第１５９７堀：港を作る前に前提の確認 (Part2)
"I see. I understand your point, Prol. While it may be a secondary priority, it is a task that must be done regardless. Since we now have a grasp of the monsters' strength, we have a valid excuse for the delay."
"Ah, I see. So, because the monsters are so powerful, it’s only natural that fishing operations would take time to get off the ground. And even if we build a port, it means we don't have to go out of our way to survey a vast expanse of the sea by ship, right?"
"Exactly. While there may be an ideal topography, Yuki-sama can manipulate the environment to suit our needs. I had thought that establishing a base for Dressa-sama and the navy should come first, but what do you think, Yuki-sama?"
"Well, that is one approach. This incident has made it clear that we need two separate teams for port construction: one to survey the coastal land and another to investigate the waters. It’s fortunate that we’ve learned how time-consuming even a single location can be."
I see. Prol’s suggestion is to use the surface-level excuse as a shield to get the port built as quickly as possible. It’s true that surveying for the optimal location naturally takes time. However, the true purpose of building the port is to track the Dark Guild. Kirika and her intelligence agents are following the enemy’s movement routes, and reports consistently point to the coast of Litea as suspicious.
In other words, while surveying the Roschur coast isn't entirely meaningless, it deviates from our true objective, and time is of the essence. If we fall behind, the damage could be catastrophic. Sisua and Sona, acting as local magistrates, seem to have grasped this as well.
"Indeed, while building the port is ostensibly for surveying the Rogari coast and its waters, our true objective is the pursuit of the Dark Guild."
"That’s right. But even so, wouldn't it look suspicious if we just built it so easily?"
"Ah, as Sona says, there is a significant risk of raising suspicion. It’s a matter of balance. To be honest, while we claim it’s a supply base for Dressa and her crew, we’ve already enabled gate travel from the aircraft carrier, so supply issues aren't a concern. That said, it would be problematic if the world learned of such capabilities."
"Haha, indeed. If it became public knowledge that we possess ships capable of indefinite operation without resupply, the uproar would be unimaginable."
Jessica replies with a hollow laugh. It’s clear that if this were exposed—not just in Rogari, but in If, Haiden, or Zrable—it would cause a massive stir. Still, we need a vessel on the scale of an aircraft carrier.
"Um, excuse me, but wouldn't it be even more suspicious to have ships floating there when the port isn't even built yet?"
"..."
At Yayui’s words, everyone wears the expression of someone who has just realized the obvious.
"Well, it would be simple enough to use an item box like Yuki’s, but..."
"No, moving something on the scale of an aircraft carrier in and out... regardless of what the major powers know, the smaller nations would certainly make a fuss. They’d start demanding we transport their goods..."
Yuki looks utterly exhausted. It’s true—the power to easily transport even large-scale vessels is something every nation would want to exploit.
"Considering Weed’s position, they would absolutely demand it. With all due respect to Fiora-sama, we have a precedent for this."
"Haha, there is no room to argue with Prol’s assessment."
Fiora had come to Weed to resolve a water shortage, and we succeeded. Since then, many nations have requested water, but due to various restrictions and contracts—and the fact that Fiora, a princess, general, and core figure of her nation, was ostensibly taken by Weed as a maid, requiring immense sacrifice—we have managed to fend off those requests. It’s a classic case of the consequences of granting an impossible wish. That is why Fiora has no rebuttal.
"The Fiora situation couldn't be helped. If we had handled it poorly, it could have led to war. In this case, because we are tracking the Dark Guild, we cannot afford to be exposed. That being the case, it is better to build the port sooner rather than later."
"Yes. I agree."
"I am in favor as well. In that case, shall we designate the area we surveyed this time as the site for the port?"
"Agreed. I will have Tori and Dressa continue to survey the surrounding area under the pretense of routine investigation, but the construction site is decided."
And just like that, the location for the port was decided—or rather, forced into a decision by various circumstances. It is vital to keep in mind why we are building the port in the first place. It is all too common for the means to eventually replace the ends.