第１５４９堀：あまり信用できないところはある (Part1)
**Chapter 1549: There Are Some Things You Can’t Quite Trust**
**Side: Covil**
It was our fourth day staying at the royal castle of Hinsua. We were currently riding a bus heading toward Old Vinosia, leaving the royal capital behind us.
"Mmm, this feels so good," I murmured, stretching my limbs out across the bus seat.
To be perfectly honest, I felt relieved to be out of that royal castle. It was tedious, and frankly, a massive headache.
"Covil, you’re on loan from the Adventurer’s Guild, right? Did you have any meetings or anything?" Kagura asked, looking at me with a curious expression.
"Ah, no, no. Not me personally."
The back-and-forth regarding the Adventurer’s Guild was being handled by Kiyu, who was sitting right next to me. He’d been the one to contact Milly and gather information regarding the burial grounds. My role was strictly to support Kiyu and act as a decoy to demonstrate the value of the Fairy race.
Kagura seemed to grasp that quickly. "Because you're a Fairy?"
"Exactly. Around here, Fairies are prized because we can produce high-value enchanted items. Plus, we can brew elixirs. Any country that has a connection to us can bolster its own power. That’s why they keep trying to talk to me. It’s gotten to the point where they’re so desperate it’s actually a bit off-putting, honestly."
"…I can understand the sentiment, though. If I didn't know about Weed, I’d probably want what the Fairies have to offer, too."
"I don’t really have much talent for that sort of thing myself, and I can’t exactly make things just by giving orders," I admitted.
Right now, I was merely a representative of the Fairy race; I couldn't just snap my fingers and have things manufactured. Well, they might listen to me to a certain extent, but there were limits. At best, it would just mean a little extra pocket money for me, which, considering the face I had to maintain for Weed, wasn't worth the trouble at all.
"Oh? The way you say that, does it mean you *can* make them?"
"Well, since I’m a Fairy, I’m naturally inclined toward that kind of metallurgy. That said, the things I can make are just… well, shoddy little things like this."
I reached into my item box and pulled out an accessory, handing it to Kagura to look over.
"I think this is perfectly fine, though? The craftsmanship is stunning."
"Ah, well, the appearance, sure. But anyone could do this much. To be honest, the craftsmanship technology back on Earth is far superior."
What I could do was limited to the reach of my own hands. It couldn't compare to machines capable of precise work down to the millimeter. Design was a matter of personal taste, so that was fine, but the real problem was…
"Try appraising it properly. The enchantment level is pathetic."
"Eh? Really? …It says 'Defense Up: Small,' I see."
"Yeah. I made an enchantment to boost defense, but the increase rate is a measly one. It’s at a level where you’d be better off just wearing proper clothes. On the flip side, my offensive magic enchantments are decent enough, though~."
It wasn't that I was a total failure at everything, but while I could handle the smithing, I lacked the talent for the enchantment technology that was the Fairy race's greatest selling point.
As I gave a wry smile, Kiyu, sitting beside me, suddenly spoke up.
"It’s fine. You’re wonderful just as you are, Covil."
"Yeah."
I returned a bright smile to my husband, who affirmed me without a moment’s hesitation.
"Ah, er…"
"You two are so lovey-dovey~. Micos-chan is getting all jealous over here."
Kagura looked a bit embarrassed, and Micos, sensing the mood, smirked and poked her head into the conversation. But as far as I was concerned, there was nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Fufu~. Isn't it great? He’s the husband I’m proud of."
I clung to Kiyu and said that to Micos.
"Micos-chan’s husband is the best, too~. Well, they are brothers, after all~."
"That’s true. Please take care of my brother."
"Yes, leave it to me. Right, Kagura?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah. We’ll make sure to protect Yuki. But, come to think of it, I understand you were exhausted because of the Fairy race business, but did you find out anything from the Adventurer’s Guild? I haven't heard any reports."
"Eh? Kiyu, you didn't tell them?" I asked, looking at Kiyu in surprise.
I was aware of the work situation, at least. I knew he’d reached out to Milly and pulled information from headquarters. It was strange that Kagura and the others didn't know about it.
"Ah, I told Brother. Well, to be honest, they haven't found any significant data or documents yet. Milly-nee and Kina-san were exhausted."
"What do you mean they were exhausted?"
"I mean, they went to headquarters. There must have been all sorts of negotiations involved."
"Eh? But aren't they on good terms with the Grand Master?"
"Micos, when you get that many people together, things get complicated. Even in Haiden, there’s all sorts of drama, right? It’s the same thing. No matter what the higher-ups say, there are always people who won't be convinced."
Kagura seemed to catch on, and as she explained it to Micos, the girl made a bitter face, perhaps because the analogy hit home.
"Ah, I see. Like with Father’s territory, then?"
"Exactly."
Ah, that’s right. Micos’s hometown was a barony, and I remember hearing that they were under heavy pressure from a nearby Margrave. It seemed idiotic to mess with Micos’s parents, who were direct subordinates of Princess Carrie, held the deep trust of the current King of Haiden, and, above all, had connections to Weed—led by Yuki—but people still tried to stir up trouble. People were driven by such incomprehensible emotions.
"Milly and Kina really have it rough. I heard about it too; even though they brought the Grand Master’s permit, they were told to search through the archives themselves without being lent any manpower. And that’s the mild part—they had a whole ordeal just getting into the archives in the first place."
"That’s such a hassle~."
"It really is. And they haven't finished searching through everything yet. Headquarters doesn't use computers, so they have to check every single sheet of paper."
"Ugh. Wait, aren't they organized?"
"If they were, we would have finished the report already."
"I guess that’s true. But is the Adventurer’s Guild really that sloppy?"
"No, usually that’s not the case. Especially at headquarters, they should understand the importance of the documents. I hate to say it, but it’s likely either harassment, or because the timing overlaps with the chaos in Litea, the documents regarding Old Vinosia have been scattered."
Kiyu said this with a wry smile. At that, Kagura and Micos’s gazes sharpened.
"I think the latter is a problem in its own right, but you can't overlook the first part," Kagura said.
"Yeah~. Yuki-sensei is going to be in danger, right? To know that and still withhold information, and even ignore orders from the top of the Adventurer’s Guild… that’s the worst. I feel like Micos-chan is going to write an article about the Adventurer’s Guild."
I understood the sentiment, but that article would never see the light of day—Yuki and the others would definitely censor it. It would only lead to a falling out between Weed and the Adventurer’s Guild. In other words, it would only serve to worsen the relationship even further than it already was.
"Well, I agree with that. But according to Milly-nee and Kina-san, even the Grand Master said he was praying that wasn't the case…"
"Ah, I see. So they’d be subject to punishment, then."
"No, Kagura. In this situation, refusing to cooperate… it wouldn't be strange to suspect they have ties to the Dark Guild. Oh, I see. That must be why the Grand Master was so confident it would be 'fine'."
Surprisingly, Micos had read between the lines better than Kagura.
"That’s a possibility, too. I see. Considering the situation, obstructing someone who came to investigate Old Vinosia… it’s only natural to be suspected of having ties to the Dark Guild."
"So, what’s happening to that person now?"