第６１８堀：ハイデン王国現代記 兆しの章 (Part2)
Furthermore, this matter is still off the record; no one outside the involved parties knows about it. Given the background, it’s a situation that could easily turn the Haire Church into an enemy.
We can’t exactly go around sending people in carelessly.
"If the Academy gets impatient and starts gathering people to investigate the town, they might end up causing the evidence to be destroyed, which would be a disaster. In that case, wouldn't it be more efficient for us to move in secret and handle the investigation ourselves? Besides, this matter is necessary for us as well."
"……I understand. Please do. I’ll explain it to the Princesses myself."
"With that settled, let’s send an investigation team to the town immediately. But first, Mikos, Solo."
"Yes? What is it?"
"What can I do for you?"
"Tell me about the town. You know it, right? Especially you, Solo, since you actually worked there."
First, we need to gather essential preliminary information.
That said, Steve and his group have already started their own investigation of the town.
Well, now that I’ve received permission from Kagura, this is officially sanctioned by Haiden, meaning we can cooperate openly in investigating the town.
And as for how we’ll cooperate…
"Mikos, Solo, who manages that town?"
"Um, that would be the territory of Viscount Onock."
"Yes. It’s a town named Onock."
"In that case, Kagura, could you handle the connection to Viscount Onock? I think we can go in under the guise of searching for hidden bandits."
"I see. So, first we determine whether Viscount Onock is an enemy or an ally."
Good. She’s been hanging around me and the Princesses long enough to learn.
She’s a top student, and she’s properly accumulating experience.
"That’s the idea. If it were just us, we’d have to investigate in secret. Since Kagura, the Academy Head, and the Princesses—well, it would look suspicious if they moved for mere bandits, so I won't ask that of them—if the two of you pass the word along, the investigation should go smoothly, provided he isn't an enemy."
"True. It’s rude to trample around in someone else’s garden. I’d rather avoid any more turmoil within Haiden."
The upper echelons of Haiden are truly on the verge of a breakdown as it is.
Ah, if rebellions started popping up everywhere, Haiden might actually cease to exist.
I hope this isn't the goal of some mastermind.
Or rather, it raises the question: why is the Haire Church using monsters?
It’s not yet certain that the Assembly of Wisdom is connected to the Haire Church, so I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
That is precisely why we need to gather solid information.
Furthermore, it seems there are some low-level, small-fry "fake gods" who worship mid-level deities, so I need to collect even the most trivial information and wrap them up tightly to hand over to Luna.
The people who call themselves gods are nothing but a nuisance to me. I’ve learned from experience that if you deal with them halfway, they’ll just run wild and cause me even more trouble.
For my own future, this is an indispensable task.
"Alright, Kagura, leave the connection to Viscount Onock to you. I’ll have Mikos and Solo tell me about the town and help me narrow down the suspicious areas."
"Understood."
With that, Kagura immediately leaves the room.
The Princess probably wants to avoid relying on us any further, but that’s not an option.
Well, since I have my own selfish reasons for this, I’ll keep the bill on the lighter side.
Nothing in this world is truly free. Actually, they say there’s nothing more expensive than something free, so by charging them, I’m actually being kind.
"Now then, Kagura is working hard, so Mikos and Solo, I’ll need you to do the same."
" "Yes!" "
Confirming their enthusiasm, I spread out the map of Onock that I received from Steve’s team, who had been scouting ahead.
"Eh? T-this is..."
"I-is this a map of Onock?"
"That’s right."
As expected, Mikos and Solo are surprised by the map I suddenly produced.
"When did you... and it’s so precise..."
"T-this is the power of Weed..."
Ah, they’re definitely surprised by the map, but they’re also shocked by its level of detail.
It was just a simple task of having Steve’s group take aerial photos and then drawing them up into a diagram, though.
By the way, since it was revealed that the opponent possesses a Magic Gear that seems to be a Dungeon Core, I couldn't just carelessly seize the land, which is why this tedious reconnaissance work became necessary.
I must say, I can’t trust Luna’s claim that "the predecessor disappeared."
It’s true that the predecessor is gone, but I think the fact that someone is using a Dungeon Core is vital information.
Well, perhaps that’s asking too much for this land. After all, there’s a gutsy red-haired Hairen here who said she didn't need Luna’s power. I respect her for that, at least.
But that’s beside the point for now.
"Now that you’re done being surprised, could you write various things on this map? Like where it looks suspicious or what kind of shops are there?"
"Oh, understood."
"Yes. I’ll do my best."
Well then, the next chapter of this story will be written once we take action.
I might as well cook up a story that’s easy for people to swallow.
The convenient actors are all in place, after all.
And now, the hero Kagura begins to move in the modern world!!
And behind her, working in the shadows—not the Haire Church, but Yuki and his group!!
Come on, the festival starts here!!