第２９５堀：表は穏やか (Part2)
"Exactly. With the economic and technical prowess of Weed, we could mass-produce that level of magic sword in no time. But this New Continent is different. To us, what they call 'magic swords' are nothing more than simple enchanted blades. That just goes to show how scarce they are. In other words, they lack any real production infrastructure."
"Could it simply be that a large cache of magic swords and enchanted staves was discovered?"
"That's a possibility, too. We'll need to gather information on that as well. With that said, our general policy is set, so let's head toward the gate first. Refugees might be fleeing here, and if we're lucky, we can gather some intel."
"Yes, let's do that."
Kirika and I stepped outside to begin our investigation.
For now, the royal capital appeared to be without any issues.
However, just like in Roday, it’s a real disadvantage not being able to use Steve and the other monsters to gather information.
We can't employ a "monster-sea tactic," as it were, instead of a human-sea tactic.
Thinking this, I made my way toward the gate near the barracks, listening to the chatter around me.
"They're having a sale at the greengrocer over there!"
"Ah, another day of hard work done."
"My cat had kittens yesterday."
"Alright, race you to the plaza!"
"Wooo!"
There were no voices of anxiety in what I heard.
Just the sounds of people enjoying their daily lives.
Their standard of living doesn't match up to Weed's, but it's generally peaceful.
Though, since they lack the concept of sewage, the stench of excrement filling the alleys is something I could do without.
Ah, I’ll have to wash myself thoroughly when I get home today.
If I smelled bad and Yuki-san told me so, I’d just cry.
"Everything seems fine for the moment."
"Indeed. It looks like an ordinary day."
But an ordinary day can crumble in an instant.
I know that from personal experience.
Before I knew it, not just my home, but the entire town had burned to the ground, my family was scattered, and my younger brother, who had bravely stood up to unreasonable violence, never returned.
No matter how much I cried or screamed, nothing changed.
All that remained was the collar locked around my neck.
...The people living their daily lives don't wish for conflict.
It’s just those in power playing their own games of interest, and in the end, we are the ones who get dragged into it.
"...Are you alright?"
I realized Kirika was peering into my face.
"Eh?"
"No, you weren't responding when I spoke to you, Milly-sama..."
"Ah, sorry. I just remembered something unpleasant."
*Oh boy*, did I do it again?
Eris often warns me about this.
*"I understand how you feel, but you need to be a little more level-headed. Yuki-san is kind, so he wouldn't tell you to throw those feelings away, but if they end up holding us back, then I believe you should discard them. I won't say that to him, but it would be foolish to let our current happiness crumble because of it."*
Yes. I think Eris is right.
I’m sure I would go insane if my current happiness were to crumble.
I’ve gained so many things I don't want to lose.
Even after losing so much—even after thinking I had lost everything—there were things that remained, just like with Kaya, and things that have increased.
I am happy now.
I need to calm down.
I’m sure I have a terrifying look on my face right now.
I can't let the children see me like this.
...After all, I decided to support Yuki-san so that something like that would never happen again.
I want to be happy, so that I can be proud of the fact that my brother gave his life to protect me back then.
"Something unpleasant, you say? What shall we do? Should we head back for today?"
"I'm fine. I won't take time off work for something so silly. Look, the gate is in sight."
I shifted my mindset and focused on doing my job properly.
The gate within my view wasn't particularly crowded.
People—travelers carrying luggage or leisurely horse-drawn carriages—spoke briefly with the guards, paid the fee, and entered the city.
"There don't seem to be any major movements yet."
"True. Let's get a little closer. There seems to be a cafeteria near the gate entrance; let's ask around there."
"Agreed."
We headed toward the cafeteria near the gate.