第１４７０堀：色々気が付くことがある (Part1)
Chapter 1470: Noticing Various Things
Side: Seraria
I had been listening to the long-winded discussion, but even for me, someone who grasps the overall situation, there were fresh insights to be found. Above all, hearing things directly in spoken words is quite different from reading them in documents.
Well, while there are times when things are urgent and people come to speak with me individually, a meeting like this—where we hear about the progress of the entire collective—happens only once a month or so. And even then, it’s rarely about individual plans; it’s more of a semi-annual or annual conference to confirm the status of Weed’s operations as a whole.
Furthermore, the disclosure of information here is, by any normal standard, excessive. Usually, this would only lead to confusion, but the intent is for us to provide the kind of analysis that only we, in our unique position, can offer. Ideally, there should be specialists dedicated to information analysis for such things, but Weed doesn't have that.
No, wait—the ones who stepped up to handle that are the intelligence department, led by my husband’s organization and his subordinate, Kirika. Well, the fact that my husband and his subordinates are moving is partly due to the presence of the Dark Guild and the Dungeon Master. Even so, the fact that they are asking us means the roots of this matter run deep. Especially since Lowell’s independent investigation has become intertwined with it.
“...And so, while it is unclear if it is directly connected to the recent Great Overflow, there is a possibility that the Dark Guild, wary of the moves Yuki-sama has been making regarding the protection of rare races, has acted in tandem with it.”
“...I see. It is true that Yuki-san has prioritized the confirmation and protection of rare races, and he has secured the cooperation of various countries. We are also discussing laws regarding slavery with those nations, and it is a fact that slaves are becoming a precious commodity.”
As Shera says, every country is aware that my husband is currently moving to identify and protect rare races for the sake of intercontinental exchange and the international school. Everyone wants to avoid trouble in such matters. After all, there are beings like Gaul and Coral of the Dragon-kin who are equivalent to natural disasters.
People who, if not for my husband, would be nothing but enemies we’d have to fight, are now working hand-in-hand with us. But if it were discovered that rare races were being treated shabbily, they could easily turn hostile. If that were to happen, the damage would be visibly catastrophic... Oh.
“Could it be that they are also aiming to lower the trust between these races?”
I muttered that suddenly. My husband seemed to hear it...
“Seraria, that kind of insight is important. Could you elaborate?”
“Understood. It’s true that there is the slave trade that Agil and Lowell noticed, but if they continue to coordinate, it will be problematic. By trading in rare races and the like, it creates distrust, doesn't it? As a result, they might stop participating in the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. Not only that, but other races currently participating might also feel uneasy and withdraw.”
“I see. It wouldn't be strange if some races thought they were being targeted precisely because they joined the alliance.”
“There are also those who think, ‘Why create an alliance in the first place?’”
Unfortunately, not everyone in the world welcomes what Weed does with open arms. There are quite a few people who oppose it. In fact, in my home country of Roschur, there were countless people who opposed Weed when it was trying to become independent. My sister even told me that there are idiots who mistakenly believe that because Weed is now a hub of trade and generating massive profits, they should be brought back under Roschur’s control.
It’s precisely because we are independent that Roschur avoids being targeted by its neighbors, yet they don't see that. Well, if that’s the sentiment even among those who could be considered family, it would be strange to expect rare races that don't even belong to Roschur to show us favorable reactions.
“Those kinds of things are bound to happen the moment you create a group, or an alliance, of this nature. We have no choice but to respond with sincerity. Ratz, not just from Asu, but have you heard any talk of an increase in the trade of other races, not just rare ones, from your business partners?”
“No, I haven't heard anything of that sort. On the contrary, Weed provides support regardless of race or nation. As for who is flocking to us because of that, I believe your brother and Fiora know well.”
“Ahaha... Honestly, we were saved. I don't know what would have happened if not for Weed.”
Fiora offers her thanks with a wry smile. That’s right. Regarding Fiora’s Dafaio, it was only because Weed solved the water problem that things ended without trouble. Otherwise, it would have resulted in a war with a neighboring country, or someone would have gone to check the water source, triggered a battle with the Dragon-kin Coral, and either birthed a Hero or seen the country perish.
Ah, just imagining that gives me a headache. Even if they hadn't contacted Weed, that likely would have been the outcome, and in that case, it would have been us in Weed fighting Coral. As I was thinking this, my husband continued.
“As for diplomatic relations, have there been any such reports from the Beastman country or the High Elf country?”
“No, I meet with Miyabi-sama and the others regularly in the town of Weed, but there has been no such talk. However...”
“...The Beastman country is honestly suspicious. Even if the top leadership is fine, there are many in the middle who are not.”
No one could argue with Kaya’s point. That country has historically accepted those other than humans—Beastmen and Elves who were victims of war—so they are quite harsh toward humans. That said, they are technically under the umbrella of Litea, so they don't openly claim to be independent of human rule. Still, they maintain that stance even if it is full of contradictions.
If the Beastman country were to fall into chaos now, it would only create refugees. Well, perhaps that is exactly what the Dark Guild is aiming for.
“Come to think of it, has there been any contact from the Beastman country?”
I couldn't answer my husband’s question. They have maintained silence until now, saying they would wait and see. If there were anything, it would be through Litea, who has them under their umbrella, so perhaps Rurua...
“No, there has been no movement from Litea. And we have received no information from Miyabi-sama either.”
Rurua shook her head as she said this. It’s a pity. Besides, Miyabi, who is on good terms with the Beastman country, visits Weed often. If there were anything, she would surely speak to me, and the fact that she hasn't might mean we are safe?
“Regardless, there is a possibility that the Dark Guild is driving a wedge into our alliance, so confirmation is necessary. Now, is there anything else anyone has noticed?”
My husband ended the conversation that had started with my realization and asked the others if there was anything else.
“Of course, there is no need to answer right here. If you think of anything later, please let me know. We are thinking about it as much as we can, but we are inevitably inferior to all of you in terms of expertise.”
Yes, the reason he went out of his way to gather everyone for this "Grand Meeting" was the hope that something might be deduced from their specialized knowledge. Of course, it is also necessary for the upper management to re-verify the timeline and the current state of Weed.