第３０掘：無駄を無駄とするな (Part1)
### Dungeon 30: Do Not Call Waste, Waste
This is Elju’s chapter... I think it’s a waste of time, but I hope it boosts Elju’s popularity!!
She is someone who grows, you know!!
She is the most human of humans, so could you please evaluate her on that?
Do not call waste, waste.
**Side: Elju Rau Roschur**
On the screen, reflected through the Slime-san, I saw Rurua-sama being struck by arrows from the pursuers.
All because Yuki-san had put up a ridiculous sign...
"Rurua-sama!? ...Yuki-san, why did you do such a childish thing!! Because of you, Rurua-sama is injured!!"
I raised my voice in condemnation toward Yuki-san.
When the Roschur Royal Guard arrived earlier, he had also played games, such as putting up a sign that read, "Please enter in groups of six from this point forward."
"...Haa."
Yuki-san sighed as he watched my reaction.
"W-why are you doing things like that!? Instead of such nonsense, you should be rescuing Rurua-sama!!"
I pleaded with him.
"...Elju-sama, you really don't think about anything at all, do you? There's no way Yuki would do something that is truly a waste."
A lovely voice reached me from the side.
Labyris, who called herself an older sister figure to Aslin and Firia, was staring at me with a bored expression.
"I see, Elju-sama is a very straightforward person, isn't she? She must have been very easy to manipulate. So, what do you think, my fellow kin attendant over there?"
Oriel looked at my face once, then stepped forward and spoke to Yuki.
"You intentionally stalled Rurua-sama. And you caused her to be wounded, didn't you?"
"Wha...!?"
Oriel’s words only fueled my anger toward Yuki-san further.
Why would he do such a thing?
"No, that’s just how it happened. Well, if I take a weird detour here, Elju doesn't seem like she’ll be convinced, so I’ll explain it briefly."
Yuki-san stared at me.
For a moment, I felt an immense pressure, but I stared back without flinching.
I hadn't said anything wrong.
"Elju, the situation you are angry about right now is exactly the goal of that sign."
"What are you talking about!! What is the point of angering your own allies!!"
"I never said my goal was to target my allies. The purpose of that sign was to dull the movements of those who saw it. Look, right now, Elju, your ability to make accurate judgments is dulled. Isn't it more correct in this situation to head out to save Rurua rather than getting angry at me or asking for reasons?"
"Ghh...!?"
I was left unable to refute Yuki-san’s words.
That’s right. Instead of questioning Yuki-san’s crimes, I should be going to rescue Rurua-sama.
I couldn't afford to be arguing here.
I tried to cut the conversation short and bolt from the room, but Oriel restrained me.
"Please calm down. You will only get in Yuki’s way!!"
Oriel raised her voice, uncharacteristically stern, trying to stop me.
"...Brother. Elju-sama is too straightforward. Why don't you just tell her everything already?"
"No, she tried to run off on her own."
He shrugged his shoulders.
All the while, I could see Rurua-sama’s back bleeding, her footsteps heavy as she walked into the dungeon.
"We don't have time to be talking leisurely!! Look, the pursuers are already in front of the dungeon!!"
That’s right. Rurua-sama hadn't gone that deep yet.
Painful bloodstains remained at the dungeon entrance.
*"What is this sign?"*
*"It just shows the level of the Second Princess Seraria!!"*
*"Rurua fled inside, but she’s leaving a trail of blood. This will be easy to catch up to."*
*"What do we do? How many are we leaving outside the dungeon?"*
*"According to Seraria’s declaration, the monsters and traps inside the dungeon are deactivated. However, the map of the interior has not yet been released."*
*"Hmm, it will be troublesome if Rurua stops the bleeding and disappears into the maze."*
They were continuing such a conversation.
"H-hurry and save Rurua-sama!!"
"...You’re a fool. Now the opponent’s actions are completely readable. And thanks to Rurua-sama being injured..."
Labyris said that, turning her eyes to the screen.
*"Then, before she can get too far, it would be best to kill her quickly. Two of you, stay outside and keep watch. You and you. The rest of you, at full speed, finish Rurua off!!"*
*"Yes, sir!!"*
Led by the man who appeared to be the captain, they immediately charged into the dungeon.
"Elju-sama, as you can see. Brother intentionally prompted Rurua-sama to be injured and succeeded in drawing most of their forces into the dungeon. Judging by how those pursuers reacted to the sign, they don't seem to be thinking deeply about anything. They are completely easy to handle; it’s one of the methods of business. To gauge an opponent’s personality and judgment, one intentionally takes actions or makes remarks that mock them. This time, that sign played a role in provoking them. Well, I suppose Brother is the only one who would put up such a ridiculous sign in a dungeon."
The woman who was of the same kin as Oriel said such things.
"...Knowing Yuki, I wonder if he would have managed it even if fewer of them had rushed into the dungeon?"
"Well, who knows. Honestly, that would just increase the steps and be a hassle. So, that’s that. Elju, you can draw this much information just by doing what you called a 'game.' It is your own judgment to discard it as waste, but it is more profitable to think of ways not to let waste go to waste."
However, that is just a matter of catching the opponent.
It is no reason to let Rurua-sama get injured...
"...Sorry, but to save Rurua, who is being chased by Litea, I won't take any measures that would put this dungeon at a disadvantage in the future. Honestly, I don't care if Rurua dies here. If that happens, Litea would be overjoyed and leave this place. But there is a possibility they would use the fact that Rurua died here as a bargaining chip. I’m only heading in the direction of saving her for that reason. I don't really care either way."
Perhaps sensing what I wanted to say, he spat out words that could be called heartless.
He doesn't care what happens to Rurua-sama...!?
"You...!!"
"Shut up!! You useless saint!! You’ve been complaining since a while ago!! Yuki-san... the person who treasures us!! Without even considering the state of mind of someone who intentionally lets things go, you just chatter away as you please!!"
Milly-san, the person whose happiness I had taken, raised a voice so angry it echoed through the room.
"...Honestly, this is unbearable to listen to. Elju-sama, who do you think you are? Ah, you were a saint, weren't you? But, really, even if Brother doesn't react, I will shut that noisy mouth of yours if you keep chirping."