第１４４９堀：闇ギルド幹部の背景 (Part1)
Chapter 1449: Background of the Dark Guild Executives
Side: Eris
*Rustle...*
*Scratch...*
The sound of turning pages and pens racing across paper echoed through the principal’s office.
However, the contents were not limited to school administration; there were also financial documents to attend to.
The recent Great Flood that invaded Sulus, as well as the deployment of troops to respond to Kinauf, had set a massive amount of supplies and capital in motion.
Moreover, because modern weaponry had been utilized, the detailed breakdown of consumption and its monetary conversion reached astronomical figures.
Well, this time the scale was relatively small, so the total wasn't quite as staggering as it could have been.
If we were talking about sheer magnitude, the year-end military exercises or the weapon deployment during the clash with the Zuraburu Great Empire were far worse, but even so...
"It’s about time we handed this kind of work over to Tiffany and the others..."
Yes, the truth is that I am simply tired of processing this myself.
That murmur reached the ears of Ratz, who was working on similar paperwork at the principal’s desk.
"Mmm. I understand the feeling, though. There’s the aspect that because we are the ones who can handle it, it’s easier to set things in motion. Especially when it comes to information sharing and the like."
"That’s true, isn't it."
The reason we are still handling this kind of work relates to speed.
While we have already stepped down from being representatives of our respective districts and have taken on roles like vice-representatives, we have reached a point where we can leave almost all operations of Weed to others.
However... when it comes to things like the deployment of modern weapons or moving the military, the story changes.
As I mentioned, speed is the issue. Moving a military requires an immense amount of procedure.
Not only do you need to define the purpose and objective of the march, but you also need to account for the number of personnel, the duration, the equipment, other supplies, and above all, whether you have received permission from the destination.
In short, it takes a mountain of paperwork before you can even move.
Weed handles that properly, too.
Actually, because it is Weed, those procedures are even more rigorous.
This is because of the Earth-made weaponry, starting with the firearms brought by Yuki-san.
There are many items that, if even one were lost, could lead to the loss of many lives, so their management is strictly controlled.
Using such weapons requires a continuous chain of procedures, and things move at a snail’s pace.
That is why it falls to us.
We specialize in the management of weapons and supplies, and we ensure that we can act immediately upon the instructions of Yuki-san or Seraria.
If we were to hand this over to Tiffany or Non, there is no doubt that the procedures would take far too long.
"Still, I understand the need for a handover eventually. Otherwise, we’ll never be able to retire."
"Yes. It’s problematic if they think we can support them forever. Though, when it comes to weapons and supplies, it seems likely we’ll be the ones managing them even if we leave Weed."
"It’s too late to leave it to the others now, isn't it? Well, it’s not that they couldn't do it, but..."
"It just takes time. We have a rotation set up so that things can move even when we’re on break, but even then, they come to us for judgment when things get truly critical."
"That can’t be helped. A single decision can literally mean the difference between life and death for friend and foe alike. Especially with modern weapons..."
Indeed, while Tiffany, Non, and even Poni and the others can handle the administrative procedures, making that final decision is an immense mental burden.
The more one knows the power of modern weapons, the heavier it weighs.
Well, Yuki-san says, "What’s the difference between this and sending soldiers to fight?" but...
...The fact that lives are truly snuffed out by my own permission...
I suppose it’s because the consciousness of "person versus person" is still strong.
War is between nations.
I suspect they haven't quite grasped that reality yet.
"Someday, we’ll have to take them to the battlefield."
"I suppose so. It would be painful if they couldn't make the call once we’re gone."
"In that case, I wonder about the short tenure of these positions?"
"Ah, well, there’s the possibility of reappointment after the term ends, but if they can't be reappointed and we have to hand things over every time..."
"The experience won't be passed down. Oh, is this actually a significant problem?"
"Yuki-san was worried about that too, but in the end, it’s a matter of 'whoever does it,' and there will always be turnover. If we don't do that, the system would cease to function if someone were to collapse."
"That’s true. It’s difficult. And it would be a problem if we became obsessed with our status, too."
"That’s for sure."
The representatives of Weed carry heavy responsibilities, and the workload is far from average.
We know that well, having experienced those positions ourselves.
That is precisely why we have strong authority to ensure work isn't hindered, and why our salaries are among the highest in Weed.
Well, we’re so busy that the question is whether we even have the time to spend those salaries.
Just as I was thinking about that, a call came through.
"Oh, it’s from Kirika."
"Yes."
Since there were no issues with the time or place, I answered the call directly.
『Excuse me for interrupting your busy day.』
"No, no, it’s quite alright. Right?"
"Yes. It’s fine. So, did something happen?"
It might be a bit blunt to ask for business immediately, but Kirika is from the Intelligence Department; lingering on idle chatter isn't really her style. We aren't exactly meeting as friends, after all.
『Yes. I believe you are aware that E-jil-sama and the others are currently in negotiations in Irinau. And that we raided the enemy’s base last night.』
"Yes, we’ve heard."
That’s right—yesterday, Kirika and her team struck the Dark Guild members gathered in Irinau.
The result was perfect.
They captured half of them, successfully swapped places using disguises, and were able to ransack the base without the remaining half ever noticing.
It makes you wonder just how incompetent they are...
『We have gathered information on the executives as well. I will send the data on their trading partners; could you look into it?』
"Oh, leave it to us."
"Understood. We will scrub the flow of funds on our end."
I see, so new information on the executives has surfaced.
『Thank you very much. One last thing—I asked Kaya-sama and the others, but how is the school? Since that was regarding security, what about the students' movements?』
"Let’s see. They seem to be attending classes as usual. Ah, their motivation is quite high. As expected of students who have been carefully selected, I suppose."