第１９０４堀：力を持つのは国だけではない (Part2)
It was a unanimous decision that Milly should rest. Milly's task of coordinating with the Adventurer's Guild was an immense undertaking.
Diplomacy is arduous, but Milly's role as the Adventurer District Representative is no less demanding.
Moreover, unlike us, she had no successor, no one to whom her duties could be entrusted.
As diplomats, we are negotiators for the kingdom; even if our authority and connections to higher echelons are weaker than those of us princesses, we can still find replacements. However, when it comes to mediating between the Adventurer's Guild and Weed, there is no one who can truly replace Milly.
"It's high time we decided on a successor for the Adventurer District Representative. Milly's workload is absurd."
"Indeed. Yet, to find someone who possesses adventurer knowledge, guild management skills, and the ability to oversee districts and dungeons with ease... do such people exist?"
"I can't think of anyone~? Oh, Kina?"
"No, if I may, Guild Master Kina is quite busy managing the affairs of Glass Port Town."
Prol, unusually, interjected into our conversation.
While we didn't mind at all, Prol was meticulous about hierarchy, so everyone was surprised and their gazes converged on her.
"Please forgive my unauthorized remark."
"No, this isn't a situation where such permission is needed, so don't worry about it. So, Prol, what is your opinion?"
Yuki, naturally, showed no concern about her interjection and asked for her reasoning.
"Yes. I am also close with Guild Master Kina, and I would say her busyness is on par with ours. Although she says it's nothing significant when speaking with Milly-sama..."
"Ah, I understand. Kina is also close with Weed's key figures, including us, like Sisua and Sona, so it might not be as bad for her, but it's different for others. It seems the Adventurer's Guild interfered with the establishment of the guild in Glass Port Town. They told her to gather people on her own."
"Ah~, I heard about that. It's utterly ridiculous, isn't it~? Relying on Kina's connections and all..."
Ria, recalling the situation, let out a voice tinged with exasperation.
I shared the same sentiment.
To demand that an organization of that scale gather people on its own is simply unreasonable.
It's entirely different from building a small shop by oneself.
"Well, the Adventurer's Guild, being a large organization, naturally has internal power struggles of that sort. Kina was chosen due to her connection with Weed, which earned her some resentment. So, we won't be choosing Kina. My apologies, Ria."
"No, no, I understood it would be impossible. But we really need to think about Milly's replacement, or things will get difficult."
"Indeed. I'm thinking of promoting Rock for that position."
"Rock-san? In that case, will Weed's Adventurer's Guild be managed by someone else?"
"I believe that would be the safest approach. And frankly, trying to manage Weed entirely with only close associates is becoming unfeasible."
At those words, we were all surprised.
Yes, including Samantha and Prol.
"Yuki-sama, that... haven't you deliberately avoided that until now?"
Samantha, steeling her resolve, spoke.
"Indeed. However, there are many enclaves. Betan, where Arnes is lord; Baide, where Catherine is lord; and Curse of Seasipho."
I believe Curse, considering he's an adventurer, didn't take up the position of lord...
"Ahaha, rather than Curse-san, aren't Mauve-san and the others already lords?"
Ria pointed that out.
"He himself said he dislikes it. He's merely acting as a proxy. Oh, and there's Sisua and Sona of Glass Port Town. Even so, each representative has already been replaced by the next generation for some time now. Police, Commerce, Agriculture, Blacksmithing—so there's no problem if the Adventurer District Representative changes. As for how much involvement to allow, Rock is trustworthy."
"Indeed. When one thinks about it, it feels like it's about time."
"Exactly. Well, for delving deeply into my objectives, or rather, the mana depletion, I've mostly relied on close associates until now, but I suppose Rock can be included."
Certainly.
Rock, regardless of the kingdom, likely has considerable connections, and his knowledge is not to be underestimated.
To draw him in, or rather, the matter of mana depletion has already been communicated to the state to some extent, and he also knows about the gods...
Wait? He knows almost everything already, so wouldn't it be better to bring him in?
"Well, leaving that aside, I'll ask King Giadana about the positions of the Iana Kingdom, the Adventurer's Guild, and the Clearstream Church again. Everyone, prepare yourselves."
"Yes!"
Thus, to ensure the safety of Vilia and the others, they began to gather information from the Kingdom of Giadana once more.
When one speaks of power and authority, kingdoms and politicians come to mind, but the forces that support them can also be surprisingly strong.
Like corporations? Or something with military might?