第３６５堀：供給源 (Part1)
**Chapter 365: Source of Supply**
**Side: Yuki**
Even though it’s rare for things in this world to go exactly as planned...
"Cancel the plan to swap with the Doppel during training. Go immediately to Mauve’s inn, swap out with the Doppel, and bring me that brown-skinned princess with the short white hair, Dressa. Take Kirika and two others as escorts. Keep in mind the possibility of being discovered."
"Understood."
With those words, Kirika departed immediately to begin the operation.
Well, I’ve set up a few diversions, so I don’t think Kirika will be pursued. Still, complacency is dangerous. Complacency is bad—never do it.
"So, were you able to pull any information out of her since then?"
"Not at all. She was just taken to some ruins and that was it. If anything, she’s delirious. She keeps calling out a name that sounds like 'Arne,' so I assume it’s a friend or someone who was taken with her."
Well, she looks a bit older than Shera, but younger than Riel or Tori. Maybe middle-school age? Then again, growth rates in other worlds—and even among foreigners—differ significantly from the Japanese, so she might actually be the same age as Shera or Labyris. I’d be surprised if she were the same size as Aslin or Firia, though. She definitely had some curves. It felt like Labyris > Dressa > Shera.
...Wait, does that mean I was gauging her age by her chest size? Am I a creep? No, no, it was just an intuitive observation, and I only noticed the physical facts later. I am, by all accounts, a gentleman among gentlemen.
"...Anyway, she’s sleeping for now. Making too much noise will just draw attention. So, what do you think about the Dressa situation?"
"Hmm? The part about the ruins?"
"Yeah. No matter how you look at it..."
"Nine times out of ten, it’s a dungeon. They’re likely taking laborers to the ruins and using them as a source of DP. That explains the abundance of DP mentioned in the letters."
Honestly, it’s a wonder why other Dungeon Masters haven’t used this method until now. It’s a massive pain to implement, sure, but Luna’s registry had at least a thousand names on it. It wouldn’t be strange if others were doing exactly what I or the Overlord of Ex are doing.
...Luna’s right, though—it’s not like they’re all idiots, right?
"Hey, what’s this about letters?"
"Ah, I hadn't mentioned that, had I? Kirika will take some time to reach you, so I’ll explain it now. Just around the time Mauve and the others were arriving at the Royal Capital of Ex..."
I explained that Hifie and Comet were heading to the Royal Capital of Ex via a different route.
"I don't know what to say..."
"It’s a relief to know the enemy’s true identity to some extent, but..."
"It feels almost too advantageous for us, which makes me uneasy. No, I don’t doubt your deductions, Yuki."
"Well, Curse, that’s about right. There’s no such thing as a sure thing, so you might notice things from your perspective that I miss. That’s why I’m increasing the number of people approaching from multiple angles and collecting information sequentially. We’ll need to gather information on the ruins from yet another direction."
I’m not so blind that I’d rely on a single source of information. Gather from many sides, scrutinize, and crush them for certain. If you poke at this carelessly, it’ll be like kicking a hornet’s nest. In the worst-case scenario, we could end up having to abandon the New Continent. I won’t let the connections, data, and experimental grounds I’ve worked so hard for go to waste.
"...You’ve got that wicked look on your face again. Well, I know it’s better to leave that stuff to you, so I won’t interfere. When you say 'information from multiple angles,' do you want us to pick up more slaves?"
"Ah, no, skip that. You guys spent a fair amount of money buying Dressa, didn't you?"
"Well, it was a fair amount, but compared to the total you gave us, it’s pocket change."
"Given Mauve and the others' current standing, it’s better not to spend any more large sums."
When I said that, Curse understood immediately.
"I see. The only reason we were able to acquire the princess was because of our existing savings. If we spend any more, people will start asking where the money is coming from."
"Exactly. Any surplus funds are meant for buying out shops in the Royal Capital of Ex or bribing underground organizations, depending on how Mauve’s situation develops. If that happens, it’s fine for Mauve to stand out, but now isn't the time."
"So, we’re still just adventurers... or rather, mercenaries."
Raiya understood too, though they still aren't used to the distinction between adventurers and mercenaries. Well, after being adventurers for so many years, that’s to be expected. It’s like your company suddenly getting merged and being told, "We're changing the name." You have to handle new clients with the new name, but you still have to deal with old clients who call you by the old one. It’s a huge hassle, paperwork gets messed up, and if you aren't constantly manning the phones, you don't know what to say on the spot.
"So, leave the information gathering from the slaves to Kirika and the others infiltrating the capital via other routes. You guys focus on getting info from the Rosetta Mercenary Corps and your peers."
"Understood."
After talking for a long time over the call, Kirika and her team arrived at Mauve’s room.
"We have arrived."
"How’s the situation around you?"
"Like Mauve-san and the others, I don’t believe we’re being watched. There’s no surveillance on the diversionary group that split off from us either. It seems the magic-blocking pendants are working well. I’ll say 'for now,' at least."
"I see. Then, while our luck holds, take Dressa to Point B."
"Understood."
Kirika nodded to the Doppel who had accompanied them, and it approached Dressa to begin the transformation.
"Whoa, so that’s how a Doppel transforms."
"When it was us, it was already done."
"It’s almost like sculpting clay, isn't it?"
That’s right—a Doppel’s base form is something like a mannequin. We’ve seen their base forms when we’ve encountered them, but the actual transformation scene was a mystery until now. No one had ever seen it. But since the establishment of the Monster Research Institute in Weed, many of those mysteries have been solved. Well, I knew about it before the institute or Weed, since I started using Doppels as body doubles.
The reason no one sees the transformation is simple... it takes time. That’s why they can only transform when they have a moment to spare. It’s a very mundane reason. Just as I struggled to create the form of Kiyu, a Doppel with a different appearance, it’s difficult for the Doppel themselves to mimic the real thing perfectly. The world is a harsh place.
The Doppel-Dressa turned toward us, perhaps finished with the final adjustments. Yes, I can’t help but feel the names are a bit similar. The characters look alike, too.
"How is it?"
"Yes. There are no issues with movement. I will perform adjustments while mixing in with Mauve-san’s training."
"Good. I’m counting on you to take Princess Dressa’s place."
"Understood."
The Doppel-Dressa gave a sharp salute. Seeing things like this, I realize there’s no way I can let it be known that I can freely command Doppels. It would throw the whole world into chaos. I’ll keep it to the absolute minimum, I truly thought to myself.