第１４２１堀：もう一つの情報源はどこ (Part1)
### Chapter 1421: Where is the Other Source of Information?
**Side: Seraria**
Following Agil’s report, we officially concluded the investigation of the western town. There was no need to force the issue, and we had already managed to secure data covertly. As long as the other party remains satisfied, there is no problem.
"But is it a blow that we obtained almost no concrete information?"
I had sent my friend out to investigate, yet we came back with nothing definitive. I hadn't expected it to be easy, given that we were dealing with Dungeon Masters and the Dark Guild, but the feeling of coming up empty-handed was still disappointing. I turned to my husband to see how he felt about it.
"Hm? The fact that there’s *nothing* there is information in itself. The enemy is clearly prioritizing the erasure of their tracks. It would have been better if they’d left something behind."
My husband said this without a hint of dissatisfaction.
"What do you mean by that?"
"They’ve completely deviated from the standard procedures for a Great Flood. Whether it occurred naturally or a dungeon was formed, there isn't a single trace left behind. In other words, it’s clearly artificial, isn't it? The fact that they scrubbed the evidence so cleanly confirms that someone is pulling the strings from the shadows."
"Ah, I see. That’s how you’re interpreting it."
He was right. Neither in the western town nor at the suspected point of origin was there a single shred of evidence left behind regarding the source of the Great Flood. That very absence was the proof of its artificial nature.
"But if there’s no evidence left, I don’t see how we can track them."
"We don’t need to rely solely on Suurus to gather evidence or information. Knowing it’s artificial is enough for now. Seraria’s best friend is likely investigating things on her end as well."
"Come to speak of it, the King of Gartz did mention that Lowel was moving on her own."
Lowel had been acting on her own suspicions about strange occurrences for a while now—the anti-Weed faction. I’d known about their existence for some time, but I wondered if we should assume they were connected.
"About Lowel—has there been any word on when she might be able to rendezvous with us? It would be helpful to have that information before we visit the two kingdoms. Though, I suppose it’s not confirmed that they’re linked."
"Ah, if they *are* connected, we could track them through that. In that case, you're right—even partial information would be better than nothing. Wait a moment; I gave her a prototype radio, so I’ll try to contact her."
Lowel is an irreplaceable existence—not just to me, but to my husband, the other wives, and the children. We make sure we can reach her in an emergency. Her equipment, while perhaps inferior to ours, is still top-tier, and she isn't the type to be easily outmaneuvered by the enemy. That is why I hadn't been particularly worried about her acting alone, but this situation was different.
I contacted her on the spot.
*"Hm? What is it, Seraria? Is something urgent?"*
"That’s right. I rarely use this to contact you, do I? Where are you right now?"
*"Now? I’m at the Weed church, handing out sweets to the children. By the way, where is Lady Lilishe? Only Hairen is here."*
It seemed she had come to Weed. It was, in a sense, perfect timing.
"I’ll explain everything, including that, so come to the conference room immediately."
*"A meeting? Did something happen?"*
"Yes, it did. The Great Flood."
She was as carefree as ever, but I gave her the gist.
*"Ah, that. Understood. I’ll come once I’ve finished handing out the sweets to the children."*
With that, the call ended. *So much for "immediately."*
I turned my gaze toward my husband.
"If she’s in Weed, it shouldn't be a problem. If she abandons the children’s gifts, the kids will worry. I’ll use the time to get prepared. You could use the time to get yourself ready too, right, Seraria?"
"Now that you mention it, you're right. Quar, please compile the information on the Great Flood and the current status of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance into a report."
"Understood."
Quar began moving the moment I gave the order. My husband did the same.
"Then, Fiora and the others, please prepare the reports on the Great Flood and the International Exchange School."
"Yes!"
Fiora and the others, who had been accompanying my husband, immediately began their work, but...
"...*yawn*."
"Um..."
"What should we do?"
Nina, Lyushi, and Senal were left standing there, looking unoccupied. While Nina had been assisting my husband with his investigation, writing reports was Fiora’s job. Lyushi, despite being an apprentice, was my husband’s secretary and bodyguard, so leaving his side was out of the question. Finally, Senal was there to support Lyushi.
Lyushi was currently working energetically under my husband, but the reality was that we never knew when she might become unstable. Lulua and Lady Lilishe were currently in Suurus, and as for Hairen... I wanted to trust her, but leaving her entirely to her own devices left me uneasy, which is why I had assigned Senal—a goddess who had once been our enemy—to watch her.
Not that I was worried; Senal had signed a contract with my husband and me, and she was bound by the designated protection, so I trusted her spirit.
...Though, what does it say about Hairen’s wild nature that she could lose to her?
Regardless, that brought us to their current situation.
"Dear, those three are looking a bit lost."
"No, just having them stand by is fine. There’s nothing for them to do right now. They can just sit and listen to the conversation."
My husband said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Well, there wasn't much they could do here anyway. They could work if they pulled out a laptop, but the efficiency wouldn't be the same, and it’s hard to focus in this setting. So, as my husband suggested, talking was about all there was to do.
"That’s true. Go ahead and sit down, all three of you. I give you permission."
I am the Queen of Weed; my permission is tantamount to an order. Nina and Senal wouldn't care much, but Lyushi was different.
"Then, I’ll take you up on that."
"Yes. Excuse me."
Nina and Senal sat down as if they were used to it, but Lyushi, as expected...
"Eh? Um, is it really alright for me to sit?"
"Yes. I gave you permission. In fact, it’s an order, so sit. I want to have a calm conversation."
"Yes!"
Even so, once Lyushi realized it was truly alright, she didn't seem nervous... or perhaps she just didn't show it? She moved with such crisp, brisk efficiency that her outward appearance betrayed no tension. It might sound harsh, but she was much easier to deal with than the timid Yayui.
Well, that probably has more to do with my own personality than anything else.