第１５９１堀：海を目指して (Part2)
"Even if we’re running non-stop, we’ll have breaks just like today, so we’ll be finished by tomorrow. The real issue is what happens once we reach the coast. Have you given any thought to that?"
It was a relief to know that this relentless pace would only last until tomorrow. During my training, it felt like there was never an end in sight. But for Hiiro and the others, the real work—deciding where to build the port and such—would only begin once we arrived at the shoreline. Honestly, I didn't have a clue about any of that.
"Say, Dore-nee, how do you plan on finding a spot for the port? Or rather, where exactly do you intend to float the ships?"
I decided to just ask her directly. It seemed she had already been turning that over in her mind.
"It’s not set in stone, but first, we need a coastline where ships can actually dock. A sheer cliff face wouldn't exactly be welcoming to a vessel."
"That makes sense. So, you're looking for something like a beach?"
"Hmm, well, if there’s a beach, that usually means the water is shallow for a long distance out. Large warships wouldn't be able to get close, so I imagine we’d have to anchor them offshore."
"Ah..."
When she put it that way, it made perfect sense. The places where we currently keep our warships—Weed and Aurelia in Zuraburu—didn't have beaches; the ports were built where the water was deep. I suppose there might have been a beach nearby, though.
"Well, I can conjure the port itself in an instant using dungeon functions, but the real problem is the monsters."
"Ah, the Rogari Continent is teeming with active monsters. That was exactly what Big Brother and the others were worried about."
"Come to think of it, didn't they say we might get attacked the moment we put the ships in the water?"
Thinking about it now, it felt like one of those classic disaster-horror movies about the sea.
"The probability is low, I think, but we can't afford to be careless. First, we’ll establish a camp on the coast and survey the waters. That’s why I’ve brought my subordinates along."
"But is it really necessary for us to be together on the journey?"
"Of course it is. There’s no telling where a water-dwelling monster might appear. It would be a disaster if we couldn't move or fight properly once we hit land."
"I see. So this is also about training the monsters, then?"
"Exactly. We can travel easily via gates, but there are times when that’s not an option. We’ve done plenty of training, but there are things you only learn through actual experience. You’ve had that experience too, haven't you, Hiiro?"
"Yeah. I’m having it right now. Running through these grasslands is a real pain."
There are grasslands in the dungeon, too, but after practicing so many times, you eventually memorize the terrain. This, however, was a genuine, wild grassland. It was full of variety—boulders that appeared out of nowhere, muddy swamps, and ponds too small to be called lakes, just as Dressa had mentioned earlier, all hiding monsters. It was fine for a bit of fun, but after six hours, it just became tedious. And the obstacles were nothing but a nuisance.
"Dealing with that boredom is part of the job, too. Keep at it."
Sigh. It’s hard to argue with that. She’s right, of course. Work is just a long accumulation of dull tasks, as Big Brother used to say. He’d also mention that whenever trouble strikes, you start to miss the quiet times. I think I finally understand that feeling. Back when I was going through the International Exchange School surveys, things were much better than they are now.
"You had already conducted a preliminary survey, hadn't you? Can't you make some predictions based on that?"
"Oh? I haven't shown you two the photos from the drone yet, have I? My apologies."
With that, Dore-nee sent the photo data over. I checked it, but...
"It’s just... a normal sea and coastline."
"...Hiiro is right. From the photos, it’s impossible to tell anything other than that it’s a coastline."
"See? Since the terrain data hasn't been turned into a dungeon yet, it’s hard to tell much from just a picture, right?"
Dore-nee gave a wry smile. Yeah, they were right—looking at the photos, I had no idea what the overall landscape was like. The elevation, the state of the sea... there was no choice but to see it with my own eyes. I finally understood what she meant.
"So, now you see that the real work begins once we reach the coast. Come on, let's eat, and then we’ll get back to running."
"Yes."
"Okay!"
And so, after enjoying lunch in the middle of the vast, blue-skied grassland, Hiiro and the others set off running once more. There’s a song about walking toward the sea, isn't there? I like that song, but this... this is a serious, literal trek on foot.