第１５８６堀：事前調査結果 (Part2)
"Well, I’ve been in contact with the old man, and there doesn't seem to be any issue. From their perspective, it just means more profit."
"The same goes for Litea. Honestly, given the political undercurrents, they’d be foolish to object."
For Litea, the prospect of a dungeon expanding further along their coastal territory was, in all likelihood, a welcome development. There was no reason to refuse. In fact, for any major power, the spontaneous creation of a dungeon was usually nothing but a headache; in that sense, they weren't about to stand in the way.
"Rumel is on board as well. What about Last?"
"Liliana and her ministers are in favor. After all, their territory is landlocked in the central interior. They can never get enough seafood, so they’re quite pleased about the expansion," Seraria replied to Lowell’s inquiry.
The former Demon Lord’s castle had become a hub of sorts, with the Gate making travel relatively effortless. The demon race, having evolved from their human origins, had integrated well; it wasn't just the hardened soldiers or adventurers anymore—more and more were living among the common folk. Of course, there were always those who tried to take advantage of the situation to kidnap and sell people, but those elements were being dealt with strictly.
Many of Zargis’s acquaintances had come to Weed to find work. While many took up roles as soldiers or police officers, others had turned to craftsmanship or even retail. As for the agricultural and ranching sectors, many had arrived through the recommendation of Leia, who remained one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
In fact, because Leia had managed a ranch during her time as a prisoner in Weed, she still came by a few times a month to check on things and facilitate the trade of livestock. Knowing she had a knack for that sort of work, I had once asked her why she didn't focus on agricultural management...
"Come to think of it, I never expected Leia to be so involved in agricultural matters, despite being one of the Four Heavenly Kings."
"Oh, that surprised me too. I mean, she did handle the animals and the fields when she was in Weed, so it’s not entirely strange, but still..."
Before I could even bring it up, Lowell and Seraria had already started discussing how unexpected it was. The other members seemed equally surprised, though a few remained unfazed.
"Leia is quite capable with calculations, and I’ve heard she handles the finances and logistics for the Kingdom of Last," one remarked.
"I’ve heard the same. Honestly, when it comes to dealings with Last, it’s usually Leia and her subordinates handling things, not Liliana."
"True. Leia is surprisingly shrewd."
"...She speaks quite clearly about the fields and the animals, and we consult with her often."
It seemed that Eris, Ratz, Milly, and Kaya—the ones managing our internal affairs—had already recognized Leia’s aptitude.
"Um, if we’re done talking about Leia, can we get back to the coastal development?"
Oops. Shera’s interjection snapped me out of the tangent.
"Right. From what I’ve heard, there aren't any issues within Rogari."
"My, that phrasing suggests you’re worried about the other continents?" Deryu asked, catching the nuance in my words.
"Not all of them, but let’s look at the If Continent. You’ve got Dressa’s homeland in the Ex Kingdom, the Seacypho Kingdom in the Haiden region, and the Zrable Empire in the Zrable region. These three primarily use Weed as a middleman to sell seafood to other nations for profit. Which means..."
"Those regions will see a decline in their seafood revenue, won't they?"
"...It might not happen overnight, but if they know their profits are going to drop, some of them are bound to object," Samantha and Kagura noted, their faces darkening as they realized the implications.
"Well, that’s what the negotiations are for. We aren't going to slash trade immediately, and we can frame it as an increase in supply for the general public."
"...If it’s for the general public, prices will drop. Someone is bound to take a hit."
"Cleena is right, but if fish becomes more accessible, maybe the market will stabilize?"
Cleena’s concerns were valid. But as Ria suggested, there was a non-zero chance that a new, stable demand would emerge as people who previously couldn't afford such luxuries began to purchase them.
"It’s a delicate balance, which is why we’re holding this meeting. Lowell, Seraria—I’m counting on you."
"Eh?"
"Why are you so surprised? You’re participating in the meeting, aren't you?"
"Haa..."
There was no mistaking the heavy sigh Shera let out at her sister’s reaction. Still, I knew that when it came down to it, Lowell could get the job done.
Whenever profit is involved, complications are inevitable. Managing those frictions is the ideal, but as we all know, the world rarely works out quite that cleanly.