第１７６１堀：誰が管理しますか？ (Part1)
Chapter 1761: Who Shall Manage It?
Side: Labyris
"So, looking at the southern region, it’s essentially a vast wilderness."
I am currently reviewing the intelligence provided by Yuki regarding the southern part of the New Continent. The reason being...
"To think monsters are spawning from there. It’s rather strange, isn't it? It doesn’t exactly feel like the land is overflowing with life force or anything."
"Could it be that there are powerful monsters lurking there?"
"Hmm. As Reye suggests, that possibility is quite high."
"Well, we haven't confirmed what lies in the depths, so it wouldn't be strange if there were magnificent forests hidden away."
Indeed, gathered here are Comet, Reye, Arwin, Sacri, and...
"I still find it strange that I was even called here."
"What are you saying? You were a Dungeon Master yourself, weren't you, Senal?"
Including her, this assembly consists of those who are currently Dungeon Masters or those who were once in that position. The reason for this is...
"Even if you say that, asking me about constructing a dungeon in an unfamiliar land doesn't really click. I simply inherited an existing dungeon exactly as it was; I’ve never built one from scratch. Besides, if you want my honest opinion, I don't think expanding a dungeon there would be profitable. After all, there’s no one living there."
As Senal points out, we are seeking opinions regarding the southern lands of the New Continent, where we plan to establish a new dungeon. And furthermore...
"Besides, I have no intention of managing a dungeon in that land. I’m far too busy assisting the Church right now."
"Well, we can discuss and decide on that as we go."
"Hey."
"Now, now, Senal-san. Being called here just goes to show how highly Yuki-niisan and Labyris-san value you."
Reye, Deryu’s younger brother, gently chides Senal as she prepares to voice her complaints.
"Exactly. If we didn't trust you, we wouldn't have brought you here. And as for the Church being busy, we can always pull some strings to have you dispatched elsewhere."
"You’re as unreasonable as ever. *Sigh*, fine, proceed with the explanation."
Once Senal relents, I turn my gaze toward Yuki.
"So, is the reason you gathered us exactly as Senal suggested?"
"Well, that’s not far off the mark, is it? Though, if you’re eager to take on the management, I’m happy to leave it to you."
"I’m absolutely not doing that. So, why did you gather us?"
"For our opinions. We’re expanding a new dungeon. It’s not an emergency like it was in Ohe or Haiden, so I want to have a proper discussion—a meeting. You never know what you might encounter in a new frontier."
True enough. Even a Dungeon Master must be cautious when advancing into new territory.
"Of course, I’m not asking for full management, but there are things I need help with. Labyris and I are already managing the dungeons placed in the towns of various nations. We’re at our limit."
"That’s true. Between Weed, Betan, Baide, Aurelia, and Glass, the management of the places where people reside is handled by me, Seraria, and Yuki. We’ve compiled the requests regarding the finer details, but taking on any more is just too much."
Unlike standard dungeons, we have to negotiate with the influential figures of each town to determine supply quotas and the like, which is incredibly taxing. On top of that, we have to manage the internal dungeons used by adventurers, which is a massive headache. Increasing our managed territory any further is simply impossible.
"However, while I can handle a standard dungeon, I am an amateur when it comes to operating a dungeon that also functions as a town administration."
"The same goes for me."
Reye and Arwin respond politely. Well, Reye is only used to operating a dungeon town in a corner of Gartz, after all. As for Arwin, he has dedicated his life to the path of the sword, so his experience is limited to the bare minimum. Whether they have the aptitude for administration is something we won't know until we try.
"I understand it’s difficult, but I am also busy with the gate management of the If Continent, centered around Noble... the Kingdom of Ex. I’d like to decline."
Sacri is indeed busy managing the gate distribution on the If Continent, so that’s understandable. Unlike us, she’s doing it almost entirely on her own. As for the rest...
"What are you asking a researcher to do? You’d be better off leaving it to Yuki’s wives or those people like Prol than having me do it."
"Same here. It’s a mistake to ask a member of the clergy to handle administration."
Comet and Senal are clearly unmotivated. Their areas of expertise are just too different. That said, both of them have managed dungeons to a certain degree, so they do have a track record. Though, both of them also effectively destroyed their dungeons—or rather, they died—so that’s a bit of a negative.
"That’s why I said it’s just for help. Besides, we aren't building a town, but a fortress. The goal is to reduce the number of monsters migrating from the south before they reach the southern town."
"Oh? I thought you’d say you’d wipe them all out, Yuki."
Senal asks, looking puzzled by Yuki’s words. In this kind of situation, it’s common to hear that not a single monster will be allowed to pass.
"No, let’s look at reality. The width alone is equal to Rogari or the If Continent; there’s no way we can stop all the monsters flowing in. Many will likely bypass us, and others will head into the forests."
"How boring to be so realistic."
"What? Was I the type who didn't see reality?"
"No, you’re just too calm, which is boring. But you’re building a fortress in the southern land, which is in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position, right? If you’re going to do it, honestly, wouldn't it be better to deploy a fortress and walls that encompass the southern town?"
Indeed, as Senal says, that would be the best way to reduce the burden on the southern town. I wonder what the point is of placing it in a location that isn't rational?
"No, if the goal were only to protect the Ohe Kingdom, that formation would be fine. But in the future, when we have to deal with the factions in the north, they won't recognize us as a nation if we’re just sitting at the foot of Ohe."
"Ah, I see."
"Indeed, Weed is not yet a well-known nation on the New Continent. There’s a high possibility they would claim it was a fabrication by Ohe."
Reye and Arwin nod in agreement, while Sacri ponders for a moment.
"However, if it is to function as a nation, wouldn't a fortress-sized facility be meaningless?"
"As Sacri says, if it were to function as a nation, we would at least need the size of a town. But we aren't exactly showing it off to other countries, and we can use gates to deceive them."
"I see. In other words, you need a fortress that serves as a base held by the nation?"
"Exactly. It’s not that the fortress itself is the nation; the fortress is simply one of the locations that maintains contact with Ohe."