第１５６９堀：遠足前には体調を確認します (Part2)
If this is the price for winning the soldiers' favor and securing their cooperation, it’s a bargain.
With that settled, we stepped into the castle, but...
"…This is quite a disaster, isn't it?"
Yuki spoke, his voice tinged with genuine surprise.
I—no, all of us—already knew the state of this castle from the data we’d reviewed. But data is just data, isn't it? It never quite captures the reality.
"Yes, well, we’ve made some efforts to clear the debris, but once fire is involved, the soot and the charred remains are... well, they’re stubborn," the soldier replied.
He gestured upward, and we followed his gaze. A pillar, scorched by the flames that once licked at the ceiling. Clinging to that pillar were the remnants of what might have once been fabric—the remnants of grand, crimson castle decorations.
But once burned, they are nothing more than refuse. Or rather, a nuisance that makes the cleanup even more tedious.
"Please, rest assured, we will accompany you to point out the dangerous areas. We can't spare everyone, but we will assist in removing any obstacles that might hinder your search for documents."
I see. They’re allocating manpower to us, then.
Though, I doubt it’s as selfless as it sounds. They’re keeping an eye on us, too. They probably won’t interfere directly, but they’re here to report back on our movements and what we manage to unearth.
Do I mind? Not particularly. If we trusted Weed and the alliance implicitly, it would actually make me worry about Hinsua.
"Thank you. In that case, if it’s alright with you, we’d like to begin our search of the castle immediately."
"Understood. I will gather the men, so please, wait just a moment."
Yuki immediately requested their cooperation to start the search. We weren't here for a guided tour of the ruins, after all. The sooner we finish the busywork here, the sooner we can get to the real objective: finding the hidden treasure.
That said, we have to follow this procedure. If we were to rush in, we’d only tip off the Dark Guild and the Dungeon Master who are undoubtedly lying in wait.
"Just to confirm," Yuki said, turning back to the captain of the guard who had arrived to lead us, "we’ve been instructed by King Hinsua to bring back any treasure we find. How does that stand?"
"As far as we know, any treasure or items of value within the castle have already been looted. That said, as you can see, the place is in ruins. There are many collapsed sections we haven't been able to clear yet, so I cannot say for certain what might remain."
He’s right. Whether it was arson or a desperate search for hidden rooms, the data showed walls crumbled and shelves toppled, blocking the corridors. It was almost spiteful—the kind of destruction that makes you wonder if they truly hated the royal family that much.
Seeing it like this... it’s not just a fallen kingdom. It’s a kingdom that was utterly erased.
"I see. As you are likely aware, any treasure we recover is to be handed over to the Kingdom of Hinsua. That was one of the conditions for our operation here."
"Yes, we have been informed of that."
Exactly. The wealth and secret treasures found here are the price we pay for Hinsua’s permission to hunt down the Dark Guild. But there was another condition...
"Actually, there is one more promise we made," Yuki added.
"A promise?"
"Yes. We’ve agreed that those who cooperate with us on-site may keep a portion of the treasures or artifacts discovered. Within reason, of course. King Hinsua feels quite guilty about sending you all to such a harsh, remote location. Please, take a look at this."
Yuki handed over the document from King Hinsua. The soldier took it carefully and scanned the contents.
"...It is written here. It confirms that we are permitted to retain a portion of any treasures we find."
"It might sound a bit crass, but let’s think of this as a treasure hunt while we work," Yuki said with a smile.
"Hahaha, indeed. That certainly gives us some motivation."
"Just please, make sure it doesn't interfere with your patrol duties."
"Of course. I understand. I will make sure everyone is informed."
And so, our search of the castle began in a surprisingly amicable atmosphere.
It reminds me of how some people get so excited they stay up all night and end up ruining their health. That feeling of being too thrilled to sleep.
Though, when I was a child, I couldn't even stay awake past ten.