第１２４９堀：切っ掛けの人たちは？ (Part1)
Chapter 1249: The People Who Started It All
Side: Yuki
“...And so, while there was some overeating that everyone fell into, there don't seem to be any other particular issues.”
“I see. Thank you.”
I offered a wry smile as I listened to the report from Rurua, which came alongside the results of the health checkup she had just handed me.
Fiora and the others, who had been listening in, chimed in...
“That’s just the path everyone takes when they come to Weed, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Eating oneself into a stupor is the foundation of Weed.”
“Even with just our pocket money, we can eat until we’re completely full, after all.”
“That’s true! Oh, I want to go to a cake buffet next time.”
Hmm. They were all nodding as if to say that eating oneself into a stupor was common sense in Weed.
But, I wonder about that.
Still, it was thanks to that very culture that I ended up having to set up a hospital in the commercial district...
“...Well, setting aside the ‘eat-until-you-drop’ culture, the health checkup results classify Havia as a ‘deceased’ person, just like Noriko. She’s treated as an undead, but not classified as a monster.”
The medical report clearly stated that Havia was, without a doubt, a “deceased” individual.
Her cardiopulmonary functions had completely ceased; medically speaking, she was dead.
However, she lacked the “magic stone” required to be defined as a monster, which set her apart from Comet or the typical undead monsters.
So, I suppose a “ghost” really is a different kind of existence from a monster.
“Currently, Noriko-san and Havia-san are the only ones we’ve been able to diagnose while defining them as ‘ghosts.’ Should we ask the others working at the haunted mansion?”
“No, they don’t have physical bodies to begin with, so there’s no way to examine them. Besides, strictly speaking, things like the anatomical models are something else entirely.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Rurua gave a wry smile.
The entities we lump together as “ghosts” are so disparate that we haven’t been able to collect any coherent data.
I call them ghosts out of habit, but the individuals we employ in Weed range from traditional spirits to yokai, monsters, and all sorts of other things.
Moreover, since their origins are in Japan on Earth, I feel like comparing them to Havia might be a mistake in the first place.
“Well, regardless, for now, we’ll just keep them under observation.”
“Yes, that’s all we can do regarding the health checkups. Still, I think it’s a good thing for her that she was able to come to Weed safely. I believe she can do whatever she wants to her heart’s content here.”
“That’s for sure. She’s at Zargis’s laboratory today, so she’s probably exploding with excitement.”
“Mm. For a researcher, that place is heaven.”
Cleena nodded as if it were obvious.
“Speaking of ‘research,’ Yuki-sama, what is the status of the information on the Goblin Village?”
At Samantha’s question, everyone’s gaze turned to me.
“I’ve left the Goblin Village entirely to Zargis, but there haven’t been any particular reports yet. They’re probably still in the middle of gathering information.”
We had installed some rather conspicuous equipment in the Goblin Village under the guise of a survey.
They were similar to the instrument shelters used in Japan to measure weather data like temperature and humidity, but they were also continuously monitoring things like magical energy.
Well, since the area has become a dungeon, we can get information from that side as well, but because it’s inside Hairen’s barrier, we installed them to account for the possibility that the dungeon’s own capabilities might interfere with our research.
Since we’re in the middle of gathering information like that, it’s no wonder there’s no report yet.
Besides, I don’t even know which information is useful and which isn’t.
“Mm. Does that mean the Goblin Village is perfectly peaceful?”
“That’s right. I’ve told them to let me know if there’s any major accident or incident, so the fact that there isn’t means it’s peaceful.”
Exactly. It wouldn’t be good to clumsily interfere and change the environment of the Goblin Village, so we have no choice but to investigate steadily and patiently.
It might be rude to call it an “ecological survey” outside of that specific village of goblins, but we plan to use this new study-abroad system to look into those matters as well.
“Come to think of it, Yuki-sama. Are Viscount Aoku of the Zufia Kingdom and Fusura-sama doing alright?”
Orelia asked as if she had just suddenly remembered.
For a moment, I wondered what she was talking about, but I immediately realized it was related to the Goblin Village.
After all, it was thanks to Fusura-chan that I even thought of this study-abroad system.
That said, I’ve left Viscount Aoku and the others to their own devices for the past few days.
Well, even if I say I left them to their own devices...
“Tori, Riel, and Kaya are looking after them, so I don’t think there are any problems, but I’ll try to get in touch with them for now.”
That’s right. I’ve left Viscount Aoku—Keenao-san—and his daughter Fusura-chan in the care of the police members like Tori ever since I brought them to Weed.
After all, Fusura-chan is a VIP from the Zufia Kingdom who decided to come to Weed in the blink of an eye due to her own initiative.
Even though it was a sudden decision, they have proper guards and need guides, so I left it to my wives.
So, I tried contacting Tori.
『Yes. What is it, Yuki-san?』
“Ah, how are Viscount Keenao and Fusura-san doing? Things have finally calmed down a bit on my end.”
『That’s good. Viscount Aoku and the others have been enjoying Weed thoroughly, but they seem a little worried because they haven’t been able to meet with you much.』
“I suppose that’s true.”
I’m the one who invited them to Weed, yet I’ve barely seen them.
I’ve essentially left them abandoned.
Normally, I should have been the one to guide them, but I left it entirely to Tori and the others—even if they are my wives—so it’s a bit rude of me.
“Alright. Could you ask them about their schedule? I’d like to visit them this afternoon.”
『Yes, understood. I’ll contact you as soon as I confirm.』
After finishing my call with Tori, I next contacted Kagura and the others.
『Yuki? What’s up?』
“I just spoke with Tori. I’m planning to meet with Viscount Aoku and the others this afternoon. How about you guys? Do you have anything to do on Haiden’s side?”
That’s right. Kagura’s home country of Haiden is in the position of having acted as the bridge between us and Viscount Aoku’s group.
Therefore, they have been accompanying Tori and the others in guiding them through Weed whenever their time allows.
That said, since they are currently guiding them through the city of Weed, the main roles have fallen to Tori and the others, who have more connections.
『I can’t join you because I have to report to the Princess. Mikos is here, though... Mikos?』
『What is it, Kagura?』
『Yuki says he’s meeting with Viscount Aoku this afternoon. Can you join him?』
『No problem, Yuki-sensei. I’ll go!』
“Ah, thanks, Mikos. By the way, have there been any issues with Princess Carrie’s reports?”
『Nothing in particular regarding the Goblin Village or the visits from the Zufia Kingdom. More than that, it seems they’re extremely busy with the study-abroad system you started.』
“Well, they had a lot of questions, so that was tough. So, there are no complaints or demands regarding the Zufia Kingdom, then?”
『That’s right. If anything, they were happy about it, saying this was a good opportunity to let other countries know about Weed as the study-abroad system begins to move.』
Indeed, Haiden’s position in the New Continent still isn’t exactly favorable.
If we, Weed, are properly recognized and our position is established, it will be a good thing for Haiden as well.