第１５７３堀：色々ありつつも終わりは見えてくる (Part2)
"That’s just a pretext to lure us and other adventurers in, isn't it? If you call a place a royal tomb, most people will naturally hesitate. They’d assume there’s security waiting for them."
"That is true. So, does that mean we are finally going to hunt for the hidden treasure?"
"Yeah. Though, we still need to clear out this archive and put on a show of investigating, and I need to get a firm grasp on the Church’s support situation. We’re still on standby for another two or three days."
It’s frustrating that we can’t just charge in the moment we finish our research. But, well, that’s the position I’m in now, so it can’t be helped.
"I suppose so. Still, it’s surprising that it only takes this much. Usually, coordinating an investigation and support like this would take years, wouldn't it? To think we’ll be done in about a month."
"Usually, yes. But in this specific case, we had information from Seraria, and perhaps they were surprised that we started providing support through the Church."
"Ah, that is likely. From their perspective, they were just picking off the fools who came treasure hunting. But since we are acting as a nation, we have various protocols to follow. Of course, they probably knew that if Weed got involved, it wouldn't be a simple affair, but they likely never expected to be kept waiting this long."
"I doubt they ever imagined we’d go as far as cultivating fields for the future, rather than just handing over supplies."
"That’s for sure. It was meant to be a thorn in their side, after all."
Normally, no one likes a foreign power poking around for treasure, so you’d expect them to move quickly. But we took these actions to demonstrate the utility of our alliance to those watching. If the dark guild tries to pull something now, their reputation will suffer for it. Well, it was also meant to solidify our footing, of course.
"Didn't you say at first that we should pretend we don't know anything?"
"Well, it’s a fact that we don't know anything, isn't it? No one can say for certain where the treasure is actually hidden."
"True... I suppose you're right."
Kagura nods, tilting her head at my response. Deryu, who had raised the question, also realizes the contradiction.
"Come to think of it, we heard the location of the treasure from Seraria, but how were the others lured in? Are there other victims to begin with?"
"Good point. I had Kirika and the others, as well as Bamai-dono, look into that. I can’t vouch for the absolute reliability of the intel, but it seems many adventurers who came to Hinsua for treasure hunting simply went missing. In other words, it wasn't the 'hidden treasure' they were after."
"Ah, I see. It was just ordinary treasure. And they used the ruins of the old Vinoshia, destroyed in a civil war, as the bait. Still, I find it hard to believe there are so many fools who would jump at such a suspicious story."
"That’s probably why they put it up for auction. Because they weren't getting enough people."
"“Ah.”"
The two of them are convinced. That explains the mystery of why they went to the trouble of using Seraria as bait to gather people. If they could attract people naturally, there would have been no reason to use her.
At first, I thought they were targeting famous merchant houses or adventurers looking for a quick fortune, but if you look at the history of Seraria’s motherland—or rather, the fallen nation of Vinoshia—it’s questionable whether there’s any treasure there at all.
In short, there were no buyers.
I thought perhaps they were trying to make money by selling Seraria herself, but the numbers didn't add up. And they were careful to erase their tracks so they couldn't be traced through human trafficking. I wondered why they went to such lengths...
"The reason was the opposite, wasn't it?"
"Probably. Since entering Hinsua, and especially since coming to this old Vinoshia capital, I’ve been incredibly puzzled as to why they haven't placed it under the control of their own dungeon."
"Ah, so they were literally, truly out of money?"
"Given the current situation, that’s the only conclusion. Well, it’s possible they’re defying expectations and planning to strike all at once when the time is right..."
"If that were the case, they would have been better off selling it as a dungeon from the start. So, it’s highly likely they are just broke. They must be desperate."
"They even went as far as holding an auction, after all. Still, we can’t let our guard down. I’ll let them know we’re heading out to explore in two or three days, so we can’t rule out the possibility that the enemy will move."
They both nod at my words. By the way, Rushi is staring at a book again today with glazed eyes. I think she’s reached her limit.
Well, today is the last day, so I’ll have to ask her to hang in there.
Money is a strange thing; it gathers where it gathers, and where it doesn't, it stays away entirely. That’s just how it is.