第１７０７堀：各地の確認中 (Part1)
The sun rose, making the fields gleam.
The fieldwork was nearing its end, and the work of weeding had begun.
Amidst this, I checked the yield of the fields.
"…Hmm. No problems."
They were small and green, but it was clear they would grow.
I had seen this many times before, so I was confident.
Still, ongoing observation was important.
This land, the former royal capital of Vinocia, was a new place, and I didn't know what kind of trouble might arise.
"How is it?"
The sisters who protected the fields of the former royal capital of Vinocia looked at me with concern.
These were people who had helped the populace in various ways in this land, with almost no support until now.
Recognizing their achievements, I had put them in charge of the large-scale farm in the former royal capital of Vinocia.
Of course, they lacked the know-how, so I and my subordinates were lending a hand, but they would eventually need to be able to produce and sell on their own, which is why they accompanied me on my inspections.
"It's fine. They're growing well."
"That's a relief. Are there any points of caution?"
"The crops are not a problem. The question is whether this can be continued. How are the people hired as farmers? I don't imagine everyone is satisfied."
Indeed, growing crops meant dealing with people.
If the core individuals caused trouble, there would be no point in growing crops in the fields.
"Yes. As expected, some people find farm work doesn't suit them. For those individuals, we've had them switch to town restoration, construction, security, and cleaning."
"Any trouble? For example, are there any who refuse to work no matter what?"
If they found employment in other jobs, it wouldn't be much of an issue.
The biggest problem was those who complained but didn't take on any other work.
"...There are a few, though it's a minority."
"I understand the desire not to cut them loose, but please report to Sister Knosia and seek proper instructions. Indiscriminate protection will only lead to resentment."
"...Yes."
"It would be interference in Weed's internal affairs if I were to say anything directly, so all I can offer is advice. I cannot help you forever. Please remember that."
If this were under Weed's jurisdiction, I would immediately call Tori, Riel, or even Deryu and have those idiots dealt with swiftly. But I understood that it was difficult for the sisters, who had always helped without compensation, who believed helping was their calling.
After all, they had little experience as rulers.
However, they were not fools, and though they wore difficult expressions at my words…
"...I understand."
They replied, but their tone was hesitant.
Well, those kinds of idiots who complain without working were already being ostracized by their peers, and they would likely leave on their own.
It was infuriating that they could eat without working, and there was a chance the other citizens would mete out justice before the sisters could make a decision.
However, if I overlooked vigilante justice, it would make the sisters appear unreliable.
Wasn't that the responsibility of Hinsa, who maintained public order?
No, Sister Knosia was the representative of this former royal capital of Vinocia, so the responsibility would fall on the sisters?
But this was done because it was not expected that the sisters could govern in the first place…
"Should I consult with Rurua about this?"
I realized it was more troublesome than I had anticipated.
I had been too busy to notice these things before, but now that I had the余裕 to look again, I understood.
This former Vinocia was a mix of Weed, Litea, and Hinsa forces.
Furthermore, the structure was: Weed as the guiding force, Litea as the local oversight representative, and Hinsa as the territory.
If the sisters were to bear all responsibility, it would become a matter of Litea's fault.
However, it could also be argued that it was Hinsa's responsibility for entrusting it, or Weed's responsibility for providing guidance.
This was truly troublesome.
Without some authority to intervene forcibly, there would be significant problems.
As I was contemplating this, a soldier, separate from the屯田兵 (Tundenhei - soldier-farmers), approached me.
"Reporting. There has been no movement from the dark guilds in former Vinocia."
"...Is that so?"
My presence here, as a prominent figure of Weed, was partly for this purpose.
In fact, I apologize to the people of the former Vinocia, but this was the true objective.
Originally, the great flood in Surs was the catalyst for our arrival here.
We had no intention of doing anything about the former Vinocia.
Well, it was fortunate that we were able to help the sisters in the process.
To explain the detailed reason for my presence here: I couldn't ignore the ordinary people who were essentially just wearing the label of dark guild members, so I continued to monitor them and gather information.
Moreover, there was always the possibility that a high-ranking member of a dark guild might attempt something strange.
In such a case, ordinary members caught up in it would become victims, and it would hinder the sisters and the people who were desperately trying to survive as true refugees.
We would not allow that to happen, as far as we were aware.
"Also, though it may not be related, there have been reports of people who went hunting going missing."
"...Was the hunt for monsters or animals?"
"That is correct. That is outside the scope of the dungeon, so we have not pursued it. What should we do?"
"...Are there any traces? Is death confirmed?"
"That has not been confirmed."
Yuki was currently dealing with a troublesome case of summoned abduction.
While it might not be the right time, if we received reports of missing persons in the former Vinocia, we couldn't just ignore them.
I didn't want to believe that summoned abductions were occurring throughout the entire Rogari continent, but if that were true, it would be a major problem.
Normally, I would say it's impossible…
"At first, in the Land of Swords, Doujigiri Yasutsuna was summoned, or rather, brought over, and through that, Shuten-dōji, also known as Akiten, arrived. We stopped the summoning from another world through Luna. We also took countermeasures, of course. We were troubled by it enough."
Indeed, tracing it back, Luna's reluctance to duplicate the item led to the revival of Akiten.
Then, Yuki stopped the summoning from another world through Luna.
There should be no loopholes…
"But something unexpected happened. The incident where my wife, children, and I were summoned to Haiden. That showed that if the output is sufficient, summoning can occur within the same world. This is quite difficult."