第１７１０堀：長閑な風景とそこに映るモノ (Part2)
"Um, so what should I do then? Enjoy the scenery?"
"Ah, that's what I mean. Like enjoying looking at various plants."
"Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of hobby."
I'm not so much of a maiden that I'd be delighted by flowers.
Well, Siia and Alfin might enjoy it, though.
"It's not something I'm forcing you to do. I'm just saying to take pictures or videos if you're interested."
"Does that relate to the investigation?"
"Regarding plants, we still don't have any experts, so I can't analyze them, but there are plants that only exist in certain areas. Do you know about that?"
"I do. I've heard of flowers with unusual colors, and medicinal herbs."
Medicinal herbs, in particular, are often requested for work.
That's because there are medicines that can only be made with them.
Strictly speaking, since there's no way to obtain similar medicinal herbs from afar, we have to search for local ones with similar effects.
So, searching for medicinal herbs through adventurer guild quests can actually be quite difficult if you don't know what the real thing looks like.
"I see. So, it's possible that these special plants are related to the current incident."
"...That sounds fishy."
I said it honestly.
It felt like a tacked-on reason.
"It's a possibility. Even if the cause isn't the plants themselves, perhaps the soil in which they grow is involved."
"The soil? Is there something about the soil?"
"Well, it's like, it might grant certain abilities, or have something attached to it that makes it a target for random summoning."
"Ah, I think I understand what you're saying. You mean the reason the people from the village we're going to now were summoned might be due to the land or the plants?"
"That's right. If it were just about raw power, or level, then there are plenty of people stronger than the villagers, including myself."
Indeed, I had been wondering on the way why villagers from such a remote place were being abducted.
I had considered bloodlines and such, but if you say there's something about the land itself, then that's certainly plausible.
Or, if you think about it in terms of land, isn't that also a kind of bloodline?
Thinking that far, I remembered something.
"I understand what you're saying, but isn't this the kind of thing the investigation team that will come later is supposed to handle?"
I understand that gathering information now will make things easier for those who come later, but this is far outside my area of expertise.
At best, adventurers can only talk to the villagers and conduct a light survey of the surrounding area.
Yuki should know that much, yet he's telling me this.
"Ah, I forgot to mention. It seems like it's going to take quite some time to dispatch the investigation team."
"...What do you mean?"
"Simply put, there's a possibility that they won't accept the investigation team."
"Ah, pride."
I realized what he meant before he could answer.
"You figured that out quickly."
"When we were stirring things up on the continent of If, we used nobles who were fixated on that kind of pride."
Because they have pride, many people lose sight of what's truly important.
Well, that's not to say pride isn't necessary.
"That's right. Well, in any case, some people are saying they'll refuse entry to the investigation team and handle it themselves."
"Well, I can understand that. If nothing happens, it would also damage their country's reputation."
Allowing an investigation team from another country is proof that they couldn't manage their own country themselves.
Normally, this would be unacceptable, but the fact that we've managed to get even this far is a testament to the power of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
"So, in anticipation of the possibility that the investigation team might not be able to go, we're in the process of organizing a way for you to go as a traveling merchant."
"So, going as a traveling merchant means I have to leave footprints, just like walking, so to speak."
"Ah, it's too problematic for Weed to send an investigation team on its own, so we have to disguise it."
"So, that's why I have to investigate thoroughly while I'm there, before they arrive?"
"That's right."
Sigh. So, instead of enjoying the scenery, I have to investigate things I don't know in detail.
I'll have to ask for a raise for this.
And so, whether it was out of spite or not, I began my slow journey to the village, observing the scenery as I went.
Nina is surprisingly serious about her work.
She doesn't have time to play, so she doesn't really enjoy the scenery.
And since I'll be acting alone for a while, I just hope it ends without any trouble.