第９７３堀：疑問の答え (Part1)
Chapter 973: The Answer to the Question
Side: Labyris
We had successfully completed our surveillance mission of the Hein Fleet and returned to Aurelia Port. We were in the middle of drafting our reports and preparing to head toward the Imperial Capital of Zrable, but...
"Hmm..."
For Aslin, it was unusually rare to see her groaning while holding a stack of papers.
"Aslin? What’s wrong?"
"What is the matter?"
"Are you troubled by something?"
It is truly rare for Aslin to be like this. She is the type of child who, whenever she encounters something she doesn't know or understand, immediately gathers materials or asks others. She almost never agonizes over things on her own. In the first place, she is a brilliant student, so the act of worrying itself is rare.
Yuki was also surprised to learn that Aslin was actually a genius type. He had mentioned that there is a huge difference in how a person's talent blossoms depending on whether or not they have the opportunity to learn. I agree with that sentiment.
We had just finished the Hein Fleet surveillance mission without a hitch, and Aslin’s potential specs are ridiculously high. For such an excellent child to be agonizing over something is truly unusual. Well, when it comes to technical discussions between Narjia, Comet, Zargis, and Agil, she can't keep up, but that’s a different story.
First, I need to ask the reason why she’s so worried. Could it be...
"Aslin. Did someone bully you? Who was it? Tell me."
The only thing I can think of that would make Aslin worry alone is interpersonal relationships. But our family relationships are excellent. That leaves the main source of social interaction: school! In other words, bullying!
"Were you bullied!? I will not forgive them!"
"Aslin. Please tell us honestly. We will take the appropriate measures against that person."
At my prompt, Firia and Shera also pressed Aslin, sensing a serious situation. Naturally, having the nerve to bully our precious Aslin—that takes some guts!
"Eh!? No, that's not it. I wasn't bullied."
"Really? You aren't lying, are you? Take my hand."
"It's true."
Aslin took my hand without hesitation, allowing me to read her heart. Hmm, I see...
"How is it? Is there someone bullying her?"
"Come on, tell us."
"You two, it's okay. Aslin isn't being bullied."
" "Phew." "
"Ahaha, see? I told you I wasn't being bullied."
Upon hearing my conclusion, Firia and Shera were relieved, and Aslin gave a wry smile.
"But I didn't think Aslin would be worried about the Great Overflow."
"The Great Overflow?"
"Ah, that’s right. Aslin noticed it while we were monitoring the Hein Fleet, didn't she?"
Yes, as Shera said, she noticed it while leading the monsters during the surveillance mission. The fact that, for some reason, even though monster subjugations and wars are ongoing in this land, a Great Overflow might not have occurred.
"But Curse and the others should have investigated that properly. Master was reading the report. Firia, you have it too... look, here it is."
Firia took the report on the Great Overflow that Curse had compiled out of her item box and waved it around.
"Yeah. That's what it says. I was just reading that now, too."
Aslin said this and turned the report toward us. Shera peeked at it and tilted her head as she spoke.
"However, this report only covers the Gusdo Kingdom, specifically Aurelia Port, and not the entire continent, so it was said that it wouldn't be very useful as a reference, right?"
"Yes, that's what was said. So, what exactly about this report caught your attention, Aslin?"
I knew why Aslin was worried by reading her heart, but I didn't know which part specifically bothered her. This report simply states that a Great Overflow has never occurred in the Gusdo Kingdom.
Aslin tilted her head, a difficult expression still on her face...
"The part about how a Great Overflow has never happened before—that's what's bothering me."
"It hasn't happened because it hasn't happened, right?"
"I know, but when I read it carefully, I feel like there aren't many reports of monster subjugations either. Well, maybe it's just not written in this report."
"...Ah, I see. Even if it didn't reach the level of a Great Overflow, there isn't even a record of monster groups being subjugated in the first place."
"Isn't that strange, just as Aslin says? Monsters are supposed to appear in this land, right? Yet, there are no reports of monster groups being subjugated..."
That is certainly strange. To think there isn't even a report on the subjugation of monster groups...
"Labyris. As Aslin said, there is a possibility that the records of monster group subjugations are in a different report from the one regarding this Great Overflow," Shera suggested.
Even so, I couldn't shake the doubt.
"But Mauve and the others made this report, right? Do you think they would ignore the monster subjugation reports just because it wasn't a Great Overflow?"
"Hmm. When you put it that way, it is strange."
Yes, as I mentioned, this report was created by Mauve and his team—seasoned adventurers who have survived many Great Overflows. Would men like that make such a mistake?
"...It's no use worrying here. Let's go ask them."
"That's true. That would be best."
"Eh? But we're leaving soon, right?"
"We might be late."
"We won't be late. We just need to ask a few questions and tell them to investigate the missing parts. If we find anything out, they can just contact us via Call."
It's convenient, isn't it? Long-distance communication using Call. If you combine it with a PC, you can truly work from anywhere. ...Though Yuki laments that it means there's no private life. I understand the feeling, but for now, this technology is very useful. As expected of Earth's technology.
"...And that's why we came here."
"I see. Indeed, the report only contained information on the presence or absence of a Great Overflow."
We arrived at the lord's office to ask about the report. Inside, Curse and Raiya were struggling with a mountain of paperwork. ...Everywhere is the same, isn't it? Regardless, the topic was the Great Overflow.
"Why was it that only the presence or absence of a Great Overflow was recorded?"
"Well, we received the request and asked Mauve to make it urgently. So, as a first report, we only had him confirm whether or not a Great Overflow had occurred."
"I see. In other words, the subjugation of monster groups and such is still unknown?"
"Yeah. Mauve is continuing to investigate that at the Adventurer's Guild."
Raiya added that to support Curse's explanation.
"Then, that isn't the final report, is it?"