第１０６９堀：問題だけど問題にできない (Part1)
**Chapter 1069: A Problem That Can’t Be Treated as a Problem**
**Side: Yuki**
"Emergency: Theft of the Fountain Dungeon Core in the Commercial District."
When that emergency call rang out, I was genuinely surprised. I never imagined someone would actually lay a hand on a dungeon core—the very lifeline that sustains the lives of the people of Weed.
Well, I suppose I *did* think it was possible, which is why there are multiple dungeon cores required for Weed’s operation, all designed to complement one another... but still.
"Yuki-san. I’ve received word from the police station. It seems a woman was playing in the water, accidentally touched the core, and ended up dislodging it."
Tori’s explanation made it clear the situation had been resolved immediately, but... that’s not the kind of thing that just pops out from a casual touch. It was almost certainly intentional. Either some idiot who didn't understand the value of the core, or a fool who came to steal Weed’s power source.
Regardless, the fountain core is essentially a decoy for people like that. The truth is likely that she intended to steal it, but since the surrounding reaction was faster than she expected and she was caught, she cooked up that excuse.
The people living in or utilizing Weed know all too well that the facilities won't function without those cores. They wouldn't let someone who messes with their lifeline off the hook. If things had gone poorly, she could have been lynched on the spot. In that sense, the person who reached for that core was lucky.
Then again, would people who don't even understand the significance of the core even come to Weed? We explain the important rules thoroughly beforehand. It’s a serious crime, even without the heavy fines. Thinking about that, it really does feel like it was a targeted attempt.
While I was pondering the background, Riel seemed to receive a report from her subordinates.
"Yeah. I’m getting the same testimony on my end. But... that woman... it sounds like she’s the princess from the small nation that was having trouble with water, the one we were just talking about."
Following Riel’s report, I, Ratz, and Eris all placed a hand to our faces, feeling a collective "Ah, geez."
"I suppose for her, a core that endlessly gushes water must have looked incredibly alluring. So, where is the princess now?"
"Yes. For the time being, she is being escorted to the police station. The person who brought her in says she seemed completely unconscious of her actions and showed no malice whatsoever."
"...She must be incredibly desperate. For now, can I leave the handling of this to you two?"
"Well, it’s my jurisdiction, so... damn it. I don’t even want to make this an official problem."
"If this leaks to Roschur carelessly, that small nation won't be able to avoid sanctions, after all."
"It really is counterproductive. That said, I don't have a solution immediately, either... For now, let’s hear what the princess has to say. We also need to contact the diplomat who came with her for the meeting."
The diplomat I met earlier is probably pale as a sheet right now. They came here seeking stability for their country, only for the princess’s actions to put the entire nation in a massive pinch. And what about her guards...? That reminds me.
"She seemed like a bright princess based on her status and skills. Was my assessment off?"
"Who knows? Her status was on the better side, but this incident could involve the survival of her nation..."
"When a solution is rolling around right in front of you during a time like that, you’d want to reach out for it, wouldn't you?"
"Oh? It’s rare for you to call someone talented. Is she that capable of a princess?"
"Well, her level isn't quite up to Seraria’s, but she’s still capable of leading an army. She has a wide range of skills—military command, combat, various academic fields including archaeology, and magic. She’s an all-rounder. She reminded me of Aria-neesan."
"My, she resembles the flawless Aria-neesan... I see. That sounds nice."
*Sigh.* Seraria has that look in her eyes—the look of a predator eyeing its prey.
"Wait, I’m not going to recruit her just because of this blunder."
"Why not? You’d have a perfectly valid justification, wouldn't you? Weed forgives the crime and helps the small nation, and in exchange, we take the princess. I think that’s an exceptional deal."
"If I accept that, there’ll be no end to it. More importantly, the workload will just keep piling up. I’d have to help others too, and if I’m not careful, it could encourage more crime."
"I understand that, but these are cases that will inevitably come up in the future. I don't think it’s a mistake to accept her once, just to figure out how to handle things moving forward."
"That’s true."
I suppose trying it out once to see how the surroundings react isn't entirely wrong. If other small nations start imitating her, we can just label them as a group of idiots. But if I do that, I have to take in the princess who caused this problem. That’s fundamentally a hassle. I should make that clear now.
"But look, she’s seeking a solution for her country’s sake. It’s not like some group is trying to push her onto me to get a free ride. You get what I mean?"
"Yeah. I understand."
Exactly. She didn't come here to negotiate by trying to force a connection with us. The princess herself just wanted the means and wisdom to save her country. So, she would probably be willing to offer herself up for the sake of her nation without hesitation, even against her own will... but I’m not some twisted person who gets excited by that kind of "captured maiden" scenario.
"Well, if she’s that kind of person, she’ll move without hesitation when her country faces a crisis. Just like I did."
"You understand well. That’s exactly why I can’t handle this half-heartedly. Trying to force someone like that into our ranks or making an enemy of them would only be a headache. I understand the desire to bring her in as talent, but that’s only after everything is resolved. If we hint at that now, she won't come near us."
"Yes, I understand. I beat up everyone who looked at me as just a woman."
I don't think that’s quite the same thing. More than anything, I want to avoid the ridiculous conversation of adding another wife to my list. It’s becoming a pain to even count how many there are. Not that the wives aren't lovely, but... enough is enough.
"Besides, we’ve already turned the princesses who came for the meeting into a self-investigation team for their own country. That’s a good enough result."
Since we’re cutting their budget and they’re providing their own personnel, it’s a win-win.
"Indeed. This should allow for the investigation of regions that were previously out of reach. But it’s a shame, isn't it? She sounded cute."
"Hey, you’re saying that on purpose, aren't you? I have enough with Seraria and the others. Anyway, putting aside the usual banter—Zargis, Narjia-san, what kind of methods are there to solve this water shortage? Without using the cores."