第１７８０堀：砦と言っても簡単じゃない (Part2)
"It’s perfectly legal, and frankly, we feel it’s a better alternative than outright disposal. They’re surely aware of how we handle such lives, so it’s a scenario well within the realm of possibility. That said, I doubt those they’ve managed to slip in will do anything overtly suspicious."
"Indeed. Besides, Yuki-sama is already surrounded by his wives, isn't he?"
"Well, there’s also the strategy of building a faction of allied nations within Weed. For instance, since Fionha is here, if they were to infiltrate under the pretext of being entrusted by Fionha’s Dafaio, it would effectively increase Dafaio’s influence within our borders."
"Yes, that’s exactly how it would play out. Their standing might not be particularly high at first, but as their numbers grow, so does their leverage in Weed’s decision-making. Though, they would still need to prove their worth with tangible results."
It’s an investment with a long-term horizon, but for a nation, such things are a necessity. I suppose this is where something like an anti-espionage law would become essential... but for now, it’s just my wives, and thanks to the 'Designated Protection' skill, information leaks aren't an immediate concern.
"I’d like to say we can leave the future to the future, but these instances are only going to increase. I’ll need to consult with Seraria and the others about this."
"Yes, we should definitely discuss this at a later date. Regarding future recruitment, beyond just the development of the south, we’ll see regular officers and job seekers coming to Weed. If we don't plan ahead, it wouldn't be strange for those who don't know the inner workings to try and send people to infiltrate us from within."
"Well, undermining an opponent from the inside is the standard tactic when you can't win on merit. But, setting that aside, we’ve decided on a scale of ten thousand for the fortress, so let’s proceed with the design based on that."
"Understood."
I’ll put the spy talk on the back burner for now. Right now, we need a design for a fortress that can accommodate not just Tori and her team, but the incoming Intercontinental Exchange Allied Forces.
"First, we need to determine how much land we’re securing. One might assume that a space for ten thousand people requires a massive area, but surprisingly, ten thousand people isn't actually that large when you’re just looking at the crowd."
"What do you mean by that?"
Hovis tilted his head, seemingly failing to grasp my point.
"Well, think about it. We use the arena for various events, and the seating area alone holds twenty thousand."
"Ah, now that you mention it, you’re right. Wait, does that mean the size of the arena alone is sufficient?"
"Exactly. We can treat that as our baseline. We have food stalls on the perimeter, so all that’s missing are lodging and entertainment facilities."
"You make it sound so simple, but that’s still a considerable amount of space. Though, I suppose it’s fine since we can build it using your Dungeon Master skills..."
Orelia chimed in with that retort, but the whole operation is predicated on that ability. I’ll need her to bear with that absurdity. After all, the entire fortress construction plan is built on that foundation.
"I understand Orelia’s concern. One does wonder if such a vast space even exists. Would clearing land on that scale cause any issues? Like environmental changes?"
Prol picked up on Orelia’s train of thought and asked. Ah, I see—that’s another way to look at it.
"We’ll have to see the land first. That’s part of the reason for this survey—it’s an exploration for the construction site as well."
"I see. Then we should focus on the fortress design for now."
"Right. I know there are many uncertainties, but we’ve divided the tasks. Our job is to design the fortress. Let’s start with the arena size as a base, then try layering in the lodging and entertainment facilities. We’ll build the primary fortress facilities separately and then enclose everything within a wall."
I laid out the rough plan. It’s about keeping the functions separated. We don’t want outsiders in the heart of the fortress.
"I see. That would be best for security."
"Understood. We’ll draft the design accordingly."
"Would it be alright if I threw in some ideas of my own?"
"Go ahead. Everyone, feel free to draft your own designs first. We’ll review and integrate them later."
And so, we began the design of the fortress. You have to adjust the building specifications based on the number of people using them; it’s surprisingly important. It’s a common story in this world to hear of people struggling because, despite the massive size of a building, it lacked the basic necessities like sleeping quarters or restrooms.