第６４掘：失くしたモノの為に (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 64: For the Sake of What Was Lost**
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**For the Sake of What Was Lost**
**Side: Elju**
I am currently participating in the meeting.
In disguise, of course.
I heard what Crack-san had to say. In the end, the root of this turmoil was the desire to save someone. The people who believed that this would surely lead to a better future were the ones trying to change the present.
Looking at Crack-san and Dest-san as they listen to the meeting with such seriousness, I can feel their powerful resolve. The version of me from the past, who simply let herself be swept away by the current, would have been helpless to do anything.
There is so much I want to say to them. So many lives were lost. Even so, what must be done now is not to let oneself be consumed by vengeance, but to save the lives that can still be saved.
If it’s here, we can save the people Crack-san spoke of. The number of people is quite large, so we will need to educate the current residents and expand our facilities, but it is not impossible.
"Man, I thought you had some goal in mind by going out there yourself, brother, but I see. You intended to gather people legally, didn't you?"
"It’s not really about being legal or not. In any country—no, any city—there are countless people with nowhere to live. I don’t want any thugs, but there are plenty of people who want to work but can’t. I’m just recruiting those kinds of folks. Well, the screening process is a pain, which is why I went myself, but it just so happened that there was someone who looked like they could provide support, so I asked for their help."
"You 'asked' them? Heh~"
Ratz-san doesn't believe him.
Well, I don't believe Yuki-san’s claim that he just "asked" either.
After all, the person who came here is the current Saintess of Lithea, Alstaire-sama.
What kind of "request" could possibly make the top leader of a nation come all the way here to hold a meeting?
"Well, Ratz, let's put that aside for now. The issue is that we are looking at an influx of ten thousand migrants this time."
"Exactly. We were already swamped dealing with just 355 people; ten thousand will kill us."
She’s right.
I’ve been able to use my disguise to help with issuing identification cards and managing the family registers for the migrants from the Kingdom of Roschur, and it was incredibly busy.
And now, ten thousand.
There is no way we can handle that volume on our own.
"I understand that. Therefore, I propose we accept them gradually over the next two to three months to complete the process. In the meantime, Alstaire-sama has stated she will take measures for the refugees. It is the fools who cannot feed their own citizens who push them onto others. They should be able to hold out for two or three months."
Crack-san understands our situation and, with Alstaire-sama’s aid, suggests that splitting up the migration will ensure its success.
I see. There is no need to accept ten thousand people all at once.
We can have them arrive gradually, and have those who arrived first serve as guides to reduce our burden.
But isn't his tone toward Alstaire-sama a bit harsh?
I understand his feelings, but still...
"……Regarding the aid from Crack. You saved Rurua-sama, and furthermore, I have seen with my own eyes the proof that you can save my citizens as well. I will not spare any support. Please, I beg of you, take in the people who are slipping through our fingers."
Alstaire-sama bows her head deeply.
Just as Rurua-sama said, she is a very straightforward person.
"Alstaire-sama’s pledge of support is certainly welcome on our end, but how do you intend to explain this to the upper echelons? Are you going to tell them you're moving refugees to a dungeon city? That would split Lithea right down the middle due to internal strife. They’d say the Saintess has lost her mind. Well, we could show them this place, but that’s not a very good move. I’d hate for them to see our weak points and intervene. As it stands, we are effectively snatching Lithea’s citizens from under their noses. Even if they can’t feed them, they still have their national pride. They’d never admit, 'We can't feed them, so we're leaving it to someone else,' would they?"
Indeed... Ratz-san is right.
There will inevitably be those who use the pretext of an alliance to interfere with the dungeon unnecessarily.
"That said, Alstaire-sama and Crack-san and the others cannot just act on their own. Well, since you’re using the national treasury to support the refugees and the dungeon, you can’t just do as you please, anyway."
"Ratz-san, may I?"
"Oh? Does Rurua-sama have a brilliant idea?"
"Yes. I’ve already discussed this with Yuki-san, but in return for saving my life... or rather, under the pretext that I have no intention of becoming a political rival to Alstaire-sama, I will be stationed here in the dungeon."
"Ho. That is a good plan. As of now, regardless of the truth, Rurua-sama holds the rights to negotiate with the Fairy tribe. Is it correct to assume that you are recognized as having a significant position in the current Lithea?"
"Yes. I had intended for Rurua-sama to take the seat of Chancellor once the aftermath was settled. However, if that was your intention... then let us appoint you as the representative of Lithea to the dungeon as the aid coordinator. That way, the opposition won't be able to complain. Besides, it seems the Fairy tribe resides here as well."
I see. Since Rurua-sama will be coming as the representative, nothing untoward should happen.
"Does that mean this dungeon will be made public?"
Eris-san asks, as if to confirm.
"Yes. For Lithea, it is impossible to continue dealing with an unidentified partner for aid and support. While it will be quite some time before it is announced to the public, it will likely be disclosed to the upper echelons immediately."
"Alstaire. I don't mind if you make it public. But this is my territory. And it has been granted autonomy. If some foolish noble causes a scene in this dungeon, I will have their head immediately. I won't hear any complaints. In fact, you should issue a strict order to the nobles."
"Y-yes, ma'am!!"
Alstaire-sama’s voice cracks as she replies.
Chi-neesama is glaring at her with genuine intensity.
"You all saw it, didn't you? I am not the one who governs this place. Everyone who lives here is a representative of this place, and they are its will. We may be at the forefront as representatives, but that doesn't mean we disregard them. Remember this: if a resident who lives here is harmed by one of your nobles, I will destroy them."
"Well, even if you do that, a scene will probably break out anyway," Yuki-san replies lazily.
"T-that is not true!!" Alstaire-sama retorts, but...
"No, I agree with Yuki...-dono’s opinion. Seeing this place, if there are those with even a little power, there will be plenty of foolish nobles who will try to use that as an excuse to meddle."
Crack-san speaks as if problems are a given.
"In that case, I have a solution. Want to hear it?"
Yuki-san says with an amused look on his face.
He is definitely thinking of something bad...
"You have one!? Please, I beg of you!! If things continue like this, Seraria-sama will be cutting people down and the alliance will..."