Chapter 95 - Time to Prepare
After everyone finished a modest dinner, it was time for an internal meeting.
I, along with the executives, don't like discussing work during meals, so we usually only talk about trivial matters while eating and drinking. Even if the information gathered by the Intelligence Unit is worrying, it's not urgent enough to discuss during dinner. This is fine.
Sipping on post-dinner tea and listening to the gradually intensifying rain, we began our work discussion.
"Let's get started. Josephine, tell us what you brought back from Gerdodus."
"Sure, I'll start."
Josephine glanced at the nobles and maids present but didn't hesitate to begin. There was information relevant to them, but if there was anything she didn't want them to hear, it could wait.
"Let's save the information about the Kikyo Society's enemies for later. I have some things I need to confirm, so please bear with me. Also, it seems arrangements are being made for a meeting with Countess Oversta. She'll let us know once everything is ready."
The information about the opposing forces needs to be verified. For now, it's just what the Gerdodus House is saying, and it might not be in our best interest to act on it. We need time to verify the information.
"There's not much else I can share right now..."
She had also gathered general information, not just about the enemies.
According to her, the Royal Capital is facing a food shortage. The streets clearly show that normal trade and production are far from being restored. However, the city is surrounded by a rich forest and a river, making it possible to procure food independently, provided there are enough people to do the work.
Currently, there are hardly any farmers, hunters, or fishermen left in the Royal Capital, leading to the food shortage. A few dedicated adventurers, mercenaries, ex-soldiers, and civilian volunteers are barely managing to sustain the city. We need various supplies for our base, but it won't be easy to procure them just by paying. If we need to procure them ourselves, it could be quite troublesome.
Josephine continued to share more information and took a short break. As usual, I prepared some flavored recovery potions to help everyone's throats, and then we resumed.
Thinking about it, there's quite a bit to do. We need to gather information, seek compensation for the people we brought from Exembra, raid new enemies, procure supplies, meet with Countess Oversta, and expel foreign forces. I also need to meet Zenobia and Caroline, and there are probably other tasks as well.
"There's a lot to do. Maybe we should divide our manpower and tackle each task."
"That's a good idea. If we try to do everything together, we'll never finish."
Gradena agreed, and the other Kikyo Society members nodded.
"I'll assign leaders and roles. Leaders, discuss and divide the younger members accordingly."
I don't micromanage every detail. I trust them as usual.
We have six executives here, excluding myself. We don't have enough information about the opposing forces, and we can't meet the Countess immediately, so that's fine for now.
I'll leave the Intelligence Unit's command to Josephine. For the compensation claims against the nobles, a show of force might be necessary, so Ophelia and Albert will handle those two teams. Mia, who is skilled at hunting, can take care of food procurement. Valeria will follow me, and I'll use the waiting time to meet Zenobia and Caroline. I'm sure they'll have valuable information as well. Gradena will stay behind to guard the base.
We have the Third Combat Unit, Vanguard Unit, Combat Support Unit, and Intelligence Unit among the younger members. They should be distributed evenly. By the way, my team doesn't need any younger members.
After explaining the general plan and getting everyone's approval, it was time to prepare for bed. We have an early start tomorrow.
"Oh, right, there are no baths here."
"If we're going to stay here for a while, we need a bath, don't we?"
"Priene, can you build a bath?"
It's a bit of a tall order. No, it's not impossible, but the drainage system seems complicated. I want a bath too, and if Priene can build one, I'd really like her to do it. By the way, there are toilets.
"What do you think? If you can build it, I'd really appreciate it. If you need materials, just let everyone know. If someone can get them, we'll procure them. Priene, stay and work on the bath."
"It’s a bit tough with just magic. I'll need some materials, but I can manage."
"If you tell us what you need, we'll see if we can get it. Priene, stay and work on the bath."
"We'll be going to the nobles' and merchants' homes tomorrow. If we find anything useful, we'll bring it back."
That's a good idea. We might also bring back some blankets. Noble homes often have unused guest rooms with surplus household items. It wouldn't be a problem to borrow a few things. Besides, they won't complain.
"I'll ask Ophelia and Albert to do the same. They'll probably refuse payment, so it's better to just take what we need. It might even be better to do that. Procuring supplies with money would be more troublesome."
"That's true. We might as well seize some alcohol and useful magic items while we're at it."
They're joking, but Ophelia and Albert will probably do it seriously. It's almost like a raid, but it's a legitimate part of our compensation claim. The nobles present look a bit pale, but it's probably just my imagination.
We had a short, enjoyable conversation before going to sleep. Goodnight.
Waking up early is one of my few virtues. I opened my eyes in the dim morning light and tried to go outside but decided against it. It's raining. The soft rain sounds are audible. Even I don't have the energy to run around in the rain this early. Maybe I'll practice some magic.
After washing my face, I quietly moved to a corner of the warehouse and created a complex composite armor. Imagining various minerals with different properties, I wove layers of fabric together, combining various metals, magical minerals, and natural materials to create a single plate.
I polished it to a mirror finish and carved intricate geometric patterns into it. The result is useless junk, but this kind of training is effective for improving my skills. I've proven it through practice. It also shows me that I can still improve.
"Phew, that was a bit tiring."
Looking around, I saw other members waking up and practicing magic or sword movements. Impressive.
While I was observing, someone started preparing breakfast. With the limited supplies we have, we had a simple meal before starting our work for the day.
To assist Priene with the bath, I assigned earth-magic-adept members to Gradena's base defense team. They immediately began discussing the bath's location and size. Gradena, who wasn't an expert, focused on further modifications to the Delta. She also planned to explore the area around the base later.
Ophelia and Albert were preparing to set off with the nobles in a large jeep. The nobles seemed relieved to be free but also tense about how much they would be extorted. Honestly, I was glad to see them go. I look forward to their success.
Mia and her team would have no problem hunting in the forest. They had done it often in Exembra, and Mia won't make any mistakes.
Josephine's team had already left, and I was ready to go as well.
"Everyone, return to the base once your tasks are done. If it looks like you'll be late, send a messenger to Gradena."
"Yukari and Valeria, you're going to the Mercenary Guild, right? If possible, bring Zenobia and Caroline with you."
"That's the plan. We'll leave first."
Because of the rain, we decided against using the Bloomstar Galaxy and borrowed a mid-sized jeep instead.
Valeria sat in the passenger seat as we set off. We were let out and waved off before starting the jeep.
The drizzling rain was annoying. The early summer rain was humid and uncomfortable, but the temperature regulation function of my coat made it tolerable. This feature is really convenient.
The streets were mostly empty due to the rain, and the scenery was poor, but it provided a comfortable drive.
We parked near the Mercenary Guild and smoothly arrived without any issues. We got out of the jeep in the light rain, locked it with a magic key, and hurried inside the guild to avoid getting wet.
As soon as we entered, it was clear that the place was almost empty. Only a chubby man was at the reception counter.
"Hey, girls. What can I do for you? I can't take urgent requests right now. As you can see, everyone's out. Unless you're here to hire mercenaries, of course."
That's right. Still, it seems quite busy.
"We're here to see Zenobia. When will she be back?"
"Oh, you know Zenobia?"
"Yes, I'm Shinogami. Zenobia and I have been corresponding recently."
"Ah, you must be Yukarinowe. I delivered that letter to Zenobia myself, so I remember. She'll be back in about two to three hours. She's on a low-paying job, but she'll be back."
From his sudden complaint, it seems the Mercenary Guild is struggling. They have few sponsors and are working for free.
Their tasks include guarding against bandits and driving them away, as well as hunting monsters.
Mercenaries usually don't work for free, but with the absence of knights, soldiers, and security, these tasks are necessary for daily life. This applies not only to mercenaries but also to adventurers and anyone with combat skills. The information from Josephine matches this, confirming my suspicions.
Even if it's unpaid work, they can't ignore it because it's their own city. The same goes for Zenobia.
Additionally, I confirmed that the Royal Capital is suffering from a severe shortage of healers.
High-level healers are extremely rare, and even low-level healers are few but crucial. Their magic is overused in various situations, and it's clear that their healing is not reaching everyone who needs it. Even low-level healers likely have limited magic power, allowing them to perform only a few spells per day.
Mercenaries, who are often injured and exhausted, can't receive proper treatment. The guild has a makeshift inn next door that has become a field hospital.
Many people who go out to fight are injured and continue their duties despite their wounds. It's a dire situation. Indeed, Zenobia, who is principled, can't abandon the city and join the Kikyo Society. I can understand the difficulty just by hearing this.
For the sake of my friend Zenobia, I can spare some effort. Helping the Mercenary Guild would also build goodwill. I should contribute.
With that in mind, I can't just sit around and wait for Zenobia to return.
"Sir, I'll come back later. Can you tell Zenobia that we visited?"
"Sure, I can do that. Zenobia sleeps upstairs, so you won't miss her."
"Thanks. I'll come back in the evening."
With Valeria, I returned to the base. We have a busy day ahead.