第４４掘：ドッペルゲンガー (Part1)
**Dungeon 44th Excavation: Doppelganger**
**Side: Aslin**
Today, I worked hard on many things with Big Brother again.
As a reward, Big Brother gave me my favorite strawberry ice cream for dessert after dinner.
"It's delicious, isn't it? Right, Labyris-chan?"
"I suppose so."
"It is delicious, Brother!"
Yesterday, Labyris-chan surprised me by slapping Eris-oneechan’s cheek, but I’m sure there must be a reason for it.
After all, Labyris-chan is being so gentle while eating her strawberry ice cream right now.
Eris-oneechan was apologizing to us, too, though I don’t really understand why. I don’t think we did anything wrong.
But since everyone is getting along so well now, I guess it’s fine.
They’re all eating their dinner so happily.
Yes, it was worth all the effort I put into making dinner!
For the past few days, Big Brother has been teaching me how to use the kitchen, and I’ve been studying hard to make delicious food!
But he says I have to study things like arithmetic now. It’s difficult, but I’ll do my best.
Big Brother and everyone will be happy, right?
Labyris-chan said, "A good woman can do many things." So, I’m going to do my best to become a good woman.
Once I become a good woman, I’ll have Big Brother make me his bride, and then we’ll "pee" and "zugyun" and "bakyun" to make a baby.
My body isn't very grown-up yet, so I don’t think Big Brother feels any "seiyoku" toward me, but I’ll be "bain-bain" just like Labyris-chan in no time!
While I was thinking about that, Rurua-sama began to speak in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Everyone, may I have your attention?"
At that voice, everyone’s eyes turned to Rurua-sama.
"I... wish to return to the Holy Kingdom of Litea. I know it is incredibly rude of me to have selfishly asked for protection and then to leave after you all accepted me. But I have realized something. I am still a citizen of Litea. And I was their Saintess. Even if it means my death, I must correct the mistakes of the Holy Kingdom of Litea. Please, allow me to leave this place."
I don’t really understand the complicated stuff, but Rurua-sama wants to go back to Litea, right? If she wants to go back, I think she should.
Unlike us, she has a place to return to, so that’s definitely for the best.
But everyone remained silent.
Milly-san has a very scary look on her face. I wonder why?
"Hey, Big Brother. Rurua-sama has a place to go back to, right? If she can go back, shouldn't she? I’m sure everyone there is worried about her."
I said that while tugging on Big Brother’s sleeve.
"That’s true. Aslin is right. What does everyone else think?"
Big Brother asked everyone while patting my head.
"Well, if the person herself wants to go, there’s no reason to stop her."
"If that is the answer she has reached for herself."
"...Good, now that the dead weight is gone, I feel relieved."
"Rurua-sama’s expression shows she has made up her mind. It would be boorish to stop her."
"I won't stop her. I’ve decided that what matters is one’s own will."
"...Nothing in particular."
Everyone agreed to let Rurua-sama return.
But Elju-oneechan, who was a good friend of hers, looked a little sad.
"Rurua-sama. But, if you do that..."
"Elju-sama, that won't do. Rurua-sama has her own path to walk."
"Elju-sama. The probability of me dying is likely high. However, it must be done. It isn't a task I can entrust to just anyone. I believe the meaning of me becoming a Saintess lies right here. It is alright. I am not going without a plan."
"Eh!? Rurua-sama is going to die!? No, you can't!! We finally became friends!! Big Brother, can't you help her!?"
Hearing the word "die" from Rurua-sama made tears well up in my eyes.
"I suppose. It would be a bother if you died so easily after we went through the trouble of saving you. How about this? If you accept my proposal, I don't mind lending you a hand."
"Big Brother!! Don't be mean to Rurua-sama!!"
He could just help her normally, but Big Brother has to be mean.
"Aslin, it’s okay. Yuki is talking to her so that he can protect Rurua-sama."
"Is that so?"
I looked at Big Brother’s face after Labyris-chan told me that.
"...*Sigh*, since Aslin is like this, I’ll say it straight. If you succeed in restoring your authority, you will stop the invasion of this dungeon. And you will provide full support through diplomacy. Actually, if you die, our plans will be ruined, so take some guards and an ace up your sleeve."
Big Brother raised his hands as if surrendering and said he would help Rurua-sama.
"...Yes, if I can restore my authority, that goes without saying. But, who will be my guards? And this situation cannot be turned around easily, no matter what methods are used."
Rurua-sama’s eyes went wide, as if she couldn't believe what Big Brother was saying.
"Well, don't be so surprised. The goal isn't just to guard Rurua. It’s for various things."
Big Brother had a look on his face like he was plotting a prank.
I really love this face.
Big Brother’s pranks are the kind that make everyone smile.
It’s the same face he had when he first let us eat ice cream.
"First, for the guards, they will also be gathering information. Mauve, Raiya, Curse, I want you to go."
"Oh, leave it to us."
"A long journey after all this time, huh."
"Understood."
When Big Brother called out, Mauve-ojichan and the others replied.
The ojichans are very strong. With them, Rurua-sama will be fine!!
"And now, the ace up my sleeve. Or rather, let me introduce someone who holds many cards."
"Eh?"
Rurua-sama looked confused.
I don't understand either. Because the only humans here are the ones we already know.
Then, is it that strong and kind Goblin-san? Or the squishy Slime-san?
Ah, it must be that one!! It’s Mino-chan, the Blood Minotaur who looked so strong!!
"Hello, nice to meet you."
The door to the room opened, and a man walked in.
Looking at him, he’s younger than Big Brother. He’s shorter, after all.
His hair is blonde. But, he looks somewhat like Big Brother?
...Huh?
"Big Brother... right? That man."
Everyone was on guard against the newcomer, but they looked surprised at my words.
Because, because, that man’s movements and atmosphere are exactly like Big Brother’s.
"Oh my, not Labyris, but Aslin saw through it."
The other Big Brother in front of me said that while patting my head.
Hmm, this way of patting is definitely Big Brother!!
"...What does this mean?"
Rurua-sama glared at the real Big Brother.
But the real Big Brother kept his eyes closed and didn't move.
"Ah, could it be, a Doppelganger!?"
Elju-oneechan exclaimed as if she had just remembered.
"Correct."
Big Brother clapped his hands as if praising her.
I clapped my hands, too.
"Elju-oneechan is amazing!!"
"Yes, yes. Oneechan is amazing, you know!!"
I was hugged by Elju-oneechan and spun around.
Lately, I’ve been sleeping with Elju-oneechan, and sometimes with Big Brother, it’s been a lot of things.
"Now then, shall I explain? First, about the Doppelganger. Mauve and the others are the most knowledgeable about monsters, right? Can you tell us what you know?"
"Ah, yeah. So you really are Yuki. Got it. A Doppelganger is a troublesome monster that inhabits special regions or dungeons above a certain difficulty level. Usually, they are annoying enemies that swap places with allies when they get separated by traps or the like, and then launch a surprise attack. However, this Doppelganger only mimics appearance and form; it cannot mimic memories. Usually, if you’re someone who dives into those places, you’d notice something off about your partner, so it’s possible to deal with them. As for combat ability, it seems they can mimic the movements of the original person to a certain extent, but that’s about it. Their Adventurer Guild subjugation rank... was about 4, I think?"
"Yeah, that’s correct. I’ve dealt with a Doppelganger before, too. They aren't that strong of a monster, right?"