you know, Baron Medici, spice trade involves dealing with infidels, particularly those from powerful merchant families, doesn’t it?”

    Although he referred to them as powerful merchant families, the Alchini family, who supply us goods, is the family of a major city’s governor.

    To be precise, the daughter of the Alchini family has become a concubine of the governor.

    Since they’ve established a relationship with a high-ranking official, they can essentially be regarded as nobles.

    “In short, even if they are infidels, they cannot be underestimated.”

    “Thus, we must carefully cater to their high-ranking officials. Otherwise, we never know when the trade might stop.”

    Typically, the buyer holds the upper hand, while the seller is at a disadvantage.

    However, the spice trade is virtually monopolized by the Alchini family, and purchasing it guarantees a profit.

    Thus, the Alchini family becomes the dominant party in the transaction.

    While they can simply refuse to sell, those merchant families who buy spices risk losing both credit and money if their trade is interrupted.

    “That’s why I was so distressed when the sugar trade was cut off.”

    “Just as we favor infidel sex slaves with brown skin, they highly prefer beauties with white skin. Thus, every time we trade, we deliver a predetermined number of women.”

    I hadn’t engaged in such dealings myself when trading.

    Nonetheless, it seems I was able to build a good relationship with the Alchini family, perhaps because they sent a direct male from the Medici family.

    Or maybe it was because they saw my potential and made concessions.

    “It’s truly a filthy and dreadful world.”

    While human rights don’t exist on the Albanian continent, isn’t this a bit too much?

    “Of course, when we trade spices, exchanging sex slaves doesn’t happen often. However, if we skip it consistently, they become reluctant.”@@@@

    “Is it because it’s a profitable trade that we’re skipping it?”

    “Yes, exactly. While buying serf women and poor girls from Toscana costs us money for food, housing, and education, the profits can be nearly 30 times what we spend. Conversely, when we sell sultanic sex slaves, we also make that kind of profit.”

    I now realize why the commander of the Deus Knights wanted to give me such gifts.

    Nobles take pride in showcasing rare items, and among them, displaying an Arab beauty dressed in a maid outfit to guests is something they do to boast.

    Even if it’s not a steed like the one Lu? Bu rode or Excalibur-level treasures, it still allows them to show off their valuable possessions.

    “On top of fulfilling their conquest desires through practical use? The pleasures must be beyond imagination.”

    Due to memories from before my reincarnation, I feel disgusted emotionally, but rationally, I understand why these transactions must occur.

    “How fascinating. Truly fascinating. This is a top-tier crime organization in the empire.”

    Applause naturally followed.

    This is no empty compliment.

    Even the Yakuza, triads, and the Mafia would learn a thing or two from these guys.

    Is that why people say one must learn from the old to understand the new?

    From the very beginning, I had no intention of sparing the spice guild executives and the guild master who touched me, but I can now eliminate them without hesitation.

    “Very well.”

    The executive immediately bowed his head and began to plead.

    “I have a bear-like wife and a rabbit-like child. Please! Please protect my life and wealth! If you spare me, I’ll leave this country!”

    ...No, you’re going to die.

    But it wouldn’t hurt to extract more useful information from him.

    Moreover, there’s something particularly pathetic about a person who thinks they might survive only to later realize they’re doomed.

    “I assume you’ve prepared for a huge blow to my guild, so you should have been ready.”

    “Here’s some paper, a pen, and ink. Write down everything that comes to mind. I won’t be removing your handcuffs.”

    The key now is to give them a false hope.

    Offering them a ‘lifeline’ they think they can hold onto, only to cut it off later is the best form of revenge.

    As I left the room, I casually mentioned that I’d be investigating the prisoners in the other room, including the guild master.

    At the same time, the door closed behind me.

    As I moved further from that room, Andante asked.

    “Since Judge Mancini and the Duke are backing you, a few of them could probably be acquitted. Isn’t that pushing it too far? No matter how important this investigation is...”

    I shook my head.

    “Once a person thinks they’re already dead, they’ll surely die; they tend to abandon hope and try to uphold their loyalty. They think it’s the only way to protect their families.”

    Upon hearing my words, Judge Andante’s eyes widened.

    “But there’s no one in this world who wants to die. So if you throw them a glimmer of hope of survival, they’ll betray their comrades just to live. Especially those filthy ones.”

    During investigations, the police are granted various powers.

    They have the right to pressure individuals by stating that if they don’t confess now, their sentences will be increased.

    Even if it slightly contravenes the law, they possess the right to employ ‘white lies’ for the sake of progressing the investigation.

    It’s their job to navigate the investigation in the right direction, but in some police departments, these powers are misused to bury lives.

    “This is relatively common.”

    That’s why legal firms always advise that if you have to undergo a police investigation, you should hire a lawyer first.

    Even if it costs a fortune, it’s infinitely better than having your life ruined because of a bad response.

    As for me, I’m lying to those who genuinely deserve to die, so I have no qualms about it.

    “You truly are a despicable creature.”