第１９４８堀：調べ物をするには紙の方がいい (Part1)
Chapter 1948: Paper is Better for Research
Side: Milly
"Ugh, we really have to look through all of this?"
The one who said that the moment she stepped into the room was Kina, the head of the Glass Adventurer Guild. I understood her sentiment perfectly. After all, it was a mountain of documents.
"That’s right. I mean, we have digital data, but it’s still better to look at it on paper, isn't it?"
"I suppose so. It just doesn't feel like I've actually seen it otherwise."
Kina could use a computer well enough, but she seemed to prefer physical documents. Besides, the guild in Glass Port Town didn't rely on computers as their primary medium. It was a paper-based operation, so she probably just wasn't used to the digital alternative.
As I pondered this, Kina sat down in the prepared seat, still grumbling. She looked right at home.
"You’ve really gotten used to that seat, haven't you?"
"Well, yeah. I’ve been involved in Weed’s troubles, and even though I belong to the Adventurer Guild, I’m basically Weed personnel at this point, right? I mean, isn't that why you’re working here with me, Milly? Because of that trust?"
"I suppose. We’ve been working hard together since Weed was founded. Actually, we’ve known each other even longer than that."
"Back then, we were both just entry-level receptionists, weren't we?"
Kina and I go back to our days as adventurers—or rather, our days in the Adventurer Guild. We weren't in the same party, but we’d cross paths at the guild and exchange information. Being scouts, we both knew that such intelligence was the key to a party’s survival. It wasn't that we were particularly unlucky, but when our respective parties dissolved, we both decided to seek employment at the guild rather than searching for new groups.
"Though, I never imagined our town would be wiped out by an invasion."
"I really thought it was all over back then. The Adventurer Guild doesn't intervene in wars between nations, after all."
"Unless it involves someone truly significant. Still, we made it to Weed, so I suppose it worked out for the best."
That was the truth. My younger brother had fallen in battle, but my father, mother, and sister were safe. And above all, I had met Yuki-san, gained a daughter, and made many friends. This was happiness.
"That’s true. I’d be in trouble if someone told me to live anywhere but Weed now. I was shocked when they told me to go to Glass Port Town, but they did say they’d prepare the environment, and they really did."
"Well, it is a territory under the direct control of Weed—of Yuki-san. It’s the same as Weed, really. We can’t exactly have him sit there as the lord, so we placed Sisua and Sona as deputies."
"Usually, the living conditions drop a level or two when you're in a newly developed territory. That’s just how development goes, right?"
"I suppose so."
Kina wasn't wrong. Typically, a place under development is still in its infancy. It might become convenient eventually, but that’s a process that takes years, and at the start, you’re usually camping out until the houses are built.
However, when Weed and Yuki-san are involved, it’s a different story. With the power of a Dungeon Master, fully completed houses can be provided in an instant. Of course, the rest of the construction—the buildings with specific dimensions—is handled by construction companies led by dwarves, and with the help of magic, the speed is incredible.
So, the "container" of Glass Port Town was already finished. Naturally, Sisua and Sona were working on new buildings and further development to make the town even better, but there were none of the inconveniences Kina was worried about.
"Anyway, setting aside the small talk, did you find anything?"
"Hey, we *were* just making small talk. I just got here! There’s no way I’d know anything yet. Plus, the genres are all over the place."
"It’s not like we have to finish today. I mean in total."
"That’s not it either. Researching the history of other continents isn't exactly my specialty."
Right. We were currently in the middle of examining the collection of books held by the Adventurer Guild in the capital of the Giadana Kingdom on the New Continent. We hadn't actually taken the books out, of course. When we were shown the archives by Guild Master Sanaru, we had taken image data of the pages. Ena was stationed over there, so there were no issues. We were having anything new—or anything we found—sent over piece by piece.
"And why are we having documents sent over, not just books? Is there any point?"
"It’s meaningless for historical research, sure. But to understand the movements of the Clearstream Church, these kinds of documents are essential, aren't they?"
"Ah, that. I wonder if I’d be persecuted if I went to the central part of the New Continent?"
"If you stay in Giadana, I think the chances are low. The Clearstream Church’s activities are quite restricted right now. Though, there’s no guarantee if you go to other countries."
"Wow, that’s unsettling. 'If you go to other countries.' I guess the If Continent isn't any different, huh?"
"True. Outside of the areas near White Forest, discrimination is still quite intense on the If Continent. Though, they say it’s gradually improving due to the connections with Rogari, Haiden, and the Zrable region, all centered around Weed."
Discrimination against demi-humans on the New Continent wasn't exactly a rare occurrence.
"Well, most of the other continents treat them with basic friendliness, and there are many demi-humans in positions of power. If you’re not careful, it wouldn't just hinder negotiations—it could become a cause for war."
"Exactly. If things go poorly, Rogari, Haiden, and Zrable would become enemies. The If Continent would want to avoid that at all costs."
That was precisely why the If Continent was putting all its effort into educating people on how to handle demi-humans. After all, if they treated a high-ranking demi-human from another major power poorly, it could lead to war. Whether it was going well... I wasn't entirely sure. But since the countries of the If Continent hadn't been making headlines for racial discrimination lately, they were likely doing something right.
And the biggest problem when it comes to war is...
"More than anything, Weed would become an enemy, too."
"We aren't supposed to say that out loud. Weed is just a member of Rogari, and we just happen to have a diplomatic window."
Exactly as Kina said. Weed would undoubtedly step in. Thanks to Yuki-san, Weed had become something of a mediator for the major powers of each continent. Of course, they also controlled the gates, but more than anything, Yuki-san hated the waste of resources and human life that war entailed.
"Not that the major powers realize that, though. Ah, the small countries that don't grasp the reality of the situation seem to be complaining to Weed, from what I hear."