第１４７４堀：有名な場所に人がいるとは限らない (Part2)
Hearing Steve’s take, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt, so I leaned in to get a better look. He was right—there wasn't a soul in sight, no sign of any garrison or guards stationed to protect the place.
"Wait, isn't this the spring where the Saintess supposedly stopped by? It’s a historical site, practically a tourist destination. Why is it so empty?"
My question was met with a surprisingly smooth response from Steve.
"Tourist spots and historical landmarks only have people around them back in the Boss’s neck of the woods. Places like this? They’re usually treated as taboo, sacred ground, or forbidden territory."
"Ah, I see. That kind of place."
"I’ve heard stories about how climbing certain sacred mountains used to be restricted back in the day," I added.
"People say those kinds of places still exist, even now. Though, I’ve never actually seen one myself."
In modern Japan, it sounds like nonsense, but the truth is, such places do exist in no small number. I remember seeing videos online about spots like that in Okinawa, and the message boards are always crawling with those kinds of eerie tales.
"Besides, look at the chaos that just went down. The priority right now is bolstering the defenses of the royal capital and the towns. The Intercontinental Exchange Alliance already stepped in to shut down the invasion from those two nations. They know what’ll happen if they try to pull another stunt like that, right?"
"True. If Irinau—after everything they’ve already done—tries to march on the Saintess’s Spring again, they won’t be shown any mercy this time."
"And Ritea is furious. She’d jump at the chance to crush them."
"Not after being made a fool of like that."
The three of us nodded in grim agreement. Irinau’s decision to use their own citizens as human shields to refuse negotiations had left a truly wretched impression. Of course, after turning away the envoys, they’d been scrambling to lobby the surrounding nations, but the major powers of the Rogari Continent—led by Ritea—were all part of the alliance, and word had spread through the gates.
There was almost no one left willing to lend an ear to Irinau’s excuses. Unless, of course, they had some truly bizarre connections.
"Glad we’re on the same page. So, Boss, what’s the call? We can still change the plan or call it off, if you want."
"No, there’s no reason to change or cancel now. Oh, and you’re sure there’s no sign of anyone within a twenty-kilometer radius?"
"Yes, sir. I’m not watching it with my own eyes, but the magic detection and thermography from the drones we’ve got stationed at fixed points haven’t picked up a thing."
"Wait, this Saintess’s Spring isn't even that big, is it? Can we really take this and use it as a water source?"
I checked the map on the monitor. Unlike the world-famous lakes I was used to, this was, at most, a pond about a kilometer in diameter—the kind you’d see anywhere in Japan. Compared to the scale of a reservoir or a dam, it was tiny. A kilometer across might look big to a person standing on the shore, but trying to supply a village or a town with this? It felt like a stretch. If there were a drought or a heatwave, wouldn't this spring dry up in an instant?
I voiced my skepticism, but it wasn't Yuki or Steve who answered.
"Taiki-dono, have no fear. While the scale may be modest, the Water Spirit resides here."
Queen Miyabi had entered the room.
"A Water Spirit? Does it... generate water?"
"Indeed. You grasp the concept quite well."
I’d just been guessing, honestly. I would have found it much easier to believe if it just had a high natural flow rate...
"But there aren't any monsters here either, right?"
"Yes, sir. Just like Taizo-san said, there isn't a monster in sight. The word is that Ritea’s blessing keeps them from even coming near."
"The goblin is saying something again."
"Shut it. So, are we still good to start the operation as scheduled?"
"Yeah. Operation starts at 2300 as planned."
"Understood. Moving to position."
And so, despite having plenty of things I wanted to nitpick, we stuck to the schedule. After a quick meal, we headed out toward the Saintess’s Spring in Suurus.
"Man, this feels like we’re going on a test of courage or something."
"Oh, that’s why it felt so familiar."
"Yeah, that’s exactly it."
Even at tourist spots, you’d be surprised how empty they can get. It’s just like a weekday, I suppose. Just because a place is famous doesn't mean it’s always crowded with people.