第４０５堀：情報を集めよう (Part1)
**Chapter 405: Let’s Gather Information**
**Side: Yuki**
"Oh, if it isn't Yuki. How’s Milly doing?"
"I’ve got her resting quietly at home."
"I see. Man, I’m sorry. I had no idea she was pregnant. I honestly thought she was just hungover again."
"She was acting like that on purpose, so it couldn't be helped. Anyway, here’s a souvenir—some wine."
"Oh, thanks. If I recall, you were out visiting other nations, right?"
"That’s right. I’d trade places with you in a heartbeat."
"Don't say such crazy things. I’m just a Guild Master. You’re the representative of Weed and the husband of Her Majesty the Queen."
"That’s exactly what’s such a pain."
"…You really haven't changed, have you? Well, I suppose you’re better than before. Back when it was just you and those girls, Ria and Jessica, acting as your guards, you’d disappear and I’d have to file a search request with the guild every single time."
"I didn't mean any harm."
"Harm or not, it’s not normal for a big shot from Weed to be wandering around without any protection. In the beginning, you’d even bring Aslin and the others to the guild and get tangled up with adventurers."
Ah, that brings back memories. It feels like a lifetime ago.
"…Rock. Tell me more about that."
"Yes, Rock-san. Please, do tell us in detail. I’d like to know the faces of those who dared to try and harm my husband and my sisters."
"Calm down, you two. Those adventurers were already beaten to a pulp by Milly, so they’ve paid their dues. The punishment is over, so give them a break. Since you two are guarding Yuki, I assume you have skills on par with Ria and Jessica?"
"Well, yes. Unlike Ria and Jessica, Cleena and Samantha are backline types rather than vanguard."
"Yes, as Rock-san said, these two have skills comparable to ours. As Ria mentioned, they are more of the mage type than warriors."
"Good. I’m definitely not telling you who they were. I can already see those adventurers being reduced to dust."
"…I wouldn't do that. I’d just give them a little discipline."
"Indeed. Just a little bit of discipline."
"That’s already a closed case. Anyway, I’m relieved to know these two are your new guards. So, are you here for an introduction today? Or perhaps for registration?"
Right, I came to the Weed Adventurer’s Guild for a reason.
"No, registration isn't necessary. Neither of them has the luxury of working as adventurers yet."
"An introduction, then. Cleena and Samantha, was it? Guarding Yuki is a tough job, so I’m counting on you. If anything happens, feel free to come consult with me. I’m usually at the guild, and I’ll let the receptionists know. Though, I imagine you’ll get through just by showing your ID."
"…Mm. Thank you. I’ll come to register as an adventurer once I have some free time."
"Since Yuki-sama relies on you, I trust you as well. I look forward to working with you."
Rock, Cleena, and Samantha exchanged pleasantries. In truth, both of them had joined my guard detail in the New Continent, so they had almost no name recognition here in Weed. That couldn't be helped, though. We were just too busy in the New Continent. That’s all there was to it.
Whenever I wandered around Weed for minor errands, they would tag along, or they’d explore the city on their personal time. Since we hadn't had the chance to talk to the key figures of Weed, now that things in the New Continent had finally settled down, I was making these rounds to greet people while simultaneously gathering information.
Yes, information gathering was the primary objective.
"Now that the introductions are over, let’s talk business."
"Since you came here instead of a tavern, I figured it wasn't just for a chat. So, what’s on your mind? Is it going to be a long one? Do you need some tea?"
As expected of Rock. Having known me longer than even Taiki-kun among the men of Weed, he understands my personality well. We’re both middle management, after all. We get along quite well.
"Oh, I’ll help with that."
"No, no, you don't know where anything is. It’s not like I’m brewing anything fancy, so don't worry about it. And it’s not expensive stuff, so it won't taste great. You’ll have to forgive me for that."
I declined Ria’s help, brought the tea bags and cups for everyone, and waited for the kettle to boil. It was simple enough.
"It’s hot, but I have cold tea as well. What will you have?"
"No, you’ve already prepared this, so hot tea is fine for me."
"I’m fine with that, too."
"I don't mind either."
"…I’d prefer the cold one."
"I’ll take the hot one as well."
"Got it. Only Cleena-chan gets the cold one."
"…Mm. Thank you."
...I could never bring myself to reject something prepared for me and demand something else. Well, if the other party offers, it means they were being considerate, but in that sense, Cleena is amazing.
Actually, she’s improved significantly compared to her days at the Magic Academy, where she spent every day reading books in silence and doing incomprehensible things to people like Eoid. She once handed me a pair of freshly removed undergarments, which honestly made me panic. I wanted to scream, "Why did it come to this?"
The fact that she can hold a normal conversation here in Weed is a huge step forward. I suppose the biggest reason is that this is a new, unknown world to her. When you don't know something, you have no choice but to investigate. If there’s someone who can answer, you have no choice but to speak. As a scholar whose role is to peer into the unknown world of magic, she naturally began communicating with those around her in Weed.
Weed is far removed from the world she once knew. But then again, the world is just a matter of perspective; change your viewpoint a little, and it becomes interesting, or a whole new world opens up. It all depends on whether you can recognize that or not.
While I was thinking about that, the water boiled and the snacks were served.
"So, what is it you want to ask, Yuki?"
"I won't beat around the bush. I’ll be direct."
"Yeah, that’s easier for me, too."
"…Do you have any idea how many countries don't look favorably upon Weed?"
When I asked that, his hand, which was about to lift his tea, stopped, and he quickly set it back on the table.
"…What? Are you hearing things on your end, too?"
"If you call it 'hearing things,' it’s mostly just rumors. The problem is the people currently stirring things up in Weed. If they just wanted to complain outside our borders, that’s one thing, but I don't appreciate people plotting things in my own backyard."
"…Let’s see, it’s been about four years, hasn't it?"
"That’s right."
"Well, it’s only natural that people would start poking their noses in. But honestly, Weed is on a different scale. Many people didn't expect us to become a nation of this magnitude; they thought we’d just be another emerging country. Because of that, there are quite a few spies from other nations infiltrating us."
"So they are getting in. Well, that’s fine. Every country has spies, and it’s practically impossible to eliminate them all. What I want to know is, who does the guild consider dangerous? It wouldn't be good if this place were to disappear, would it?"