第１８９７堀：道中も忙しくなりそう (Part1)
Chapter 1897: The Journey Ahead Looks Busy
Side: Vilia
We have already begun our journey northward, heading toward the Ioa Kingdom.
Honestly, the movements of the Giadana Kingdom weigh on my mind, and I truly wished to stay and assist Sister Enora, but since Brother told us to head for the Ioa Kingdom, I have no choice.
I will simply fulfill my duty.
……However.
"Grasslands as far as the eye can see. Boring."
"That’s how it goes. The If Continent was pretty much the same, wasn't it?"
"Indeed."
As Agil-san and the others say, we are currently just strolling leisurely along the main road.
Of course, if we were to run, our speed would increase, but…
"Should we just run?"
"I said it before, don't. This is a major thoroughfare; people are visible everywhere."
"Yes. If we go sprinting recklessly, it will draw attention—or rather, suspicion."
Exactly. This road is surprisingly well-traveled.
If we were to run, or take to the skies, we could reach the Ioa Kingdom in less than ten days. But that kind of speed is reserved for the highest-ranked members of the Adventurer’s Guild; if we were to travel at that pace, it would inevitably raise eyebrows.
Of course, since we are disciples of Archbishop Dodona, we could bluff our way through to some extent, but our primary mission is to investigate the state of the North and uncover the objectives and movements of the Clearstream Church.
If we blatantly display our true strength, the various nations will move to secure us, and our every move will be under heavy surveillance.
If we are the ones meant to be conducting the investigation, being the ones under surveillance would be counterproductive.
"Then we could just go in secret. We have the camouflage cloaks."
"That won't work either. The gap between our departure date and arrival date would be too short; it would invite doubt."
"True. We aren't just ordinary travelers; we are heading there as disciples of Archbishop Dodona, and as such, we are expected to be people of considerable skill. They will surely investigate those details thoroughly."
That is correct.
Well, it isn't perfectly precise, but the Adventurer’s Guild has already sent word that we departed from the Giadana Kingdom. If the timeline doesn't add up, it will look suspicious.
Setting aside the issue of having our strength overestimated, being branded as imposters would be an incredible nuisance.
Clearing up such a misunderstanding would only lead to our true capabilities being exposed, after all.
If that happens, our credibility would plummet.
"Besides, Nina, there’s no way you don’t understand something this basic, right? Intelligence gathering was your main activity, after all."
Indeed, just as Kishua-san says, before Nina-san came to our Weed, she spent her time investigating various regions as an intelligence operative for the Holy Sword Users.
So, she should certainly understand what we are discussing…
"I understand. But there is no longer any reason to walk slowly along this road."
"You say 'no longer,' but there’s no point in rushing, is there?"
"There is."
She cuts off Kishua-san’s words with an immediate retort.
Sia-san and I exchange glances.
"May we ask for the reason, Nina?"
"Of course. Regarding our movement, Yuki asked us to observe the activity of monsters and people along the way."
"That is true."
Brother did ask us to travel by foot or carriage for that very reason.
However, we had declined the carriage.
Naturally, a carriage requires the care of horses, which would be nothing but a burden to us.
Under normal circumstances, a carriage is prized for its ability to transport ample supplies.
But in our case, we have our item bags, not to mention the Item Box skill; we have mountains of supplies.
Besides, we are carrying our travel gear on our backs, and we don't even feel the weight.
The horses wouldn't even be able to keep up with us.
And, in the worst-case scenario, we have permission to bring out a vehicle, so there is truly no need for a carriage.
Setting that aside, the reason we are moving at this slow, walking pace is to experience the conditions of the North firsthand.
He said he wanted to know about the movements of monsters and people in the North.
So, in that sense, I feel that running—as Nina-san suggests—would deviate from Brother’s intentions…
"As for experiencing it, one day is already enough. There is plenty of foot traffic, and we see patrols of soldiers. On the main road, there isn't even a hint of monsters, let alone bandits. We can judge this area as safe. Besides, there is no way we could grasp the situation just by walking for a single day. It’s better to hurry to the town and gather information."
"I see."
Indeed, that is true.
Our firsthand experience is important, but ultimately, we cannot understand recent trends or the broader situation just by being here.
It is logical to say that going to a town to gather information is more efficient.
"I understand what you're saying, but it isn't good for our travel speed to be known."
"We don't need to report it honestly to the Adventurer’s Guild. The travel is just a means to an end; we can enter the town and simply not report it. Or, we could enter as ordinary people. That would be more efficient for gathering information."
"True, there is no need to honestly report that we traveled here. We can just observe the situation and then report that we have arrived."
"Is that… alright?"
I do believe it is possible.
However, there is a chance it differs from Brother’s intent.
"I understand Vilia’s concern. So, we should just ask Yuki."
Nina-san hits the nail on the head regarding my worries.
Was it that obvious on my face?
"So, what do you think?"
『Hm? That’s fine. I want you to gather information as long as you aren't found out on the other side. I’m busy on this end, so I’ll be leaving the trouble to you.』
No, it seems he was already in contact.
Our conversation was being overheard the entire time.
"It’s no trouble. The travel was too slow and I was getting bored. Thanks to the Giadana Kingdom—or rather, the Clear Church—working so hard, the center of the North is surprisingly quiet. The people coming and going are calm, and there’s really nothing to do."
『Come to think of it, Archbishop Dodona said she wiped out the monsters in this area.』
"Yes. That’s likely why. Well, I think the country cooperated as well."
『Of course they did. If the country just sat back and let the Clear Church take over land after clearing out the monsters, their dignity as a nation would be completely shattered. Besides, it doesn't seem like their relationship with the current Giadana King or Prime Minister Daeda is particularly bad. It’s clear there was a corresponding level of cooperation.』
Indeed, he spoke harmoniously with the Giadana King and Prime Minister Daeda while also making his move on the Clearstream Church.
Ah, that reminds me…
"Brother. Come to think of it, what happened with the Clearstream Church?"
"You mean the church we suppressed?"
"That, but I also want to hear about the overall situation. We haven't received many reports since then."
"Now that you mention it, that’s true. I’ve only heard that they secured and treated the demi-humans. Has there been any progress?"
Kishua-san agrees with my question.
『Ah, about that…』
However, Brother gives a hesitant reply, which is unlike him.
If he had the information, he would state it clearly; if he didn't, he would say so outright.