第３５掘：メロンの気持ち (Part1)
**Dig 35: A Melon’s Feelings**
**Side: Labyris**
"Well, since we haven't received any further word from the Kingdom of Roschur regarding the finer details, we can't move forward on that front yet. Let’s start by selecting the land for the dungeon."
It seems Yuki is tackling problems in order of priority based on the results of our meeting. Apparently, the only thing we can do right now is choose the dungeon's layout.
Yuki handed out rings to each of us.
"These are the warp rings I mentioned earlier. If you say the word 'Transfer,' you’ll automatically fly to this spot. If you say 'Floor' followed by 'Transfer,' you’ll go to that specific level. For now, everyone move to the edge of the banquet hall. I’m going to transfer to the small stage here. Watch closely. 'Transfer.'"
As soon as Yuki put on the ring and spoke, his figure vanished and he suddenly appeared on the stage.
What a convenient tool. Even in the unlikely event that I’m kidnapped, I can escape as long as this isn't taken from me.
"Don't worry, if there's an obstacle, it automatically shifts you, so you won't end up overlapping and causing something... gruesome."
I didn't quite understand what Yuki meant. If you appear in the same spot, wouldn't the person who was there first be crushed from above?
When I touched Yuki to ask, he showed me the image... and of all things, it was me and Aslin. My body suddenly fell apart, and Aslin sprouted from where I had been... *Ugh.*
I saw something truly terrible. So that’s what he meant.
"Sorry, sorry. I showed you something weird. Here."
Seeing that I was feeling ill, he scooped me up into a princess carry.
*...This feels good.* Was this what Ratz felt like? I wrapped my arms around his neck. Shoulder rides are nice, but this is hard to give up. The only downside is that since I’m small, I end up being held by just one arm.
"Alright, everyone has their rings on, right? Practice on your own later. Now, about the land selection, let’s decide on a policy for now. We can check the status on this dungeon map, and since we have DP, we can change the interior of the dungeon at any time."
He moved the whiteboard aside, revealing the dungeon map and the surrounding geography that had been displayed when Lady Rurua arrived.
"Yuki-san, but regarding Lady Seraria, isn't it impossible to choose without knowing how many people will be sent from the Roschur side?" Eris voiced her doubt.
She’s right. The land is chosen to suit the situation, and right now, we have no way of knowing.
"You're right, we can't hammer out the details yet. But we can decide on the broad strokes. For example, we could make the first floor a residential area, the second a workplace, and so on. We should also consider if we need things like rivers or wells. Even for the living quarters, we need to decide if it should be purely residential or if we should mix in some entertainment facilities."
"Haha, I see. Indeed, even if we don't know the scale of the newcomers, we know what's necessary. Dividing it by floors? I think that’s a great idea." Ratz agreed.
Yuki is always thinking about so many things. There’s a lot I don’t understand, but he pours his heart into this dungeon and into us. He feels guilty about using us to manage this place.
He chose women and children like us as the representatives for the operation exactly as he planned. Yuki knew that the future residents would look down on us, which is why he put us in charge. This place is meant to be somewhere anyone can voice their opinions, so we, as women and children, are the most approachable.
In another sense, it’s to flush out those who would do us harm. If a burly man were the representative, people might be hesitant to act, but by using us, he draws them out. He wants to prove that everyone is on equal footing here, and that there’s no need for anyone to look down on us.
I think it’s a brilliant idea. Aslin and Firia might be scared, but if that’s the case, we just shouldn't make them representatives. I understand this. I can grasp it. He should just leave it to me and Eris. We would gladly stand on the front lines.
The future Yuki showed us looked so wonderful; it’s only natural to help the man who saved us from slavery. Yet, Yuki worries even about that. He thinks he’s manipulating us into agreeing by saving us, freeing us, and treating us well. He thinks he’s pulling our strings.
If I told Ratz, Eris, or Milly about this, they’d probably give him a lecture. Perhaps we were guided to agree, yes. But we are the ones who decided to cooperate because we believe what Yuki is doing is truly magnificent.
He’s such a kind, sweet man. He’s so clever that he ends up worrying about things like this. If he’s still fretting over it in a few days, I’ll tell everyone and have them lecture him. But for now, I want to be the only one to feel this warm, caring heart of his.
"Hm? What's wrong, Labyris? Are you still not feeling well?"
I had unintentionally hugged Yuki tightly.
"...No. I’m just happy. I’ve only ever seen Aslin and the others being held like this, so this is my first time."
"I see, well that’s good then, but if you aren't feeling well, don't push yourself and just tell me."
"Yes."
I’ll have to negotiate with Aslin and Firia later. Maybe I can suggest a rotation? If this is how it feels with his left arm, I wonder if his dominant right arm is even stronger? But shoulder rides are hard to give up, too—I can cling to his head. And he seems to be at least somewhat happy when I press my chest against him, and Aslin and Firia can’t replace that... it’s a dilemma.
"...Anyway, I think it’s best to start building from the third floor."
"I see. That way, if we’re attacked, we can buy time on the first and second floors to evacuate or activate our defensive functions."
"Yes. I don't know who will be stationed on the first and second floors, but we can monitor the movements within the dungeon. If a large-scale enemy attacks, the distance will be to our advantage."
"It will take time to reach the residential area, but considering safety, it’s only natural. The merchants might complain, though."
"Ah, just ignore them, big brother. We should choose safety over convenience. Besides, the first and second floors, which we’re planning as defensive layers, won't have monsters or bandits. It’s safe, and they have no right to complain about that."
"Ratz is right. However, it might be good to place an inn on the second floor. It might be night by the time they arrive, after all."