第１９０３堀：向こう側の思惑について (Part1)
## Chapter 1903: The Intentions on the Other Side
### Regarding the Intentions on the Other Side
Side: Yuki
"Zzz..."
Snoring like that were Kina and the children. With the Adventurer Guild's work having reached a certain conclusion, I opened my hobby shop in the inn today to treat Milly and the others. Well, surprisingly, when I open it and cook, it's popular with the children, but...
"This is why I don't open it very often."
"Indeed. As a doctor, I can't really recommend it."
Rurua gave a wry smile, while Enora, looking displeased, watched Kina and the children sleeping, full of food and drink, and said so. I understand the sentiment.
Kina aside, I want the children to live a regular life, and to eat their fill, play, and then just fall asleep like that—I want to ask what kind of irresponsible adult they're imitating. However, for the children, this is like a reward time when our friends come over. After all, they can't exactly invite school friends to this house. So, they're happy when guests come, and while I wouldn't call it 'special' in itself, since I cook homemade meals, it becomes a special time for the children. That's why they stay here until their limit, and this is the result.
And then...
"Please leave it to us."
"We've got it~"
Attending to the sleeping children were our household maids and their assisting slimes. The reason for slimes is that their flexibility and shapeshifting are best suited for supporting children. As Surakichi-san's subordinates, they also possess considerable abilities, giving them a role as guards. Even when the children are at school, the slimes are with them in their small forms, so they spend more time interacting with the children than we do, even without trying.
"Munya, Father."
"Papa~"
Watching the children being carried away, murmuring such things in their sleep, filled me with warmth. Still, I couldn't just follow them. Although the official reason was that Milly's Adventurer Guild issues had largely settled down...
"Come on, wake up, Kina."
Milly unreservedly tapped the sleeping Kina on the head. Normally, I'd want to let her sleep, but...
"Mmm. You could have let the children stay a little longer."
"Too bad. It's bedtime now. And you know it's adult time from here on out, right?"
"Hah, I figured. Well, I get a free meal, so I guess it's fine. So, what about Rock?"
"I'm awake. You were the one entertaining the children, after all."
"Because your face is scary~. They keep their distance from you, you know."
"Huh? Is that so?"
Rock made a surprised face at Kina's words. No, it was more like he was genuinely shocked.
"Hey now, Rock isn't feared. It's more that Kina is closer to a friend, or rather, she's childish, isn't she?"
"Ahaha, well, he is a man~. That can't be helped."
"You startled me! Even so, I get along well with the boys at the guild, you know."
"That's right. You often show up at beginner training sessions and the training grounds to give guidance."
"Yeah. I have to do things befitting a Guild Master."
I see. Rock, in his own way, has proper interactions with the children. I had thought he wasn't bad with children, judging by how he interacted with mine, but he actually makes an effort to connect with them himself. I'm impressed, considering how busy he usually is with work.
"Rock, Kina, you both truly worked hard this time. Here."
I said, handing them cold water.
"Oh."
"Thanks~"
Saying that, both of them quenched their thirst with cold water to clear their heads of alcohol for a moment.
"What about you, Milly?"
"I'm not drunk yet."
Yes, that's a drunkard's usual line, but I'll believe her for now.
"Then, I'll continue our discussion. Regarding the Adventurer Guild, is it correct that things have settled down for now concerning Usano and Aae?"
"Yes. We've properly taken care of the aftermath. As planned, or rather, the recruitment of immigrants, which was anticipating a great flood in the town of Suana, has stopped."
"You stopped it?"
"Yes, because the monsters that were supposed to necessitate sending soldiers are gone."
"They could just immigrate normally, couldn't they?"
Deryu murmured this, and Eris and Ratz also nodded.
"If they can pioneer, isn't that a good thing in itself?"
"Right~? I think it's something to be highly praised, don't you?"
I shared the same opinion.
Immigration itself isn't a bad thing. If they wish to claim the forest, it could even be called essential. Certainly, if a pseudo-great flood occurred, they could send soldiers to hasten its suppression, but if it's about human life there, it might be different; a non-productive base would only be a waste, with no benefit. For successful governance, I believe having such productive bases is paramount, but...
"That part isn't clear yet. Well, I can predict it to some extent."
"Can we hear it?"
"It's just a prediction, so it's fine. Simply put, many nobles are involved. While the lord of Suana is the main actor, there are others providing support. So, if the prerequisite monster attacks disappear..."
"Then they won't provide support, will they? ...I see. If it's just normal immigration, it would simply be the achievement of the lord who pioneered it."
It was a simple matter, after all.
No, rather than a problem with the matter itself, this is just how things are this time. It's just that the procedure was too roundabout, causing confusion.
"That's right. Even if they continue to provide support, there will be no troop dispatch. In other words, the lord of Suana would monopolize everything. While it doesn't mean their past assistance was entirely meaningless, the honor of securing the forest that had become a border would be lost. And it seems they also provided funds for the preparations."
"Funds?"
"Yuki. Do you remember the talk about the town of Suana flourishing despite not being particularly prosperous?"
"Ah, yes, that happened. So, it was funding from the surrounding areas, or rather, from within their circle of allies, wasn't it?"
It's probably true that the lord worked hard to gather it on their own... but they also sought support, didn't they?
"And so, the funds for gathering those immigrants and building a village have also stopped. After all, the main premise failed."
"So they can't move forward anymore. Or rather, they can't provide money."
"It was close to a gamble to begin with. Regarding the incident said to be an accidental fire in the village where the monsters were gathered, whether it was interference or a genuine failure, there's no doubt that the outcome was a waste. So, it feels like they've withdrawn their support because of that."
"Ostensibly, the pioneering immigration plan has been frozen due to problems. It's a common occurrence, after all."
Well, in a world where monsters and bandits run rampant, it's not uncommon for plans to be abandoned due to a lack of funds. So, this matter is also concluded with that?
"Speaking of which, what happened with the forest survey that was being negotiated with the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance?"