第１５３６堀：平穏すぎる道中での確認 (Part1)
The scenery outside the window flowed backward.
We were currently on a bus from Litea to Hinsua.
However, thanks to traveling by bus, there were no particular problems.
If it were a carriage, it would have been bumpy and unsettling, and my backside would have hurt, but this bus had been modified with magic to suppress vibrations from the ground. There was no shaking, and the engine noise was inaudible.
It was no different than being at home.
In fact, as I mentioned earlier, this bus was custom-made.
It was intended for the high-ranking officials of Weed, with the goal of providing a comfortable experience. It even had a refrigerator and a table.
"Would you like to try this pudding too?"
"Thank you."
"There are cream puffs as well."
"I'll have those too."
In front of me, Ria and Dressa were feeding Canary.
Well, it was better than being overly tense.
As I was thinking this, Yuki suddenly appeared.
He held two cups in his hands, offering one to me.
There was no reason to refuse, so I accepted it and noticed it contained fragrant coffee.
"Are you bored?"
"Hmm, probably."
This situation wasn't busy, and I assumed that was why I was bored.
I drank the coffee, and its unique flavor permeated my body.
"Probably?"
"I don't know, I just didn't expect that traveling at full speed, flying, or even by car, would be this elegant. You know, cars still shake on unpaved roads, right?"
Yes, while Earth's technology was amazing, cars didn't move without any shaking.
I couldn't place a cup of coffee on a table like this.
But somehow, it was possible.
"What kind of technology is this?"
"Ah, it's actually not touching the ground. It's floating. It's like magic is connecting to it, driving the wheels and pulling the body above to move."
"Floating? I see, but what about the sideways sway? Even if it's up and down, you can't help but sway on curves, right?"
"Ah, that's true. However, we have a system to notify us when that happens, and generally, unless it's an extreme curve, it can handle sideways sway. It's an extension of the explanation I just gave."
"I see, so you've considered that much."
"Of course, we're carrying people. We've done countless experiments, and we're happy to do them. Zargis and Narjia, for example."
"Ah... I can picture it."
Those two truly loved technology.
Well, this level of consideration for the passengers was probably thanks to Yuki's advice.
"And what about selling these?"
"We're still far from having the production system and training for maintenance personnel."
"It's not easy, is it?"
"Not yet. There's still a reliance on Zargis and Narjia's individual skills. Oh, and of course, I can handle any damage to this bus."
"Indeed. It's good that you're thorough in those areas. Though it's not exactly the job of a royal consort."
"Of course, the soldiers accompanying us as guards can also handle it."
"Then I can rest a little easier."
It seemed it wasn't a defect or lacking in versatility, where only Yuki could repair it.
Well, if you put it that way, it's my job to learn, but I don't understand this kind of thing.
"Since the bus is no longer a concern, let's talk about the schedule. It was five days, wasn't it?"
I was referring to the arrival time in Hinsua.
Normally, it would take nearly two months by carriage, but there was no need to worry about rest or supplies.
The only thing needed would be driver changes, but we had plenty of personnel prepared, and we could also drive ourselves, so there was no need for concern.
Still, two months reduced to five days was astonishing.
"That's the shortest possible time. If there are monsters or blocked roads, the work will take that much longer."
"I understand that. Still, it's an astonishing speed. We couldn't even do that if we flew."
We could also fly and move at high speed.
If we wanted to go at the fastest pace, I thought we wouldn't need to ride the bus, but considering the distance, securing resting spots and preparing meals made me realize this was surprisingly faster and allowed us to conserve energy.
The speed in combat and the speed of constant travel weren't the same, and not everyone could keep up with me.
More importantly, for this trip to Hinsua, there were still less experienced members like Luci and Light.
Considering that, this was the best option.
As I was thinking this, Yuki casually said...
"No, if it's just about speed, we could fly a plane and reach it in literally one day."
"...Who would do an airborne landing? And besides, aren't there concerns about the air route?"
"Well, yes. However, it's not impossible. In case of emergency, the air force would be deployed."
"...To that extent?"
"I don't know, but it's fine to be prepared. I don't think the enemy would have a means to attack from the air, especially at such high altitudes."
"That's true."
If it were underground, the Dungeon Master's power might handle it, but in the air, we'd have to build a tower, wouldn't we?
"Besides, when we arrive at the site, or rather, at Hinsua, we'll be deploying dungeons. At that point, the possibility of being ambushed is low."
"That's true. You deploy dungeons after narrowing down the enemy's base location, right? That would be safe."
"Ah, we won't do anything that would allow the enemy to strike first. We're only here to find the hidden treasure. We're not here to capture the enemy."
"That's a rather blatant sophistry."
It wasn't wrong that we came to find the hidden treasure with Canary, but the act of searching for the hidden treasure itself meant entering the dungeons held by the dark guild, so whether we could capture the enemy or not, it was equivalent to fighting.
"But, listening to that plan, it sounds like it would require a considerable budget. Though we already knew that."
"Of course. We're interfering with the enemy's dungeon. The cost will be high, several times the usual amount. Of course, we've received permission to use DP."
"That's only natural. Without a budget, nothing can be done."
This time, it was a battle between Dungeon Masters.
The fundamental basis for this was the power to operate a dungeon, which could be called DP, or funds.