第７９８堀：欲しいのは知識 (Part1)
### Chapter 798: What I Want is Knowledge
**Side: Milly**
"Then, shall we consider it a formal request from the Sea-Cypho Kingdom to Weed, asking for assistance regarding maritime issues?"
"Yes. However, there is one point of concern."
"And what might that be?"
As they spoke, Yuki-san and General Lake were moving forward with the discussion to accept the Sea-Cypho Kingdom’s request within a proper office.
Fortunately, it wasn't a war, but in its place, a highly difficult problem had surfaced: dealing with sea monsters.
I’ve been working at the Adventurer’s Guild for a long time, but dealing with monsters underwater is incredibly high-difficulty.
"High difficulty" is just a polite way of saying the mortality rate is high.
Even if the monster itself isn't particularly strong, human movement is severely restricted underwater, giving the monster the advantage. The result is defeat.
And it’s in the water. If you’re defeated, you’d better hope you can escape, but in many cases, people just drown, suffocate, or get dragged down to their deaths.
Especially against large aquatic monsters, there is almost nothing one can do.
Considering that General Lake and his navy are seeking help, it means there is a very powerful aquatic monster out there. The kind capable of sinking warships.
When you think of monsters like that...
While I was lost in thought, the conversation between Yuki-san and General Lake continued.
"Are you talking about the compensation for Weed?"
"Yes. The issue is that we have no compensation we can offer Weed. I heard that in the case of Haiden, you accepted the request as a form of reconstruction support..."
"I see. King Haiden is quite careless about these things."
"Well, I’m sure he’s thought about it, but perhaps he assumes it will work out somehow?"
"Work out, indeed. Say, if you don't mind, could you introduce us to the person who created the magic guns your military possesses?"
Ah, come to think of it, the reason Weed was particularly wary of the Sea-Cypho Kingdom this time was because the weapons they were carrying were guns.
If we can obtain that information, it would be more than enough compensation.
Well, honestly speaking, I’d like to at least recover the expenses... but how will General Lake respond to that price?
"I cannot say 'yes' based on my own authority, but I can inquire with His Majesty."
A typical answer.
"I see. So, the person who made those guns is indeed in the Sea-Cypho Kingdom."
"Well, it is not something to hide. Naturally, they are a fine talent that our country takes pride in."
"I see. You were wary of the possibility of them being poached. My apologies. Our country—or rather, the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance—also conducts technical exchanges. Mostly, it’s about sharing and teaching knowledge and techniques for creating convenient tools."
"My word. You provide that much knowledge and technology?"
"Yes. However, while we ask other allied nations to do the same, the condition for mastering these skills is for the technicians to come to Weed and for the nation to join the Intercontinental Alliance. That is, if there is anyone in Sea-Cypho capable of mastering this knowledge."
I see. Yuki-san just dangled the bait of technical exchange and mastery.
Surely, they can't overlook this.
In fact, if the Sea-Cypho Kingdom and the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance were to form ties, the first technicians to come to Weed would undoubtedly be the ones who developed those pseudo-guns.
Now that the reason for hiding them is gone, I wonder what General Lake will do?
"Hmm. Are you saying you cannot dispatch personnel to us?"
"We are short-handed as it is. Oh, I’m not asking you to provide the knowledge of the guns. Those are weapons for the Sea-Cypho Kingdom to protect its nation. We are more interested in knowledge regarding ships and the sea."
"Knowledge of the sea?"
"Yes. For us, the existence of monsters underwater is a given, so our navigation techniques haven't developed much. The same goes for shipbuilding technology."
"...I see. We cannot leak information regarding our warships, of course..."
"That concerns national defense, so I understand. Information regarding ordinary fishing boats would be fine. Oh, of course, if you were willing to show us the warships, we would be most grateful."
"Understood. You have shown us your port, so I shall speak to His Majesty about it."
"I appreciate it. Well, since the request is to do something about the sea monsters, we will end up going to the port and seeing the ships anyway."
"Haha, that is true."
Yuki-san and General Lake laughed.
Hmm. No particular reaction from General Lake.
Does he intend not to send the person who developed the guns?
Well, it’s understandable for the sake of protecting secrets, but I don't think the person who knows about this would stay quiet. I’ve seen people like Narjia-san, Zargis, Comet, and Agil in the flesh, after all.
Also, since they’re asking to see the port and the ships, maybe they figure it doesn't matter since they’ll have to show them anyway to deal with the sea monsters?
"Well, our talk of the future has been quite lively. It would be appreciated if you could prepare such rewards once the support is successful."
"Yes. I do not know what form the reward will take, but we will certainly show our gratitude."
"Then, let us depart! ...Though that might be a bit premature. Is there anywhere else you would like to visit?"
"I would like to know everything about this Weed, but I suppose that is impossible..."
That’s true. Even just enjoying the entertainment facilities in Weed, three days wouldn't be enough.
Actually, the first day was spent looking at the port, and today is the second day, so it’s impossible to enjoy everything in the remaining two days.
As I was thinking that, General Lake seemed to have an idea...
"...However, that is true. For the reasons mentioned earlier, we are investigating the creatures known as monsters. If there is a place related to that, I would like to visit it."
"I see. A place where you can learn about monsters? In that case..."
For some reason, Yuki-san turned his gaze toward me.
"That would be Milly’s field."
"Eh? Me?"
Why is it being framed as if I’m an expert on monsters?
I was confused, unable to immediately grasp what Yuki-san was saying, when Deryu, who was next to me, poked me.
"Why are you spacing out? It is only natural that the Adventurer’s Guild would have information on monsters."
"Ah... I’ve been on maternity leave, so I forgot."
Indeed, there is no organization more knowledgeable about monsters than the Adventurer’s Guild.
"And she is?"
"She is one of my wives, her name is Milly, and she manages the district where the Adventurer’s Guild is located."
"By 'adventurer,' do you mean an explorer?"
"That is not entirely wrong, but not entirely right either. An adventurer is..."
From there, Yuki-san, with our help, began explaining what an adventurer is.
He explained that their work ranges from tasks that even children like Aslin can handle, to the subjugation of vicious monsters.
"I see. So you also engage in the subjugation of monsters."