第１２７７堀：魔力枯渇現象調査についての問題 (Part1)
Chapter 1277: Issues Regarding the Investigation of the Mana Depletion Phenomenon
Side: Yuki
Next up is finally my main line of work...
・Investigation of the Mana Depletion Phenomenon
"I should explain this again, just to be sure."
Yes, everyone in this group knows that I was summoned by that good-for-nothing goddess for this very purpose. However, since their level of understanding varies, I need to ensure we are all on the same page. Especially since people like Orelia tend to be overly submissive when dealing with gods. While they won't demand I do something immediately, these divine beings have a way of naturally pushing unreasonable tasks onto others. I have to train them to be able to say "no" properly.
"We are investigating the 'Mana Depletion Phenomenon.' Well, it’s easy to say, but as you all know, it’s not so simple in practice. After all, we have to stop this phenomenon not just in the Rogali Continent, If Continent, Haiden region, and Zrable region—where we currently have relations—but across the entire planet. As of now, we know the phenomenon is most prominent in the If Continent, but it wouldn't be surprising if other places are suffering even worse. That’s why we’ll be expanding our investigation steadily from here on out."
"In other words, our connections with other countries will keep increasing, right?"
"...Yeah, unfortunately. And to achieve our goal, we need the cooperation of not just many countries, but a massive number of people. In a sense, it’s no different from world conquest. We’re aiming to cover the entire globe, after all."
Hmm, or maybe "world tour" sounds more accurate? Well, that’s a trivial matter.
"Regardless, that’s still a long way off. Investigating the phenomenon in lands we don't know yet involves diplomacy and the intentions of other nations. For now, let’s set this as our final goal..."
・Investigation of the Mana Depletion Phenomenon Final Goal: Global Investigation
I write that down.
"Now, the biggest problem we are facing in aiming for this is..."
・Investigation of the Mana Depletion Phenomenon Issues
・Expansion of investigation sites
・Shortage of manpower
"That’s true. Though it’s a bit rich coming from me, since I came from the If Continent," Comet says with a wry smile.
As someone who loves research—or perhaps because of it—Comet seems to fully grasp the current labor shortage. After all, just gathering the necessary data is a struggle in itself.
"But wasn't the plan to have the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance established, and then have the young girls from the small countries—the ones who came with Fiora regarding the water issue—retrained to become investigators?"
"That only applies to the investigations we’re asking each country to conduct. We have asked the major powers to do some level of investigation, but..."
"They can't exactly conduct research at the same level as Weed, can they? Ah, and since the Mana Depletion investigation is being pushed by the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, lending them our equipment is... well, that’s impossible, isn't it..."
Agil sighs, having realized through her own self-questioning that it wouldn't work.
"Eh? Why is it impossible? If we don't have enough manpower ourselves, don't we have no choice but to teach the other countries how to use the equipment and have them do it?"
Orelia asked what seemed like an "obvious question," but...
"Ahaha, it’s incredibly difficult just to get them to 'understand' in the first place. If it were something like radios or cameras, the results would be clear and immediate. But if you ask them to simply 'collect numerical values' like this..."
"Yeah, it would be extremely difficult. First, you have to explain what those numbers mean and the logic behind why we chose them. Even if you do explain it, there’s no guarantee they’ll listen to us. To begin with, there are various interpretations of the Mana Depletion Phenomenon. We’re collecting data for statistical purposes, but the other side doesn't even have the knowledge of statistics to begin with."
"If it were something visibly linked to money, power, or safety, it would be different. But I don't think they can even understand why they need to commit military or human resources to collect 'mere numbers.' You three have seen the data from the Great Forest, right? Could you explain the necessity of that, make them understand it, and persuade them to cooperate?"
"..."
The three of them fall silent at Agil’s words.
That’s exactly it. It is true that, given our history, we could force them to "do as they're told." But for those on the receiving end, that would clearly be intolerable. The major powers are already investigating the phenomenon on their own, and the departments doing so weren't created out of thin air; they were formed by gathering people within their countries who were already doing that kind of research. That’s why they have their own methods and a sense of pride in what they’ve done so far. Asking them to abandon that and accept Weed’s methods is quite difficult.
"The young girls from the small countries that Yuki taught were different. They lacked the national power and had various reasons for being uncooperative until then, so they hadn't been doing any mana research. Those girls had no prior pride in the work, so teaching them from scratch wasn't a problem. Well, some might do their own independent research, but they’ll mix it with the methods we taught them. They’re young, after all."
Exactly. It might be rude to compare them to Fiora, but the young girls who approached us because they understood the utility of Weed were good in that they were young. They didn't have the arrogance of being masters in the field, they liked new things, and they had the will to achieve something themselves. So, if you explain it properly, they’ll accept it—and if you add that we’ll provide financial backing, they’ll accept it gladly.
But for those who have been doing this for a long time...
"But for those who have been at it for ages... the numbers they’ve worked so hard to collect won't be used for their own benefit, but submitted to us. And as a result, Weed, which aggregates data from all over, gains the advantage. Well, we’ll hand over the data from other regions if they ask, but still... having to just hand over the information they sweated and bled to collect... honestly, it wouldn't feel good. It feels like having their achievements stolen."
That’s the crux of it. No matter how you look at it, it’s like stealing their results. Even if we say we’ll share the collected data, it comes with the condition of "accepting the methods of these young upstarts." And to top it off, I was the one who originally asked each country to conduct their own independent investigations.