第１６９９堀：冒険者ギルドも悩んでいました (Part1)
Dungeon 1699: The Adventurers' Guild Was Also Troubled
The Adventurers' Guild Was Also Troubled
Side: Milly
"Honestly, that this information hasn't reached them yet..."
"No, that's impossible."
"It really is impossible."
My irritated words were met with a unified denial from Rock, the Guild Master, and Kina—who was not the Vice Guild Master, but the Guild Master of the port town—both speaking in denial.
"Their jurisdiction is different. Besides, reports of activities suspected to be remnants of the Dark Guild are bound to take precedence over mere missing person cases."
"Right, right. Normally, only Kirue and the higher-ups who know that kind of information would realize this is unusual."
"I know."
I said this, puffing out my cheeks in frustration as I placed the documents on the desk.
What the two said was true.
I managed the Adventurers' Guild in Weed.
I had no power to interfere with other countries' affairs.
At most, I could only look at documents like these.
Still, I disliked not being able to help Yuki.
"Is there anything... I can do to help? From what I've heard from Kirue, it certainly sounds like they're being summoned, and if another country intervenes carelessly, it'll only cause trouble."
I said this to Guild Master Rock, who made a difficult face.
"I understand that, but the Adventurers' Guild can't just act on its own. Milly, didn't you say Weed was negotiating with other countries? Until a conclusion is reached, the most we can do is issue a personal investigation request from the Weed Adventurers' Guild."
"But if we issue such a request, won't adventurers just get summoned and go missing?"
"Ngh... Also, why are you here, Kina? Is everything alright in the port town?"
Indeed, it was strange why Kina was here.
Kina, despite various machinations, was slated to become the Guild Master of the newly established port town in Weed.
She should be incredibly busy with preparations right now...
"That place hasn't been accepted as a town yet, and there are no villages nearby. Even if we welcomed adventurers now, there wouldn't be much work~. Besides, we need permission from Sisua and Sona in the first place."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I remember hearing that the name hasn't been decided yet, and the fish harvest isn't going well."
"Isn't that fatal for a port town?"
Rock was right.
Well, I assumed they were working to resolve those issues.
"For now, we've secured staff. The people scheduled to work in the port town are currently undergoing training here."
"Ah, I see. This place would be ideal for training."
After all, there was a dungeon, and quests and their completion reports were handled daily.
It was a convenient place for staff to gain experience.
And perhaps to avoid influence from other guilds that might issue strange orders.
When Kina was appointed Guild Master of the port town, they had caused so much trouble, making it a struggle to gather people.
"So, don't worry about me. The point is, we can't intervene in the region where people are likely being summoned, at least for now. After all, there's been no request from that country. The Adventurers' Guild can't just act on its own."
"Kina's right. Unless the country or the higher-ups in the Adventurers' Guild make a move, there's nothing we can do. We're just the Weed branch, after all."
"Haa, you're right~. For now, all we can do is wait for Yuki and the others to make a decision."
Honestly, if the Dark Guild was involved, I'd give them a severe beating, but even if they weren't, there were likely national-level organizations behind it, making a confrontation with them highly probable.
In that case, the nation's military power would indeed be necessary.
Perhaps there was no point in rushing now...
Just as I was thinking that, the room door suddenly opened, and Yuki and the others entered.
"Hey, sorry to bother you when you're busy."
"Yuki, what's wrong?"
Normally, they would just contact them via call...
"It's about the missing person cases. I thought some things might not get conveyed properly if we just talked over a call."
"..."
At his words, our gazes sharpened.
We had just been discussing that very topic.
It was a matter that could potentially shake international relations, not something to be casually handled over a call.
I immediately exchanged glances with Rock and Kina.
"Ah, the soundproofing in this room is perfect."
"Magic interference is fine too. Though Yuki probably knows that."
"I know, but it's reassuring to hear you say it."
Yuki, looking relieved that the counter-intelligence measures were in place, began to speak.
"Milly, have you told Rock and Kina about the recent incidents?"
"Yes, we've discussed it. But as the Adventurers' Guild, we can't really make a move."
"After all, we're just the Weed branch."
"That's right~. We were just talking about how the most we could do was send out adventurers on a request, but there's been some development, hasn't there?"
"As for developments... Seraria is currently negotiating on our behalf, and I came here to ask for a reconnaissance team."
"A reconnaissance team?"
As they tilted their heads at Yuki's words, Nina stepped forward.
"I plan to enter the area first as an adventurer who has accepted a request and investigate. We simply can't move if we wait for the country's permission."
"I see. Miss Nina's abilities are beyond reproach, and regarding her status, she's officially treated as belonging to the Ex Kingdom."
Indeed, Nina and the other Holy Sword Users were officially on secondment from the Ex Kingdom to Rogari.
Although they usually worked behind the scenes, gathering information, dealing with troublesome matters, and managing Ratz's plushie shop.
If they were to act not as Weed's military force but as adventurers, their status couldn't be more perfect.
Still...
"While we're grateful, have you considered the dangers? They're almost certainly being summoned, and we don't know what kind of treatment they'll receive after being sent to an unknown location, do we? There's even a chance they could be thrown into the air, underground, or into the sea."
Teleportation traps could indeed perform such malicious acts.
While I believed such traps were unlikely due to their skyrocketing difficulty, the possibility couldn't be denied.
If they could target important individuals, it meant they could also be used for assassination.
"I can handle those situations somehow, and besides, I'm going as a doppelganger, so there's no problem. I'm quite used to things that could lead to death, so it's fine. An adventure without danger doesn't exist."
"Miss Nina is right. In that sense, Miss Nina would be the most suitable."
"Yeah, I agree too. Milly?"
"If she herself is willing to undertake the danger, then I have nothing more to say. So, Yuki, when does the operation begin?"
"As soon as preparations are complete. We need to issue identification and the request. It's crucial that the Adventurers' Guild acts independently."
"Go that far? No, the connection to the Dark Guild makes it necessary, I suppose."