第１８２４堀：パーティー終わってのウィード (Part1)
Ditch 1824: Weed After the Party
Weed After the Party
Side: Seraria
Three days had passed since the completion party for Glass Port Town...
"Um, Sisua and Sona have reported that there are still royals staying at the Glass resort hotel, and they're asking if it's alright to proceed with the immigration plan."
Quar said, handing over the documents with a wry smile, stating their contents.
"Hmph, we announced that full-scale immigration would begin in five days, and they're still here?"
The documents were indeed from Sisua and Sona, stating that while the presence of foreign royals wasn't causing a commotion, they were concerned about safety issues that might arise from a large-scale movement of people.
Oh, and of course, the names of the countries whose people remained.
"...Or rather, all the major nations are still here, aren't they?"
"Well, given the nature of the information we conveyed, it seems they've been holding meetings daily."
"Hah, what fools would hold meetings in a rooftop pool, a bath, or a lounge bar? We've barely received any requests to use the conference rooms we prepared, have we?"
"Twice in these three days. Still, they can't really iron out the details, can they? Not when there's so little information available."
"Then I think they should just go home already."
"Isn't it fine? While we wouldn't want any friction, they do show an intention to act in concert."
"...I suppose that's one way to look at it. If they push ahead carelessly, or even if they follow later, it would be awkward for everyone."
Quar's observation made me realize that possibility.
Indeed, advancing into the New Continent holds great potential, but either way, the burden is significant, and there's a risk of incurring losses if handled poorly.
Of course, we've conveyed as much, but for the major nations of each continent, whether they go first or later, they'd be seen as having ill intentions if they don't coordinate and discuss things properly.
Those who go first will likely bear the greatest burden, but they will gain honor and be able to hold their heads high among other nations.
Conversely, the nations that venture to the New Continent last will have no risk of failure, but also no honor. After all, they'd be following in the footsteps of others, armed with information.
A double-edged sword, then.
Neither is inherently bad, but acting unilaterally would certainly create a poor impression.
"Still, in that sense, I think they should hurry home and start thinking about the forces they can deploy."
"That's probably a matter of delegating to subordinates, with the higher-ups focusing on diplomacy. Every nation has its own circumstances; some can't afford to lead the charge, while others need to."
"So, it's about domestic circumstances. But when it comes to leading the charge, Weed was first, you know."
"Yes. However, it's a place where we know considerable combat awaits. So, it can be seen as Weed leading the way for its own sake. It can also be interpreted as us moving first for Weed's benefit."
"Ah, so it's like rushing to provide reinforcements first. In that case, the last ones to arrive... well, their evaluation would naturally be low. It's not exactly a war, though."
"That's true, but the risks are certainly high, and there's the matter of honor we just discussed, so prior consultation is necessary. Nations that arrive last are also highly likely to get the short end of the stick."
"...You're right. The southern part of the New Continent alone is vast, but not all of the land will be suitable for their hopes. Or rather, most of it is wilderness, isn't it?"
I brought up a map, part of Tori's Southern Defense and Survey Team's report, on the monitor once more.
Now, my administrative work is also primarily computer-based.
Quar's, too, of course.
Oh, important matters are still on paper documents or parchment, that hasn't changed, but for routine tasks, computers are incredibly convenient once you get used to them.
Eris and Ratz adapted quickly, but I feel like I'm just finally getting the hang of it.
Anyway, setting that aside, regarding the surveyed area of the New Continent's south...
"It's wilderness as far as the eye can see. There are only fourteen water sources, or rather, ponds. And they're not particularly large. It would be a bit difficult for a military force of a thousand people to use them as their water supply."
"Right."
While the ponds Tori and her team investigated are numerous enough, as Quar said, they aren't on a scale that could support a significant number of people.
They're really just small ponds.
Of course, there are creatures other than monsters using those ponds, so those kinds of problems will also arise.
In other words, water cannot be secured.
"It's a harsh environment for ordinary people to live in, isn't it?"
"Yes. Ordinary people would not only have to contend with monsters but also face the natural environment, which is quite challenging. Even for an army, securing water, let alone food, would be difficult under normal circumstances."
"Yes, but with Weed's support, it's safe to say those kinds of problems are all resolved. So, in that sense, there's no need to secure land for that purpose."
"Indeed. Since we'll be cooperating with water and food, what they need to consider is how valuable a place is in other respects."
"That's the tricky part. As far as I can see, it's wilderness, and while there are plateaus, transportation is troublesome. There might be unique environments, but that's about it."
"Surprisingly, those might be the targets. I've heard that the plateaus have independent environments with well-established nature."
"Indeed, Tori's forts are in two locations: the wilderness and a plateau. Though they're practically adjacent."
"That's right. If they establish a base with a plateau at their back, the area they need to defend can be limited. Though I'm not saying monsters won't descend from the plateau."
Certainly, from a defensive standpoint, establishing a base with a natural barrier at its back is seen on every continent, just as Quar said.
A natural stronghold, in other words.
"We also plan to conduct resource surveys of the land, so things will likely change based on that."
"Precisely. They'll also need resources to produce automobiles, and if some of those are found on the New Continent, its value will skyrocket. Of course, if such resources are found, there will likely be a considerable scramble for them."
"That would be troublesome in its own way. Well, these kinds of problems have existed forever, haven't they?"
"Land and resource issues have always been around. Even Daffai in Fiora had water resource problems."
"Well, it's true that water resources diminished, but the root cause was the problem with Lord Coral who settled there."
"It's the same either way. If resources run out for any reason, conflicts will arise in search of alternatives. In fact, you could even say it was fortunate that the problem in Daffai was Coral."
"Indeed. The water source was restored then. If it had truly just been depletion, it would have become a much larger problem."
"Well, we've strayed from the topic. Ultimately, it's impossible to determine where the major nations will advance."
"Yes. Well, the criteria for selection will likely change based on what Tori and her team discover in their future surveys, so perhaps there's no point in thinking about it now?"