第１７８５堀：休憩中に何をしてもよいわけではない (Part2)
As for the proposed site for the fortress, the wilderness is surprisingly abundant with flat terrain. There are also plateaus—mountainous regions where the earth has thrust upward—which, from a defensive standpoint, are quite viable.
That said, it would necessitate adding a mountain climb to our transit routes.
While we could shorten the journey by repurposing gates, that would naturally incur additional costs.
This is a matter that will require consultation with Tori and the others.
Personally, I find the environment of the plateaus intriguing.
I’ll add that to today’s agenda as well.
Just as I was wondering what to tackle next, a shadow suddenly fell across my desk. I looked up to find Prol standing there.
"Yuki-sama. You were working, weren't you?"
"I wouldn't call it 'work,' exactly. I’m just jotting down some plans."
Indeed, compared to my usual duties, this was nothing.
Well, I suppose judging reports and making decisions is my standard routine, but given that this concerns the New Continent and our party, the urgency is high.
It takes priority over Weed’s domestic affairs, which is why I’ve been working even while enjoying tea and sweets.
"That is precisely what we are here for. There is no need for you to handle the documentation yourself. Here, please hand it over."
Prol was effectively demanding the data I was currently entering.
It seems she caught me trying to update the shared files later, since I can edit them at any time.
With no other choice, I finalized the schedule update.
Prol checked it immediately.
"I see. This is certainly necessary. However, is it truly appropriate to be working while everyone else is taking a break?"
"That’s why I’m taking my break right here, tea and sweets in hand."
Surely, this can’t be classified as "working."
"Honestly, you are truly gifted at making excuses. Well, I suppose it would be rude to cause a scene and disturb the rest time of your wives and Orelia..."
Saying this, Prol pulled up a chair, poured herself some tea, and picked up the next report.
"Now, regarding the contents of the next report: it concerns the investigation into the summoning of Kagura-sama, which Orelia brought to us."
I could sense her ironclad resolve to prevent me from even reading the report myself.
She proceeded to summarize the contents for me.
The investigation into the summoning, which we had entrusted to Kagura, apparently included explanations from Princess Suena.
Well, since she was the one who performed the summoning, I suppose this serves as an interrogation of sorts.
According to the report, the summoning magic circle has existed for a long time.
It has been there since King Oue was born, meaning it is likely over four hundred years old.
It seems the royal family had been passed down a mandate: in the event of a national crisis threatening the country’s existence, they were to use the summoning to call forth a hero.
A hero, huh...
This is the first time I’ve heard the term "hero" used instead of "brave."
...Which implies that perhaps they weren't always Japanese, or perhaps the eras were significantly misaligned.
Wait, wait—that doesn't necessarily mean they came from another world.
As I listened to Prol’s reading, keeping my composure, it appeared that the heroes summoned in the past were also brought from worlds where monsters existed.
The place names mentioned were unfamiliar to me, but given that this was over four hundred years ago, they might well have been from this very world.
As for the analysis of the summoning magic circle, it uses characters employed on a different continent. Since they are analyzing the meaning and composition of the characters themselves, it is taking time.
She requested the assistance of members well-versed in magic, such as Cleena, Samantha, and Comet.
It’s true; while my brain automatically translates the meaning, the significance of the characters themselves is a different matter.
There is a difference between having something automatically translated and studying the history and origin of the characters to see what lies beneath.
It’s complicated—perhaps akin to how the alphabet letter "A" is pronounced "ah" in Japanese, but the meaning of the character itself isn't necessarily the same?
"What about this?"
"Add that to the schedule, too."
"Understood."
Cleena and Samantha are here, so that’s fine, but Comet is currently busy with monster research.
I hope we can get in touch with her easily.
And so, in this manner, I spent my break working through reports alongside Prol.
Taking a break during lunch without working?
Well, such people do exist, but there are truly those who work while they eat.
In fact, I suspect there are many who don't even bother to eat, choosing to work instead.