第１８５０堀：新人冒険者出発 (Part1)
### Episode 1850: The New Adventurers Depart
**Side: Nina**
"Things have proceeded surprisingly smoothly, haven't they?"
As I said this, Kishua, standing beside me, checked her equipment and replied, "It’s better than operating without any connections. Especially when you have powerful backing."
Indeed, just as Kishua said, the Giadana Kingdom’s royal family and the Chancellor’s house had agreed to support our activities in the northern part of the New Continent.
I was honestly surprised.
After that meeting that night, Ena, the intelligence agent, had acted as a go-between, and it seemed that the catalogs and similar materials Mikos had created had helped build a high level of trust. They had even mentioned using those supplies to increase their allies within the Giadana Kingdom.
When we informed them that we would be dispatched to investigate various matters, they agreed to provide support. Of course, it was indirect—if it became blatantly obvious that we were connected to Weed, we would be met with suspicion. Still, I was grateful. Without this, we would have to be wary not only of the Clear Stream Church but also of the powerful figures in the nations where we would be operating. Plus, the Giadana Kingdom would provide us with information on hostile factions, which would save us a great deal of time.
"Well, putting too much trust in them is also dangerous, however," Sia noted.
Before I could ask a question, Vilia challenged Sia’s words. "Sia-san, are you saying the Giadana royal family and the Chancellor’s house are untrustworthy?"
"I’m saying you shouldn't trust them *too* much. For now, our interests align, so there won't be any hostility, but once things settle down, we will be far too massive. Well, Weed will likely take steps to prevent that from happening, but even so."
"True enough. Regardless of how they view Ohe, once they realize the true national power of Weed, they will inevitably be wary. Unless they know the temperament of Yuki and the others, it is only natural for any person—or head of state—to be cautious," Kishua agreed with Sia, then turned toward us, her equipment check apparently finished.
"Mmm, indeed. Brother does not have such desires for domination, but it is only natural for them to be wary if they don't know that." Though she seemed dissatisfied, Vilia seemed to understand their point.
I understood it, too. There was no way for people from other countries to know what Weed was aiming for. Therefore, they could only judge us based on our past interactions. It was impossible to expect them *not* to be wary after being shown that level of technology.
"Well, we can improve that image as we go. For now, my preparations are done. Vilia is fine, but what about you, Nina and Sia?"
"Of course. Kishua is always the last one," I said.
"Yes, that is correct," Sia added.
Despite being the slowest to prepare, my attitude was quite bold.
"Why are you so confident, Nina? I helped you because you hadn't finished your own preparations, didn't I?"
"I’ve decided to leave it to Kishua whenever she’s around."
"You never change, do you."
That was just my role. I left it to her because that’s what Kishua wanted to do. When I’m alone, I handle things properly, so there’s no problem.
"Haa... have I spoiled you too much? Well, that’s fine. We are scheduled to enter the capital of the Giadana Kingdom next. There are no changes to that, right?"
"Yes. We have received our identification papers," Vilia said, producing the documents prepared by Chancellor Daeda of the Giadana Kingdom.
Since they had arranged everything through the merchant house we were investing in—including the village background—our cover story was perfectly set. I was grateful for the saved effort; initially, I had expected to be fumbling through that part.
"Well, it would be best to visit the place we’re supposedly from, at least once."
"Even though it seems to have been destroyed by a monster attack?"
"That’s exactly why. It gives us a reason to travel far under the guise of checking on the village, and if we are seen acting nostalgic, people will assume we’ve returned to our hometown."
"So, it reinforces our identity."
"Exactly. We’ll be moving around a lot to gather information anyway. It’s a good way to add credibility to our background."
True, we were going to be adventuring across the northern New Continent, and having our identities questioned every time would be a nuisance. Such minor deceptions were necessary.
"Anyway, we’ve talked enough. If everyone is ready, let’s get going. You’ve secretly built a base near the Giadana capital, right?"
"Not exactly near the capital, but in the town on the outer perimeter, outside the city walls," Vilia said, pulling up a projection monitor for us to see.
The capital of the Giadana Kingdom had a town within its defensive walls, but relying on that military strength, residences had also sprung up outside the walls. This wasn't particularly rare; it was common on other continents as well. Of course, dwellings without walls were vulnerable to monsters and armies, but they were rarely ignored. After all, ignoring an attack on the capital—whether by monsters, an army, or bandits—would be a blow to the Giadana Kingdom’s prestige. Therefore, it was safer than a random town with poor defenses.
However, since it was a place that had formed spontaneously, the public order wasn't exactly stellar. The capital’s soldiers did patrol to keep things from descending into chaos—again, for the sake of the capital’s reputation—but there were limits to what they could do.
In other words...
"Will we, as beautiful women, be attacked if we stay in the outer residences?"
"No, we could easily repel them ourselves. We might draw attention, but we won't be the only ones there," Kishua replied.
"Indeed. Nina, you worry too much. Above all, since it will also serve as a Weed base, the security there will be impeccable."
Ah, so it wasn't just our temporary base, but was being treated as a Weed forward operating base. In that case, there was no problem.
"Chancellor Daeda prepared our identities, but regarding the outer base, it’s registered as a different merchant house."
"A merchant house? Wait, a shop?" This was the first I’d heard of it. It wasn't just a house?
"Yes. We are officially under the identity of a merchant house prepared by Chancellor Daeda, and it appears we are being treated as if we were sent to a shop prepared by Weed."
"Ah, I see. It would be strange for us to suddenly appear in the capital, wouldn't it?"
"Indeed, it would be odd for girls born in the countryside to be in the capital without a reason."
"The flow of the story is that we came along with some business and are now registering as adventurers in the Giadana capital. The capital is safe, after all."
True, as we discussed, the capital had its reputation to maintain, so it dealt with monsters and bandits, making it safer than other places. It was the perfect place for new adventurers to depart from.
"And being treated as a Weed merchant house also serves as a transport route for the catalogs that Mikos-oneesama prepared."
"““Understood.””"