第１５６１堀：さあ次の場所へ (Part2)
"Still, the final choice of action rests solely with the individual. If they lack the capacity to grasp the gravity of their situation, then it is nothing more than their own undoing. Of course, one could argue there is a possibility they were taken hostage, but..."
"No, no. There’s no point in taking a mere underling hostage. They aren't capable of achieving anything of note."
"Well, that aside, the individual in question is currently being detained and interrogated. Because of that, we couldn't even borrow the personnel needed for the investigation—or rather, they weren't exactly trustworthy—so Milly and Kina ended up having to handle the investigation themselves."
Everyone who heard this wore a complicated expression.
In short, to summarize the current situation...
"Er, are you saying the Adventurer Guild is currently untrustworthy?"
Even Riel asked with a hesitant tone.
Given our position, we cannot openly criticize them, so this is honestly a relief.
"The Guild Headquarters, that is. Weed aside, a portion of the Headquarters harbors resentment toward us. After all, we’ve reached a point where materials from the Weed dungeon can be procured regularly and with absolute certainty. While that’s not the only reason, various factors have caused the influence and standing of the Weed Adventurer Guild to skyrocket. Those who attached themselves to the Headquarters likely worked hard to secure their positions there, so they probably carry a sense of being 'elites'."
"I see. So, it was a coincidence that Milly and Kina were the ones involved?"
"That would be their claim, at least. That’s why the Grand Master and the more reasonable upper management—though 'reasonable' might be a stretch—agreed to our presence. If we didn't, there’s a chance they might pull some underhanded tricks. And if that happens..."
"If one considers the situation normally, even if it is a small nation, the Adventurer Guild’s side would find their standing severely compromised if it came to light that they were not only rude to royalty and their high-ranking officials but actively obstructed them. Moreover, this is our Weed we are talking about. What do you think would happen to the Adventurer Guild’s credibility?"
"The trust would vanish. ...Ah, so that is why you decided not to let them get involved carelessly."
"Likely so. What do you think, Kiyu?"
"That is probably the case," Kiyu replied with a wry smile.
"I personally couldn't care less. It’s just strange that they don't realize which side is more competent, or that dragging their feet here is the worst possible move."
Covil’s point is valid, but human hearts are rarely so simple.
If things were that straightforward, wars and conflicts would never occur.
"And so, is that the Adventurer Guild over there?"
Kagura joined our conversation, pointing a finger toward the distance.
Thinking we had arrived, we turned our gaze in that direction...
"..."
Total silence fell upon us.
The reason was simple...
"Is that a ruin?"
Canaria spoke for us all, stating the obvious.
Indeed, while there was barely a roof left to distinguish it as an indoor space, the doors had been smashed, the interior was exposed, and the counters and tables that should have been there appeared to be scattered in disarray.
"Kiyu, was the Adventurer Guild raided or something?"
"No, I have heard no such reports..."
"Then, something must have happened after the guild members fled."
"I suppose so."
Kiyu did not deny my speculation.
Well, it wasn't as if only the Adventurer Guild had been ransacked.
We had already seen upon our arrival that the vast majority of what appeared to be shops had been similarly devastated.
It stood to reason that the Adventurer Guild would be no exception.
"Still, I doubt there was anything worth taking by raiding the Adventurer Guild, though."
Covil muttered this as she drifted through the air, floating into the guild hall.
Under normal circumstances, I would have warned her to be careful, but since our dungeon surveillance had already confirmed the area was safe, and Covil herself possessed considerable strength, I saw no need to interfere. I decided to treat her as a convenient vanguard and followed in her wake.
"Whoa..."
Hearing that voice, I found myself in complete agreement.
The interior of the guild was truly in shambles.
Could one call it anything other than turned upside down?
Searching this place would be a monumental task.
That was the level of destruction we were looking at.
An Adventurer Guild devoid of people is, in a sense, a rare sight.
Well, since the townspeople had fled, it was only natural that many such places existed.
I wonder what the situation is like inside?