第１６９０堀：君ならどうする (Part1)
Chapter 1690: What Would You Do?
What would you do?
Side: Zargis
"How rare. Or should I ask, has some issue arisen with the fishing vessels?"
Indeed, Yuki had come to the laboratory.
I had assumed that when it came to the ships operating out of the port town, it would be Yayui-dono, or perhaps Yuki, coming to check on them, but...
"No, it’s a separate matter. How is the construction coming along?"
"Ah, we are working on the custom models, as planned. The engines are being built, and I’ve left the rest to the blacksmiths and shipwrights."
"So, it’s on schedule, then?"
"Yes. We are producing the planned quota. Though, the blacksmiths and shipwrights seem to be bickering quite a bit during their consultations."
"Well, it’s not exactly something you can just throw together."
It’s easy to say "build a ship," but much like aircraft, a ship is the culmination of various technologies.
Since we are operating under the premise of engine propulsion, the level of technical expertise required is substantial, and the hulls and propellers designed to match that power are no simple feats of engineering.
However, if I were to simply conjure them using dungeon skills, our local personnel would never develop their own skills.
It’s a difficult balance.
"Once they’re finished, contact Yayui and hand them over. We’ll need to conduct proper test runs."
"Of course. There is no one better suited to push those ships to their absolute limits than her."
"Haha... thank you."
He seems a bit listless, but he has always been a quiet fellow; perhaps this is just his nature?
Regardless, that is beside the point...
"Hmm, since you didn't say that was all, I assume there is another matter?"
"Yeah, it’s a rumor that Kirue and Sasari picked up..."
"A rumor, you say?"
And so, Yuki began to speak of the "spirit abductions"—or rather, the cases of sudden disappearance and teleportation.
"Hmm. So, people are being summoned at random..."
"Well, that’s not entirely confirmed yet."
"True, but based on what you’ve told me, it sounds like teleportation. Where they are being taken, we don’t know. If it were offensive magic or a simple kidnapping, we would have noticed by now."
"That’s exactly what I’m thinking."
"So, the real question is: what is the intent behind telling me this? Do you intend to intervene in another nation’s affairs?"
"I’m currently weighing that. What do you think, Zargis?"
I see. So that is the nature of the conversation.
Well, it is far better than him acting impulsively without any thought at all.
"If you want my personal opinion, I would like to investigate immediately. If it truly is a summoning or teleportation, there will be traces left behind. I don’t know what kind of fool would do such a thing, or for what purpose. Of course, there is always the possibility of it being a simple kidnapping."
"And aside from your personal opinion?"
"That would be from the perspective of the nation. We, of course, run the risk of Yuki himself disappearing. I cannot allow that. Regardless of his current standing, if he were gone, we would lose access to all these facilities and materials."
"That last part sounded remarkably personal."
"Of course. For me, what matters is where my own interests lie."
The environment I have now is truly fulfilling.
I would hate to stick my neck out and risk throwing all of this away.
I imagine the other members feel the same.
And for that very reason, I would stop Yuki from getting involved as well.
After all, he is the one supporting my research.
Furthermore, the provision of foundational technology would be impossible without him.
"Does that satisfy you?"
"Yeah, it’s pretty much what I expected."
"I see. Is that all, then? Or are we discussing the selection of personnel to conduct the investigation? There is no one I can afford to lose, but without the necessary minimum capabilities and supplies, they wouldn't be able to handle the situation at the destination—or rather, the place they’ve been snatched away to."
He brought this to me precisely because it cannot be ignored.
If we are to take action, that would be the most prudent approach.
...Though, explaining the situation and finding someone willing to go is another matter entirely.
"Who would even want to go? To the lair of some unknown kidnapper, right?"
"Even so, you brought this to me because it cannot be ignored. In that case, it would be best to choose someone who has the mindset of wanting to save those who have been kidnapped. The technicians are out of the question."
"Ah, I see. Or rather, 'inappropriate' would be the word."
"If there is no benefit to going, we can only aim to minimize the disadvantages. Perhaps under the guise of saving innocent people. However, the person must be capable of accurately grasping the situation on the other side and acting accordingly, while keeping our true intentions hidden."
It is easy to resist once you’ve been snatched away, but that will only lead to being ostracized.
At worst, you’ll be killed.
In other words, one must be able to gather information and gain trust while making the captors believe you are a useful tool.
"That is, assuming there is an organization on the other side. There is a non-zero chance they are being called randomly and dying without understanding why. Like, appearing in the middle of a lava pit."
"That’s... well, if we’re talking about choosing someone capable of handling that, I feel like I’m the most appropriate choice."
" " "Absolutely not." " "
Yuki was immediately shut down by the likes of Prol and the others who had followed him.
Well, that is only natural.
Weed would fall into total dysfunction.
"Normally, I would say the correct judgment is to leave it alone... but you don't think so, do you?"
"Yeah, trouble tends to pile up in times like these. I think it’s actually better to stick my neck out and deal with it."
"...Normally, I would call that madness, but coming from you, Yuki, it’s no laughing matter."
After all, Yuki is, quite literally, the messenger of a goddess.
Though he personally detests the title, his results are undeniably superior to any of the messengers that came before him.
And in that context, the possibility of Weed being involved...
"Wait, that’s right. Yuki, wasn't there an incident around the New Year where the Hero Taiki was summoned?"
"Why are you asking that like it's a question? It clearly happened. Besides, you guys were thrilled because that land became a testing ground for equipment."
That’s right. As Yuki said, we were summoned by the request of the Goddess Luna to a place that felt like a remote island—or perhaps a continent.
It was a place where humanity and the Demon King were locked in a final battle, and Yuki and his group—specifically Taiki, acting as the Hero—intervened and pacified the region.
"There was someone acting as the Demon King there, wasn't there?"
" " "Ah." " "
At those words, everyone except me let out a gasp of realization.