第１７１２堀：上はやっぱり難色を示す (Part1)
The name of the port town was finally decided as Glass, and just as we were about to begin full operations, a problem arose.
Well, it hadn't fully escalated into a problem yet, but we could see it was bound to become one.
It was the disappearance incident in the village on the border between Roschur and Gartz.
If it were just a simple missing person case, it wouldn't be an issue, but with multiple witnesses claiming villagers vanished before their eyes, the members of Weed couldn't dismiss it as mere imagination.
After considering how to respond, we decided to dispatch an investigation team...
"So, Gartz is also being difficult, huh?"
"I apologize. After all, it's not a confirmed incident..."
Princess Charl, who had been negotiating with that country, apologized to Yuki-sama.
Still, it couldn't be helped.
My own mother country, Dafaio, was on the brink of war, with water running out, so there was no hesitation in seeking aid. However, this situation hasn't resulted in any actual harm yet.
As I mentioned before, there's no proof of abduction through summoning.
It's possible it could be dismissed as mere imagination.
And if they investigated, the country's reputation would suffer~.
I can understand why they would refuse.
"This is troublesome. Then, can't we infiltrate under the guise of investigating the former Dark Guild? Originally, the summoning abductions were discovered during an investigation related to the Dark Guild. How about investigating the possibility of a Dark Guild hideout instead of missing persons?"
Princess Lowell proposed, or rather, pushed for this idea.
"Haa, big sister. Do you think we haven't already negotiated that? We've tried all that and it failed. How about Roschur?"
"It's the same here. According to Princess Aria, there are no particular problems, and it's just a missing person case, so please don't worry."
"Well, no country would want to accept an investigation from another country, would they?"
Yuki-sama said, gazing into the air.
That's usually the case.
"Then, shall I go with the traveling merchant disguise I was preparing?"
"That's right. I guess that's the only way. Should we continue negotiations for now?"
Yes.
Whether to continue negotiations or to stop.
Just the act of negotiating incurs costs.
"First, to confirm, Yuki-sama, you want to investigate the abduction incident because you fear the consequences of leaving it unaddressed will lead to further damage, correct?"
As everyone was pondering what to do, Orelia spoke up.
"Ah, that's right. However, it's not confirmed, and it concerns the country's reputation, so I haven't been able to do anything."
"In that case, wouldn't it be best to have it put into an official document?"
"A document?"
"Yes. It would be like signing a contract, a treaty with that country."
"A treaty, huh? I see what you mean. So, it's about helping them when damage occurs, right?"
"Precisely. If they can't investigate due to their national pride, rather than trying to force the issue, we should focus on being able to act in case of an emergency. In other words, it won't be considered neglect."
Indeed, as Orelia said, we are making preparations, and if we state that we will act in case of an emergency, it should mitigate the risk of damage spreading.
However, this means we won't be able to conduct the preemptive investigation Yuki-sama was considering.
"And while we maintain that treaty on the surface, we should begin the on-site investigation with the traveling merchants that Ratz-sama is preparing. It could also serve as a diversion."
"I see. They'll think we're discussing a treaty, so they won't suspect us of operating in secret."
"Yes. We can also show that we are responding externally, so we can insist there's no reason to act on our own. The traveling merchants leaving Weed can be dismissed as mere coincidence."
Hmm, it feels a bit far-fetched, but it's natural for merchants to conduct business, so it's not entirely impossible.
As I was thinking this, Hobis spoke up.
"I have an additional suggestion~. Wouldn't it be sufficient to simply state that we are organizing a separate investigation team~? Or perhaps create an organization and introduce it~?"
"I see, that would further convince them that we wouldn't be sending a separate team when there's an investigation team right in front of them."
"I think it's a good idea. It's unlikely they'd send a separate detachment when the experts are right here."
"Right. We're not trying to start a war, so I'll adopt Orelia and Hobis's proposals. Waiting any longer for their answer is pointless. We should act while signing the treaty. Nina has already arrived at the location and begun her investigation."
Indeed, dithering around won't solve anything.
Nina has already arrived at the location, and it wouldn't be good for us to be delayed.
However...
"That means we'll be creating that unit, even if it's just on the surface, right? Won't that be a waste of personnel?"
I honestly voiced my concern.
Weed's biggest problem is a lack of personnel.
Whether it's the military or the town, everyone is short-handed, especially with the construction of the port town. If we add to that...
"Ah, you don't need to worry about that. We were already planning to form an investigation team, and besides, during negotiations, we only need a few people to accompany us as an investigation team. There's no need to bring everyone. We can select a few and have them accompany us as traveling merchants."
Ah, that's good then.
It's like dividing the original ten into seven and three, so there's no need to pull people from elsewhere.
"Then, Ratz, are your preparations ready?"
"They are~. Well, it's just a matter of who we assign as traveling merchants. However, it's not good to be too generous."
"What do you mean?"
"Certainly, the objective is investigation, so business is secondary. But if we give away supplies for next to nothing, it won't benefit the village."
"Ah, indeed."
Like Seraria, we all understood Ratz's words.
It would collapse the village's values.
"After we leave, if they negotiate with other traveling merchants and don't get the same results, or if it's clearly different, they'll find out about us from there~."
"They'll investigate any merchant, won't they? Well, that means we need to set reasonable prices. So, it means an arbitrary merchant won't do, right?"