But getting to know the inside scoop on the Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals Manager is not an experience everyone gets.
For them, it was a completely new experience.
"Mister Scribe, is there anything you'd like to say?"
Raising an eyebrow, Ayu then spoke to the Scribe.
"Is what Shinri Patriarch said true?"
"He's right, I was indeed on the Entertainment District that night."
Taking a deep breath, the Scribe showed no embarrassment on his face, but instead spoke very calmly.
"I think that as a healthy man, I should be free to go wherever I want to have fun."
"I just went to the Entertainment District to discover some beautiful things and comfort my wounded heart."
Upon hearing the Scribe's words, the male representatives attending the meeting all gave him a knowing look.
The other female representatives cast strange glances at them.
Ayu touched his chin and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
After all, the Scribe was right.
Where he goes is his freedom, and besides, that's the purpose of establishing the Entertainment District.
However, not everyone can accept the Scribe's explanation.
In particular, Shinri Keito seemed to have distrusted the Scribe from the very beginning.
"Then Mister Scribe, have you seen those ghosts and Demon Slayer?"
"I don't know anything about ghosts or Demon Slayer. I was in a safe place at the time."
"If you didn't see them, where are your guards? You couldn't have gone to the Entertainment District alone, could you?" (Shu La)
"The guards responsible for protecting me are all dead, and I haven't seen a single one of them return yet."
"How many people? How many men and women? Where are they from?"
"Do you think you're checking a family tree? Why don't you show me where the Shinri Family comes from first?"
"Sir, please don't get so agitated, I'm just trying to help you..."
Before Shinri Keito could finish speaking, the Scribe slammed his hand on the table.
"Help, help, help? What help do you need? You've asked me so many questions, but I have questions for you too."
At this moment, the Scribe put on the airs of a spoiled brat, his face full of arrogance and disdain, practically saying "What can you do to me?"
Faced with this shameless behavior, Shinri Keito coughed twice and said.
"Tell me, and I will answer everything I know."
With his arms crossed, the Scribe leaned back in his chair and spoke.
"You said it's based on the survivors' accounts, but why didn't the survivors I met tell me about it, and why didn't Hyakuya Clan Head mention it in the intelligence he received?"
"In that case, can I assume that you came to the meeting without checking the information?"
"What are you up to, Shinri Keito? Trying to fool us with information whose veracity is unknown?"
First Form words exploded in Shinri Keito's ears like firecrackers.
Clearly, the Scribe's question had completely taken him by surprise.
Chapter 436 The Meeting Ends
Somewhat surprised, Hyakuya Ryufu glanced at the Scribe and then noticed Shinri Keito's slightly furrowed brows.
At first, he thought the Scribe intended to slip through the meeting as an "invisible person".
But when Shinri Keito mentioned the Scribe, Hyakuya Ryufu's heart skipped a beat.
However, the Scribe cleverly changed the subject, shifting the blame back onto Huiren.
"Good tactic."
With a silent exclamation of praise, Hyakuya Ryufu then coughed.
"I don't think Shinri Patriarch did it on purpose. Maybe he was deceived by the words of the survivors or by the information provided by his subordinates."
It seemed that Hyakuya Ryufu was speaking up for Huiren, but Huiren knew that the other party was just mocking him.
To say that one has been deceived is to say that one's clan leader is incapable of judging such a simple matter.
By speaking of himself in front of the Emperor and so many nobles, Hyakuya Ryufu was clearly not on his side.
Sure enough, at this moment, most of the nobles looked at Huiren with a mixture of doubt and anger.
Some people even rubbed their fingers on the table, their expressions somewhat gloomy.
Although Ayu on the second floor was in a better state, he fell silent and did not speak.
"I..."
Just as Shinri Keito was about to explain, the Scribe suddenly clapped his hands and pointed repeatedly in the air with his right index finger.
"I see, I see, I understand now."
"Shinri Patriarch wants to disappoint us first, and then give us a big surprise later."
"I think that once he has verified and organized the relevant information, he will definitely provide it to everyone free of charge."
With a slight upturn of the corners of her mouth, Scribe narrowed her eyes.
"Isn't that right, Shinri Keito?"
"This..."
First Form barrage of words left Di Huiren somewhat disoriented, his brain overloaded, and he was still slowly processing it.
But the other nobles all wore meaningful smiles.
"I knew it, Shinri Patriarch is a good man."
"I understand, I understand. Shinri Patriarch is actually willing to use his family's resources to help us. It's truly touching."
"In that case, we will await your good news, Shinri Patriarch."
One after another, the nobles gave Shinri Keito no chance to speak, and directly "lifted" him onto the high table.
Taking a step back to advance is a tactic they are already very familiar with.
On the second floor, Ayu also looked pleased and nodded to Shinri Keito.
Seeing the "I admire you" expression on the other person's face, Shinri Keito could only give an awkward smile.
He clenched his fist even tighter, until his fingertips turned slightly blue.
"In that case, Shinri Patriarch, submit a report after you have completed your investigation and evidence collection."
With a hint of command in his tone, Ayu looked at Shinri Keito and said.
"I think it should be fine."
"No... no."
Out of politeness, Shinri Keito could only nod stiffly, managing a forced smile.
He did a quick mental calculation and realized that if he really had to start the investigation from scratch, it would consume too much manpower and resources.
For the rapidly developing Shinri Family, bringing out so many things at once is quite an achievement.
While it may not directly lead to the collapse of the company, it will greatly affect its future potential.
Faced with the choice between his own reputation and the future of his family, Shinri Keito ultimately chose the latter.
"However, this work may consume a lot of manpower and resources."
"Therefore, I hope that each family and enterprise can provide us with some support."
After saying that, he surprisingly bowed slightly.
Everyone present looked surprised upon seeing this.
For Shinri Patriarch to take such action, it must have been quite a task.
But this doesn't mean they will soften their hearts and let the other party off the hook.
"Of course, no problem. We can discuss it later. We're good brothers, after all."
With a hearty laugh, Niguma grinned at Shinri Keito.
Then, he looked up and saw Ayu on the second floor.
"Your Crown Prince, the matter we are discussing will likely take up a lot of time."
"In my opinion, we should resolve this privately. Now we can discuss other things."
Nodding, Ayu did not object.
"In that case, each of you may discuss the matter with Shinri Patriarch yourselves from now on."
"Yes."
He reluctantly agreed, and despite receiving support from everyone, Huiren's expression remained grim.
Without discussion at such a formal meeting, it's impossible to reach a reasonable allocation plan.
Could he possibly expect these shrewd people to provide more support behind the scenes? He'd be lucky if they didn't drag his family down.
Gritting her teeth, Huiren glared fiercely at Scribe.
Seeing the unwilling and resentful expression on Shinri Keito, the Scribe simply shrugged, as if it were none of his business.
It's unclear how long it will take for the Shinri Family alone to verify, compile, and summarize information about demons and the Demon Slayer Corps.
It should be safe in the short term.
"Now that this problem has been temporarily resolved, does anyone have anything to add?"
Ayu coughed and found that no one made a sound.
Yes, but only a few nobles looked at Shinri Keito with smiles, as if they were looking at a sucker.
"Let's move on to the next one, about..."
In the following time, Ayu raised more than a dozen questions about imported goods, firearms, and other aspects.
However, none of these issues were as significant as the Entertainment District problem, affecting the interests of all nobles.
Therefore, very few people discuss it; only families or businesses involved in this area will say a few words.
The Scribe also shared some information on medical and pharmaceutical matters and reached cooperation agreements with other families or businesses.
Time passed slowly, and the meeting gradually came to its final moments.
"Then this problem will be left to Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals and Hyakuya Family. Is that alright, you two?"
After glancing at Scribe and Hyakuya Ryufu, Ayu said.
"I hope to get a draft in the shortest possible time."
"Please rest assured, Your Crown Prince."
He bowed slightly to Ayu, a hint of respect on Hyakuya Ryufu's face.
As for the Scribe, he simply nodded expressionlessly, without even glancing at Ayu.
Although Ayu frowned slightly at the Scribe's actions, he quickly relaxed.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
After saying that, he waved his hand and said...
"This Taisho Aristocratic Conference is now adjourned. You may all leave."
After saying that, he turned and walked into the darkness of the second floor, disappearing from sight.
One by one, the nobles present either left, chatted with some old friends, or continued to communicate with those with whom they had previously reached cooperation agreements.
Just as Scribe was about to leave, Hyakuya Ryufu suddenly called out to him.