第１２７８堀：今やっているお仕事 (Part1)
**Chapter 1278: Current Projects**
**Side: Yuki**
After dragging out this "Summary of Current Affairs" for so long, we have finally reached the final item.
* Current Projects
* Weed Operations
* Diplomacy
* The Mana Depletion Phenomenon
I’ve categorized our work into these three broad fields.
"I’m omitting the routine tasks I mentioned earlier. I’m narrowing this list down to only the work we’ve taken on as 'things that must be solved.' Let’s call them projects—special initiatives."
If I were to list every single recurring task that needs to be done, there would be no end to it. Budget requests, supply management, daily reports, and so on—the list is simply too long.
"First, regarding the operations of Weed."
* Weed Operations Project
* Implementation of the Student Exchange Program
* Opening of the 'Clothing Store' (within Wee-Mall)
* Manufacturing of raw materials for textile products
* Personnel training for the Mana Depletion Phenomenon
That’s about all I can think of off the top of my head.
"Is there anything else?"
"Let's see... everything else is either something we’re already doing or something that’s already in the flow, isn't it? Does anyone else have any ideas?"
Seraria checked with the group, but the others couldn't think of anything either; there were no particular objections.
"Alright. Next, diplomacy."
* Diplomacy Project
* Construction of the Student Exchange Program
* Cooperation in solving problems for various nations
* Currently in progress: Water shortage in Dafaio
I listed this one too, but there isn't much going on there right now.
...Wait, am I forgetting something?
"Was there anything else?"
"There was the recent 'Visit to the Zufia Kingdom,' but wouldn't that fall under the Mana Depletion investigation and the Student Exchange Program?"
"True."
As Kagura said, that doesn't really fall under the category of diplomacy.
We are still meeting and traveling to various countries, but recently, we haven't been actively intervening in specific 'national problems.'
"In that case, isn't the matter regarding Lady Fiora's territory a concern? How is that going now?"
"Thanks to you, the water shortage has been mostly resolved. The only thing left is the operational testing of the magic tools that produce water... but as for that, I am not..."
Originally, the cause was a dragon named Coral that had taken up residence in the mountains near the Dafaio border, damming the river to secure its own drinking water.
Now that Coral has moved to Weed and the river's flow has been restored, the water shortage in the Dafaio Kingdom itself is, for the time being, resolved.
We developed and provided 'water-producing magic tools' to secure water until the resolution, and now we are monitoring the progress... so, where does that leave us?
As I thought this, I turned my gaze toward Agil and Comet...
"Hmm? Ah, as for the water supply magic tools being tested in Dafaio, we’ve left the maintenance to them, and they are continuously sending us data on the operational status. So, at this point, it’s just a matter of checking that, right?"
"Yup. Besides, Zargis was the one who built those. The data doesn't show any particular problems, and it’s just a question of how long they can run continuously. It’s not really something that requires our stamina anymore."
"I see. Come to think of it, I remember hearing about that. By the way, has Dafaio had any issues since then?"
"Yes. My father—no, His Majesty—was only worried about me when he sent me to you, Yuki-sama, wasn't he?"
"That’s true. Well, tell them to 'feel free to consult us if anything comes up.' He’s my father-in-law now, after all."
"Yes. But since I just relied on you recently, it might be difficult to do so from a diplomatic standpoint."
Well, that King did say it was because of his own incompetence, didn't he?
I should probably keep an eye on that.
If things go poorly, there’s a possibility they might bottle it up and self-destruct.
If that happens, it would reflect poorly on Roschur, who holds sway over Dafaio, which would be a hassle.
Ah, is this something Roschur should be concerned about rather than me sticking my nose in?
"Then, let's leave that to Roschur. They are the protectors of Dafaio, aren't they?"
"That's right. It seems Roschur tacitly allowed them to come directly to us because the water shortage was difficult for them to solve, but next time, I’m sure the sisters will handle it."
"Yes. I believe His Majesty will act accordingly."
"Then, for Dafaio-related matters, we’ll consider it a 'wait and see' until there’s a new development. Alright, the rest is the main topic: the Mana Depletion Phenomenon."
* Mana Depletion Phenomenon Project
* Investigation and measurement of the phenomenon in various regions
* Measurements currently underway at key points in major nations
* *Note: Dungeons are being installed in the capitals of major nations to acquire data.*
* Locations requiring investigation across continents
* If Continent: Great Forest
* Haiden Region: Goblin Village, Blue Hole
* Zuraburu Region: Great Mountain Range
* Obstacles
* Intermediate Gods, Luna’s opposition faction: Current whereabouts unknown
* Hostile Dungeons
* Mediation and procedures for visiting countries that don't know Weed
* Building relationships with new countries: This consumes personnel
Writing it out like this, I realized once again that the reason our workload keeps increasing is...
"Looking at it again, the reason our work increases is basically because of the Mana Depletion investigations, isn't it? Well, as for the Zuraburu region, that was supposed to be just a mission to confirm the safety of and rescue the delegation heading to Aurelia Port to support Seasypho."
"That is correct. It started when we went to check on the Seasypho fleet that had headed to Aurelia Port. Well, I never dreamed we would end up rampaging across such a vast land. Even so, because Emperor Yupia and the others had made sufficient preparations, our involvement was basically limited to lending them our military strength."
"Qual, you make it sound so simple, but there were many dungeons in the Zuraburu region, and we were kept busy dealing with the concern of hostile Dungeon Masters."
"Ah, my apologies. I did not mean to imply it was easy. I only meant that, under normal circumstances, supporting such a vast land would have been an unimaginable task."
Everyone could only nod at Qual's words.
Although it was on the same continent, it was divided by the Great Mountain Range, so we called it a 'region,' but that area, centered around the Zuraburu Great Empire, was as large as the Rogari or If continents.
Moreover, despite the Great Mountain Range being a difficult barrier, it was still connected by land to the Haiden region. Considering the trade that existed between Seasypho and Gusdo across the sea, we had to consider the possibility of foreign invaders. If that had happened, 'we have a lot to do' would be an understatement.
After all, we had no idea how the effects of the Hairen monster-repelling barrier covering the Haiden region would manifest, so even the 'dungeon outbreaks' we took on had an incredibly wide range of caution.
"Well, a lot happened, but everything regarding the Zuraburu region is basically finished, and now it's just a matter of observation, right?"
"No, what remains is the investigation of the Great Mountain Range. It’s just outside the range of Hairen’s barrier, and it’s the place where the Dungeon Master went missing."
"I remember hearing about that. Was Agil in charge of that area?"
At Seraria's words, all eyes turned to Agil.