第１３９９堀：調査も簡単には行かない (Part1)
Chapter 1399: Investigation is No Simple Task
Investigation is No Simple Task
Side: Yuki
I received the specific details and the accompanying documentation regarding the investigation personnel from Milly, just as the Grand Master had briefed me earlier.
"So, the ones actually going are Milly, Kina, the parties of Mauve and Ovik, and Kate, the delegate from the Dosou Kingdom?"
"Yes. Any more than that would be too many, and from the perspective of information security, it wouldn't be ideal."
"Well, more isn't always better, I suppose. Still, I thought Rock would be the one coming."
Rock is the Guild Master of the Weed Adventurer Guild. He’s a capable, decent middle-aged man, and since he rose to Guild Master from being an adventurer himself, he’s a man of the field. That’s why I expected him to show up.
"Rock-san said he wanted to let Kina gain some experience. Besides, the Grand Master is currently spearheading the investigation into the dungeons managed by the Adventurer Guild, so he’s likely occupied with that."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense."
With the recent Great Flood, investigations into all known dungeons across the Rogari Continent have begun in unison. It’s only natural. You never know when you might be the next target. Normally, you wouldn't be able to move without prior intelligence, but the Great Flood actually occurred in Sulus. And there’s a high probability it was artificial. In other words, a Dungeon Master was either born or has begun to move.
Usually, investigations are costly, so they are conducted piecemeal, but given the gravity of the situation, the Litea headquarters has distributed emergency budgets to every department, allowing for a full-scale investigation all at once. The reports and information sharing from these efforts are all funneling into the Weed Adventurer Guild.
Thinking about that, did Rock send Kina away to keep her safe? Or is this just a good opportunity for her to learn the ropes of the field? Regardless, it’s not my place to interfere with the personnel development of another organization.
"Well, the next issue is this Kate person."
"Yes. Though, it seems they have visited Weed before. During that time, they apparently encountered the goblins, orcs, and other monsters walking about the city."
"So, is this an official visit to establish relations with the Dosou Kingdom?"
"Likely. Of course, they seem to have a baseline knowledge regarding the Great Flood as well."
"They’d have to, or it would be a disaster. So, how much information do you intend to disclose to Kate?"
The Dosou Kingdom is a nation built upon the taming, breeding, and exporting of monsters. Of course, they have other industries, but their monster industry is their primary pillar. Monster-related industries are notoriously difficult due to the high overhead costs, so the fact that they’ve made it work suggests they have some serious expertise. I understand the Grand Master’s opinion that we should maintain good relations, but that doesn't mean we should reveal everything.
Especially regarding monster-related information—entities like the Sea Dragon, Shi-chan, are disaster-level. Similarly, Alfin’s Ground Zero, the wife of Steve, is also disaster-level. We trust them personally and have designated them as protected, so we’ve judged them to be safe, but to an outsider, that’s an unproven claim. There’s a high risk they’ll label them as dangerous and start nitpicking.
"No, I wouldn't go that far. If I were to mention them, I’d have to mention Gaul-san and Coral of the Dragon-kin as well."
"Well, putting Coral aside, Gaul has been officially introduced."
"Ah, that’s true. But there is no doubt that Gaul-san and the others are living peacefully. I think it would be fine to emphasize that, but I don't intend to inform them that Coral, the Sea Dragon, or Ground Zero are here in Weed based on information alone."
"That’s for the best."
It’s too much information, no matter how you slice it. There’s no telling what kind of chaos might ensue if the Dosou Kingdom gets the wrong idea. I want to avoid inviting further confusion in our current situation.
"In that case, should we stick to the monster research we’re doing with the Adventurer Guild?"
"Yes. I believe that would be appropriate. As for the guidance and explanations... I’d like to ask Wazfi and Hivia to handle it. I’m afraid Aslin is a bit..."
"True. It’s not that Aslin doesn't know how to hold back, but she’s not very good at hiding her friends."
"Yes. And Aslin’s talent is, as far as I know, truly exceptional. If we show it off poorly, the Dosou Kingdom might try to poach her."
"Aslin would refuse, but it would be a hassle."
"Indeed."
Like I said, I want to avoid trouble. Especially since Aslin is my wife. Being poached is a nuisance. Aslin might be persuaded if they change their wording, asking her to "just visit" or something. That might be fine someday, but not now. By the way, I’m happy that Aslin’s talent is being recognized. To be honest, while it hasn't been an issue lately, she used to be troubled by how she couldn't do as much as others in the beginning. Perhaps later, when the opportunity arises, we can have this Kate person take another look at her talent.
"I understand. I’ll leave Kate’s guidance to Wazfi and Hivia, but that’s for later. The main issue is the investigation of the Western Town."
"Yes. We know who is coming from the Adventurer Guild, but who else is slated to join the investigation team?"
"Increasing the headcount recklessly will only slow us down, so the Alliance has decided to leave the dispatching to the local members and the envoys. We’ve got experts on hand, after all. Milly and her adventurer group can join them. As for the Sulus side, I suspect Princess Hasnia will come. We sent her there with the understanding that she would join the Alliance."
"I see. Are we not sending someone like Zargis as part of the research team?"
"Agil is already there. Zargis is busy measuring the Blue Hole, Dafaio, the Great Mountains of the Haiden and Zrubl regions, so he’s unavailable. Besides, he’s also the lead on our magic technology development."
You might think, "Doesn't Zargis have it easy since he doesn't have much of a role?" But the more people like Agil and Comet go out into the field, the more Zargis’s workload increases. That tribal chief, what was her name? Narjia? Ah, she does whatever she wants, so that’s a no-go. It’s not that she can’t do it, but her dissatisfaction would explode later. Mostly in the form of equipment and accessories veering off in bizarre directions.
"I see. That’s right. For some reason, Zargis doesn't leave much of an impression."
"That’s because he tends to hole up in his laboratory."
He basically never goes outside. Well, he goes to the testing grounds, but it’s rare for him to go out into the field for supplies or investigations. The truth is, during the incident with the modified pillbugs, he was the one who ran away.
"True, the common perception is that he’s always in the lab. And, the departure date hasn't been set yet, has it?"