第１９０３堀：向こう側の思惑について (Part2)
「Hmm? Regarding that matter, the conversation stalled at whether we could request their cooperation during the completion party for Glass Port Town. After all, we've uncovered their true intentions, and the New Continent is already within our grasp. A summoning incident is unlikely to occur there again, so there's no reason to delve deeper. More importantly, I'm swamped with the troop dispatch you proposed.」
「I see.」
I had pressed Usano and Aae for their cooperation in investigating the forest during the Glass Port Town completion party, but it seems no progress has been made since.
Well, there's no longer a need to push it anyway.
The truth was, it was a scheme by those aiming for territorial expansion, and as for the summoning incident, we've already made first contact with Ooe and established a connection with the village.
「So, Yuki. The Adventurer's Guild is all well and good, but what about the New Continent you discovered? The Grand Master mentioned he'd like to visit, you know.」
Kina, as if roused by the water she drank, posed the question.
「I imagine you've heard from Milly, but things over there are incredibly chaotic. That's precisely why I wanted your input.」
「Ah, I knew this wasn't just a casual drinking party. So, what is it?」
Rock also seemed to understand that it wasn't just a drinking party, and immediately put on a serious face.
「You've heard that there's an Adventurer's Guild over there too, right?」
「Yes. I also know that Vilia and her group went there as adventurers.」
「So, they were sent to a place with powerful and numerous monsters, and it seems the monsters become even stronger the further north you go.」
「The north, huh? Well, the information is too limited for me to say anything, but that's the information you and your group gathered, isn't it? Was there some problem with it?」
「No, that itself isn't the problem, but if the monsters are powerful, would they gather adventurers from various regions?」
「Hmm? I don't quite understand the intent of your question. Of course, if monsters are strong, and they can't be defeated, the damage will only spread, so they'd gather adventurers, wouldn't they?」
「Ah, I phrased that poorly. What do you think if, in addition to the country, there's also an organization specializing in monsters called the Clearstream Church, and *still* they're gathering adventurers?」
「Hmm? Wait, what's the reason adventurers are gathering?」
As expected, Rock noticed that.
「Ostensibly, they're gathering adventurers famous for monster subjugation or those with promising futures.」
「...I see. I understand the sense of unease now. It's unnatural.」
「Huh? What's unnatural? If the monsters are powerful, it's natural for strong adventurers to gather...」
「Kina. That's not it. It's about *gathering* them.」
「Hmm? Oh! *Gathering*! Not gathering *voluntarily*?」
Kina also seemed to finally understand Milly's point, turning her face towards me for confirmation.
「Exactly. While there were recommendations from Archbishop Dodona of the Clearstream Church, King Giadana, and the Chancellor, it seems undeniable that they are being gathered in the Iana Kingdom.」
「Then... it's not just about earning money; there's a possibility they're planning a large-scale operation. Well, it could also be that they're gathering them for defense or to suppress the surrounding areas because the monsters are powerful. This is coming from above, isn't it?」
I thought as much, naturally.
If they're intentionally gathering adventurers who operate across national borders, then such an operation wouldn't be surprising.
「That's right. Well, it's also because they understand the power of Vilia and her group, but...」
「No, that's precisely *because* they know Vilia and her group's power. Haven't you heard anything about it?」
「I haven't. However, they're focused on domestic matters. I don't think they fully understand the intentions of the three countries involved, but I'll ask.」
「Right. There's a chance you're being used, even if not maliciously.」
「No, it's a mutual situation. They might have thought there was no point in giving us unconfirmed information, or they might believe that information coming from the Clearstream Church lacks credibility.」
「Ah, that's a possibility. Still, it would be best to ask them once.」
「Indeed.」
The Giadana Kingdom has almost nothing to gain by deceiving us.
In that case, they're probably afraid of damaging our trust by providing poor information.
After all, the Clearstream Church is a group that operates across national borders, doing various things.
Since the country itself is in danger, they must be anxious about information control.
「Well, this is supposed to be a drinking party. I've talked about troublesome things. Shall we drink again?」
「Yes. Still, we're always open for consultations. We can't have you and your group falling, after all.」
「That's right~」
And so it went. They resumed their drinking, and the night deepened.
Simply sending Vilia and her group to the Ioa Kingdom was perhaps overly optimistic, wasn't it?
However, Vilia and her group are also expected to act as transforming heroes...
No, they need to gather that information themselves.