第１６８９堀：メイドたちの新しい噂話 (Part2)
"Indeed, it is a fine name. But, if I may, should we not return to the matter at hand? I suspect neither Yuki-sama nor Kirue-dono and her companions have the luxury of endless leisure."
Fiora-sama’s sharp observation brought me back to reality.
"Ah, quite right. I have the status of the maid dispatches. Now, as for the information from within Weed and the rumors circulating..."
"For that, Sasari."
"Yes. I am sending the documents and data to the table now."
As I spoke, Sasari transmitted the files. Once I had confirmed their receipt, I continued my explanation.
"You may peruse the details at your leisure, but there are certain points I feel compelled to explain verbally."
I felt it necessary to convey this face-to-face. While emergency calls or wireless communication are always options, there are nuances that only reveal themselves when we are gathered in the same room.
"First, as a premise: there are no rumors requiring immediate, frantic action. However, there is a peculiar whisper going around."
"A peculiar rumor?"
"Yes. I shall let Sasari, who gathered the intelligence, report on it."
At my cue, Sasari nodded and began her explanation.
"I am still investigating the source, but there are reports of a phenomenon where people are simply vanishing into thin air."
"Vanishing? You mean they were attacked by monsters?"
"No, the reports specifically state this is happening within towns and villages."
"Kidnapping?"
"It does not appear to be so. Beyond the lack of exit or entry records, witnesses claim the victims simply disappeared right before their eyes."
"Hmm? Teleportation magic?"
"That is the most likely possibility, though, frankly, it is still just a rumor. I looked into the backgrounds of those who vanished, but their ages and genders are entirely inconsistent."
"Inconsistent? Are there really that many eyewitness reports?"
Even I had been surprised when I first heard the account. I had assumed it was merely a handful of isolated incidents.
"Seventeen cases, by my count. And I would not be surprised if there are more that have yet to come to light. These were, by all accounts, people of very stable character."
"…Random teleportation, or perhaps a summoning?"
"That is what I suspect as well. But the question remains: what could possibly be the purpose of such a thing?"
"True. Summoning is pointless if you cannot call your intended target. So, where are these rumors originating? Weed?"
"Oh, heavens no. You know better than anyone, Danna-sama, that we would never allow such a summoning to occur here, given our magical defenses. We have reinforced them to withstand even the output of Kagura-sama and Carrie-sama’s joint summoning rituals."
She was right. Our barriers, while perhaps not absolute, are not easily breached. We would never allow our citizens to be snatched away; we monitor and manage those variables with the utmost care.
"The location is near the border between Roschur and Gartz."
"That sounds like a situation that would make Seraria lose her temper."
"Haha, indeed. Oh, but it is not near where Lyushi-san and the others are stationed. It is further toward the coast."
"That is quite far. It is impressive that such information was gathered at all."
"That is the silver lining of the recent Dark Guild incident. We were already conducting a thorough investigation to ensure no Great Outbreaks were occurring, were we not?"
"Ah, that’s right."
The emergence of these rumors was a direct byproduct of the Dark Guild triggering a Great Outbreak. We had been scouring the lands to ensure no one else was artificially inciting such catastrophes.
"And in doing so, we uncovered these rumors. The parties involved had only heard fragmented pieces of information, leading them to dismiss it as mere imagination or simple kidnapping. However, the Adventurer Guild is whispering that a strange mage may be moving about, gathering people."
"Is Milly aware of this?"
"She might be, but the investigation into the Dark Guild and the Great Outbreak is still ongoing. She has her hands full with her duties in Weed; she has no capacity to issue new directives."
"Fair point. And we are busy enough with the port town construction and the school visits."
"Exactly. There is a possibility that we have intentionally kept it from her, and it ultimately comes down to how much you, Danna-sama, wish to intervene."
The decision of whether or not to act rests with him. It is better to be informed early and have the time to deliberate than to be caught off guard.
"…Understood. I will give this matter some thought. Thank you for the information. For now, we prioritize the school visits and the port town."
"Understood. That is the wisest course."
"I certainly wouldn't recommend taking on any more work than that."
And so, we concluded our briefing and returned to our domestic duties. It is an event occurring beyond our borders, yet it is impossible to ignore. Things are getting complicated, aren't they?
Now, I wonder—what is this the prelude to?