第１３０３堀：現場からの情報 (Part1)
**Chapter 1303: Information from the Field**
Side: Yuki
"The number of monsters subjugated over the past week doesn't show any particular abnormalities."
With those words, Lamba-san presented me with the documentation for that day’s monster material buybacks. Like the Adventurer Guild in Rogari, the Mercenary Guild requires members to submit parts of the monsters they slay as proof of subjugation. Consequently, by examining the buyback records, one can get a general sense of the local monster population.
This was the fruit of diligent daily record-keeping. The notion that administrative work is useless is an absolute fallacy; society simply cannot function without it. While it’s easy to view those on the front lines as the protagonists, these "backstage" records are a vital piece of the puzzle in our investigation into the magical energy depletion phenomenon. Naturally, they are also the most critical tool for auditing the organization’s finances.
As I ruminated on this, I scanned the subjugation numbers for the week. There didn't seem to be any significant fluctuations. However, that wasn't enough to satisfy me.
"If possible, do you have records for the past month, six months, and perhaps the last year?"
"I see. You’ll likely need those as well. I’ll go fetch them."
Lamba-san left the room again. I felt a bit bad for the extra work, but it was better to be thorough. Popuri, sitting beside me, let out a sigh.
"Hmph. He’s not very quick on the uptake. He should have anticipated we’d need those and had them ready."
"No, he’s likely having the staff downstairs aggregate the data and pull the files now. If they were easily accessible, he would have brought them. A leader of a large group can’t function otherwise."
"..."
"Popuri, if I asked you right now to show me exactly how the Academy’s annual budget was spent, could you produce it instantly?"
"...No, I leave all of that to Lara."
"Exactly. A leader’s job is to delegate tasks appropriately and handle external negotiations. Micro-management isn't the goal. Since we didn't give him advance notice, this is only natural."
"I suppose you’re right. Still..."
Popuri trailed off, scanning the buyback documents left on the table.
"Mostly Goblins and Kobolds. The occasional Orc here and there."
"Is that the standard?"
"Yes, it’s normal. It’s not that there aren't mercenaries who venture deeper, but the further in you go, the more powerful the monsters become. The more experienced a mercenary is, the less likely they are to recklessly charge into enemy territory."
Safety first, then. I certainly wouldn't want to fight powerful monsters in a place with poor visibility and restricted movement.
"Are there no groups who head into the depths dreaming of striking it rich?"
"They exist, but they are the exception. If someone agitates the Great Forest and draws out powerful monsters, it causes massive collateral damage. Past surveys have proven that time and again."
"I think I’ve heard that before. So, the Mercenary Guild has an official policy against going too deep?"
"Precisely. We’ve established a boundary line with markers, so such incidents rarely occur."
"Markers? Inside the forest?"
"Iron rods painted yellow, driven into the ground at regular intervals. It cost a fair amount to set up, but it’s better than losing lives."
I see. That would certainly stand out.
"Do you know where that line is?"
"I do. The Mercenary Guild sends out teams periodically for maintenance and surveys, so the markers haven't been left to rot."
They were surprisingly vigilant regarding the Great Forest. It was a common-sense precaution, but given that lives were at stake, it was clear they had given it serious thought.
"Good. I’ll add that line to the map later."
"Right. I hadn't thought of that until now. My apologies."
"No, don't worry about it. To you, it’s just a fact of life. It’s common for those involved to never suspect that 'common sense' might be relevant to research or an investigation."
"The 'outsider's perspective,' as they say. A staple of research."
"In this case, lives are on the line, so we can't move carelessly. As I said, don't let it bother you. Besides, monster ecology isn't exactly a major field of study at the Academy, is it? Only people like Hivia or Wazfi really dig into it."
"Ahaha, true enough. My master warned me strictly about it, so I never thought to dabble. Even the old survey teams were mostly trying to figure out how much land we could safely develop. The result of that overreach was catastrophic damage."
"And that’s why it became an inviolable zone."
In the past, Popuri had also hoped to clear the Great Forest to ensure safety, but the losses were too heavy. They shifted to a policy of exclusive defense. I had no reason to blame her; it was a rational decision.
But that reality was changing. We were the ones holding the initiative now.
"Yes. But from here on, things will be different. With you here, Lord Yuki—and with my masters—we can blow past any unreasonable obstacles. Perhaps the monsters need a place to live, but that comes only after our safety is guaranteed."
In modern Earth, such a statement might draw fire from environmentalists, but for those living in this Academy City, it was a struggle for survival. Come to think of it, many of the plants and animals that went extinct on Earth due to human hunting were likely casualties of people simply trying to live. Well, I intended to manage things so it didn't come to that here.
As we spoke, Lamba-san returned, cradling a stack of documents.
"Here are the hunting records for the last three years. These are the raw numbers. As for the specific species, aggregating that will take time, so I’ve brought copies of the logs."
He had provided more than just numbers; he’d brought detailed breakdowns.
"Thank you. May I take these with me?"
"Yes, please do. Examine them at your leisure. We certainly don't want a Great Stampede like the ones on the Rogari continent happening here."
"Oh? Do you have a connection with the Adventurer Guild?"
"Indeed. Principal Popuri guided me to Weed once. I had the opportunity to speak at length with Lord Rock."
So he and Rock were acquainted. I hadn't heard about that. Well, since it concerned the Adventurer Guild and the Mercenary Guild, our basic stance was to stay out of it. I’d have to check later to make sure there were no conflicts of interest, though.
"I also count Rock as a friend. Once things settle down, I’d love for us all to have a chat."
"I look forward to that day."
"As do I. Now, along with this information, may I make a request?"
"What kind of request?"
"I would like the Mercenary Guild to provide daily monster subjugation counts. If daily is too difficult, once a week delivered to the Academy would suffice."
"Ah, I see."
"Naturally, we will pay for this as a formal commission. Additionally, when the reports are delivered, I’d like to hear the mercenaries' observations of the Great Forest’s condition."
"I see. You wish to establish a more robust cooperative framework."
"Yes. This shouldn't end with just this one investigation. I want this to become a source of strength for the Academy and, by extension, the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance."
"Ahaha, so it’s for the Alliance as well as the Academy?"
"It is. There are many nations struggling with monster-related issues."
This unique environment of the Great Forest would surely yield benefits even for continents currently without monsters. After all, no one knows when or where monsters might suddenly appear. The data gathered by this Academy would serve as a vital blueprint for countermeasures.
After concluding our business, we made our way back to the Academy.