第１１２４堀：この地に来た意味 (Part2)
"Information gathering, then. If that's the goal, we wouldn't be of much use, would we?"
"Mikos-chan and the others aren't researchers, after all. Following along would just be boring for you. Besides, the plan seems to be nothing more than running at full speed around the perimeter of the Great Sea of Trees."
"Which makes it all the more pointless for a large group to tag along. We should stay here at the academy and finish our reports."
"Yes. That would be more helpful to Yuki-sama as well. On that note, Mikos, how have the rumors been since then?"
I directed the question to Mikos.
At our last meeting, it was decided that Mikos would take the lead in gathering rumors from the academy and the town.
Of course, that didn't mean we would leave it entirely to her—it goes without saying that we would cooperate—but still...
"Yeah, I've been asking around about various things. How about you, Stasia and Enora?"
"...To my shame, between the scar on my face and my former status, the only ones I can really talk to properly are Ardes-dono, Amanda-dono, and Eoid-dono."
"I'm a demi-human here, so while there isn't any overt harassment, it’s still... you know."
Unfortunately, Enora and I haven't been very useful.
"Don't worry about it, both of you. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Mikos and I will handle the rumors, and you two can continue to evaluate the school by attending classes and such."
"Thank you, Kagura."
"True. I'm a bit of an outsider on this If Continent. Well, I suppose I can at least report that the situation hasn't reached the level of an international incident. Ah, I see. So that’s why Yuki brought me along specifically."
As it turns out, someone like Enora, a 'Spirit Priestess' from the New Continent, is considered an abomination—a demi-human—on this If Continent, which is vastly different from our own common sense.
Yuki-sama has intervened, so the most blatant, public persecution has been suppressed to an extent, but it seems there are still many places that treat demi-humans as slaves.
...Hmm.
"In other words, if we handle this well, we could potentially provide sanctuary for the demi-humans here?"
"Stasia. Isn't that problematic in more ways than one? I hate to put it this way, but wouldn't that lower the rarity of people like Enora?"
"Mikos is right. Stasia, I also..."
"I don't mean we should do it immediately. This exchange will continue for a long time to come. If we can bring these people—the demi-humans here—into our country without compromising the value of the Spirit Priestesses..."
"I see. The increase in manpower would boost our national strength. We would certainly treat them better than the If Continent does. But moving people is a complicated issue. The perception that demi-humans are slaves is deeply rooted here, and even in our own continent, there are places where the economy would collapse if their slaves were taken away."
"That is something that will need to be coordinated between Yuki-sama and the leaders of the various nations in the future. But above all, the very fact that our country begins to move in that direction will change how demi-humans are treated."
"Ah, I see. If people are kicking demi-humans around in front of Mikos-chan and the others, it’s the same as picking a fight with us."
Ah, when we all talk like this, so many things come to light that could turn into reports.
Of course, we still have to write the reports for the sake of the academy's survival, but I realize now that our coming to this If Continent is likely to become a matter of great importance.
As I was thinking this, Mikos spoke up as if she had just remembered something.
"Oh, right. Classes are over, everyone. Why don't we go to that shop where the fried chicken is rumored to be delicious?"
"Eh? What’s this all of a sudden, Mikos?"
The earnest Kagura likely didn't grasp Mikos's intention, but Enora seemed to understand...
"That’s the place that came up in the rumors during our last meeting, isn't it? You mean we should go there to gather information?"
"Yeah, exactly. Besides, the news that there's delicious food is good for boosting the reputation of the Lancer Magic Academy, and places where people gather are naturally where rumors congregate."
"I see. They say that public eateries and taverns are where information gathers along with the people, and since we've been stuck at the academy ever since we arrived, that might not be a bad idea."
And so, we set off toward the academy town.
For Stasia and the others, this is proving to be a fruitful exchange in more ways than one.
The circumstances of the If Continent, the circumstances of the New Continent—the ambitions of various nations are beginning to surface.
And moving through it all, completely ignoring the noise, is Weed.