第１９５６堀：それでも保っている (Part1)
Chapter 1956: Still Holding On
Still Holding On
Side: Yuki
"That’s why, we’re welcoming any skilled adventurers with open arms."
So says the Guild Master, Ratz.
Judging by the content of our conversation, the situation feels simultaneously dire and yet, strangely, under control.
"Milly, what do you think?"
I turn to Milly, who has been listening to the internal state of the Adventurer’s Guild alongside me. Since she’s more involved in guild operations than I am, her perspective is invaluable.
"…Well. To be honest, it’s almost impossible for the adventurer pool to be this depleted, yet somehow, they’re still holding on."
"Exactly. It’s strange to see such a visible shortage of manpower."
Kina nods, seemingly in agreement with Milly’s assessment.
Well, with everyone deployed to the front lines for defense, it really is a genuine shortage.
"Actually, how is the Adventurer’s Guild in town even functioning? I heard most of the staff were moved to the defensive forts."
"Right. If they can’t handle standard requests, you’d expect a lot of complaints…"
Just as that question hangs in the air, a voice rings out from the other side of the screen.
"Hey! Big Sis Chinoku! We’re here!"
The voice isn't that of an adult, but the high-pitched tone of a child.
"Um, are these customers? Clients?"
Vilia asks Chinoku and the others, sounding a bit hesitant.
Well, I can get an explanation later; prioritizing work is standard practice, after all.
"Ah, no, these are rookie adventurers. It’s not like we’re at absolute zero. This is perfect timing—let’s have you all meet."
At that suggestion, Vilia and the others leave the conference room and step out to the reception area.
"Big Sis Chinoku, Old Man Ratz. And who’s that?"
"Never seen them before."
"They’re beauties, aren't they?"
Standing there are kids who remind me of Aslin, Labyris, Firia, and Shera when I first met them.
The group consists of two boys and one girl—a balanced party, one could say.
Still, though.
"They’re far too young, aren't they?"
"Oh, Deryu. You were here?"
Deryu had entered the conference room at some point, watching the boys and girls on the monitor.
"Indeed. You see, the development of the land battleships is being rushed, isn't it? Because of that, the survey of the southern jungles—or rather, that region—has been slow. Or perhaps it’s because they’re securing a base and taking their time with it."
"Ah, that’s right. Nilua and Hivia were reassigned to the land battleship project, too."
"Exactly. Right now, the only one commanding the field in the south is Wazfi. Well, he did say that as long as they aren't on the front lines, they’re just doing point-observation and ecological surveys, so there’s no problem."
I see.
Knowing the environment of the southern forests while there’s a lack of personnel is probably a good thing.
But, putting that aside.
"These people here are the new adventurers who just arrived."
Right, back to the And adventurer guild situation.
"Eh? These big sisters?"
"They look so skinny, don't they?"
"But I heard that famous female adventurers are often beauties. I look up to them!"
Yeah, even to the kids, it seems suspicious that Vilia and her group are adventurers.
At this rate, the true identity of the Knightman won't be exposed.
"Well, that’s how it is. These are the people even Chinoku couldn't get the better of. You’ll likely be under their care at some point, so go on, introduce yourselves."
"You beat Big Sis Chinoku!? Awesome, nice to meet you! I’m Danana."
"I’m Tanau."
"And I’m Mina."
"Oh, nice to meet you. I’m Kishua."
With that, Vilia and the others introduce themselves, and Chinoku adds some context.
"Kishua-san and the others seem to have just arrived and don't know much yet, so please help them out with the basics."
"Is that so? Leave it to us."
"Yeah."
"We’ll show you around town!"
"And these three, Danana and his friends, are some of the few rookie adventurers in And. Right now, they’re handling the town’s odd jobs. So, they’re definitely competent when it comes to guiding you around town."
I see. Introducing the kids isn't just about making sure they don't have trouble in town; it’s also about building connections.
That’s an important aspect, after all.
"We want to go hunt monsters with the other adventurers and soldiers, but they keep telling us no."
"Well, well, the work is piling up, but we can't even get our equipment together yet. They told us to wait until we’ve had proper training."
"Yeah. I don't want to die. Let’s just take it slow."
"So that’s that. I’d like you to explain things and give some pointers to hot-blooded kids like Danana."
"So, are you three done with your work?"
"Ah, right. Here, the signed request forms."
The three of them seem to have finished their tasks; once they complete the paperwork and receive their pay, they head off to their next job.
"They work very hard, don't they?"
"Yeah, they’re valuable assets now. But you understand why we can't send them to the battlefield, right?"
"Of course. That would be like sending them to their deaths."
I agree with Kishua’s assessment.
It’s not that they’re underestimating the field, but the front lines are a completely different beast.
"Actually, any adventurer older than them has been reassigned to defense. Honestly. Thanks to that, the staff are the ones running around handling the town’s odd jobs."
"I see. That’s why the reception area was so empty."
"That’s exactly it. Now, I’d like to continue the explanation, so let’s head back to the conference room."
And so, we return to the conference room to continue the briefing.
"Well, it’s not that it was a nuisance, but since our conversation was interrupted, I’ll start over from the beginning. Though I hadn't said much yet. Hahaha!"
"What are you laughing at? Anyway, most of the combat-capable adventurers have headed to the front lines, and the rest are being driven to handle transport or exterminate monsters in the vicinity. That’s why, as you saw, rookies who can’t really fight, like Danana, are working hard on the town’s chores."
"Well, lately the number of monsters has increased, and the attrition rate has gone up. We’ve sent out various requests for reinforcements, but it seems to be the same everywhere in the north. We were just in the middle of contacting the central Faiana Kingdom to see if they could spare any personnel."
"The Faiana Kingdom? Was there no way for Ioa to act independently?"