第１７１４堀：寒村にとっては死活問題だった (Part2)
"That's certainly true. A remote village is a gathering place for people with reasons to hide. In my case, my purpose is to investigate disappearances, so I came from the Adventurer's Guild, and it's not that bad. Those who are viewed with suspicion are people whose identities are unclear."
That's only natural.
Coming to a remote village without knowing someone's purpose is inherently suspicious.
"Rather, you could say they are cooperative."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because the wives and children are crying and begging for help, saying their husbands truly vanished right before their eyes."
"..."
At those words, everyone fell silent.
They had gained certainty that there was no lie.
"Furthermore, there have been four such cases in this village alone, and I heard that similar incidents have occurred in villages on the Gartz side as well, so the credibility is quite high. In all four cases, the missing individuals were men, and they were either the head of the household or the eldest son, essentially the main breadwinners of their families. The village, unable to overlook this, has also been approached by the village chief."
"Whoa. Having the main breadwinner of a family disappear is no laughing matter. Are their families okay for now?"
"For the time being, they are receiving sympathy from others, so there's no immediate problem, but it doesn't solve the fundamental issue."
I suppose so.
The breadwinners, their families, haven't returned. And sympathy and support won't last forever.
We need to resolve this as quickly as possible.
As I was thinking this, Seraria voiced a question.
"...I don't want to ask, but what kind of response have the local lords, and of course the village chief, taken?"
"The village chief of the remote village filed a complaint, but they haven't taken any action. After all, only four people have gone missing, and while I don't want to downplay it, there are more people disappearing in towns and cities. It's not enough to attract their attention."
"Right..."
Considering the numerical loss, it's unlikely that the lords or their security forces would mobilize for an investigation.
The cost and the outcome wouldn't balance out.
Even if they report a disappearance right before their eyes, it's natural to assume they're trying to elicit sympathy and prompt an investigation.
"Of course, on the day of the disappearances, the entire village conducted a large-scale search, but they found nothing."
"Well, if they had found them, we wouldn't be making such a fuss, would we?"
"Moreover, if things go wrong, the remote village could be destroyed."
"What do you mean?"
"With the complaint from Weed this time, they are suspected of causing an investigation into another country."
"Whoa, that's rough."
Damn, from that country's perspective, the remote village's complaint has indeed led to an investigation into another country.
It wouldn't be strange at all if the talk was to just get rid of such a village quickly.
"Was there any specific discussion about that matter?"
"The village chief said he was reprimanded by the tax collector, told not to say strange things. This means that the higher-ups are concerned enough for the tax collector to complain."
"You don't know when it might be executed, do you?"
"We don't know that much. And yet, the village chief laments that the people living in the remote village have nowhere to go."
Of course.
They gathered in a remote place called a remote village because they had nowhere else to go.
Where else are they supposed to go?
"You. How do you see this situation?"
"...At worst, the entire village will be disposed of. At best, there will be no repercussions."
"Hahaha~. The best-case scenario is a bit too optimistic, isn't it?"
Ratz burst into laughter at my optimistic outcome.
Though his expression showed no amusement.
"Ratz, go and investigate the truth of the current rumors among the traveling merchants, and tell them that in the worst-case scenario, we will provide them shelter. At that time, Kagura and the others will have to split into two groups: one for investigation and one for protecting the villagers."
"Understood. It's only natural that we're the cause, isn't it? Well, it's the Dark Guild, though~."
The Dark Guild really doesn't do anything good.
No, as I thought before, it's quite skillful how they precisely increase the workload for Weed's members.
"Nina, could you please continue the investigation and ensure the safety of the villagers?"
"That's fine. However, I'm alone right now. There are limits to what I can do."
"I understand. The traveling merchants will advance their schedule and depart immediately."
"Can you manage that?"
"It just means Kagura and Holy's proficiency with heavy weapons will be delayed. Their main equipment is still usable, so it can be postponed."
"Well, that's probably the most reasonable course of action. I'll contact all relevant parties immediately."
And so, we hurriedly began to act.
One might question whether we would abandon a hundred people for the sake of national pride, but if the profit outweighs those hundred people, a nation will discard them without hesitation.