第１４０３堀：情報が集まっただけでは答えは出ない (Part1)
Chapter 1403: Gathering Information Is Not the Same as Finding the Answer
Side: Yayui
Before my turn arrives, I’m taking a short break to have some tea.
I can tell that Prol-san arranged this out of consideration for me.
I always get so nervous.
"Are you alright, Yayui?"
Orelia asks, sensing my tension.
"Y-yeah. I mean, I’ve done things like this plenty of times now, but I suppose I still haven’t gotten used to it."
I’ve experienced plenty of nerve-wracking moments working alongside Yuki-sama, but being out in front of people like this is still…
I know I really need to pull myself together.
"Is that so? You’ve gotten much better compared to the beginning, you know? I mean, back then, you couldn't even explain anything at all."
"Ahaha, that’s certainly true."
It’s a fact that, in the beginning, I mostly just stammered.
Compared to now, I’ve definitely changed.
But the place I’m aiming for is still far off.
"You are certainly growing. As long as you don't settle for where you are and continue to strive, there is no problem at all. Isn't that right, Prol?"
"Indeed. I may act all high and mighty, but I couldn't even speak properly to Yuki-sama unless I was in 'work mode,' and even now, I still find myself flustered. Please consider this a good opportunity."
"Yes."
Knowing that Fiora-sama and Prol-san feel that way makes me feel a little more at ease.
The tea helps settle my heart, too.
"But, Yayui, you talk to the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs you meet for work quite normally, don't you?"
Orelia points this out.
"Oh, yeah. Well, they’re in the same position as us, aren't they?"
"Ah, so your nervousness isn't about being in front of people in general. I’d just gotten used to the image of you always being so timid."
"Ahaha, that’s because I was always dealing with important people."
"Then~, if Yayui became a princess, would you be able to talk to them as equals~?"
"Eh?"
Hovis suddenly brought up something outrageous.
"I see, I see. Then, shall we welcome Yayui as my younger sister? If we do that, even if becoming a queen is out of the question, you would be a princess in both name and reality—a member of the royal family."
"Fueh!?"
Fiora-sama also brought up something outrageous.
"Hmm… well, while becoming the head of a nation is impossible, adopting someone and sending them off as a princess to elevate their status is a common practice. There are countless small nations that want to connect with Weed, so it isn't impossible."
"Even you, Prol-san…"
Things like that require real achievements, and when it comes to political power, Yuki-sama always handles it so effortlessly, but I don't have the confidence to do that.
So, just because I became a princess wouldn't mean I could talk to them easily.
Just as I was struggling with that…
"Now then, since Yayui’s tension has eased, let’s resume our work."
"Indeed. Let’s switch gears."
With that, Prol-san and Fiora-sama move to their seats, and Orelia and the others look toward me and nod.
I feel guilty for making them worry about me again, but at the same time, I’m grateful to have such good friends and superiors.
Alright, let’s do this.
I take a deep breath and lift my head.
"Then, once again, let’s confirm the status of information confirmation and the promises of provision from the other relevant parties."
"Yes. We have secured promises of information from the police, the Adventurer’s Guild, and the Merchant’s Guild, as well as from Prol-san’s Information Division and the maid-related channels under Kirue-sama. Specifically, we have arranged for them to forward any information of that nature to us."
Relevant parties generally do not provide the information they have obtained to other departments.
Not unless there is significant pressure from above.
The reason is that there is no definitive proof yet.
I understand that one cannot speak based on speculation alone.
That is why they keep it to themselves, but this is not a situation where we can afford such luxuries.
However, even in such a situation, there was the issue of who would take the initiative to organize and sort the information, which kept things at a standstill.
Above all, since this is not recognized as official work, we cannot spare the personnel or time for it.
That is where we came in.
By the authority of the higher-ups—that is, by Yuki-sama’s order—we were told to reduce our regular duties and gather information on the dark guilds.
So, the situation was just right.
We were given a place where we could rely on information, people, and funds without having to use our own.
The people living in Weed are naturally cooperative regarding the safety of this place and the peace that Yuki-sama and the others are striving for.
Therefore, they agreed to our request for information provision without hesitation.
"Information that might involve the existing dark guilds has been provided, but the volume is… quite large."
Yes, it was good that they were cooperative.
But perhaps because they didn't have the time to scrutinize it, or because we told them to include even trivial details, it was sent to us in a mountain.
"Doesn't it feel like they’re just dumping the troublesome work on us~? I honestly think so~."
As Hovis says, it does look like they are dumping their chores on us.
However…
"Even so, they can't just abandon their duties, and there is also the matter of information management."
"That is true. It’s not something that can be easily handed over to just anyone, even by us. Nor can it be easily delegated to other departments. It will take time to scrutinize the information, but it is better than having no information at all."
Both Prol-san and Fiora-sama tell me that the current situation is not a bad thing.
"But this will take time to organize. Will we make it in time for Yuki-sama’s meeting?"
"Orelia, you don't need to worry about that. As I said before, the fact that we are investigating is what matters. Can you trust someone whose only stance is to receive information?"
"That… I suppose not."
"Above all, other countries are gathering information in the same way. At this moment, the person considered to have the most information is Princess Lowell of the Gartz Kingdom. When she returns, it will be enough if she has the stance that she is willing to provide information, and if that information exists."
I see.