第１４００堀：冒険者独自の情報源 (Part1)
**Chapter 1400: An Adventurer’s Unique Source of Information**
**Side: Fiora**
*Coo-coo... Coo-coo...*
The sound of a bird call drifts through the air, signaling that the clock is chiming. It’s a mechanical clock, one I had installed in Yuki-sama’s office specifically to keep us apprised of the hour. I lift my head, checking the time.
"It’s twelve o'clock."
Before I knew it, lunchtime had arrived. I quickly set aside the work I was in the middle of, intending to tidy up, but I realized I’d started a bit too late. At this rate, the cleanup would bleed into our break. Just as I was about to say something to Aurelia and the others, worried about keeping them waiting, I glanced over and saw them scrambling to clear their desks, having only just realized the time themselves.
That said, their haste was purely for the sake of tidying; they didn't seem particularly flustered about the work itself. As I mused on this, they finished up and rose from their seats.
"Apologies for the wait, Fiora-sama. May we provide our progress report?"
"Yes, please."
I accepted their reports. Managing their progress is part of my duties—though, of course, it is ultimately Yuki-sama’s responsibility, provided he hears it from me first. Thinking back on how Yuki-sama used to handle not only his own mountain of work but also the progress management for all of us, I can only marvel at how incredibly busy he must have been. Lately, I’ve finally grown accustomed to the rhythm of the work, and I’ve reached a point where I no longer need to trouble him with the minutiae.
But, setting that aside, how did their work fare?
"Hovis, Yayui, and I have finished today’s quota, and we’ve already made headway into tomorrow’s tasks. The details are here."
I took the documents handed to me and reviewed them. They had completed their scheduled tasks and each of them had managed to finish about ten items for the following day.
"You’ve all grown quite accustomed to this, haven't you?"
"Yes. Finally."
"We m-managed to get it done~"
"I-I did it."
At first, I was worried about limiting their regular duties to the morning hours, but the relevant departments have since come to understand the situation, and this new workflow seems to be functioning well. Just as I was thinking this, the office door swung open.
"Excuse me. Oh? Is Yuki-sama in a meeting?"
It seems Prol has arrived. The first thing she always checks for is her superior—the Yuki-sama she so deeply reveres. While I admire that unwavering loyalty, I can’t help but think it borders on dependency. Though, I suppose I’m not one to talk.
"Yes. Yuki-sama is currently in a meeting regarding the formation of the allied forces scheduled to be sent to Suls."
"Ah, the army that may or may not actually be sent. Still, we can't exactly avoid discussing it, can we?"
Prol’s expression turned somewhat bored, yet she carried the air of someone who knew it was a necessary evil. I understand the sentiment. It is a dilemma, after all: Yuki-sama is going out of his way to participate in meetings for a military formation that might never see the light of day. Honestly, the Weed forces alone would suffice, and it’s painfully obvious that the others would only be dead weight, but we cannot voice such things under the guise of an alliance.
"But, this isn't work time, is it? Shall we head to lunch?"
Prol shifted gears, her professional demeanor dropping as she looked at us.
"Yes, we’ve already finished up."
"I even got a head start on tomorrow's work~"
"I-I’m getting used to it."
"That is wonderful to hear. Then, let’s be off."
And so, we headed outside for lunch as we usually do. Along the way, we met up with Nina, and today we decided to visit the shop owned by Ovik.
"Oh, welcome!"
Lari was working there again today, greeting us in her waitress uniform.
"Thank you for having us again."
As I spoke, the others gave a slight bow. Lari offered a wry smile, though she treated us with her usual casual grace.
"Ahaha, you don't have to be so formal. Now, right this way for five."
We took our seats, and while we waited for our orders, we began to chat.
"Come to think of it, the afternoon schedule is about Lyushi, isn't it?"
I ended up bringing up work, but it couldn't be helped. Lyushi is a village along the border of Roschur and Gartz, rumored to be involved with the Dark Guild. It was a place where atrocities were committed, leaving it in a wretched state, and the woman we are concerned with was a survivor, luckily rescued by a merchant who frequents Yuki-sama’s shop while he was out selling supplies.
"That’s right. Nina-sama, have you managed to gather information on the people rescued from Lyushi—or rather, from that village?"
"No problems there. Well, we can discuss the details this afternoon. Right now, lunch is the priority. In fact, let’s put a lid on work talk."
I was scolded by Nina, not Prol, to stop talking about business. Usually, it’s either me or Prol who does that.
"In that case, have you heard about the donut shop that recently opened in the commercial district?"
"Oh, I know that one~"
"Honestly, I’m surprised you know about it, Aurelia."
As we drifted into lighter conversation, our orders arrived, and as Lari began setting them out, she spoke up...
"Oh, that’s right. Have you heard that I—or rather, that we—are going to investigate the ruined western town in Suls?"
She asked as if she had just remembered.
"Yes, we’ve heard. We heard that personnel are being dispatched from the Adventurer’s Guild as well. And that includes Ovik-dono and his party, right?"
"Exactly. And since I’m in Ovik’s party, I’m going too. Do you have any information?"
As she said this, Lari pulled up a chair at our table.
"Is that alright?"
"Yeah, it’s lunch break, so it’s fine."
I couldn't help but wonder if this was her busiest time of day, but if she said it was fine, then I suppose it was. Even so...
"There isn't any particularly noteworthy information."
"None? Not even about monsters or anything?"
"Have you not heard the details yet?"
"Not yet. I’ve only received the summons for the designated date."
"Ah... there isn't a strict confidentiality order in place, but I’m not sure if it’s my place to say. Please treat this as my personal assessment."
"Got it. So, it’s a matter of how the higher-ups—how Yuki and the others—decide to handle it, right?"
That was exactly it. All I knew was what could be gleaned from the current situation, and even that was just my own interpretation. I explained that, based on what we knew, there shouldn't be any monsters left in the western town, and that the primary objective would likely be identifying the enemy's emergence points.
"I see. So there’s a possibility they’ve hidden the dungeon entrance well... That means we can’t afford to make any rash judgments. Honestly, will we be alright on our own?"