第１８３６堀：敵の住処はどこなのか？ (Part1)
Chapter 1836: Where is the Enemy’s Lair?
Side: Kishua
"That’s right. I’m keeping a close eye on things, too. That’s precisely why the Grand Master sent you, isn't it? Executioner."
Seraria reveals her true nature to the one called Wissy without hesitation.
But, "Executioner"?
What kind of title is that?
Is he some sort of headsman?
As I’m thinking this, the weary air surrounding Wissy vanishes, replaced by a sharp, cold presence like a naked blade.
"Oh my, did you hear that from the Grand Master?"
"No. I’ve heard rumors for a long time that the Adventurers Guild has people who handle those who act like fools—people who operate outside of internal audits."
So, he is literally an executor of executions.
"Ah, well, that’s just a rumor. It was my mistake to react to it."
He says this in a voice that doesn't sound like he made a mistake at all.
I suppose he was told by the Grand Master to reveal his identity if asked.
"So, Wissy, did you come here under the Grand Master's orders?"
"Yes, that’s correct. It was quite a shock. One moment I’m receiving a message, and the next I’m told to head to Suana Town immediately. Thanks to that, I’ve been running for three days straight."
I see. Wissy is just another pawn being moved around, just like us.
"Well, take a seat. We’re in the middle of discussing intelligence."
"Yes, excuse me."
He sits in an empty chair immediately, his narrow eyes fixed on the projection monitor displayed on the table.
"Um, this isn't paper, is it?"
He reaches out to touch it, but his hand passes through like a phantom.
Well, it is just an image, after all.
"That’s right. It’s called a projection monitor. You can just think of it as a mirage or a ghost."
"Exactly. You don’t need to know the intricate details of Weed’s technology to use it; it’s best to just accept it for what it is."
Sia and I offer that follow-up.
If we spent our time asking "why" and "how" regarding Weed’s unknown technology, we’d never make any progress.
"Understood. That’s just how Weed is, isn't it?"
"Oh, so you’ve been there before?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. My public role is as an Adventurers Guild official. Though, it is rare to see a country that tosses common sense aside to that extent."
"I won't deny that. My husband says he won't compromise on his living environment. It is quite comfortable, after all."
"I agree with that, too. My apologies for veering off-topic. Looking at this, these are the monster subjugation facilities near the Forest of Monsters, correct?"
He’s sharp; he understood the meaning of this map immediately.
"Correct. However, we’ve had various complications, so we haven't been able to investigate them ourselves."
"Investigate... Ah, you are probing for monster accumulation points."
"So, you’ve heard the briefing?"
"Yes. I listened to it directly through this earpiece while I was traveling. My, this is convenient. Could you spare some more of these for us?"
I get it.
Thanks to this tool, you can communicate without using your hands or traveling to a specific location.
Well, in our case, we have the Call System, so we don't really need it, but it’s still a handy device.
There were many times when I wished we had something like this back when we were operating in the shadows on the If Continent.
"You’ll have to take that up with the Grand Master. They should have stock on their end."
"Ah, I see. Being able to communicate this easily can be a disadvantage in other ways, can't it? It requires management on an organizational level."
"It’s good that you’re quick on the uptake. Now, back to the subject: we are searching for the monster accumulation hubs. Does the Adventurers Guild have any information?"
That’s right.
Since the Adventurers Guild has joined our side, it implies they intend to cooperate.
They must have some kind of information.
"I hate to disappoint you, but I only have a little."
"Mind sharing it with us?"
"Of course. We also assumed that a place for accumulating monsters would require a fair amount of space, so we conducted a search. Unfortunately, none of the locations marked on this map are correct."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"It’s simple. I inspected them personally. I also have the camera, so I have photos."
With that, Wissy places the photos on the table.
Hmm, the resolution is poor.
Well, it’s a Polaroid camera, so that’s to be expected.
But even so, I can tell something from these.
None of them show any signs of recent use.
They’re falling apart.
"The interiors have been maintained to a degree, but it feels like they were just built and left alone. No one has been coming or going for a long time. They don't look like they function as monster storage facilities."
"Indeed. Nothing is happening there."
If anything, they’re closer to abandoned ruins.
They don't look like places where monsters—or even people—are moving through.
"In that case, it must be somewhere else. Do you have any guesses as to where that might be?"
"That’s the thing—we haven't been able to extend our reach that far yet."
"I see. Now I understand why you said you were sorry. That’s a bit underwhelming."
"Ahahaha. You’re very blunt. My apologies."
Nina really does cut straight to the point.
Still, there’s no other way to put it, and if they had better intelligence-gathering capabilities than Weed, we’d have to be wary of them, so this is probably for the best.
"If what Wissy says is true, it has to be somewhere else, but if we go any further, we’ll be entering a different territory."
"Well, it wouldn't be a bad thing if it were in another territory. If we can secure this disputed land, it would be a major victory. It’s not like it’s just one lord’s problem, is it? Or perhaps, it serves as a way to dodge responsibility."
"Ah, I see. If the monsters were to run wild and cause damage, it wouldn't be the responsibility of the lord managing Suana Town because the location is in another territory."
"As Kishua says, that’s a possibility. Though, it comes with high risks."
"Indeed. Transporting monsters through another territory would certainly increase the chances of being spotted."
"As Sia says, there’s the risk of being spotted, but beyond that, it could be interpreted as an act of war against that territory."
Ah, that’s true.
Transporting monsters into another lord’s territory would look like nothing but a provocation.
It would make it look like they’re up to no good.
As I was thinking this, Wissy suddenly asks a question.
"Um, excuse me for interrupting, but who is the man speaking just now?"
Ah, Yuki hadn't introduced himself yet.
Yuki seemed to realize this himself.