第１８４６堀：偵察先の状態と新人の準備 (Part1)
Chapter 1846: The State of the Reconnaissance and Preparations for the Newcomers
Side: Yuki
Surprisingly, the equipment Narjia-san had prepared was quite standard.
Well, I suppose it’s a case of hoping she doesn’t develop a new hobby and start pouring all her efforts into that instead.
Anyway, Vilia and the others had been waiting for a report from the Giadana Kingdom, and that report had finally arrived.
"Reporting. We have arrived safely at the royal capital of the Giadana Kingdom."
"Good work. First off, what is the situation in the capital?"
"It is calm. It doesn't feel like a country at war. Are you receiving the video feed?"
"Yes, I’m receiving it. Indeed, there’s no sign of panic."
Beside Kirika, who was speaking with her subordinate, the state of the royal capital was projected.
Just as the intelligence officer had said, there was no sign of panic; it looked like everyone was going about their daily lives.
There was no sign of an army lying in wait for Baron Siana, and it didn't seem like the Baron and her party would be wiped out immediately upon arrival.
Though, the possibility of them being framed for some trumped-up crime during an audience at the royal palace and subsequently executed wasn't exactly zero.
"Come to think of it, what happened to the news about the scouts returning?"
That’s right—Baron Siana’s group had reported earlier that messengers from the Giadana Kingdom and the Clearstream Church were on their way.
We had fed them false information and sent them back, so if that news had reached the capital, a grand reception wouldn't have been out of the question.
However, there was no sign of that.
"They are scheduled to arrive after us. We overtook them on the way."
"I see. So even with fast horses, you were able to pass them."
"Yes. We have the motorcycles you entrusted to us, Yuki-sama, and our own physical capabilities are quite high."
I’m glad they made good use of the bikes.
As for their physical capabilities, those naturally increase as one’s level rises.
Still, I recommend vehicles like bikes because traveling on foot is exhausting.
"In that case, I’m curious about how they’ll move once the messengers arrive."
"Yes. That said, even if the messengers deliver their reports, considering the speed of Baron Siana’s return, they shouldn't have time to prepare. It’ll be about seven days until they arrive, and the messengers are still a day or two out."
"Ah, yeah, that’s not enough time to set a trap."
"Indeed. So, Master, what shall we do regarding the movements of the intelligence officers? Shall we proceed with the investigation of the royal palace as planned?"
"The investigation of the palace should wait until after the messengers return. Have you heard anything from Baron Siana’s group about the power structure of the Giadana Kingdom?"
"No, we don't have that kind of information. The Marquis who was organizing things might have known, but what about the information from that side?"
"I have some, but it’s hard to trust that testimony. He probably wasn't lying, but those were the words of a man who believed he could win a battle he had already lost."
I had turned the deceased into undead to extract information, but it was all subjective—just him reciting his own memories.
In other words, he only believed in what was convenient for him.
Even the distinction between friend and foe was colored by his own perspective.
He would name anyone he wanted to kick down, even within his own faction.
Well, it’s certain that he valued his own power above all else, but the only things truly reliable were the extent of the Marquis’s sphere of influence, his wealth, and his military strength.
"Indeed, if we were to investigate while taking that at face value, we’d likely be tripped up."
"Right? So, keep watch on the meeting site after the messengers arrive. For now, just grasp the topography of the royal castle. You can monitor the messengers' location with drones, right?"
"Yes. We are tracking the messengers with drones, so we will know the moment they return."
"Then, the top priority is to map the royal castle, followed by the Clearstream Church, and then the Adventurer’s Guild. I want to know about the influence of the monsters in the north. I want to find out where is best for Vilia and the others to step in. Well, there are various supplies and such I want to look into as well, so just tackle the priorities one by one."
"Understood. Then, I will carry out my work as an advance infiltrator as planned. I will leave the lower-priority investigations to the members accompanying Baron Siana if they are able to move."
"That would be best. If the country or the Clearstream Church moves to harm Baron Siana’s group, the accompanying members must support their withdrawal. Please act with that in mind."
That’s true.
The safety of the intelligence officers moving with Baron Siana’s group is the top priority.
It goes without saying that they should only investigate if the situation allows for it.
"Still, blending in as commoners shouldn't be much of a problem, right? There wasn't much of an inspection at the gate?"
"Yes. It was just a light inquiry and paying the entrance fee."
In this world, unless you’re a resident of the town or a noble, you have to pay to enter.
That serves as a sort of character guarantee.
It’s to keep criminals out and to prevent the expansion of slums.
Actually, even on Earth, there used to be systems where you had to pay to enter a town.
It might be surprising, but that was true in Japan as well.
The concept of a "town" is different, but there was a system of paying at checkpoints known as *seki* at the borders of domains.
That, too, was meant to keep out unwanted criminals and prevent the outflow of people.
But, leaving that aside...
"Then, the situation won't change immediately. The best thing to do is to rent an inn and gather information steadily. We’ll look into the royal castle when the timing is right."
"Understood. I shall do so."
And with that, the intelligence officers successfully infiltrated the Giadana Kingdom.
Well, they entered as commoners, so they shouldn't be questioned too closely.
Now, all that’s left is to wait for the intelligence officers to bring back information.
Since there’s nothing for me to do just sitting here, I decide to inform Vilia and the others, who are preparing, about the intelligence officers' arrival.
By the way, Vilia, Nina, and the others are currently training and preparing supplies while wearing the gear Narjia-san provided.
Hiiro had checked on the situation and returned quickly.
After all, there wasn't anything too serious going on.
She went straight back to reporting to Dressa.
"So, how’s it going?"
When I showed my face at the training grounds, I saw Vilia and the others spreading out their luggage with troubled expressions.
"Ah, Onii-sama."
"What’s wrong? Did you hear that the intelligence officers arrived at the Giadana Kingdom?"
Vilia and Kishua called out to me upon seeing my face.
"They arrived, but they haven't made any moves yet. No, I sent them there because I wanted to know the initial state of things. And, surprisingly, it was more stable than I thought."
"Stable... is it?"
"What do you mean by that? Isn't that the country that’s picking a fight? Or wait, since the fires of war haven't reached them yet and they are the aggressors, is it not that bad?"