第１３５１堀：穏やかな休みの終わり (Part2)
The Adventurer’s Guild possesses magical communication tools similar to the ones we use, allowing them to maintain contact between all their various branches. While they aren't quite as portable or personal as the ones we employ, the speed at which they relay information should be vastly superior to any other method.
And yet, no word had reached us.
"It is strange, but it has only been a few days since the incident began. It is not entirely unreasonable to assume they are still in the process of verifying the facts."
"Indeed. One cannot simply disseminate unconfirmed information to the nations."
"Therefore, I would like you to contact the Grand Master, who should be in Weed at the moment, Lady Rurua. I shall continue to gather intelligence on this end."
"Understood. May I relay this to my husband and the others?"
"Of course. However, as this is not an official announcement, please refrain from sharing it with other nations."
"I understand. Very well."
I cut the connection and immediately reached out to my husband. He answered without a moment’s delay.
"Yeah? Weed’s 'Jack-of-All-Trades' speaking."
The voice on the other end was as unenthusiastic as ever. He surely knew it was me calling, but he certainly enjoys playing the part. I offered a wry smile, acknowledging his sense of humor, and dove straight into the matter.
"Husband, do you have a moment?"
"Oh. What’s up? Did you hear from Alstaire?"
"As I suspected, you were already aware."
"Well, yeah. Just to confirm—we’re talking about the Great Stampede in the Principality of Suurus, right?"
"Yes. There is no mistake."
So, he had already obtained the intelligence. That meant the rumors carried a certain degree of credibility.
"And what did Alstaire have to say?"
"She feels the information is too sparse, and she would like you to verify it with the Grand Master of the Adventurer’s Guild. Given the gravity of the situation, it is possible the Guild is already conducting its own investigation."
"Ah, I see. That’s a possibility. Considering the communication technology the Guild has at its disposal, it would be strange if they weren't already moving."
"Yes. How shall we proceed? Should I head there alone?"
"No, let’s rendezvous. I want to look into this properly myself."
"Understood. Shall we meet in front of the Adventurer’s Guild?"
"Sounds good. I’ll get in touch with Milly, too."
"Understood."
With that, I left the hospital and made my way toward the Adventurer’s Guild.
To think a Great Stampede would occur... If it were a natural phenomenon, it would be one thing, but if this were a dungeon-born catastrophe, it could threaten the very reputation Weed has built. The only silver lining was that it occurred in a nation outside our alliance. Yet, even then, one could easily be accused of orchestrating it precisely because it happened outside our borders.
...We had fortified the defenses within the Intercontinental Alliance, but I never imagined we would be targeted from the outside. To incite anti-Weed sentiment in a nation that had remained neutral, or at least had not declared its colors—it is a devious strategy.
*Calm yourself.* There is no proof yet that anyone is inciting anything. It could simply be a natural disaster.
Lost in these thoughts, I arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild. It was still morning, and a fair number of adventurers were gathered around the counters. The peak rush of seven or eight o'clock had passed, but it was still busy. As I glanced past the adventurers and turned toward the stairs, a voice stopped me.
"Oh, if it isn't Lady Rurua."
I turned to find Mauve and his companions.
"Good morning. Mauve, Raiya, Curse. Were the three of you summoned by my husband as well?"
"Yeah. Looks like we’ve got a troublesome situation on our hands."
"No kidding."
"We don't know for certain if it's true yet, but we are, at the very least, experienced in these matters."
That was true. Mauve and his team had the proven track record of suppressing the Great Stampede led by the Lich. Among us, they were undoubtedly the most seasoned veterans.
With these reassuring allies by my side, I headed toward the executive offices. They say the first day back after a break is a battlefield, but this was a particularly grim start to the work week.
Now, what exactly awaits us in the wake of this Great Stampede?