第４７掘：四天王とダンゴムシ改 (Part3)
"Come now, calm down. It’ll be over in a day, honestly. Maybe even sooner."
"Excuse me? You intend to cram over fifty Fairies into that Marauder? Even if you did, it would take two days just for the round trip!"
"Ah, well, that’s how it would go based on what you’ve seen so far. But what about this?" Yuki said, pulling out a large, crimson orb.
"What!? Is that... a Dungeon Core?" Rurua gasped.
*Oh, so that’s a Dungeon Core.* Yuki really is something else. Being able to just pull out a Dungeon Core—that must mean he’s an incredibly powerful individual, right?
"Don't tell me..."
"Yep. This is an administrative decision. I’ve decided to protect the Fairy tribe. Rurua’s opinion doesn't factor into it. Besides, I won’t take up much of your time. Do you know what a 'Gate' is?"
"...The lost secret art of connecting two specific points. Can you really recreate that with a Dungeon Master’s skill?"
"It was pricey, but yeah, I can use it. 10,000 DP. Per installation, that is. I’ll just buy up the land here, set up a Dungeon Core, and make it big enough to move the Fairy tribe's furniture and such."
*...Wait? Did I just hear a strange word? Dungeon Master? No way. Isn't that the legendary disaster they talk about? A monster said to be above Heroes and Demon Lords—there’s no way someone like that is a human.*
"You can use Master skills in that body!?"
"No, I’m just delegating. You know how it works—you can transfer a certain amount of authority. This body is almost identical to my own, so while it’s not everything, I can do quite a bit. Still, being able to build a dungeon beneath an existing structure... this is going to be useful for a lot of things later."
"...Please don't turn the ground under Litea into a block of Swiss cheese..."
"That depends on the situation."
I thought he was joking, but after a flash of light, a dungeon entrance loomed before us.
"W-wha..." My jaw hung open.
"...I see. That power with which you easily handled the self-proclaimed Four Heavenly Kings. Yuki-san... no, my lord, you were a Dungeon Master all along."
The Elder was shaken, but unlike me, she maintained her composure.
"Elder. No need to be so formal. I’m apparently quite different from the Dungeon Masters of the past, so I have no intention of harming you. Now, as you can see, there’s a transfer gate installed in this dungeon. I want you to go through it to my base. It’s definitely safer there than here. Though, I suppose you won’t believe me just like that. How should I convince you?"
"...No, with your power, Yuki-san, it would have been easier to force us. Yet, you show such concern for our well-being. I believe in your sincerity. Everyone, are you all in agreement?"
At the Elder’s words, everyone, myself included, nodded.
"Elder, everyone in the Fairy tribe. Thank you for trusting someone as mysterious as me. For now, the gate can be used for as many round trips as you need, so please take as much luggage as you like. I’ll head over first to prepare. Mauve and the others, please guard everyone."
"Got it, leave it to us."
"Hey, Yuki. What are you going to do about those self-proclaimed Four Heavenly Kings? They went quiet the moment they found out you were a Dungeon Master."
"Ah, leave 'em be. They can't do anything in that cage anyway. I'll deal with them later."
"Fair enough."
As I replied, Yuki suddenly slumped his head.
"Huh? Eh? Yuki, are you okay!?"
"Yes, I am fine. My brother has returned to the dungeon."
"Eh? Eh? Brother? What do you mean? And what’s with the overly polite tone!?"
"Haha, my brother generally dislikes being stiff. My apologies for the late introduction. I am the Dungeon Master’s younger brother, a monster Doppelganger, and my brother’s body double. My name is Kiyu. Usually, my brother controls this body to handle various tasks, but right now he has returned to the dungeon to prepare for the arrival of Covil-san and the others."
"W-wow. I-is that so? Being a Doppelganger means you look the same, right?"
"No, to protect himself, my brother deliberately creates different bodies rather than identical ones. I am an example of that."
"...To go out of your way to make a Doppelganger look different... Dungeon Masters are amazing."
"And, Covil-san, shouldn't you be going to pack your things?"
"Oh, right! See you later, Yuki... or rather, Kiyu!!"
I parted ways with him and went to pack. Since we can make round trips, I have plenty of time to bring everything I want. And the dungeon only has one floor? Yuki really is a Dungeon Master.
"Everyone, once you pass through this gate, you will be at our base. I apologize, but for safety reasons, the gate exit is sealed against skills and magic. It will be inconvenient for the Fairy tribe, but please descend to the ground and walk."
*Ah, well, that makes sense. It would be troublesome if someone started a ruckus on the other side.*
Everyone agreed and descended to the ground to pass through the gate. When my turn came, I stepped through... and found myself in a strangely beautiful place.
The area was covered in white walls, with desks placed in the back where people were sitting. Several others were guiding people. I wonder who they are? Residents of this place?
"Hello there, everyone from the Fairy tribe. First, please write your names at the desk in the back. Also, is anyone injured? Are you all okay?"
"Once you've finished writing, please proceed to the desk further back. You will be issued a temporary ID. Once you have your ID, you can either go back to retrieve more luggage or relax in the chairs over there."
"Does anyone need a drink? Place your cup here on this tool and press this button, and a drink will come out."
*Let’s see... Elves, Rabbit Beastmen, Humans? Why are there so many different races doing the guiding? It would be easier to have one race handle it.*
I looked elsewhere and saw small children—well, they were bigger than me, but they looked like human children. They were walking around, diligently handing out lumps of white grains.
"It's called an onigiri. It's delicious. If you're hungry, please have some!"
"Aww!"
"Oh my."
One of them tripped over nothing.
"Ah, watch out!" I rushed forward to catch her.
"Filia, calm down. It’s okay, just take it slow."
A man walked over and steadied the girl named Filia.
"Hm? Oh, Covil, eat an onigiri. You haven't eaten anything yet, right?"
The black-haired man handed me an onigiri.
"How do you know my name... wait, are you Yuki?"
"What are you talking about? Ah, this is the first time you've seen me in this form. This is my true appearance."
"Huh. Kiyu seems pretty childish, but Yuki is quite the adult."
"Well, that’s intentional."
"Ah, for your travels?"
"That’s right."
"I see, I see. Well, I’ll give you a passing grade. You’re a good-looking guy."
As I praised him, one of the little ones kicked Yuki. It wasn't very powerful, but Yuki’s eyes went wide in surprise.
"What’s wrong, Labyris?"
"...You're cheating. Ratz!! He's cheating!!"
"Yes, yes, let's keep it under control, brother. The Fairy tribe is all female, so you can't just be indiscriminate like that. You only have one body, after all."
I don't really get it, but Yuki was dragged away just like that.
*Well, whatever. I need to get my ID and go back for more luggage.*