第１３９４堀：外部？協力者 (Part1)
Chapter 1394: External? Collaborator
Side: Nina
"So, did you hear that I’m in love with Yuki?"
"I did. Your sister told me, so I figured it must be true."
I am currently speaking with Yuki.
The reason for this conversation stems from some strange things said by Kaya, Claudia, and Difes, who are currently en route to Suls.
Apparently, I am in love with Yuki.
"…Is that so?"
"Well, I’d assume you’d know your own heart."
"When you put it that way, I’m not entirely sure. But I wouldn't show my naked body to someone I disliked."
"I suppose that’s true."
"But then again, that was at my own home."
"Even at home, you wouldn't change in front of others if you didn't trust them."
"True enough."
"..."
"..."
What is this?
I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.
Under normal circumstances, I’d have a witty retort ready.
"Well, never mind that for now. I’ll consider the marriage part."
"Wait, didn't it sound like I asked you and you put me on hold?"
"Don't worry about it. Besides, why did you call me here?"
That’s right. There is another reason I am meeting with Yuki.
This wasn't me seeking him out; Yuki called for me.
"Ah, that’s regarding the Suls situation involving Kaya, Claudia, and Difes."
"The war? I—or rather, we—are primarily focused on the If Continent. Knowledge of the Rogali Continent isn't exactly our specialty."
I’m sure Yuki knows that better than anyone.
So, it’s only natural to wonder why he’d ask me.
I mean, if he needed combat power, he could count on us, but that’s not what this is about. If it were, we’d already be acting together.
"You’re aware that the Dark Guild is involved, right?"
"Yes. I know that such troublesome entities exist on this continent as well, and that they were operating in the shadows during this war."
"As expected, your information is fast. I didn't think I’d told you that yet."
"I heard it from Difes, who shares information quickly. Besides, since the Dark Guild has been involved since the incident with Rushi, I’ve been investigating them independently. It’s hard not to hear about it."
The scum who put Rushi through that hell might have ties to the If Continent as well.
I can’t just leave something like that alone.
"Any progress on your end?"
"Too little information. Almost no progress."
It was only a possibility to begin with, and the trail is far too thin.
In times like these, you’d usually use a human-wave strategy to gather every trivial rumor to find a lead, but we don't even have that. There’s a limit to how much intelligence you can gather.
"Well, I figured as much. Don't you have any sub-organizations over there?"
"I could borrow some from Noble, but when we discussed this matter, we decided not to move too many people. The International Investigation Team is already on the move, after all."
"Ah, that makes sense. If you were to move your people while they’re already investigating, it would become a matter of trust."
"Thanks to that, only bits of information—hardly even worth calling it that—trickle in. Just levels of 'this place seems suspicious' or 'that place might be involved.' We haven't even been able to verify the leads."
"It’s a difficult matter to probe into, to begin with."
"Actually, in the process of that investigation, we keep stumbling upon other criminal organizations and wiping them out."
"A common occurrence, then."
"Common" is a word I think Yuki uses because of the manga and dramas he reads.
Well, since we’re investigating people who are up to no good, it’s only natural we’d find their ilk, so I suppose it makes sense.
"Anyway, my side is fine. What do you want to do by calling me here?"
"Ah, right. Could you cooperate with the investigation alongside Fiora, Orelia, and the others?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"We’ve reached a point where we need to gather information on the Dark Guild independently. We’ve tasked Fiora and the others with it, but they aren't exactly used to this kind of work."
"So you want me to babysit them? Isn't that what Kirika and the others are for?"
I glance at Kirika, who is standing behind Yuki.
She is the head of the same reconnaissance and intelligence department as I am, and though it pains me to admit it, her skills are superior to mine.
"If Kirika could move, the Intelligence Department would already be on it. We’re simply spread too thin."
"I am deeply ashamed, but we truly lack the manpower," Kirika says, bowing her head deeply.
"I don't mind helping, but isn't it a problem that you're that short-handed?"
We Holy Sword Users are indeed Yuki’s allies, but organizationally, we are under the umbrella of Noble and serve as subordinates to Hifie.
In other words, he’s having to pull combat power from elsewhere.
It means Weed’s surplus forces are running dry.
"We’re in the middle of training personnel for that very purpose. This incident will likely lead to us putting more effort into that kind of development. Originally, the Dark Guild issue wasn't a problem internal to Weed."
"Ah, that’s right, I forgot."
Because Yuki is so proactive in investigating the Dark Guild, it’s easy to forget that they haven't directly attacked Weed, nor have they caused any internal chaos.
What’s happening now is taking place in other countries.
Normally, there would be no reason to mobilize forces for such a thing. It would be a blatant interference in internal affairs.
"Lowell is gathering information, and we’ll likely build a strategy against the Dark Guild based on what other countries have collected. But since it seems the Dark Guild is involved with the anti-Weed faction, we can’t just ignore them, even if there’s no direct damage. Rushi and other survivors are here in Weed, after all."
"True, ensuring Rushi’s safety is essential."
"It’s not just about Rushi. It’s also a problem if Weed shows that it hasn't been tracking the Dark Guild’s movements at all."
"Ah, I see."
Indeed, if we’re considering countermeasures against the Dark Guild, it would look bad if we had a living witness like Rushi inside our borders and yet claimed we knew nothing.
If we just ended it by saying we couldn't investigate because it was another country’s business, it would look like we have no motivation.
I suppose that’s why we have to investigate.
"But if we don't find any leads, we won't gather any information, you know?"
"Well, if that happens, it can't be helped. But even just showing the process of how we tracked them has its own value."
"Proof that we were active, you mean?"
"Exactly. And while Fiora and the others, who aren't used to this, might miss something, if it’s Nina, who is experienced..."
"You think that since I’m primarily a scout, I’m less likely to overlook things."
"Yeah."
Yuki nods without hesitation.
Well, it’s nice that he truly trusts me.
"I won't say you’re off-duty anyway. Rest is important. So, what do you say?"
"After hearing all that, I don't have the choice to refuse. I think you’re sly for doing that, Yuki."
"My bad. But you know I wouldn't force you if you couldn't work, right?"
It’s true; Yuki never makes unreasonable demands if there’s a reason we can’t work.
Still, he also knows I’m just spending my day off doing nothing.
"I’ll make it up to you. I’ll tell the other Holy Sword members that you’ll be able to take double the time off later."
"One more thing. You invited Kaya and the others to a meal the other day. I want to eat, too."
Everyone in his inner circle knows that Yuki is a great cook.
I’ve eaten his food before, and it was delicious.
I haven't had the chance lately, so I haven't eaten it in a while.