第１８５８堀：どこから人を持ってくるのかも問題 (Part2)
While some of the soldiers Seraria brought in during the early days fit that description, the vast majority joined the military voluntarily and have settled into ranks commensurate with their abilities.
……In a conventional nation, it would be impossible for someone without noble or civilian standing to attain high rank without extraordinary achievements, but here in Weed, we prioritize competence, so it is possible.
Well, even I was, at best, only fit to be Marly’s adjutant.
No, without Marly, I likely would have topped out as a platoon leader.
Ah, well, given that we have individuals with such diverse backgrounds gathered here, it’s not entirely strange that some might be capable of running a shop, but...
Since they have chosen the military life, the fact that they prioritize soldiering over commerce could also be interpreted as a lack of talent for the latter. Whether they are truly suited for it is a delicate question.
"That much is unavoidable, I suppose. Since you’re looking for someone to take charge of the shop, shall I help with the interviews?"
"Ah, I would be grateful for that. It’s better to have an answer early on than to have them rejected after being dispatched to the other side."
"I can’t argue with that. It’s common enough for people to fail when they’re actually out in the field."
"Even so, having someone other than myself to judge their aptitude is a good thing. It will help narrow down the candidates."
"True. We’re considering rotations, so it’s necessary to find the next person in line. Besides, you’ll be starting with veterans only, right?"
"Naturally. We cannot train intelligence agents when we don’t even have a manual in place."
First, I will have the shop run solely by the veterans that Yuki and I select, and then I will draft a plan to cultivate intelligence agents.
The intention is to utilize promising new recruits for that purpose.
"Yes, that’s fine. In the meantime, please provide me with a list of candidates within ten days. After that, we’ll set the dates for the interviews."
"Understood. That would be for the best."
"And, Jessica, do you think people will actually apply for this sort of thing? Intelligence work is fundamentally behind-the-scenes, so some might shy away from it, and we can’t exactly post a public recruitment notice, can we?"
"Well, I doubt there will be a stampede. We certainly cannot post a notice in broad daylight."
"I suppose you're right."
Thinking about openly recruiting spies is, from a visual standpoint, incredibly amusing, but I know all too well that it would only attract a swarm of riffraff.
Moreover, it would reflect poorly on Weed’s reputation.
If we were to openly advertise for spies, other nations would undoubtedly grow suspicious... or so I imagine.
Most would likely laugh it off, assuming it was a bluff or a lie.
"However, it won't be zero. I can say that much. I have drilled the importance of information into them repeatedly during training."
"I see. Then that’s fine."
Generally speaking, many soldiers take pride in combat.
They are not particularly fond of gathering information.
Nevertheless, it is those who handle information skillfully who rise to the top.
"Then, I leave it to you."
"Yes. Please leave it to me. And, may I ask a question as well?"
"Hm? Is there something about the shop you don't understand?"
"No, it’s not about that. I find it strange that Ria is not by your side. The matter with Canaria is already finished, isn't it? I heard she had returned to guard duty?"
Indeed, Ria, who should be by Yuki’s side, is absent.
This could be called an abnormal situation.
It is almost unheard of for Ria to leave Yuki’s side unless she is on a mission.
"Ah, Ria is currently adjusting the handover for Canaria’s shop and verifying my work. She hasn't met with the Ohe side in the New Continent yet, and she’s in the middle of preliminary preparations, absorbing the information that Prol, Orelia, and the others gathered."
"I see. Come to think of it, the support for Lady Canaria did last quite a long time."
"Well, I suppose she was just that concerned."
Considering the length of time she was away, it is not a volume of work that can be finished easily.
Ria has grown in that regard, so I believe she will be fine, but...
Perhaps he read my thoughts.
"Ah, don't worry about Ria. I’ll be returning to the office to speak with her as well."
"Is that so? Please take care of her."
Ria is a good friend of mine, after all.
If she were pushing herself too hard, I would at least stop her.
Now, I have my own task of selection to attend to.
Yuki has basically left intelligence matters to Kirika until now.
He mentioned that it would be better to rely on others as well.
Well, there was the issue of them not being fully developed, but the judgment has been made that they are ready now.