第１５７４堀：出発日決定 (Part1)
### Chapter 1574: Departure Date Set
**Side: Hairen**
"Right then, we’re heading out to hunt for the hidden treasure in two days. I’d like the church to tighten its security until then."
Yuki dropped that bombshell casually over breakfast.
I couldn't help but think, *he’s always like this*, even as I voiced my confusion.
"Wait, really? Has it already been... that long since we arrived here?"
Yuki turned his gaze toward Kaya as he answered, "Well, it’s only been a week and a little change, so I wouldn't call it 'that long.' But the investigation is mostly wrapped up, and the support efforts are finally finding their rhythm, aren't they?"
"……The designated plots are fully tilled and the seedlings are planted," Kaya replied. "All that’s left is regular watering and weeding. I’ve left supervisors and instructors behind. As for the magic, if the sisters cooperate, they’ve reached a point where they can handle the tilling and clearing by hand, even if it’s on a smaller scale. The rest just depends on their training."
Indeed. Every day, I hear nothing but praise from Sister Knocia and Magnolia, who are overseeing the clearing and monitoring the progress. Well, with Kaya leading and John and Lord Faide assisting, that’s only to be expected.
"Good. Still, keep an eye out. Those guys might try to mess with the fields once we’re gone."
"……Understood."
"And the church itself? How are things? Any critical patients, or just the usual daily injuries and illnesses?"
"Everyone has recovered and been discharged," I reported. "Of course, new minor injuries and ailments pop up daily, but the sisters, Senal, and I have been handling them."
"That’s right~. All that’s left is managing the people who’ve gathered to work and teaching them how to prepare the soup kitchen meals~."
It’s true—the church is empty of patients now. After all, we worked ourselves to the bone to heal every single one of them. Once they’re healthy, they can eat their fill and get back to work. And with that, this town can finally begin its recovery. Whenever I tell them that, they just start moving again with these awkward, bashful smiles. It’s only natural, after all.
As for Senal, who was sitting next to me...
*“Haa... I finally understand why they call you a goddess. Though, personally, I absolutely refuse to acknowledge it.”*
She was looking upward, covering both eyes with one hand. It was such a strange reaction—she seemed genuinely bewildered by how much she couldn't accept it.
Then...
"So, everyone’s healed. I see. Was that you, Hairen?"
"Of course. You know it was. I fixed them all up with a *zap*. It’s no fun just lying in bed, is it? Life is meant for moving and eating."
"……Yeah. You’re right about that. So, Rurua, is the situation there alright?"
"Ahaha... I’ve been introducing Hairen and Senal as highly skilled practitioners, for what it's worth."
"Well, well~. At least now everyone can move around with some energy tomorrow, so isn't that fine? Nice work, Hairen-chan~."
"Right? *Ahem!*"
As I puffed out my chest, Kagura, Mikos, and Enola all closed their eyes and made complicated faces. Why are they like that? Isn't this something for the Hairen faith to be proud of?
As I pondered this, Yuki resumed his explanation.
"If the rear is secure, we don't have to worry. That said, there’s a chance they’ll try to stall us by claiming a massive outbreak of illness or injuries after we leave. Their goal is to stop us from linking up with the other exploration members. They don't want a healer who can boost survival rates in the mix, and they probably want to prevent the church from becoming a full-fledged enemy of Litea."
"Wait? Wouldn't attacking you, Yuki-sama, be tantamount to attacking the alliance—and by extension, Litea itself?"
Lyushi asked, as if the answer were obvious. I felt the same way. The Suurus incident, the auction, and even the old Vinosia—they were all essentially taking advantage of Litea’s blind spots. The idea that they’d suddenly show restraint toward the church now...
"Well, we know what's going on because of the Dark Guild’s movements in the shadows, but from their perspective, they were just dealing with small nations, making money, or using those places as bases. They weren't specifically targeting Litea. It was all just to bolster their own power."
Ah, so that’s how they see it. When he puts it that way, it actually makes sense.
"So, in other words," Kagura mused, "the Dark Guild wants to maintain the facade that they’re only disposing of the treasure hunters and aren't doing anything to Litea?"
"I think Kagura is right. After all, they haven't really bothered the church side until now, have they? Right, Canaria?"
"Are you asking me? I thought you would ask Rurua-sama."
"You’re not wrong. I heard from Rurua that there were no issues during the treatments. And there hasn't been any harassment toward those running the soup kitchen. I’m asking about you personally, Canaria."
"I see. In that case, there was indeed no harassment directed at me specifically during my stay."
"That’s a strange way to put it. Does that mean there *was* harassment toward the church side?"
"Who can say? I called it harassment, but during the soup kitchen service, there were demands for larger portions and seconds. Or rather, since we’ve been making the soup from scratch for the last two or three days, there’s been some inconsistency in the flavor, and a few people have complained that it’s started to taste bad."
"““Ah...””"
That much was true. Yuki heard this and gave a wry smile.
"It’s a tall order to expect the sisters to master the Weed-style seasoning overnight. Enola, Senal, what do you two think?"
"Well, I understand what they’re saying, but the sisters seem hesitant to use the seasonings we provided."
"Well, they’ve been living in extreme austerity for so long, they can't help it. They’re probably worried that if we leave, the supplies will dry up," Senal added.
"I see. So they’re trying to save as much as possible to make it last... In that case, should we leave more supplies? And ensure the resupply chain remains unbroken?"
"……I don't think that’s a bad idea. If they don't use it, it’ll just go to waste. If they know there’s a massive reserve and that more is coming, they’ll start using it, and eventually, they’ll settle down."
I agreed with Kaya. The sisters are living in fear that support could vanish at any moment. That’s why they hoard. But if they realize the food will spoil if they don't use it, and that more is on the way, they’ll feel secure. Besides, in a year or two, they’ll be harvesting crops from the fields they’ve tilled, which will provide income. The longer time passes, the more secure they’ll feel.
"Then we’ll have to instruct them starting tomorrow to use the ingredients and seasonings liberally when making the soup. Enola, Senal, can I leave that to you?"
"Increasing the ingredients is fine, but even then, with the current amounts, seconds will be tough. Or should we prepare enough to include seconds? That would require a much larger resupply of goods, though."
"We’ll have to ask them to settle for 'extra-large' portions for now. Keep track of how many people actually ask for seconds."
"……True. If we suddenly start making enough for seconds and it goes to waste, that’ll be a storage nightmare."
"Yeah. We could store it for them, but I don't want to coddle them *too* much."
That’s for sure.