第１６３０堀：軍部の方も色々大変 (Part2)
"So, it seems I’ve reached the point where I have to consider such things, too."
Seraria murmured this to herself, a fresh realization dawning upon her.
Well, I can certainly understand that sentiment.
After all, Weed is fundamentally comprised of four locations: the grand metropolis of Weed itself, the regional city of Betan on the If Continent, Baide in the Haiden region, and Aurelia Port in the Zurable region.
One might think four towns is a modest number, but considering we don't possess vast, sprawling territories, it’s not particularly unusual for a small nation.
Though, in terms of sheer national power, we eclipse the great powers of every continent...
"It’s not so much that we’ve reached that point, but rather that everyone outside the military has essentially been training subordinates as vice-representatives. It’s simply that we were late to the draw."
As Quar noted, we have been diligent in fostering successors for matters of state administration.
No, come to think of it, the military has been doing the same...
"Late to the draw? It was more a matter of avoiding unnecessary scrutiny by expanding the military too recklessly, wasn't it?"
Indeed. To the outside world, Weed is perceived as a small nation that grew to its current stature under the protection of greater powers.
Therefore, expanding our military beyond what is deemed "necessary" risks inviting all sorts of suspicious speculation.
"This instance, however—or rather, given Weed’s current standing—no one would dare complain. While we don't have a standing army in every town, we have soldiers who double as guards. But this is a newly established town, and we must contend with the dark guilds, not to mention the monsters roaming the seas and the surrounding wilderness. We need to maintain order."
In short, we are starting from scratch and must build an organization capable of protecting the town.
We are gathered here to determine how to allocate the necessary strength to achieve that.
"Maintaining order within the town will fall to Tori and her police force, so we’re talking about a unit to cull the monsters outside, right?"
"Yes. Since this is a base outside the dungeon, we have no choice but to exterminate naturally spawning monsters."
"Inside the dungeon, everything is perfectly managed. Though, I suppose the outer perimeter of Weed and the entrance towns are much the same..."
As Seraria pointed out, Weed does have an outer perimeter—towns that face the surface world.
Things have been calm lately, but when Weed was first established, there were no gates. People flocked from all over the Rogari Continent via land routes, passing through the surface entrances. Since not everyone could complete their journey in a single day, they needed places to rest, so we built simple towns on the outskirts.
Even so, the primary facilities are located within Weed, so those outer towns are specialized for safety, providing little more than lodging and food for a secure night’s sleep.
The police and military handle security, dealing with local bandits and monsters, so the new port town will likely be an expansion of that model.
"So, it means we need a military commander to dispatch to the port town, then."
"Precisely. We can't exactly make decisions on the fly, and given the distance—unlike our other towns—there is no independent unit already stationed there. Which means we must send a senior officer from the existing Weed military, and we will have to fill the void they leave behind."
"...I see. That’s why this discussion is so urgent. Education isn't something that can be settled overnight, so the first order of business is deciding who to send, right?"
"Indeed."
"That said, my side—the Royal Guard—has already had Sisua and Sona taken, so I’d like to avoid losing any more, if possible."
"That goes without saying. They are the Royal Guard, after all. They are the unit tasked with protecting His Majesty, Yuki-sama, and Jessica’s group; ideally, they should remain untouched."
Quar says this, but it’s not so simple.
The military force with the most extensive experience under Weed’s banner is the one she leads.
Just as the conversation was heating up:
"Yo, Seraria. Oh, the whole military brass is here, too?"
"Perfect timing."
"Pardon the intrusion."
With those words, Yuki, Steve, and Rurua entered the room together.
We were in the midst of discussing how to fill the gaps that would inevitably be left by Jessica and the others from the military.
Everywhere we turn, we are running short on talent.
Well, I suppose that’s only natural—when you build a new town, people are bound to flow toward it.