第１３０５堀：冒険者ギルドの見解 (Part1)
**Chapter 1305: The Adventurer Guild’s View**
**Side: Oriel**
Since early this morning, we have been accompanying Lord Yuki on a visit to the Adventurer Guild.
Our objective was to secure information that might assist the Lancer Magic Academy in their ongoing investigation of the Great Forest. However, we ended up hearing about unexpected matters, such as the Adventurer Guild’s cooperation with the international student program and various issues regarding the distribution of goods.
It is true that gate transport centered in Weed is incredibly convenient, but it stands to reason that merchants would stop traveling to the more remote provinces as a result. It seems Weed must work hard to manage those kinds of adjustments as well. I made a mental note to discuss this with Lady Ratz and Lady Eris later.
Now, as for the main topic—the distribution of monsters...
"I see. A place with an environment similar to the Great Sea of Trees, then..."
Rock, the Guild Master, muttered this as he crossed his arms, a grim expression on his face while looking over the documents I had handed him. To be honest, I didn't think finding a matching environment would be easy. I had assumed this would require a long-term investigation, but...
"Hmm? Wait... this looks familiar..."
Kina, the Vice Guild Master, tilted her head as she took the documents and scrutinized them.
"Does something come to mind?" Milly asked.
Kina held up a palm to Milly, signaling her to wait. "Just a second, I think I can remember..."
Is there anything we can do to help? Just as that thought crossed my mind...
"Vice Guild Master. Demon Lord Liliana is waiting for you."
"Ah! That’s it! The Demon Lord’s territory! The Last Kingdom!"
"""?"""
While we secretaries tilted our heads in confusion, Lord Yuki and the others clapped their hands in realization.
"Indeed... what do you think, Lord Yuki?"
"Hmm, I agree it feels similar. It’s perfect timing, actually—let’s just confirm it with the lady herself."
"That’s for the best. Kina, can you talk to her now?"
"Got it, I’ll go have a word," Kina said as she hurried out of the room.
"U-Um, Lord Yuki? Is the Demon Lord’s territory really that similar?" Yayuie asked, tentatively raising her hand.
"It’s a bit nuanced. Rock, do you have a map?"
"Hold on, I’m almost done with this... Alright, finished. Wait there."
Rock placed his paperwork into a box, stood up, and opened one of the cabinets. He returned with a sheet of paper—presumably a map—and spread it across the table in front of us.
"This is... a map of the Rogari continent," Hobis noted.
As he said, it was a map of Rogari. Since the discussion was about the Last Kingdom resembling the Great Sea of Trees, it made sense to bring this map out, but...
"Does this really look similar?" Lady Fiora asked, tilting her head.
To be honest, we couldn't see the resemblance either.
"It’s a difficult comparison, but in terms of the environment..."
"If you say they’re alike, then they are. For now, let’s re-map the environment and monster distribution. This is a spare, so feel free to write on it."
"Yeah, got it."
Lord Yuki and Rock both picked up pens.
"First, what we need to look at is the Central Mountain Range. It’s centered around the Last Kingdom, surrounded by mountains, and further enclosed by a Great Sea of Trees. Fiora, you recognize this, right?"
We all nodded at Lord Yuki’s question. In the center of the Rogari continent lies the Last Kingdom, which until recently was known as a mountain and forest of death where a Demon Lord resided.
"Looking at it again like this, they aren't entirely dissimilar," Lady Fiora observed.
I understood her point. The situation was indeed similar to the Academy on the If continent—surrounded by mountains with powerful monsters dwelling within. However, the one living there is a Demon Lord... The scale is entirely different.
"Lord Yuki, you already suspected there were powerful individuals deep within the Great Forest, didn't you?"
"Yeah. It’s a unique environment, after all."
"Considering that, it wouldn't be strange if there were Dragons or even something like a Demon Lord there."
I beg your pardon? A Demon Lord might be in the Great Forest? As I spiraled into confusion at such a revelation, Yayuie asked a question.
"U-Um, when we took aerial photos of the Great Forest, there weren't any castles or anything like that."
"S-She’s right. There shouldn't have been anything of the sort," I added, backing her up.
I wasn't sure if my protest came from the fear that we might have to fight a Demon Lord, or simply because it seemed impossible.
"It doesn't necessarily have to be a humanoid Demon Lord," Lord Yuki countered.
"Or they could be living in an underground dungeon," Rock added.
Ah, certainly. I hadn't considered that possibility.
"T-Then, aren't Lady Comet and the others in danger?"
"We’ve considered those possibilities. We know there are powerful entities, and more importantly, we’ve included a Demon Lord in our own lineup."
"Well, even if they can't win, they should at least be able to retreat. You’re tracking them from above, right?"
"I’ve left nothing to chance on that front."
My concerns didn't seem to bother the two of them; they showed no signs of panic. I suppose since Lady Deryu is with them, most enemies can be handled with raw strength. Plus, with Lady Comet’s magical expertise, they have a well-balanced front and back line.
...Wait, it actually seems like there isn't a problem at all.
"Well, that much we already knew. The issue is the report that the survey team didn't encounter any monsters... Could it be a matter of where they gather to feed, or perhaps the formation of mana pools?"
"Yeah, that’s a possibility."
Lord Yuki clapped his hands at Rock’s suggestion. What exactly did that mean? Just as we were struggling to keep up with the conversation, the door opened.
"Regarding that matter, perhaps they simply ran through an area where there happened to be none?"
"I figured as much."
Kina returned, bringing Lady Liliana with her as they spoke.
"Hello, Lord Yuki, Master Rock. And good day to you all."
"Sorry to bother you in the middle of work."
"Please, have a seat."
"Excuse me. Oh, don't worry about the work. When I come to Weed, these kinds of drop-in meetings happen often, so I keep a portion of my day free."
Lady Liliana replied with a smile. It is true that kings and dignitaries from other nations who visit Weed often find themselves in chance encounters or sudden business discussions, so it is surprisingly taxing. I’ve heard from Kirika and Lady Kirue that they sometimes end up having meals with very strange combinations of people, but that too is part of diplomacy. It truly is a demanding world.
"So, I assume the discussion is about the lack of monster encounters in the Academy’s Great Forest survey?"