第１８６３堀：事前の添削相手 (Part1)
### Chapter 1863: The Pre-Submission Review
**Side: Eris**
It was a rare occurrence to receive a visit from Aslin and Firia.
And during working hours, no less.
Currently, I’ve stepped down from my role as the head of the Accounting Department—now the Finance Department—but I remain in a sort of advisory capacity, a sounding board of sorts.
Tifania, or "Tifa" as she’s known, is the head of the department now, though her job mostly consists of dealing with complaints from the higher-ups.
But that’s beside the point.
"What brings you two here? And during work hours, of all times?"
The issue is the fact that these two came together.
While they might cross paths while accompanying others for work, it’s almost unheard of for them to meet as the primary parties.
"If it were a summons... you would have used a call, right? Since you went out of your way to come here, I assume this has something to do with finance?"
I asked, setting out some drinks for them.
"Yeah. There’s a proposal I wanted you to check."
"That’s right. We’re going to show it to Brother and the others, but we wanted to show it to Eris-neesama first to see if it’s up to standard."
"A proposal from the two of you? Shouldn't you be going through Dressa or Narjia-san for this?"
Usually, proposals like this should be submitted by their direct superiors.
Well, I suppose if they were acting as proxies, it wouldn't be entirely unheard of... but even then, there should have been prior notice.
"We’re here as the representatives for the Southern monster survey this time."
"Exactly. And Firia is the representative for the Southern mineral survey."
"Ah, I see."
That makes sense.
If they are in a position where they must submit the proposal themselves, then that explains it.
"So, the Southern survey is hitting some snags, then?"
"That’s right. Or rather, the sheer scale of it is the problem, I think?"
"It’s too vast, and we can't get enough hands on deck. Did you know, Eris-neesama?"
"I do. The personnel, supplies, and funding involved are things that Ratz and I are managing."
The funding isn't usable in Ohe or the New Continent, of course, but it covers things like troop salaries and the like.
Money is needed everywhere.
I’ve been calculating the monetary value of supplies and such, and the numbers are truly astronomical.
When you move this much money, it’s only natural that some people will try to skim off the top.
Furthermore, regarding Ohe, we have the Northern issues to contend with, and we’re barely utilizing the local cities.
We’re building forts from scratch, pouring in an immense amount of supplies and capital.
And, of course, personnel.
As a result, Weed is experiencing shortages in various areas.
Well, thanks to Yuki-san, the Dungeon Master, we can manage the supplies and funds, but the thing we are most starved for is manpower.
We can substitute with monsters, but in situations requiring negotiations with people or complex decision-making, it’s better to have actual humans.
We’re working on training, but the scale of the incidents is outpacing our efforts.
The personnel required for the expansion into the New Continent is less than a tenth of our ideal... no, even less than that.
Setting that aside, I took the proposal and reviewed the contents once more.
"Hmm, I see. You’ve narrowed down the routes. This would certainly keep the budget low."
"Right?"
"Exactly."
The two of them beamed, but I added one caveat.
"But the question will inevitably arise: is this all you’re doing? How will you handle that?"
It’s a well-crafted, concise plan, but it would be meaningless if it ended there.
This kind of scrutiny is something I, Ratz, and Seraria would naturally bring up.
"As for that..."
Aslin looked toward Firia.
"Regarding the rest, we intend to expand the scope further once we’ve finished the survey below the cliffs. It’s pointless to talk about future prospects before we’ve even started."
She replied as if she’d been waiting for that exact question.
I see. That’s a fair point.
The purpose of the survey is, after all, for the sake of the future.
"Hmm. If that’s your retort, you should be able to answer Seraria and the others’ questions as well."
"Yes! Then..."
"Yes, there shouldn't be any problems."
"Heh-heh. I haven't been listening to all those critiques of other proposals for nothing."
Ah, I see.
I’ve watched them standing by as Yuki-san and the others ruthlessly tore apart their subordinates' plans.
They were eager to learn, and it seems they’ve been studying well.
To think that the children—no, the little sisters I used to dote on—have come this far... it’s quite moving.
I always knew they had unique talents, but to see them capable of drafting plans like this is truly impressive.
When I was their age, was I just reading books?
Well, never mind that.
"So, the plan is good, but where do you intend to pull the personnel from?"
"I’m still thinking about that. We’re short on people, after all. In the worst-case scenario, I’m thinking of using my monster unit..."
"Since there’s specialized surveying involved, there are at least a few people available."
"True. It wouldn't be a problem if Aslin’s monster unit were the core, but you definitely need people."
The tools for the survey are designed with humanoids in mind, and using them requires specialized knowledge.
Besides, sending amateurs wouldn't yield data that could lead to the next step.
In other words, we have to send people with the appropriate knowledge, but...
"...If monsters are accompanying them, maybe we could take some researchers along."
"I thought about that, but they aren't fighters like the soldiers."
"Researchers are mostly idiots."
"That’s a contradictory statement, but I understand what you mean. They get tunnel vision, right?"
When I asked that, the two of them nodded vigorously.
That really is how it is.
Researchers—or rather, those who seek to master their craft—will do things that look insane to the casual observer, and they’ll do it without a second thought.
With the added bonus of completely ignoring the trouble they cause for those around them.
For an organization like ours, they are extremely difficult to work with.
Though, there’s no denying we need their abilities.
They are just incredibly high-maintenance.
That’s why I’m so uneasy about entrusting them with a mission like this.
Still...
"Well, in those cases, you just have to drag them along by force. Or maybe put a collar on them."
"A collar?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Decide on their conduct in case of an emergency. If the unit decides to retreat and they try to act on their own, you drag them back if you have to. Tell them to come along with the understanding that such risks exist."
In this case, the problem isn't the soldiers, but the idiots who won't listen.
They are targets for protection, yes, but they aren't civilians; they are collaborators.
And they are here for the sake of Weed.
Conversely, if they become a liability, that’s an act that harms Weed’s interests.