第７９７堀：海洋問題 (Part1)
Chapter 797: The Oceanic Problem
Side: Yuki
"I see. It seems my intuition was correct after all. Just as King Haiden said."
"That’s right, General Lake. If we leave it to Weed, there won't be any problems. But more importantly, let’s drink and enjoy ourselves today."
"Indeed. I accept."
With that, General Lake began to drink and eat heartily with the fishermen, all smiles.
I’d been played.
This made it incredibly difficult to refuse. Honestly, I never expected him to visit Haiden for a reason like that. It’s a tactic I often use myself—revealing state secrets to elicit empathy. If I don't provide aid to the Kingdom of Seasiph and word gets out, it won't just be the citizens who lose faith in me; my credibility in intercontinental exchanges could plummet as well. Even if they aren't part of the intercontinental exchange, abandoning a nation in need is a bad look.
For now, after sending the inebriated General Lake and his men to the inn, we held an emergency meeting.
"We’ve been had," Seraria said, and the wives nodded in agreement. It seemed everyone had reached the same conclusion.
"Still, it’s a stroke of luck that it didn't escalate into a war," Rurua added.
"Ratz is right, but now we have the issue of sea monsters, don't we? What exactly are we supposed to do about that?"
As Ratz said, it was a relief that we weren't looking at war, but as Milly pointed out, solving a sea monster problem means going up against Mother Nature herself. I find that prospect quite daunting.
"Well, we won't know for sure until we investigate, but this is likely going to be a long-term battle..."
Oceanic surveys are a nightmare. Where am I supposed to pull the budget and personnel for that? And besides...
"Who’s going to be in charge of the sea survey, anyway...?"
"..."
That’s right. Among us, there isn't anyone who specializes in the sea...
"Um, I’m originally from a nation that faces the sea. I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I think I could help."
There she was. Dressa. With her beautifully tanned, wheat-colored skin—how could I have forgotten that the princess who grew up near the sea was right here?
"Great! Though, I have to ask—this would mean you’d be stepping away from the intelligence gathering we do through the Adventurer Guild’s cleaning operations and my personal guard detail. Are you sure about this? Doesn't this conflict with what you wanted to do?"
"Ah, um... I want to help, but this doesn't mean I have to leave this house, right?"
"Hm? Of course not."
Dressa is family now. I wouldn't kick her out just because her department changed.
"Oh. Were you worried about wanting to live on your own? If that’s the case, I can prepare a house for you..."
"No!! That’s not it!! I’m staying here forever, okay?!"
"I-I see."
Why is she getting so worked up...? If anything, that sounds like a declaration that she doesn't want to get married. For Noble, who wants to return the country to her, having a princess without an heir makes it much harder to hand over...
"Setting aside Yuki-san’s denseness, the crux of the problem is that the monsters are increasing. I have a hunch about the cause, but what do you think, Yuki-san?"
"…I have a hunch too, just like Eris. Everyone else does too, right?"
I decided not to protest the "dense" comment and answered Eris’s question directly. Anything else would just be stirring up a hornet's nest. That aside, when it comes to the cause of the monster surge, everyone in this room surely has the same face in mind. I said "everyone," but some protested.
"Yuki. I did think for a moment that maybe Hairen-sama was the cause, but this has been happening over the last few years, right? Isn't it a stretch to say Hairen-sama is the cause from the start?"
"That’s right. ...Well, I can't say there’s no connection, but to call Hairen-sama the culprit..."
"Hairen-sama is the main deity of our Hairen faith. I cannot tolerate such talk."
That was the New Continent contingent. It might be a stretch, but in this situation, we can't afford not to suspect her.
"I’m not saying we’re going to punish her as a culprit. I’m just saying Hairen is the one who likely knows the circumstances."
So, I brought the goddess herself to ask if she’d done anything...
"Eh? Did I do something recently? Let’s see. I’ve been relaxing since the New Year holidays ended. Oh, that’s right. I suppose this is finally our New Year’s break, isn't it? Hm? What’s with everyone? You all have such strange looks on your faces. Did I say something weird?"
This is what happens when you bring her in to ask. Hairen doesn't seem to have a clue. However, it is a fact that we need to get information out of her. After all, this useless goddess is the very person who constructed the barrier to repel monsters in the New Continent.
"I see. If you don't know anything, that’s fine. ...Wait a moment. I’m going to talk to Souta-san and Enoru-san."
"Hmm? Did something happen? You can tell me, you know."
"No, it’s just tedious talk about numbers. Something about embezzling the budget."
"I would never do something like that!"
"That’s not what I meant. I’m asking if there was something you forgot to apply for."
"Ah... w-wait a second. Let me remember. Um, I think the candy shop on the way home was an expense..."
That’s not the scale of money I’m talking about! We’re talking about a massive chunk of our budget being diverted to deal with the Kingdom of Seasiph’s problems!!
So, while I was talking to Hairen, I decided to ask Souta-san and the others, who had been briefed by the other wives and Kagura. ...Hairen’s head was clearly too full of candy expenses.
"So, what do you think?"
"Honestly, it doesn't seem like Hairen did anything intentionally."
"Indeed. I cannot imagine that idiot intentionally disabling the barrier to cause monsters to appear."
"Then, could it be indirect, or unconscious?"
"That cannot be denied, but as Kagura said, this has been going on for a few years now."
"It would be a bit harsh to hold Hairen responsible for that alone."
Well, I don't intend to treat her as a culprit based on that alone. But...
"Should I bring Hairen along as a person of interest?"
"..."
Souta-san and Enoru-san fell silent at my question. Even if she isn't the culprit, it’s natural to think that Hairen’s power would be needed to improve the situation. Still, these two would never allow Hairen to be put in the line of fire again, would they? The proof was in their silence...
"I understand the desire to bring her, but there is a possibility that the damage could spread even further..."
"Exactly. The option to bring Hairen is certainly there, but I can't help but feel that would just be rubbing salt in the wound."
"Is that so?"
The two of them nodded solemnly.
"If Hairen goes over there and learns the situation, it’s obvious she’ll start running around on her own, no matter how much we try to stop her," Souta-san added.
"Souta is right. That one is good at charging ahead. I worry. I worry she’ll only cause more trouble."
I see. So bringing Hairen along is a non-starter.
"I understand what you two are saying. However, if it becomes absolutely necessary to bring Hairen, will you come with us? At the very least, I want to keep the damage to a minimum."
"...Yes. If this old man is of any use."
"...Honestly, it’s tough on these old bones. But it cannot be helped. We did say we would look after her."
The two of them nodded, looking extremely reluctant. I’ll just have to do my best to avoid using Hairen as much as possible.