第４７９堀：訪問開始と言葉の壁、そして…… (Part1)
### Chapter 479: The Visit Begins, the Language Barrier, and...
**Side: Yuki**
After speaking with Horst and the Magic Sword Users, it was decided that I would bring the kings of the three great nations over in about two days.
There wasn't much to prepare; the "Betan style" was sufficient, and since dragging it out would be pointless, we opted for this kind of rapid, unofficial visit. Well, considering the New Continent was already in motion, one could say we didn't have the luxury of taking it slow.
"...However, even though I had heard of it, seeing it with my own eyes makes it impossible to deny the reality of it."
"...Indeed. I never wanted to believe that Weed was connected to another continent entirely."
"...With this, we will have to figure out how to allocate the budget and personnel for the New Continent."
These were the impressions of the three great leaders I had brought to Betan by the evening of the first day. I didn't want to overwhelm them on the first day, and it certainly wasn't because I wanted to hurry home or anything like that.
Still, you guys were definitely half-doubting it until now, weren't you? The guards and scribes I brought along were also left dumbfounded. It wouldn't have been strange for some of them to realize there were parts of their own continent they didn't know, but in the end, it’s not much different. Since there were unexplored regions, it was only natural that they would need to be surveyed. The only difference was whether they were connected by land, across the sea, or beyond space and another dimension.
Ah, the "beyond space and another dimension" part applies to us Japanese folks. No matter how you look at it, the stars in the sky don't match any constellations I know, and in Taizo-san’s case, even the time is out of sync. The theory that it’s not just space, but a different dimension with a different timeline, might not be far off the mark.
Well, what I’m trying to say is...
"We’ve already come to another world, so don't go complaining about something like this."
"...I know. I understand that, but..."
"...I truly understand now how hard my son has been working all this time. I felt it."
"...Yes. Even with the help of Luna-sama, to think he accomplished all this in just a few years..."
After the three of them said that, they spoke in unison.
"Don't lump us in with you!"
What a way to talk.
"In the first place, the languages are different. Communication itself is not easy."
"That’s right. Our sons can speak the language of this continent thanks to Luna-sama, but we cannot. Just exchanging documents will take twice as long as usual."
"...Fufu. You have no choice but to admit that the languages are different and the continents are different. But what should we do..."
Ah, that’s right. We can speak and manipulate the languages of the New Continent thanks to the dungeon’s skill-granting ability, but without that, even simple conversation is a struggle. In this era, where the very concept of "across the sea" barely exists, it’s rare to encounter a situation where you can’t communicate.
However, we people from Earth have easily overcome such harsh situations—without cheats, using body language and desperate efforts to learn the words—to become friends with the locals. Thinking about that, the Portuguese who came to Japan back in the day were amazing. Even though they were emerging from medieval Europe, the fact that they thought to trade with people of such vastly different cultures is incredible. Should I call it a merchant’s spirit, or praise their thirst for the unknown?
The people who discovered the New Continent, or those who circumnavigated the globe when the edge of the world was said to be a giant waterfall, must have been truly extraordinary. Actually, in the case of Aulito, there are rumors of giant aquatic monsters in the ocean. Since ocean exploration on Earth was considered a one-way ticket back then, it must be even tougher here.
...Come to think of it, I wonder if the Krakens mentioned in Earth’s literature were just strays from this place?
Well, that’s neither here nor there. Regardless, the language barrier is certainly the biggest obstacle to future cross-cultural exchange. Naturally, I hadn't failed to account for that.
"That part is fine. I’m already making skill rings that allow the user to understand the languages of the New Continent."
"Oh!! As expected of my son!!"
"What the—! You should have told us that sooner!"
"Haah, that’s a relief."
All three of them breathed a sigh of relief, but Taizo-san and Taiki-kun, who had been on Earth, gave bitter smiles, knowing it wasn't that simple. Ah, Taizo-san and Taiki-kun are here as representatives of the continent and as my friends. Seraria is with Horst, preparing for tomorrow.
"It’s just a stopgap. I can mass-produce the skill rings while I’m here, but in the end, that’s all they are. It’s not like every single citizen will have one."
"That goes without saying."
"Naturally."
"Yes. I suppose it would be appropriate to have the necessary personnel use them."
...Crap, they don't get it. Well, I suppose it can't be helped. The leaders of these three nations have never faced a situation where they couldn't communicate before.
"In the end, it doesn't mean you don't have to study the language. If you can't prepare them for everyone, you understand that the value of people who can speak the languages of both continents will skyrocket, right?"
"Well, I suppose that’s true."
"If such convenient people existed, that would naturally be the case."
"Indeed."
"...If, by some chance, I disappear and the skill rings—or rather, the translation rings—can no longer be made, those people will become highly sought after."
"..."
Now that I’d spelled it out, they finally understood the importance of language...
"...We should establish a department for linguistic analysis of the New Continent."
"Agreed. Shouldn't this be a joint project between the three great nations?"
"That would be best. That way, we won't have to wastefully spend money in each country."
From there, they began to argue passionately about where to place the headquarters, whether to recruit new personnel, or whether to transfer talented individuals from existing departments. Good luck to them; cross-cultural exchange is truly difficult.
Ah, of course, the bigwigs of Betan, like Horst, are my subordinates, so they’ve already been granted the skills; there’s no problem there. Well, in a sense, when you use translation rings or have skills granted, you naturally start to learn the language. If you don't care about safety, humans can learn to speak a language in a year or two just by being thrown into that environment. I think that’s still kinder than throwing someone who can't swim into the ocean.
"For now, I’ll explain the details of the New Continent tomorrow, so please get some rest."
As I called out to the three of them, who were busy chatting away, and tried to leave the room, they stopped me.
"Wait. Can’t you do something about the names 'New Continent' and 'Old Continent'?"
"Oh? Well, from our perspective, the New Continent is the one where Betan is located, but from the perspective of this continent, the one where Gartz is could also be called the New Continent, right?"
"Yes. People will inevitably start arguing over which is 'new' or 'old,' or which has more tradition, leading to issues of superiority. How do you intend to handle that?"
Did they finally realize that? I smiled broadly and told them:
"Well, I came from another world, so there’s no way I could name both continents. Since the leaders of the three great nations are all here, wouldn't it be better if you decided the names of your own continents yourselves?"
Not having a name is a problem. But it’s not my job to give them those important names. That’s the job of the big shots right in front of me.
"..."
When I said that, the three of them looked at each other. They must have understood what I meant—the monumental task of naming this continent.
"...*Ahem*. As the leader of Gartz and Litea... would you leave the naming of the continent we live on to me? It would be problematic to push this work onto you any further. As the head of Roschur, the sword of this continent, I will take responsibility for this task."