第１２１６堀：ゴブリン村のあれこれ (Part1)
### Chapter 1216: This and That About the Goblin Village
**Side: Yuki**
I am contemplating our future course of action while reading the letter from Princess Carrie that Kagura brought back.
"Yuki, what’s wrong? Was there something strange written in there?"
"No, the content is perfectly fine. Here."
I hand the letter to Kagura as I speak. She glances through it immediately, then looks at my face with even more bewilderment.
"So, what exactly are you agonizing over?"
"It’s about the escort to the Goblin village and the gratitude for dispatching the Sea-Siph."
It would be so much easier if I could just say "Yes, please" without overthinking it.
"Ah... I understand. You don't really need an escort, and you want the Sea-Siph matter to be considered settled by that facility we had built in the Micos family’s territory, right?"
"Yuki-sensei, to be honest, from Haiden’s perspective, that doesn't count as a gesture of gratitude at all, does it?"
"Well, that’s true. That base is ultimately just something established for the defense of Haiden in conjunction with the Sea-Siph matter. It would be different if it were ceded to Weed and we kept troops stationed there, but..."
"And regarding the escort, if it’s an 'official journey of a foreign dignitary,' it’s only natural. Well, the extra time and effort required for travel is a bit of a problem, but that’s something we’ll just have to iron out through discussion."
They’re absolutely right. From their perspective, if they say it’s not a gesture of gratitude, then that’s the end of it. And since we are traveling to another country through Haiden’s mediation, it’s only natural for them to provide an escort and companions—if only to prevent any trouble that might tarnish Haiden’s reputation. Even if that carries potential downsides for us.
"Well, there’s no point in worrying about that now. Besides, Princess Carrie will likely choose the safest option. Let’s just consider it convenient for introducing Orelia and the others."
Even if I were asked what I wanted from Haiden, I couldn't come up with anything no matter how hard I thought. Therefore, the best approach is to see what Princess Carrie proposes first. As for the escort, there’s no use in racking my brain over who might be coming. It’s more a matter of deciding the schedule and the members, using the trip as an opportunity for Orelia and the others to make their introductions.
"So, who do you intend to take with you this time?"
"Ah, about that. For the visit to the Goblin village, the top priority is, of course, personnel capable of investigating the mana depletion phenomenon."
"That’s obvious, isn't it? But aren't all the members who fit that description already swamped?"
"Well, being busy is the usual state of affairs. That’s why we only need to set up the investigative tools and collect the data. Besides, it’s not an unexplored region like the Great Forest, so I don't think it will be much of a struggle in that sense."
"That’s true. We’re just dropping off equipment at a Goblin village. We aren't diving into a place crawling with monsters, so it shouldn't be difficult."
"The only potential issue is if the Goblins refuse our requests. Do you or the others know anything about the temperament of the Goblins in that village? It would be good to have some prior information."
A village where Goblins live. I need to consider the members based on what kind of inhabitants they are.
"I’m sorry. I’ve never been to a Goblin village, and I don't know what kind of people they are."
"Neither have I, Micos-chan."
"I have. During my patrols of the various countries. I went along with my mother as an apprentice of the Haire Church."
"Me as well. There is a Goblin village within the protectorates of our Findall."
Ah, it seems Enora and Stasia are the ones with experience.
"The location is likely different from the village we’re visiting this time, but could you tell me what they were like?"
"Let’s see. I visited two villages, but they were quite simple—not much different from a normal human village. They had houses, cultivated fields, and raised animals."
"Likewise, it was much the same."
"Hm? In the New Continent, aren't Goblins treated as beings close to Beastmen or Spirit Maidens?"
It’s easy to forget, but in the New Continent, the birth rate of Beastman types like Enora has dropped significantly, and they are referred to by the grandiose title of "Spirit Maidens." They are even objects of worship in the Haire Church across various nations. It’s strange that beings close to that status would just be living in simple villages, tilling fields like anyone else.
"That’s where the Goblins occupy a rather delicate position. You remember what the Princess said, right? About how there are those who say, 'Aren't Goblins monsters?'"
"Yeah. In the Rogari and If continents, they are definitely considered monsters."
"Ah, so there’s that prejudice. But why does it exist? Doesn't the Haire Church call them 'beings close to Spirit Maidens'?"
"Hmm, I don't know the details, but perhaps it’s a legend or oral tradition from before Hairen-sama erected the Great Barrier?"
"That seems plausible. I’ve heard stories that while Goblins are docile now, they were different in the past."
I see. Before Hairen erected that Great Barrier, the New Continent was a land where monsters roamed freely, so the misdeeds of Goblins from that era are still passed down, leading to their current ambiguous treatment.
"If they were to move their settlement... no, that would be insensitive of me to say."
"Yes. It seems the Haire Church once invited them to move to the cities, but they refused to leave that land."
"To them, it must be a place they have lived in for a long time. And this is just my personal opinion, but it seems the 'Goblin village' we know of today was discovered at least a hundred years after Hairen-sama erected the Great Barrier. If it had been found back when Goblins were still recognized as a type of monster..."
"They would have been exterminated, naturally. Well, according to Sota-san and Enor-san, there were people like Tamers, so it’s possible they were being properly managed. In other words, the current village is a safe haven for the Goblins."
"That’s true. Thanks to Hairen-sama’s Great Barrier, powerful monsters disappeared, so it might have been a safe haven in the truest sense."
Well, we won't know how accurate that is until we actually go there, but this helps narrow down the team composition.
"As I thought, Kagura and the others are a given, and Steve is essential. Also, Agil. And Aslin."
"I agree. General Steve is a Goblin, so he’s perfect as a mediator. And Aslin is a must. Those two are essential. However, Agil... well, I understand she’s a researcher, but she isn't exactly a monster specialist, is she?"
"Ah, the alternative to Agil would be Zargis or Comet, but both of them are busy with the observation of the Rogari, If, and New Continents, as well as the Zrable region. The most we can do is swap Agil with one of them. Besides, we aren't going there to conduct a 'Goblin investigation' in the first place."