第１２８８堀：各予定の進行具合と休みの予定 (Part1)
**Log 1288: Progress of Various Plans and Holiday Schedule**
**Side: Seraria**
"I see..."
My husband was supposed to have gone to gather information about the gods from Senal, but I heard the circumstances of how he ended up receiving a roster and other materials from Luna instead. Of course, that report is also here. However, since I heard it directly from my husband, I probably won't read it. It's merely something to keep for the record. What's important is...
"So, am I to understand that, as of now, we know nothing?"
Yes, despite making the effort to journey to the gods, the result is that we have absolutely no information about them. It makes me want to ask why he even bothered to go listen to them...
"Ah, the achievement is 'knowing that we know nothing.' No, it seems there are also those who fled from the Zurabul region, so I plan to ask Senal to identify them based on the roster."
Indeed, understanding that 'we know nothing' is a good thing. And since we've heard that there are those who fled, it makes sense to identify them from that point.
"So, at the very least, we should be wary of the names Senal knows, correct?"
"Yes. We should investigate them properly. But the bigger problem isn't there; it's the sea."
"...An intermediate god. So, he really was a complete bastard after all."
"Hmm, I wonder about that. He did, after all, provide a clear obstacle in the form of monsters that can be defeated."
"'A trial from the gods,' you mean? Even if we wished for it, being arbitrarily thrown into one is a nuisance. And it's all for their convenience, isn't it? How foolish."
Using sea monsters to enhance one's own reputation. That's what fools do.
"Well, Seraria, you've certainly started speaking your mind about the gods."
"That's because you've thoroughly trained me."
Being with my husband has made it abundantly clear that gods are not necessarily beings who protect or bestow blessings upon people. They merely act for what they believe they should do—no, for what they *want* to do. In other words, they are no different from us humans; they possess their own desires. In that sense, Lilishe-sama and Hairen must be quite rare exceptions. There are even cases like Hifi, who, despite presiding over 'healing,' became twisted, and Senal feels similar. Whether that is truly evil or not, I cannot judge, but if they cast sparks upon us, I will not hesitate to brush them away.
"Well, the investigation into the gods will come later, but for now, it would be best to convey that people should avoid going too far offshore."
"Yes. For that, we'll have to have the major nations convey it. Well, it's already known to be dangerous, and I don't think they'd push themselves that far."
"They probably won't push themselves, but maritime nations like Seasypho might go offshore for fishing. We should be careful about that. It's necessary for their livelihoods."
"Indeed, the smaller nations on the sea side of Logari and Ifu also need to be careful. If they foolishly send ships offshore and are annihilated, we'll have to provide support."
"Right. That said, there's also the reason of future economic development, so we'll have to leave that to the major nations providing protection."
Ultimately, it comes down to that. I will merely urge caution to the major nations. And even then, some damage will likely occur. Well, it's better than saying nothing at all.
"Phew... Well, I suppose I should say it's good that no major problems were immediately discovered?"
"Right. If there had been some terrible information, we would have had to reconsider the student exchange program. It's best to know beforehand that there's nothing of that sort."
Truly. While it's a bit disappointing as an investigation into the mana depletion phenomenon, if anything had come up, we would have had to cancel the student exchange program, so I suppose we should consider this a good outcome.
"Speaking of which, how is the student exchange program progressing?"
"It's progressing without any particular issues. We've fixed the vulnerabilities you pointed out during the previous defense function verification test, and now it's just a matter of when we'll actually accept the students."
"It's progressing surprisingly smoothly."
"I wonder. As Weed, we're ready to accept them, but I haven't heard how the selection process for the students from each continent is going. Well, I suppose they'll submit the documents by the deadline."
"Student selection, huh? How much time is left until the deadline?"
"Roughly two more months, I suppose. Well, some places have already completed their preparations and sent them in."
"Already? After selection by each major nation, wasn't there also a process of confirming whether they were truly suitable for each continent?"
"These kinds of tasks can be surprisingly quick. Well, if it were based on old ways of thinking or communication, it would normally have taken an extremely long time."
"Ah."
My husband showed a look of understanding. Yes, with communication methods from before the gates existed, sending a letter alone would take several weeks, and if it involved people traveling, you'd have to expect several months. Moreover, between different continents, it would have been a matter of years, at best. But now that the gates allow immediate travel, such decisions and actions can be surprisingly swift. After all, if it 'takes time,' it could be perceived as the nation having poor coordination abilities or not being able to properly utilize the gates.
"Understood. It's excellent that the gates are operating with such unparalleled convenience. So, who has already sent theirs in?"
"Logari Continent."
"I see. A convincing speed."
"Indeed. With the Great Demon Lord Conquest and the daily mini-summits held in Weed, their coordination among major nations is top-notch. This will also serve as an appeal to other continents that they are accustomed to the gates."
"Maintaining appearances is tough."
"It's important. You, of all people, should know that well."
Yes, the Logari Continent was the 'first' to complete its preparations. That holds a very important meaning. It means they are accustomed to the gates, and it also signifies strong unity between their nations. And above all, it's like declaring themselves the center of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. After all, Weed is located on the Logari Continent. Well, conversely, there's also the method of calmly submitting after all other continents have finished, but this time, they probably decided to make an appeal by being the very first.
"Is the content acceptable?"
"Well, there aren't any particular issues with the documents sent. That said, you can't really say anything about a person's character until you actually meet them."
"Well, that's obvious."
"Of course, not everything can be understood from what's written in documents. However, since this is the first student exchange program conducted cooperatively by the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, I don't think they'd send fools."
That would completely shatter their prestige. That's precisely why they must have conducted a rigorous selection process, not just based on intelligence, but also thorough background checks on personality and ideology, and even then, they'll likely send them with the understanding that replacements are possible if they cause trouble.