第８８９堀：竜山の情報 (Part1)
Chapter 889: Information on Dragon Mountain
Side: Tori
After stopping in Gartz and adding Lowell-san and Charl-san to our party, we set off for Dragon Mountain.
"Say, Charl-san. By the way, is the area around the Gartz exit gate always that covered in cream puffs?"
"Ah, that. When was it? I was talking with Ratz, and the idea came up about making cream puffs here. We tried making them, and they were a huge hit."
Now that she mentions it, I feel like I’ve heard something about that...
"The ingredients and the method aren't particularly difficult. Well, there were still issues, like securing the eggs, sugar, and above all, the vanilla."
"How did you clear those hurdles?"
"The eggs were easy. We just got chickens from Weed and started breeding them. The quality has been improving daily, too. We’re cultivating sugar as well, but vanilla is impossible. We’re completely dependent on imports from Weed. Well, it’s impossible in Gartz, but it can be grown in Weed’s tropical layer, so there’s talk of us borrowing a corner of that land. Anyway, putting that aside, once we secured the ingredients, we sold them as an affordable sweet for the citizens, and they became a local specialty."
"I see. But still, isn't that scent a bit too intense?"
Just as Riel said, the smell was overwhelming. It reminded me of Alfin’s infinite pastry hell. I actually found myself wishing we’d brought Steve along.
"...People get used to it."
Charl replied with a distant look in her eyes. I’m sure she had to overcome quite a lot to get those cream puffs perfected.
As I was thinking that, Mauve-san joined the conversation.
"Well, never mind the cream puffs. Can the princess sisters actually fight? You don't have any guards with you, either. Is this really okay?"
As Mauve-san pointed out, the two of them were accompanying us without a single guard. Now that he mentioned it, it did seem a bit questionable for royalty.
"It’s fine. We’ve received proper authorization, and I’ve received equipment from Narjia-san, courtesy of Yuki. Naturally, I am capable of fighting."
"As for me, I primarily handle internal affairs, so I’m not particularly skilled at combat. That said, it’s not that I *can’t* do it; I have the bare minimum to protect myself. Besides, with Narjia-sama’s armor, there shouldn't be any risk of death from direct violence in the first place."
I see, so their safety management is perfect. With Narjia-san’s equipment, there’s certainly no issue. It’s built with security that makes even theft impossible.
"Well, I get that the armor is top-tier, but what about the guards? Even Tori’s group here hired us, didn't they?"
"Regarding guards, bringing a large entourage would draw too much attention, so it was decided that only the two of us would come from Gartz. Besides, we are being accompanied by the famous Heroes of Defense from your side. No one had any complaints."
So that’s why they didn't have guards. Come to think of it, I’d completely forgotten that Mauve-san and his group were the "Heroes of Defense."
"That’s right! Mauve-san and the others are heroes, aren't they!"
"You’re right. In that case, we can rest easy."
"...Safe, safe."
"Hey now. There’s no compliment less welcome than that. Tori-chan and her group are superior in overall strength, aren't they?"
"It’s just an excuse for Yuki to make use of us, isn't it?"
"Even so, it’s a fact that you are the Heroes of Defense. I, for one, am just glad that Mauve-san and the others are recognized by the princesses of Gartz."
"Exactly. Just like Curse-san said. Besides, your knowledge as adventurers is superior to ours, and we’re relying on you."
"Yes. Just as Riel said. And since Mauve-san and the others have undergone Yuki-san’s training, it’s not like you’re weak."
"...Safe because you had Yuki’s training."
Mauve-san keeps saying we’re stronger, but like Riel and Kaya said, their level as adventurers is different, and since they’ve gone through that insane training of Yuki’s, they aren't the type to lose easily.
"Ah, that training... Indeed, if you can clear that, you’d certainly become strong."
For some reason, Lowell muttered that with a distant look in her eyes.
"Huh? Lowell, did you have to go through Yuki-san’s training too?"
"No, not directly, but I asked Seraria to let me undergo similar training. But first, it was all about raising my level, so I just kept killing defenseless monsters... After that, I had to do this incredible thing called 'adjustment.' It’s like... your emotions just sort of fall away."
Ah, that’s the part that hits the heart the hardest. But if they’ve undergone that training, they should be fine with most things.
"I participated a little bit as well, and I feel like I’ve come to understand the feelings of the farmers. You don't need emotions to sell off livestock you’ve raised with such care... Well, royalty and nobility are much the same, but to harvest the lives of those who aren't even enemies with your own hands is..."
Yeah, it seems Charl took quite a bit of damage too. It’s a painful process until you get used to it. But knowing they’ve done that training makes me feel secure. They’ve clearly handled the bare minimum.
"Heh, though we were still beaten to a pulp during the joint training with the goblins afterward."
"Indeed. Their strength was absurd."
That’s true. People say we’re strong, but when we fight the goblins under Steve’s command—the ones directly under Yuki—there’s just no way to win. Well, in a one-on-one duel format, we can win, but in a group battle, especially in a live-combat scenario, we wouldn't stand a chance. We’d be marked for death instantly by their crossfire. It really makes you realize how terrifying an army can be. That’s the power of numbers.
As I was thinking about that, Lowell changed the subject.
"Well, never mind that. The point is, we have trained ourselves properly. As for the guards, I trust Mauve and his group. And the reason we were chosen is that my brother said it wouldn't do to have someone of merely high status accompany you when you are sending people as trusted as Riel and her friends to investigate."
It’s true; we are going ourselves, so if the witnesses—or rather, the companions—from Gartz were of lower status, that would cause its own set of problems. Even if neither side intended it that way. Countries and status are always such a hassle.
"Well, for me, it was a godsend. I pushed all the troublesome diplomatic paperwork onto Higil. It’s nice to be able to stretch my wings for once."
Charl seems to have it pretty rough too. Well, the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance has been moving so rapidly lately; it’s only natural that Charl, who oversees diplomacy and trade, would be swamped.