第１６１５堀：良い条件は良いとは限らない (Part2)
"Naturally. That serves to keep them from acting on their own accord, too, I suppose."
"Indeed. Moving in silence is the greatest threat to be wary of, and cleaning up the aftermath is a nightmare. This is a calculated move. If they were to get ahead of us, procure a core on their own, and attempt to manifest a dungeon..."
"It would be spotted immediately, wouldn't it?"
"Precisely. This is as much an act of surveillance as it is an offer of provision. Though, as you noted, Yuki-sama, it also addresses the issue of supply failing to keep up with demand."
Talking to Schans helps clear the fog.
This proposal wasn't some chaotic whim; it was a necessity.
I suppose that’s only natural, given Yuki-dono’s position.
"Still... if they can produce these things themselves, the diplomatic dealings between our nations are going to get complicated."
"That is, if they can cover all their needs. Besides, how would you even suggest that your citizens live in a dungeon? Have you considered the upfront costs involved?"
"Hmm. When you put it that way, you’re right. If I were to carelessly suggest such a thing to my people, the number of fools trying to hunt down their own cores and become Dungeon Masters would skyrocket."
"Exactly. It’s reached a level where we hesitate to even issue an official decree. If handled poorly, it could shake the very foundations of our nations. After all, we have the precedent of Seraria-dono’s Seraphina Church."
"True. It’s a no-go. We absolutely cannot make an announcement, and we cannot gather people unnecessarily. Perhaps the most we can do is have them work in secret factories?"
"That would be best. Establishing a subterranean facility to research living conditions is likely the limit."
What a truly troublesome affair.
I thought this might be a boon exclusive to us, but if handled poorly, it could turn our own citizens into potential enemies.
It’s convenient, yet far from simple.
"I suppose serious discussions with the other nations are vital. And then there’s the matter of how to keep the idiots in our own countries in check..."
"A difficult challenge, indeed. Perhaps it would be better to keep quiet for this week and wait until we’ve decided on a unified approach during our talks?"
"Hmm. Do you think that’s feasible?"
"We can speak with them beforehand. I shall arrange contact immediately. I hope they’ve been having similar discussions, though the possibility that they’ve already leaked word to their subordinates isn't zero."
"True enough. Well, I imagine the leaders of the great powers are, like me, first deliberating among themselves..."
I have my concerns, but I have a hunch.
After all, they are the ones bearing the weight of great nations.
They must understand just how tedious it is when the lower ranks fall into chaos.
And so, I had thought my time at the yakiniku restaurant was coming to an end, but...
"Well, well. So everyone ended up in the same place after all."
"Indeed. Though, given what was said, I suppose that was to be expected."
"We didn't even need a week; we all gathered in a matter of hours."
Those words came from the King of Lowel, the King of Roschur, and the Saintess of Litea.
The other heads of state nodded in agreement.
Incidentally, as you might gather from the King of Lowel’s comment...
"It’s fortunate we were all at the same yakiniku place."
"Well, I figured it would be best to keep a cool head before consulting with my subordinates."
Just as Zilba and Seisifo said, everyone had come to this very restaurant, taken private rooms, and spent their time pondering the situation.
I wonder why we didn't cross paths in the hallway, but logically, one doesn't leave their seat unless they need to use the restroom.
One rarely leaves a table when there is delicious food in front of them.
Besides, it was a topic that couldn't be overheard by just anyone.
"So, about the dungeon matter. I felt that accepting it blindly would make it impossible to manage, but what is the consensus among the nations?"
I asked this without hesitation, even as I grilled the meat.
Lowel, picking up a piece of cooked meat, replied...
"The truth is, we want it, but we know all too well that the fools will run wild. It would be best to make them wait, or perhaps set a strict timeframe."
"That would be for the best. It’s not as if our subjects are going to listen to us obediently, anyway."
"Ambition is natural, I suppose, but in this case, the stakes are far too high."
We grumbled about these things, yet somehow, the conversation grew lively as we drank and agreed that the yakiniku was, indeed, delicious. How did that happen?
Not that I didn't enjoy it.
It’s not quite "a kindness that causes trouble," but it is the sort of situation where you’re happy for the opportunity, even if it means more work.