第４３掘：忙しいのに！？ (Part2)
"Eris, are you listening? Fear isn't something that happens just because you're afraid. It has a root. Think about it—you fear powerful monsters. Why? Because you can't win, and you fear death. You fear being scolded by your parents. That’s because you fear the act of being scolded. So, when you feel fear, think carefully about what you’re truly afraid of—the root cause. That will surely become your path forward. To avoid overlooking what’s important, remember that fear isn't always there to protect you. Sometimes, you fear too much and end up doing things that aren't necessary. Even if those actions are born of good intentions, if you shroud yourself in fear, you might end up pushing away the very hands reaching out to help you. Eris, you are very clever. Precisely because of that, you might find yourself wrapped in a unique kind of fear. So, keep this in mind."
I stared at his back, contemplating what it was that I had been fearing.
What could it be...? I felt like I was on the verge of an answer.
Is it his power that scares me? No, that’s not it. Even if I were afraid, it wouldn't change anything; if he wanted to, he could tear us to shreds in an instant.
Then, is it his brilliant intellect? That’s not it either. That knowledge is being wielded for our sake.
"Ah..."
I realized it.
I was afraid because I didn't know what he—what Yuki-san—was thinking.
He was an enigma. I had heard his stated purpose, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it was the truth.
"What's wrong, Eris?"
He noticed me standing still and called out.
"……This is a bit rude of me to ask, but would you mind?"
"I don't mind at all."
"I am afraid of you, Yuki-san. ...I am terrified. What is your 'true purpose' for doing all of this?"
"Oh? You figured it out?"
"...!?"
He raised one hand, and my body stiffened.
This was the unnecessary fear he spoke of.
I had messed up. I had gone out of my way to stir his emotions just to soothe my own useless fear.
What mattered wasn't what he was planning to do.
He had cherished us so deeply until now, and I had repaid that kindness with betrayal.
He reached out and patted my head gently.
"Well, even if I told you my true purpose now, there's a high chance you wouldn't believe me, or you'd just think I'm an idiot. Once things settle down a bit more, I'll tell everyone, so would you mind cooperating until then? I won't force you, though. If new settlers arrive, you can just put yourself in their shoes and forget about this."
Yuki-san wore such a sorrowful, apologetic expression.
Ah, I had known it all along.
He had never forced us to do anything from the start.
He had bowed his head and shown sincerity, asking for our help, yet even though I had agreed, I didn't trust him and had hurled cruel words at him.
"...I'm sorry. ...*hic*, what have I... what a terrible thing I've done..."
Before I knew it, I was shedding tears and apologizing to Yuki-san.
He was the one who should have been crying, yet here I was, not even worthy of tears...
"H-hey!? Wait, did I do something!? E-Eris-san, are you alright!?"
Yuki-san was panicking right in front of me.
"Onii-san, Eris is taking a long time... wait, what's going on!?"
"Eris!? Yuki-san, what on earth did you do!?"
Ratz and the others must have come to check on us since we hadn't returned.
Milly, no. It’s not Yuki-san’s fault at all.
"...I think I'm the cause. I'm sorry, but please, look after Eris. Let's hold today's meeting tomorrow instead. ...I'm sorry, Eris."
He said that and walked away as if fleeing the scene.
"......I can't imagine Onii-san doing anything wrong... Eris, let's go back to your room and talk, shall we?"
"...*sniff*. Yes."
Accompanied by Ratz and Milly, I returned to my room and explained the turn of events.
"......Onii-san is not at fault at all."
"......Yeah. I treated Yuki-san so poorly. What should I do..."
Ratz and Milly held their heads in their hands.
"......I'm sorry. It's my fault."
"Well, I can understand how you feel, Eris, but..."
"......Considering everything Yuki-san has done for us, this shouldn't even be a question, right...? But why did Yuki-san just walk away without defending himself when he wasn't in the wrong?"
"......Onii-san doesn't want to drag us into this, deep down. He didn't become a Dungeon Master because he wanted to. That's why he chose to ask for our help. It’s for the sake of the village's policies, but if we said we didn't want to, he wouldn't stop us. No matter the reason for wanting to quit, he would never get angry or try to hold us back."
A silence followed.
"For now, Eris, you must apologize to Onii-san. That is the only truth."
"...Yeah."
"However, Onii-san will likely just accept it and do nothing else."
"Yeah."
"That is why I am going to punch you. Be prepared. That is your punishment for being so narrow-minded and making Onii-san look like that!!"
That evening, I apologized to Yuki-san.
Just as Ratz had predicted, Yuki-san looked a bit troubled and simply said, "I'm counting on you from here on out."
Labyris, who was nearby, glared at me with intense eyes and slapped my other cheek—the opposite side from Ratz—causing everyone to panic.
I have decided. I will follow Yuki-san until the very end.
I will witness his enigma, his fear, with my own eyes.
And then, I will hear his true purpose and help him achieve it.
Now then, tomorrow will be a busy day. I was a bit late today, after all.