第１４０２堀：情報をまとめてみよう (Part1)
Chapter 1402: Let’s Compile the Information
Side: Hovis
Lyushi-san spent about an hour writing down the answers to the questions we wanted to ask, and that was the end of it for the day.
The plan was to base any direct follow-up questions on the contents of the forms she had filled out.
Besides...
"I can still do more! I can answer questions too!"
"Lyushi, calm down. Fiora-san and the others need to prepare as well. And, while I know you may be reluctant, I will not permit any further strain on you. Besides, I have a mountain of work piling up. You said you wanted to repay your debt, so please focus on your work as a nurse."
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
She was incredibly eager, but thanks to Rurua-sama’s judgment, we wrapped things up for the day.
Well, it didn't feel like she was pushing herself entirely against her will, but it’s best to leave those matters to the doctors, isn't it?
And so, we returned earlier than expected and decided to start by sharing our impressions of Lyushi.
"There were some surprises, but they were surprises in a positive direction."
"Indeed. I had expected things to be much more difficult, so I suppose we should be grateful."
"Yes. Above all, I’m just happy to see Lyushi-san has recovered to that extent."
"That’s true. When Yuki-sama first took us to see her, it was almost too painful to watch."
"I-it might be a bit of a front, but if she can move around like that, I feel a little relieved."
Just as Yayui said, even if it was just a show of strength, as long as she could move, we could breathe a sigh of relief.
As we were talking, Nina-sama, who had been silent until now, began to speak.
"But don't forget to be considerate. Also, there is the matter of the others besides Lyushi."
"Now that you mention it, that’s true. Should we arrange meetings with them?"
As Prof-san said, while they hadn't suffered as severely as Lyushi-san, there were others living in Weed who had been injured and treated.
I had thought we should meet with them in the same way, but...
Nina-sama shook her head.
"The others haven't been told about the Dark Guild. If they find out carelessly, the security becomes a hassle, and they won't be able to maintain their composure. Lyushi is truly an exception. Yuki and I discussed it and decided on this."
"I see. So she is a special case, having been healed directly by Yuki-sama and Rurua-sama."
"...Yes. It’s not that I’m neglecting the others, but in terms of priority for protection, Lyushi comes first. If she were to be assassinated, the security situation in Weed would be called into question."
"Conversely, does that mean the others wouldn't have much of an impact?"
"That is how I see it. They were originally small-fry causing trouble at the border village under the Dark Guild’s orders. The information they hold is trivial. If they knew anything of value, they would have been erased before Seraria’s subjugation force even arrived. So, the idea that the slaves being sold would have information leading to the Dark Guild is..."
"Impossible, then."
When I said that, Nina-sama nodded.
In that case, what we’ve been doing is...
"U-um, so our gathering information from Lyushi-san is..."
Yayui couldn't help but speak up.
Right, it’s frustrating to think we might be doing something useless.
But Nina-sama remained unmoved.
"It’s not useless. Scrutinizing information is never a mistake. Or rather, you rarely reach the truth just by collecting one or two—no, even ten or twenty pieces of information. The answer only comes at the end of steady, painstaking work. Thanks to Yuki’s technology, the process is often shortened, but what you are doing now is the absolute foundation of investigation. Information is earned with your feet."
She told us that what we are doing is not in vain.
"Regarding Lyushi’s information this time, on its own, it’s just an impression. A personal opinion. But it might combine with the mountain of information Orelia and the others have gathered to reveal something. Or it might not. Investigating that is our role."
"Agil, Zargis, and Comet have also said that investigation is essentially that kind of work."
"Yes. As Fiora says, whether it’s gathering information or research, reaching the truth requires steady accumulation. Comet-san was always blowing things up, after all."
Ah, I can sort of understand that.
Comet-sama is full of curiosity, but not everything she tries is a success, is it?
So what we are doing is the same thing.
"I understand the reasoning, but if that’s the case, isn't it all the more reason to hear from the other victims?"
As I was feeling impressed, Orelia pointed out calmly.
Indeed, if that’s the case, even trivial information should be necessary... but I’m sure Nina-sama knows that too.
"As I said before, direct contact is out of the question. Getting involved carelessly won't help them, and more importantly, it isn't good for you, Orelia, and the others."
"Even for us?"
When I tilted my head and asked, she replied:
"Yes. If you act in a way that looks like you’re investigating the Dark Guild, you’ll be marked. Actually, since you’re acting as Yuki’s subordinates, you’re already being watched. It’s not good for people like us to go and meet with civilians. Especially since they don't have the protection Lyushi does."
"I understand that not getting involved is best, but in that case, won't information gathering be stalled?"
"That is why we will use this."
Nina-sama said that and took out the questionnaire.
"We will use this to distribute to the Adventurer’s Guild, the Commercial Guild, and so on. We will mix the victims in among them. That will count as collecting information. We will avoid direct contact."
I see.
It’s a shame we can't hear their stories directly, but considering their safety and the importance of the information, it’s the optimal solution.
Everyone was convinced.
"However, what were you planning to do if those forms didn't exist?"
"In that case, I would have gone to speak with them secretly. I can pass as one of Lyushi’s acquaintances. Though, because it’s dangerous, I might have made a questionnaire anyway. Either way, direct contact by you, Orelia, is out of the question."
Nina-sama answered Fiora-sama’s question without hesitation.
It seems it wasn't a lie that she would step in to support us when we were being incompetent.
"Then, may we leave the others to you, Nina-sama?"
"Yes. I’m going to go make the arrangements now. Prof, Fiora, and the others should try compiling the information you have so far. You’ve just been gathering it, haven't you?"
"Indeed. The direct Q&A with Lyushi is tomorrow, so it is important to organize the information we have collected thus far."
That’s true. We’ve been focusing entirely on meeting the people Prof and Nina-sama prepared for us and gathering information, but we haven't actually compiled it.
"Is that alright with you too, Orelia?"
When Prof asked, I had no reason to refuse, so I simply nodded.