第１５８９堀：どこから人を引っ張ってくるのか (Part1)
Chapter 1589: Where Do We Pull People From?
Side: Yuki
Whether it should be called fortunate or simply according to plan, the meeting regarding the coastal survey and port development concluded without a hitch.
Ah, no, that’s not quite right. Perhaps I should say it was surprisingly straightforward.
Well, I suppose it just goes to show how concerned every nation was about the fact that members of the Dark Guild had made off with the cores.
All that remained was to discuss how Weed would proceed from here.
"Now then, I know the members who were in the meeting will be hearing this for the second time, but please bear with me for the sake of those who weren't."
I prefaced my statement before relaying the results of the conference.
"The coastal survey and port development will be carried out under the jurisdiction of Roschur."
It had turned out exactly as I had initially proposed.
Of course, there had been a discussion, but Gartz was on the opposite side of Ritia, and as for neighboring Rumel, they already possessed ports for trade with other continents, so they wanted to avoid further concentration of traffic in that area.
That left us with the choice between Ritia and Roschur, but...
"Ritia has determined that calling in the Allied Forces again would likely cause anxiety among our vassal states. Therefore, we would prefer to entrust this to Roschur."
With Alstaire making that request, the decision fell to Roschur.
I had been curious how they would judge the situation, but it seemed that while they didn't mind Ritia's own military, the prospect of the Allied Forces stepping in again was a source of significant unease.
"As for the routes, I plan to decide them after gathering information from Seraria, as well as from the merchants and the surveyors we are sending to the site."
"Brother, does that mean Hiiro and the others will be heading out to sea much later?"
As Hiiro pointed out, normally, one couldn't head out to sea without a port, but...
"No, I want you to go ahead and begin the coastal survey from the sea side as usual. Including the survey of monsters."
"““Eh?””"
Everyone looked at me in surprise, but there was nothing to be shocked about.
"No, do you remember how Luna handled the fleet we’re using now?"
When I said that, everyone seemed to recall it, their expressions shifting from realization to turning pale.
"That time, a massive wave hit the port and caused quite a bit of damage. Are you planning to do that here?"
Seraria was the first to glare at me, as if to say she opposed it.
Well, I had been furious at the time, too.
"The problem back then was that there was a port with people in it. This time, there are no such restrictions."
"When you put it that way, I suppose you're right."
Seraria’s gaze softened.
It was a matter of it being our fault for not being considerate of our surroundings.
In other words, it was Luna’s fault.
"The only things there will be are monsters, and we’ll need to redeploy the cargo inside, but... Dressa, how many ships do you think we need for the coastal and sea survey?"
"Eh? Ah, let's see. I can't say for sure without seeing the site, but we don't need the two aircraft carriers. It’s just patrol and survey work, right? A formation of two destroyers should suffice, and once the port is built, maybe two more for escort and reserve?"
Dressa, caught off guard by the question, gave her answer.
I shared the same opinion.
"That sounds about right. That said, please be careful; Leviathans have been confirmed in the seas of Haiden and Zrable."
Those are the monsters of the deep.
According to the testimony from the Sea Dragon, they resemble the creature from the Old Testament—a massive, rotting fish.
Well, just imagining it is nothing but trouble.
However, destroyers are quite excellent for anti-submarine warfare.
I believe they can fight more effectively than the carriers.
"Sigh. So, when will we be heading out to sea? How long for the formation?"
"Let's see. I plan to have Roschur notified, so probably in about two weeks. It’s inevitable that communication will be delayed for countries where the gates aren't connected."
"Even so, thanks to the gates being placed in even the smaller nations, the time is shortened. Under normal circumstances, it would take a month, if not two, to cover that distance."
That’s true; it would take that long on foot or by carriage.
Moreover, negotiations between nations would be necessary, and transporting supplies would take even more time.
It was the right decision to build transportation methods like the gates.
"The problem is the leadership and management of the port construction. In the end, as expected, the nations asked us to provide the personnel from Weed."
As Seraria said, we had asked the various nations if they had any candidates for port operation and management, but the nations of the Rogari continent have almost no knowledge of the sea.
Because of the need to deal with monsters, the conversation inevitably turned to sourcing them from Weed.
"Honestly speaking, we can't spare any more people from our side... Does anyone have any ideas?"
"...That’s quite difficult. If you ask if anyone can go, it’s very tough for us to spare anyone else."
Seraria must have thought about it, but in the end, she could only shake her head, unable to name anyone.
Well, if it were just a survey, I could send someone like Comet or Zargis, but this involves running a port.
The other wives didn't open their mouths either, and just as the silence deepened...
"May I speak?"
Surprisingly, it was Quar who raised her hand.
"Yeah, do you have an idea?"
"Yes. Up until now, we have basically operated only with our own people, but there are exceptions. Specifically, Lord Horst of the Betan territory on the If continent, and Lady Catherine of the Bide territory in the Haiden region. These two examples exist."
"But those two were nobles who originally held those lands, weren't they~?"
Ratz countered Quar’s suggestion.
Well, it was true that regarding those two territories, after we had various troubles, the result was that the nobles of those lands joined us, which was a case of the right person in the right place.
However, we are building a new port, and there is basically no one involved.
I hadn't considered using people from nearby countries either, as they are mostly small coastal nations that aren't part of the alliance, and I didn't want to cause trouble by poaching or making such requests.
To that counterargument, Quar replied:
"That is correct. Therefore, in terms of aptitude, there is no one better, but that does not mean there is no other talent available."
"Quar, you’re being too indirect. Give us the answer."
At Seraria’s prompt to speak plainly, Quar shrugged...
"Understood. I will be brief. My Imperial Guard is a unit composed solely of women gathered to protect Her Majesty Seraria. Therefore, many of them are of quite high status; I believe Your Majesty is aware that among them are daughters of lords, and even those who hold titles for various reasons."
"Ah... I see. That is one way to do it."
Reminded, I recalled it too.
The group Seraria brought to Weed—her personal guard, now the Imperial Guard—was a collection of women who wanted to become knights, and they were all women.