第１６４８堀：情報を扱う者たち (Part1)
Chapter 1648: Those Who Handle Information
Side: Kirika
"Now then, Prol. Let us hear your report."
"Yes, ma'am."
Today, it is a rare occurrence for Prol to visit the Intelligence Department.
Well, perhaps "rare" is an overstatement, but the frequency has certainly dropped compared to the past. Back when she was leading the Information Division and the Resident Affairs Division, we had to be incredibly cautious whenever we met, starting with securing the environment itself.
However, that environment has changed drastically. Since Prol is now an attendant to our Master, she is always where he is. Consequently, we see each other often, making her presence here in this office a rarity.
Setting that aside, the reason for Prol’s visit today is clear.
"Regrettably, we have been unable to track the movements in Suls, Hinsua, or Vinosia. Lady Nina seems to be tracking them via a separate route, but I have yet to hear the details from her side."
"As for Lady Nina, she is coordinating with Lady Ratz and that merchant house operating outside the alliance to track them through supply chains; that is a different matter entirely. That is not a problem. However, have you received any new information from that front?"
"Unfortunately, no. Even though Lady Rurua and Lady Lilishe are providing extensive local support, there have been no attempts to interfere with the supplies that General Steve and his forces are guarding, and the fields appear to be growing smoothly."
"While that is unfortunate for us, it is a good thing for the people living in the old Vinosia royal capital. Well, we cannot let our guard down, but it is proof that we successfully apprehended the core leadership of the Dark Guild."
The hometown of Lady Canaria, which has not been a topic of conversation lately, remains quiet in that regard as well. Our Intelligence Department has a few agents on the ground conducting investigations, but everything is peaceful. The residents who were once bought off by the Dark Guild are now living calm lives, tilling their fields, which is the best possible outcome. The sisters of the church are also resting in an environment much improved from before; there is no doubt that these are positive developments.
For us, however, it simply means there is no information leading to our next objective. Prol is well aware of what that implies.
"Yes. That is something to be celebrated. Yuki-sama, his wives, and above all, the Goddess they worship came to provide support. It would be a failure if things did not turn out this way. That said, his divine radiance was so potent that it wiped away the tracks of those fools. Because of that, we are currently using Orelia’s connections and diplomatic channels to scour for suspicious activity, but..."
Prol cuts her sentence short, looking visibly uncomfortable.
"To be honest, since we quelled the incident in Suls, the enemy’s movements have become blatantly scarce. The Vinosia matter was only trackable because Lady Canaria was being sold off."
Her words betray a sense of frustration that she hasn't achieved significant results since I joined. To me, she has been acting perfectly as a mentor and a model for Orelia and the others, which is more than enough. But for Prol, she likely wants to lead Orelia and the others to seize the tail of the Dark Guild and crush another large-scale organization.
Now, should I reprimand her, or praise her? No, in her case...
"What of it? Gathering information is a task without an end. The Canaria affair was only possible because the opposition was suffering from a lack of funds. From here on out, the standard procedure is to investigate steadily against opponents who do not show their tails as they do now. There is no point in being swayed by such things. Has the Master reprimanded you for this?"
"No, nothing of the sort. Yuki-sama is always calm and provides us with clear instructions."
"Then he must be satisfied with your work. Continue to serve well."
"Yes."
The awkward look on her face vanishes, replaced by a firm, resolute expression.
"Now, we have finished our reports, but it seems there are no movements for the time being."
"Wait, Kirika-sama, have you not heard anything regarding the remnants of the Dark Guild who fled to the seaside, which you are monitoring?"
"Regarding that, there is no movement. They seem to believe this is a time for hiding. Though, I suspect they will move to nearby villages once their supplies run out."
"So, for now, it is a waiting game?"
It was a stroke of luck that we were able to discover the Dark Guild members who split off from Vinosia, but they truly are not moving. Since there is no contact with other organizations—as the Master suggested there might be—the current reality is that we have no choice but to wait, just as Prol said.
"Yes. But there is no need to be impatient. It simply means the Master can develop the port town with more leisure. The operation of the bento shop seems to be going well, too."
"I haven't confirmed the numbers directly, but I have heard from Yuki-sama that orders are coming in and they are producing them properly. Lady Ria still seems to be helping out as well."
"Lady Ria seems to have some thoughts regarding Lady Canaria. However, the fact that the Master hasn't said anything in particular is proof that he trusts you all."
"I suppose so. It would be unwelcome for us if Lady Ria were to panic and return because she felt the task couldn't be left to us, so I take it as a sign of trust."
Even so, it is worrying to wonder how long Lady Ria will remain by Lady Canaria’s side. Although her emotions are difficult to read, Lady Canaria has opened her heart to Lady Ria to a significant degree. Therefore, when Lady Ria eventually returns to the Master’s side, Lady Canaria will be left alone.
Well, while that day will come eventually, she is a blood relative of the one who destroyed Vinosia; there is no doubt that she requires more caution from those around her than others. For now, there is no issue because Lady Ria is openly staying with her, but...
That is something I need to discuss with the Master.
"Come to think of it, the bento shop reminded me—is there no particular reaction within Weed regarding the port town? I have been walking through the town and the government building, but I haven't sensed any reaction."
"People within Weed know that a port town is being built, but they likely don't know about the migration or tourism aspects. After all, not even a brochure has been made yet, and we haven't put out any job postings. There is no way for them to react. All they know is that the Master is doing *something*."
"Ah, now that you mention it, when people ask what Yuki-sama is doing, I do sometimes answer that he is building a port town."
That is correct. To this day, the port town has not been opened to the general public, nor have any job postings been issued. It remains limited to the government offices, the police, the hospital, the military, and the resort and commercial districts under Lady Ratz’s command.