第１９４９堀：私たちができる事 (Part1)
Chapter 1949: What We Can Do
Side: Shera
"The roots of the situation in the central part of the New Continent run deep, though once we actually investigate, it might turn out to be something trivial..."
I recall Yuki-san saying that.
It is a rare occurrence—or rather, a common one—that we find ourselves in a period of investigation. Searching for answers, gathering information; this is the standard rhythm of life in Weed. It was the same in Rogari, and we spent much time researching various things on the If Continent, in Heiden, and in Zuraburu as well.
Yuki-san would surely find the answer on his own, but wanting to provide even a little bit of help, we came to see Milly-san. However...
"There are more documents here than I expected. Are you really looking through all of these?"
Just as Labyris says, the sheer volume of paperwork is overwhelming.
Well, they should have digitized most of it, and we could likely view it that way, but seeing it stacked in physical form is still intimidating.
"That’s right. And there are plenty more stored in item boxes that have been printed out for safekeeping."
"Exactly. Oh, but if you don't want to look through paper like we do, you can just view them on a computer or a call screen."
I see. It isn't strictly necessary to sift through piles of paper.
Even so...
"Data is so easy to skim over, isn't it?"
"That is true."
If these were daily reports, perhaps that would be fine, but we don't even know where the clues might be hidden. In such a case, reading through the physical media thoroughly is likely the better approach.
"So, where should we set up?"
"Ah, go ahead and use that table for guests."
"The other desks are reserved for the Grand Master and Rock-san, you see."
Understood.
Naturally, this is the Adventurer Guild’s facility. It makes sense that the Grand Master and Guild Master Rock would have their own designated seats. Well, even though I came to help, I don't require a private desk, so this will suffice.
With that, I sat down on the sofa and picked up a document, but...
"Oh?"
"Aren't these documents related to guild business?"
We exchanged glances as we placed them on the table. They were, without a doubt, guild records.
The contents detailed monster subjugation requests: dates, rewards, the adventurers assigned, and the results. There was even a signature indicating the matter had been processed. In other words, these were requests that had already been completed.
"Yes. We’ve been collecting those, too. After all, the cause of all this is still unknown."
"I see. So you are looking for hints within the guild's past operations?"
"Hmm. I understand what you’re saying, but isn't that a bit too random? Yuki’s prediction—or rather, what he’s investigating—is focused on history, isn't it?"
As Labyris points out, the current theory is that the unnatural movements in the center are linked to events from the past. In fact, considering the founding of Ohe—the reason for the nation’s birth and the fact that demi-humans fled to the south—there is no doubt that something significant happened. The response was far too targeted, as if they were specifically aiming at Ohe.
That is why I find it hard to believe that looking at modern work documents will reveal anything.
"About that... we discussed it among ourselves, too. It’s true that Yuki-san is investigating things like the Demon Lord theory and the reasons why the populace fled to Ohe, but we were scratching our heads, wondering if people living today would really place so much importance on such ancient history."
"What do you mean?"
Labyris tilted her head, questioning a line of reasoning that seemed to contradict Yuki-san’s approach. I, too, was curious about the logic behind this.
"Kina pointed it out, and it made me realize it, too. Even if there is historical persecution or discrimination against demi-humans, would they really go out of their way to drive out citizens who pay taxes? That’s what we were wondering."
"...I see. That is indeed strange."
"Now that you mention it, that is true. Long-lived races like elves are being driven out, but what is the basis for imposing such a burden on themselves?"
"Exactly. As Shera says, there may be things being hidden in the heart of the country, but does that justify driving out every single demi-human in every territory?"
It was a point that had been raised before, but now it felt particularly unnatural.
"Indeed, just having some demi-humans allied with the Demon Lord doesn't seem to justify the cost. In other words, is there some other factor involved in the modern era?"
"Yes. I think Labyris’s prediction is spot on."
"So, you’re saying Yuki-san’s focus on the past is irrelevant?"
"No, since it’s being claimed that the Demon Lord is involved, they are definitely being used. Perhaps it’s a form of camouflage?"
Hmm.
Using the old legends of the Demon Lord as a cover is certainly plausible. However, that still doesn't explain why not just the center of the country, but the local nobles as well, are following suit. It might be rude to say that all nobles are the same, but it is rare to find one whose territory management is going so well that they have a surplus in their budget.
If they are pushing for policies that reduce their own territorial income, then there is no doubt that, aside from the rumors on the surface, there must be some modern-day benefit or disadvantage at play.
As I was thinking this, Labyris opened her mouth while checking the documents.
"I understand what Kina is trying to say. While there may be a historical pretext, it’s not realistic to execute it in the modern day. So, you’re suggesting they are compensating for something elsewhere?"
"Exactly. Nobles don't like to let go of what’s in their hands for nothing, right?"
"Ahaha..."
I could only offer a bitter smile at Kina-san’s words. She wasn't wrong.
"Hey now, Shera and I are in positions equivalent to nobility in Weed, you know? Besides, no one likes to give up what they have for free. I understand the image of nobility is poor, though."
Milly-san offered that follow-up.
That is true. Milly-san aside, I am royalty, considered the pinnacle of nobility in Gartz. I am in a position to oversee those nobles, and I hold territory just as they do. Well, I was young and not involved in territory management, but it is a fact that there are things one cannot simply let go of.
"Ah, sorry to both of you. It’s not like it’s everyone, and I understand that from a certain position, giving things up for free causes various problems. But in this specific case, they are selling off demi-humans—it’s not just a little bit of a problem, it’s a massive one."