第１０６７堀：あえて使い道を示すなら (Part2)
"No, that's why I'm saying we should just reallocate the funds that Weed was planning to provide for the survey team anyway. If things go well, there's a possibility we can supplement it through trade, so couldn't we actually reduce the budget itself?"
"I see. You mean because we don't have to go through the trouble of sending people from our side. But won't there be an issue with whether the survey is conducted properly?"
"That's the same problem regardless of whether it's a major power doing the surveying. The important thing is how much we can narrow down what needs to be investigated. We can't survey everything, and frankly, we can't really expect high quality from the surveyors themselves."
"True. But in that case, how about we accept the members who will be the surveyors and train them first?"
"That might actually be a good idea."
As expected of my brother. It’s the usual, but it’s amazing how he comes up with ideas like that on the spot.
If idiots do the surveying, we won't achieve our goals.
If that's the case, it’s more helpful for us if they receive at least the bare minimum of training—even if it's just a crash course—so they can conduct proper surveys and report back.
However...
"Well, even then, spies will probably sneak in among them."
"Well, they've already infiltrated Weed from the start, so that's nothing new, right?"
"That's true, but... what will we do if they falsify the survey content or results?"
"We'd have no choice but to add members from Weed to the team, but in the first place, what kind of survey content or results would they be so desperate to hide?"
"Who knows?"
"Besides, a major discovery is a good opportunity to sell the country's name. Anyway, let's just assume there's no point in worrying about that."
That's true. If it were revealed that they weren't actually cooperating despite saying they would, it would be the end for that country.
It would be like picking a fight with the major power that acted as an intermediary for Weed, so that's practically impossible.
"You're right. I was worrying a bit too much."
"No, that kind of concern isn't a bad thing. We should think about countermeasures for that later. So, will this make the survey better?"
"Yes. I think the survey in the small countries will finally begin with this. Plus, since we're providing the budget, we can check on the progress, so it might be a surprisingly clever move."
"Yeah, there was talk from the beginning about listening to the surveyors' reports and then going to the site. It's like finally realizing that."
"Yes. Well then, I'll go talk to Eris right away. If I don't get permission first and then ask later, Eris can be quite troublesome."
"True. But there isn't much time until the meeting, is there?"
"For this matter, I can just say I'll provide the detailed content and conditions later. So, Eris's understanding and agreement are what's most important."
"I see. In that case, I'll go too. Ratz said she would handle the talking, but I should probably be involved when it comes to the topic of slaves."
"Ah, that's true. Eris tends to lose her cool when it comes to slaves."
That's right. After all, we were slaves ourselves.
If we hadn't been saved by my brother back then, I really don't know what would have happened to us.
With that decided, I immediately confirmed Eris's location and went to talk to her, but...
"I will go as well."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to see for myself what kind of women they've brought, and above all, there's the matter of the slaves. If the country has secured them, we should be able to negotiate directly to have them sold to us. Right, Ratz?"
"Well, it's not impossible. But I'm not sure about promising to take them in so openly. More than anything, I'm worried that depending on the conditions, the country might intentionally turn its own citizens into slaves."
"...You're talking about what happened in Zrable."
"Yes. They even had things like that over there. Well, it's a tactic of a dying nation. But even small countries might have their national survival at stake. In such cases, if they're not careful, they might end up doing something like that."
"Well, when people are cornered, they'll do anything. Like Senal, for instance."
"..."
Yes, I understand Eris's desire to save those who have become slaves, but there are those who would exploit that feeling to create more misery.
Eris knows that well, too.
After all, we have traversed such stomach-churning scenes countless times alongside my brother.
"Well, we'll verify the information we've received and decide how to proceed after seeing the other party."
"Yes."
That is what we have always done.
And so, we headed to the meeting with the small country alongside my brother.
Please, just become the survey personnel.
It's common sense in this world that it's better to procure locally.
Now then, with Ratz and Eris in tow, we begin our work.
Will the women be able to withstand the glares of the two of them and seduce Yuki?