第１０７４堀：善意だけでは動きませんよ (Part1)
**Chapter 1074: Good Intentions Alone Won't Get Things Moving**
**Side: Yuki**
*Clatter, clatter...*
"Our Kingdom of Dafaio relies primarily on the produce from the mines you see over there and our lush, verdant forests for our resources," Princess Fiora explained, her tone sounding exactly like a bus tour guide.
That’s right—we had already received permission from the Kingdom of Dafaio and were currently en route to our destination. Fortunately, this region allowed for bus travel, which meant we could move about in our vehicle with our heads held high. Until recently, if we had accidentally rolled up in a car, we would have been met with maximum vigilance.
I was just ruminating on how much more convenient things had become when...
"Yuki-sensei, why are the mines and the forests so clearly separated like that?" Mikos asked, sitting next to me and looking out the window with curiosity.
It was true; the scenery outside the window showed a sharp divide where the forest abruptly ended, giving way to a barren, rocky mountain range that made up the mining district.
"It’s simply because the environment there isn't suitable for plant life. You wouldn't expect trees to grow on solid rock, would you?"
"I guess not. Still, it’s strange, isn't it? To think there are mountains like that."
"Well, it’s not the kind of terrain you’d see in the Kingdom of Haiden, where you’re from."
The Kingdom of Haiden did have mines, but they were tucked deep in the mountains, and since the yield wasn't particularly high, Princess Carrie had mentioned they relied on imports from other countries. Since that continent prioritized the development of magic above all else, they didn't put much effort into mining, which wasn't their main source of income.
"Water is indeed more abundant in the forest region, though there was some near the mines as well. I will explain in more detail later, but the issue at hand involves the villages at the foot of those mountains," Fiora continued.
Exactly. The water shortage was occurring at the base of those rocky mines. It wasn't as simple as digging anywhere in the area to find water; the groundwater near a mine was far too hazardous to drink.
"Furthermore, because it is a mining area, we require significant water for operations. More importantly, this mining industry is our nation's primary source of revenue. The neighboring country also builds its own industries using the ore produced here, so... this is a problem both of us desperately want to avoid."
If they started fighting over water here, both nations' industries would grind to a halt, causing massive damage. While neither would likely perish since they both possessed forest regions with their own products, the prospect of having to abandon such a valuable mining territory was a massive headache. That was why they were so desperate to restore the water supply.
"Still, I’d heard about it, but it’s a strange way to divide the territory. The Kingdom of Dafaio digs the mines, and the neighboring country receives and processes the resources. Wouldn't it be more natural for both sides to want both?" Agil asked, flipping through some documents on the other side of the aisle.
"Well, if a country had enough power, they’d want both. But neither the Kingdom of Dafaio nor its neighbor had that luxury. The deeper you go into those mountains, the more powerful the monsters become. Since the mines alone aren't enough to sustain a nation, they have to maintain defenses for all their other towns and villages. Which means..."
"I see. They didn't have the strength to hold onto everything. So, Dafaio took on the villages that dig the mines, and they ceded the processing towns to the neighbor. On top of that, managing the water requires even more labor," Agil mused.
"Exactly. And more than anything, looking at the current situation, I think it was the right call not to take that town. After all, you’d be the one managing the dwindling water supply and taking the heat from all the surrounding villages. The leader of that neighboring country is probably holding their head in their hands right about now."
"Speaking of which, isn't that neighboring country providing any support?"
"No, they are taking measures. Even though it’s a strain, they’ve dispatched mages to help with the water supply and sent troops to prevent conflict. The Kingdom of Dafaio used the time they bought to come to us."
That was why they were so desperate. It made sense why they’d been tempted to reach for the Dungeon Core. Honestly, if they could have stolen it, they probably would have. But that’s a secret better left unsaid.
"So, if the villages mining for Dafaio were to flee or evacuate, the towns that rely on that ore for their industries would collapse. It takes specialized knowledge to mine, after all. The neighboring country that holds the towns is drawing the short straw, especially with the water crisis."
"True. If things had gone poorly, the residents of this whole area might have turned into a mob, and the mining industry would have been wiped out. Honestly, it feels like the fact that the countries were divided is the only reason a war didn't break out."
"Agreed. If this had been an internal issue within Dafaio, there would have been no one to help, and they likely would have started fighting over the water immediately. Because it involves a neighboring country, they were at least able to send soldiers."
*Endure it because it’s a war.* That’s a message that carries weight, even by normal standards. Unless it reached a life-or-death level, people wouldn't dream of attacking other villages or towns just because life was getting harder due to a water shortage. After all, the soldiers would suppress them immediately.
"I see! So that’s why it’s officially a conflict between nations. Mikos understands now."
"Yeah. If they didn't maintain the facade that they were already in a state of war, the villages suffering from the water shortage wouldn't have stayed quiet."
"Still, if they have the spare capacity to send troops, you’d think they’d go deep into those mountains and investigate the cause."
"Just between us, they’ve already sent two investigation teams, and both were wiped out. That’s why they were at their wit's end and brought the matter to Weed."
Dafaio and its neighbor had indeed sent teams to identify the cause, but none returned. They concluded that the teams had been taken out by monsters.
"Wait, does that mean they’re treating you guys as combat assets?"
"That’s why it must have been so hard for them to ask. They weren't just asking us to solve the water shortage; they were asking for 'someone strong' to investigate something they couldn't handle themselves. It’s a blow to their pride, to say the least. Though, since the water shortage is the official reason, they’re managing to save face."
"I see. So that’s why you’re going yourself, Yuki. There are monsters strong enough to wipe out a state-sanctioned investigation team, and the Adventurer’s Guild can’t touch it because they lack the personnel. You’re hoping the presence of such monsters will help with the investigation into the magic depletion phenomenon."
"Pretty much. Regardless, the fact remains that they’re struggling with water and need us to find the cause, so that doesn't change anything."
It was just that there was an added benefit for us. Even without these favorable conditions, we would have helped if they had simply asked to solve the water shortage. After all, I have no intention of getting dragged into the petty squabbles of small nations.
As we were talking, the bus came to a halt, signaling our arrival at the village.
"We have arrived, Yuki-sama. Please, this way."