第１４００堀：冒険者独自の情報源 (Part2)
"As for the formation, Steve’s unit—which is already under surveillance—will be moving out, and Agil and the others will be joining as well, so I don't think there will be any issues regarding our combat strength."
"I see. So we have the dungeon's support. What about Narjia’s equipment and..."
"I’m not privy to those details. That said, I don't think there’s any harm in submitting a request."
They might explode, but their performance is top-tier. It’s all about increasing our survival rate, and I doubt Yuki would turn down such a request.
"Understood, I’ll give it a try. Oh, right. It’s a bit one-sided if I’m the only one asking questions—is there anything you or the others want to ask Fiora and her group? Haha, though I suppose you already have an overwhelming amount of information as it is."
"That’s true..."
Is there anything we want to ask Lari? Orelia and the others seem to be pondering it, tilting their heads, but they can’t seem to come up with anything. Just as I’m thinking that, Prof stops mid-bite of her gratin...
"Then, do you happen to know anything about that guild?"
At those words, we all snap our gazes toward Prof. The existence of the dark guild is currently a top-secret matter. While the upper echelons of the Adventurer’s Guild surely know, it’s not a given that Lari would be privy to it. If word spreads carelessly, there’s a risk the dark guild might vanish into the shadows. Just as I’m worrying about that...
"Ah, that business. Honestly, I’m surprised you’d choose to talk about it here."
Judging by her reaction, it seems Lari is well aware that the dark guild is involved in the current Suurus affair. Well, given her position as an exclusive contractor for Weed, it wouldn't be strange for her to have heard whispers, but still...
Perhaps reading our confusion, Prof adds, "Oh, don't worry. Lari and her group have been gathering information for us, much like Lady Nina. And there’s no problem with discussing it here. It’s just casual conversation."
"Exactly. And as for anyone pricking up their ears to listen? Well, that’s just entertaining for me."
Lady Nina agrees with Prof’s sentiment. Ah, I see. They’re using us as bait. If we pay a little attention, we can spot anyone acting suspiciously, and more importantly, the dungeon’s functions allow us to perfectly track the movements of everyone not just around us, but throughout the entire dungeon. They’re putting that to good use.
"Besides, we’re planning to go talk to Lyushi and the others next."
"Then that makes it all the more reason, I suppose. *Nom.*"
Lari swallows her mouthful of pasta before continuing.
"Information from the Adventurer’s Guild will reach you from their end, so I’ll give you my take, just like Fiora. Is that alright?"
"Yes, that’s fine."
"We gathered this through our contacts, like the owl in Rumel, but there’s no doubt their activity has ramped up. In the last three years alone, there have been over a hundred incidents suspected to be the work of the dark guild that never made it to the public eye."
"A hundred!?"
Orelia and the others raise their voices in shock, but...
"Keep it down, customers."
With a sharp tap of her fork, Lari’s reprimand causes them to immediately cover their mouths with both hands.
"Ever since the border incident that came to light because of Lyushi, I started looking into whether there were similar cases, and the numbers were staggering. Most of them, mind you, were just border nobles looking to expand their territory. Oh, and these were small nations, of course. As for incidents along the borders of the great powers, there were only that one involving Lyushi and two others."
So there were two, even among the great powers.
"Anyway, I’ve handed the details over to Nina. All I can say for certain is that the guild is definitely moving. And it’s organized. I suspect a command tower has been established somewhere."
"...Do you have proof of that?"
"Nothing concrete. Like I said, it’s just my personal opinion. But the fact that they’ve increased the number of obvious incidents over these past three years means they want to signal their presence. They kept their heads down when their leadership collapsed, after all."
Indeed, acting in a way that makes it blatantly obvious it’s the work of the dark guild is a way of announcing their presence. In other words, they are telling the world that the dark guild is regaining its strength.
"We must investigate their objective..."
"Exactly. So, I’ll leave that side of things to you. I’m heading off to deal with the Great Overflow."
With that, Lari picks up her finished plate and steps away. Now, we need to steel ourselves and get to work. It’s best to gather information from a variety of sources. But when it comes to trust and the like, that depends on one’s own experience and the reliability of the other party. Searching for the truth is a difficult task.