第１４４６堀：警備の情報共有 (Part1)
Chapter 1446: Security Information Sharing
Side: Kaya
A day had passed since everyone entered Irinau as envoys, and the meetings had finally begun, though they were essentially devoid of substance.
The reason for this was simple: Irinau hadn't actually caused any tangible harm.
That was the crux of it.
Of course, there was the issue of territorial violation—or rather, the fact that they had moved their military into the territory. Lilishe and the princess from Suurus—was it Hasnia?—were keeping an eye on that, but as for the other side’s response:
"We are reinforcements for Suurus following the Great Overflow."
They were sticking to that narrative with unwavering resolve.
Well, it was the expected reaction; if they admitted to an invasion, they would be liable for reparations. Thinking about this, I stared at the security monitors for the school.
Yes, having finished my morning farm work, I was now monitoring and guarding the International Exchange School.
I, along with Tori and Riel, was tasked with ensuring the school's safety.
Since we discovered the dark guild’s clandestine activities, the level of vigilance had skyrocketed.
That said, because there was a high probability that the dark guild was behind the Great Overflow in Suurus, our personnel had been thinned out—or rather, divided—which meant the workload per person had increased significantly.
Well, they were likely dividing their own forces as well, so it was a struggle for everyone.
Perhaps because we were the defenders and they were the instigators, the burden felt heavier on our side.
Moreover, there was a high probability that they had a Dungeon Master on their side.
That was a major threat.
That was precisely why Yuki had taken the initiative. It was quite rare for him.
Yuki was a defensive type, not an offensive one.
But because the Suurus incident could be a diversion, we were tightening security not just at the school, but throughout Weed, while Yuki and his team remained here, gathering intelligence on the dark guild and fortifying our defenses.
"It’s tough. It’s really tough."
I watched the school grounds on the monitor while the audio from the negotiations in Irinau trickled into my ears.
It felt like I was being pulled in every direction at once.
The only silver lining was that there were no issues within the school or Weed itself for the time being.
The personnel who had come from Kinauf and Irinau, who were suspected of being involved with the dark guild, hadn't made any suspicious moves, and the school staff, security, and students were all behaving normally.
And then there was...
"Tori. How are the students' associates doing?"
"Everything is fine there, too. It’s peaceful."
Tori, who was watching a different monitor, replied.
That monitor wasn't showing the school, but the residential area and the apartment complexes.
We had prepared that space for the students' associates to stay in at the same time the International Exchange School opened.
After all, it would be problematic for the children of nobles to arrive without parents, servants, or attendants.
Furthermore, those parents and servants would learn about other continents through Weed, and more importantly, they would learn about Weed itself.
It was a measure intended to help them understand Weed and the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance in greater detail.
Those who didn't know any better still tended to underestimate Weed.
I had expected some trouble, but surprisingly, there was almost none.
Well, Yuki had been very careful to warn each country, and it seemed the nations themselves were disciplining their people more strictly than expected, fearing that trouble in Weed would cause them to lose face or hinder diplomacy.
There hadn't even been any students sneaking out; they were truly well-behaved, and their associates seemed to be enjoying Weed without causing any trouble.
That was why...
"Watching over things when nothing is happening is so exhausting..."
Yes, a lack of change is proof of peace, but for us in the security department, staring at these screens is grueling.
It’s so draining.
"You don't have to push yourself so hard, you know? You have your subordinates."
"…I don't have the nerve to just leave everything to them and go on patrol like Riel does."
"Ahaha..."
Riel wasn't here.
She’d said she was bored of watching the monitors and had gone off to patrol the school and its related facilities.
Because of that, Tori and I were stuck here.
Our subordinates wouldn't complain, but dissatisfaction would inevitably build up.
Even I had felt like just taking some subordinates and wandering off because I was tired of watching the screen alone.
...The subordinates who followed me would likely face jealousy from the others later, and the follow-up work would be a headache.
But being able to brush it off as "just being Riel" was part of her charm.
*Sigh*, well, never mind that.
"…Changing the subject, are the dark guild members that Kirika captured still being interrogated?"
I couldn't leave my post, but I couldn't afford to neglect gathering intelligence on Irinau, either.
I was curious about the status of the information regarding the dark guild members captured last night.
The meetings were still at a stalemate, after all.
"Come to think of it, maybe some information has been gathered by now."
"Hasn't any information reached you, Tori?"
"None. I suppose that means they haven't gathered anything significant yet. If they’d found something important, they would have contacted us immediately."
"True."
Information regarding the dark guild was vital for ensuring the safety of Weed and Yuki’s group.
The fact that no such information had been relayed meant we should assume nothing core had been uncovered.
Still, I was getting too sleepy just sitting here.
"I'm curious, so I'll try contacting them."
"Good idea. It shouldn't be a problem to ask about the progress."
While continuing to monitor the unchanging screens, Tori and I reached out to Kirika.
"Yes. This is Kirika. Lady Tori, Lady Kaya, what can I do for you?"
Kirika answered before the first ring had even finished.
It was her usual efficient response.
"Kirika. Has any information on the dark guild been gathered?"
"I heard you moved against the dark guild yesterday."
Tori and I asked her point-blank.
"Indeed. I am still in the middle of compiling the report, but for all of you guarding the school and its surroundings... where is Lady Riel?"
"Ahaha..."
"Riel is out on patrol."
Tori gave a wry smile, but I answered honestly.
"As expected of her. In that case, please relay this to Lady Riel on my behalf."
"Yeah, I got it."
"Leave it to us."
I wasn't sure if it would actually get through to her, though.
"Then, to be blunt: it appears the dark guild is targeting casualties on both sides in Irinau."
"Both sides? What do you mean by that?"
Kirika’s phrasing was a bit ambiguous.
I wasn't entirely sure what she meant by "both sides."
"My apologies. By both sides, I mean the Irinau dignitaries, as well as the Alliance envoys and the Suurus envoys."
"Wait... Irinau, too?"
"Yes. Irinau as well."
"I could understand if it were just one side, but why both?"
Tori and I tilted our heads, unable to decipher their intent.