第１７５５堀：新大陸でも書類が大事 (Part1)
### Chapter 1755: Paperwork is Essential, Even in the New Continent
**Side: Yuki**
Lately, there are times when the line between Earth and this other world becomes frustratingly blurred.
No, I’m well aware that the magic, the physical capabilities, and the monsters of an entirely different ecosystem are starkly different, but…
“At the end of the day, even after coming here, it’s all just paperwork.”
That’s right. I’m far removed from the exhilarating roles often depicted in manga or novels, where one personally wields a sword to confront threats and resolve problems.
“Is something the matter, Yuki-sama?”
Prol, who had been processing documents right beside me, spoke up at my mutterings.
“Ah—well, I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s just that paperwork is the same in every world.”
As I held up a document and flipped through the pages with a bitter smile, Prol seemed to grasp my meaning immediately.
“It is simply not acceptable for you, Yuki-sama, to be on the front lines. I understand that the battle in the northern town was also for the sake of Weed’s reputation, but there was no necessity for you to expose yourself to danger.”
“I know, I know. That part was my bad. Still, a boy’s dream is to hold a sword and face down an enemy, you know?”
“Eh?”
It was Seraria who voiced her surprise at my words.
“Was that unexpected?”
“Ah, no. I knew that you possessed masculine sensibilities, Yuki-sama, but since you usually annihilate enemies in a single blow, I simply couldn’t imagine you wielding a sword.”
“That’s true~. In fact, the only times you’ve held a sword, Yuki-sama, were just training blades with the edges dulled, right~?”
Hovis chimed in, agreeing with Seraria’s assessment.
Incidentally, Yayui was absent, busy with work in the port town of Grass.
I thought to myself how difficult things have become, now that the subordinates I’ve recruited are operating in separate locations.
Indeed, as Hovis pointed out, I don’t really have the urge to fight with a sword these days.
Rather, I’d much prefer to use a gun or magic for long-range attacks. Steve said the same thing.
Well, I do have knives and gloves for close-quarters combat, but there’s really little point in using a sword.
Even in a fantasy world, it eventually boils down to the selection of weapons based on efficiency.
“When you prioritize efficiency, the sword just doesn’t make the cut. It’s all about hand-to-hand combat, knives, pistols, or magic.”
“That is for the best. There is no need to swing a sword unnecessarily. Unless, of course, you are like Seraria-sama and truly enjoy it.”
Yes, Seraria understands the utility of guns, but she refuses to abandon her sword.
Taizo-san is the same. He loves fighting with his katana.
Though, being the rational man he is, he would certainly use modern weaponry if the situation called for it.
“Anyway, getting off track—it’s safe to assume the Ohe side has grasped the extent of Weed’s military strength after that business in the northern town, right?”
“Yes. There is no doubt about it. They have sent an urgent request for you to return with them, Yuki-sama.”
“Yeah, I saw that and heard about it.”
Through the video feed Ratz had set up, they’d requested that I return to the Ohe royal capital immediately to discuss future matters.
Of course, they meant it in a positive light.
Now that they know Weed’s military strength—which they had been worried about—is actually usable, the Ohe side naturally wants to formulate a new strategy.
And to think of that strategy, they need me.
“Honestly, I think someone like Seraria could handle it.”
*“Are you trying to work me to death? Weed has its own issues: preparing for the completion party in the port town of Grass, the proposed visits to Usano and Aae, and dealing with the remote villages in coordination with the Adventurer’s Guild! Don’t you dare tell me to take on Ohe’s work as well.”*
Seraria reacted instantly to my grumbling.
“I know, I know. But since you’re replying, does that mean there’s been some movement on that end?”
*“Yes. We discovered that various research was being conducted deep inside the dungeon that Nina found—the one disguised as a cave.”*
“Various research? Specifically?”
The scope is too broad for me to understand.
*“Truly, it’s all sorts of things. One moment they’re researching monsters, the next it’s weapon development. There were accessories, and it looks like they were developing chemicals, too. Look.”*
She sent over the data as evidence. I checked it, and while it certainly looked like they were conducting that kind of research, it was…
“It’s rather pathetic, isn’t it~? The equipment is mediocre, and even I can tell the finished products are second-rate~.”
“Indeed. Even as a layman in manufacturing, I can see that the items are crude, just as Ryushi says.”
Yes, even those two, who are amateurs, could see that the precision of the items was remarkably low.
*“Well, there’s a possibility the finished products are elsewhere, or that such items are meant to be presented to someone of higher status. Still, what’s left here is, at best, meager.”*
“By the way, did you find the person who went missing?”
*“Nothing on that front. If they were in the forest, we have to assume they were taken by monsters.”*
“I see.”
Nina seemed concerned about it, but there’s nothing to be done about that now.
Putting that aside, it’s good that we know what’s inside the dungeon.
“So, we know the interior of the dungeon was being used as some sort of laboratory, but what now? Were you able to confirm any human traffic?”
*“We’ve been monitoring it for three days, but there’s been none. There isn’t a gate inside, either. It’s possible there was some trouble, or they might have abandoned the site.”*
“Abandoned? Even after telling us not to investigate that far?”
*“Exactly. Since we’re still demanding answers and requesting cooperation, it wouldn’t be strange if they decided it was too dangerous and ordered a withdrawal.”*
“That’s true.”
We’ve been having them investigate through Roschur and Gartz for so long. It wouldn’t be surprising if they were prepared to abandon the facility if necessary.
*“Regardless, we have the physical evidence. We plan to station monsters there and have Kate join us to ‘discover’ it.”*
“So, you’re all prepared on that end?”
*“Yes. At this rate, they’ll likely play dumb and deny everything. Still, thanks to this, the Adventurer’s Guild won’t be pursued recklessly.”*
“Well, that’s the safest route. It would be a hassle if things got messy right now.”
*“That’s true, but there’s no doubt that Usano and Aae were plotting something. We’ll need Kirika’s intelligence division to look into that.”*
“That’s for sure.”
They resisted this much; it’s only natural that they’d pique our interest.
I just hope nothing truly horrific comes to light.
*“Regarding the missing persons from the remote village—have you managed to secure the people who went there?”*