第１４７７堀：報告を受ける側 (Part1)
Chapter 1477: The Receiving End
Side: Seraria
"Hmm. This is an impressive place. I am quite surprised."
The one saying this is the Water Spirit my husband brought back.
I was already taken aback when he told me he was going to visit her in the middle of the night, and though I couldn't stop him given his usual persuasive nature, this is still...
"Welcome, Water Spirit. I apologize for any trouble my husband and my companions may have caused you."
"Do not concern yourself. Besides, you command such a vast number of beings. Should I be the one bowing my head instead?"
"There is no need for that. You are not a subordinate, after all. Since you are choosing to cooperate with us, I hope you enjoy your stay. Besides, we already have a cooperative framework in place with the Forest Spirit."
"I have heard as much. It is difficult to call her 'kin,' but I am curious."
Having her meet me so suddenly to chat is just too much to handle.
Moreover, she has the bare minimum of human common sense; how am I supposed to converse with someone who doesn't care for formalities?
Regardless, I suppose I should just convey that we will do everything within our power to accommodate her.
"I will coordinate with the Forest Spirit to ensure you two can meet as planned."
"That would be helpful. I understand that she harbors no hostility toward this place, and I am aware of her purpose. I shall cooperate as much as I am able."
Fortunately, the Water Spirit seems to have grasped the situation regarding the Dark Guild and the recent string of events before coming to Weed.
So, I think it will be fine, but...
"I am grateful. As for your environment—or rather, your living arrangements and status—my husband and Queen Miyabi will speak with you about that again, so please listen to them when the time comes."
"Understood. I thank you for accepting my stay, Queen Seraria."
After saying that, I watched as Queen Miyabi, who had been standing behind us, led the Water Spirit away.
"Goodness, to suddenly ask me to meet with a Water Spirit... I’m stunned."
I say this to my husband, who is waiting by my side.
I knew he was going to meet her last night, but I was told he’d returned just after midnight, and then he goes and brings the Water Spirit herself back with him.
I thought he’d just settle things over there, but bringing the person in question home? It’s truly shocking.
"I agree with you there. I honestly thought it would take days, or perhaps weeks or months, to gain her cooperation. I never imagined things would go so smoothly."
My husband looks just as weary as I feel.
"To think you managed to bring back a spirit who is so difficult—or rather, so ignorant of the world."
After speaking with her just now, I realized she is truly a being detached from the mundane world.
That is only natural, of course. She has spent her entire existence in a spring, after all.
Since she never had to involve herself in human society, it’s expected.
But because of that, I have no idea what might set her off.
I was on pins and needles, terrified that a simple conversation might lead to hostility.
As for her strength, I felt she was certainly powerful, but not at a level we couldn't handle.
"For that, I have Ritea and Touya to thank. Because they treated the Water Spirit as a person—as an individual—it seems she became somewhat capable of conversation."
"Ritea and Touya, huh? Both are legendary figures, so it doesn't feel quite real. And why wasn't Queen Miyabi's name mentioned?"
"Apparently, back then, Queen Miyabi was the type to think, 'Conversing with a spirit? Why bother?' and didn't pay it any mind."
"That sounds like her, too."
Spirits.
Beings close to gods that have existed since ancient times.
However, unlike gods who are close to humanity, spirits—which can be called the embodiment of nature—are said to be difficult to communicate with, and if things go wrong, they are rumored to spread natural disasters.
Yes, if one knew that information, one would normally avoid getting involved.
So, it’s not that Queen Miyabi was strange; it’s just that those two legends were completely off the charts.
No, wait.
"My husband is just like those legends, isn't he..."
"Could you stop reading 'legend' as 'lacking common sense'? Even I take the common sense of this world into account when I act, you know?"
"You take it into account, but you don't actually conform to it, do you?"
"Why would I conform to the other party? If we can overwhelm them, we have the advantage. If I have a gun, there's no reason to go out of my way to use a sword."
"...That's true. It's a logical point, but... sometimes my brain just can't keep up. If I were to put it in your terms, is it like being introduced to an alien all of a sudden?"
"Ah, I get that. I really do. If you meet ghosts or monsters, anyone would feel that way. And there are aliens that attack you, too. Still, there's no point in running from reality."
"...*Sigh*, *phew*. Yes. Let's discuss this realistically."
I feel like I just heard something I shouldn't have ignored, but now is not the time to press him on it.
"I've heard the report. It seems there were people trying to make contact with the Water Spirit during the Great Flood."
Yes, this is about the Dark Guild and the Dungeon Masters.
It has been all but confirmed that they were doing various things under the cover of the chaos during the Great Flood.
"It seems so. Well, it's not fully confirmed yet, but nine times out of ten, it's the Dark Guild or those Dungeon Masters."
"Do you think they acted ahead of our movements?"
"I think the possibility is quite high. The fact that I wanted to visit Suurus to confirm the existence of rare species was something everyone heard about."
"That's true. We informed all the countries in the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance that we would be providing information on rare species to facilitate smoother relations."
Indeed, investigating and grasping the nature of various species—especially rare ones—is a field we absolutely cannot neglect in future intercontinental exchanges.
If we don't, the Haiden region, which worships beastmen as spirit maidens, will fall into unprecedented chaos. Conversely, if those who despise them as demi-humans realize they can be sold for high prices due to their rarity, that will lead to chaos as well.
Specifically, it could lead to a battle between White Forest and the other four nations.
If one step is taken incorrectly, this could become a massive spark for war.
We must prevent that at all costs.
Fortunately, thanks to the inspection and gate systems in the dungeons Weed possesses, secret slave smuggling is impossible, so that hasn't happened... but...
Regarding rare species, if we don't grasp their existence, there is a possibility that others will simply label them as 'human' and take them away.
It's a loophole in the law.
Any species not recognized and grasped by the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance is treated as if it does not exist.
Therefore, they could easily be taken away as humans.
That is precisely why my husband is moving so frantically.
The Dragon-kin are the prime example of this.
"Phew. I've calmed down. It's a good thing we were able to protect the Water Spirit. Isn't it?"
"...Yeah, I suppose so."
"What's with that pause?"
"The Water Spirit was in time. Does that explain it?"
"Ah..."
I understood exactly what he meant.
"Are you saying other rare species have already been captured?"
"Do you think they haven't been?"