第１６４８堀：情報を扱う者たち (Part2)
"The only place where an ordinary citizen might find a foothold is likely with Ratz," I mused.
Even so, there is no guarantee that the port town will flourish immediately, so it is still too early to launch a large-scale recruitment drive. While the probability of failure is infinitesimally close to zero, there is little point in gathering personnel when the workplaces themselves have yet to be established.
"The port town has finally begun to take shape recently," I noted. "I heard from Master when he treated us to fish that the fishing harbor is finally seeing some progress, hasn't it?"
"Rather than 'progress,' perhaps it would be more accurate to say it has finally begun to stir," she replied. "We are starting from the very basics of boat handling, so full-scale operations are still a long way off."
"I see. Even so, you will need people to train. That means you must hire. In that case, we should look to Micos, who handles the production of our outsourced booklets and magazines. Come to think of it, isn't Micos also developing merchandise?"
"Yes. Um..."
For some reason, Prol opened her item box and began to retrieve something. Judging by the flow of the conversation, I could already guess what was coming.
"Micos-sama entrusted these prototypes to Yuki-sama, and I have received a portion of them. Here they are."
My intuition had been correct, though I wished it hadn't been.
"..."
"..."
Resting before us was a bizarre creature—or perhaps, an avant-garde sculpture? No, was this some sort of coaster? Sensing my bewilderment, Prol spoke up.
"This is apparently a sculpture representing the lugworms—or rather, the worms—found on the beach."
"Excuse me?"
The sheer absurdity of the answer left me with no other response. A worm—surely she meant those colossal worms? But those creatures had countless legs, like centipedes or lugworms. This thing had none.
"The legs were omitted—or rather, simplified. As proof that it is indeed that worm, the face is, at the very least..."
Prompted by her words, I examined the face. Was this the top? No, that didn't seem right. The bottom, then? At the base supporting the sculpture, there was indeed a face, rendered with... clarity? It was merely a pair of eyes and a mouth that bore no resemblance to the creature in question.
"..."
"..."
Prol seemed to understand exactly what I was thinking, as she turned her face away from mine.
"...Well, since we are not the ones managing the merchandise, let us refrain from commenting. The other plushies are quite adorable, after all."
"Indeed. For now, please, do not mention this to Orelia."
"She... she truly has a unique talent, doesn't she?"
I tried to offer a comment that wouldn't cause offense, but...
"Kirika-sama, that is a forbidden phrase. She is well aware of it herself. She was practically writhing in agony wondering why it was even approved in the first place."
Is that so? To think that even praise could become a weapon that wounds. I understood the concept in theory, but I suppose in this context, it had become the ultimate irony.
"Ahem. Regardless, production of the merchandise has begun, so it is only a matter of time before the booklets and magazines are ready."
"If that happens, Weed will surely see some movement. Regardless of the dark guilds, there are countless people out there eager to investigate the port town."
"Ah, so the screening process begins."
"Indeed, the screening. We must investigate not only the dark guilds but anyone who might pose a threat to Weed or our allies. Orelia and the others will likely be flooded with inquiries from the general public. Handling that follow-up is your job, Prol."
"Understood. However, as the Information Division, should we continue to focus solely on rumors among the residents and the town?"
"That is fine. The Intelligence Department will handle the dangerous work. The Information Division’s role is strictly to grasp any information that might incite anxiety within Weed. Besides, if you were to do any more than that, you would burn out. You are already busy enough scrutinizing the residents' information."
"True enough. Then, I shall continue with my duties."
"Yes. Take care of yourself."
And so, having received the report from Prol, I returned to refining our future plans. It is not as if rare or startling information arrives every day. In fact, this state of utter normalcy is the standard. If we were constantly dealing with emergencies, it would be problematic in an entirely different sense.