第５７掘：お姫様はお嫁さん (Part2)
"Although we have met via the call screen, I shall greet you properly once more. I am Seraria, Second Princess of the Kingdom of Roschur. I offer my deepest condolences for the tragedy you have endured. And, I welcome you to this dungeon from the bottom of my heart."
"Yes, thank you for having us."
"Members of my unit, and all you new residents, from here on out, you will be living alongside the Fairy tribe. However, there is no need to be overly formal. We are all going to live here together, after all."
"Yes, everyone, I look forward to working with you as well."
After finishing the introductions with the Fairy tribe, we moved to the training grounds.
"Alright, everyone! Over here! There are plenty of seats. Please, sit wherever you like. We will now begin the explanation of this dungeon and the greetings from our representatives!"
Milly raised her voice, guiding the new residents.
"Milly? Is that... Milly?"
In the midst of the crowd, someone called out to her.
"Eh? D-Dad? Mom? And Shery?"
Milly’s eyes went wide, and she stood there, stunned.
"Go on, get over there. The rest of us can handle things here."
"Ah, eh, but..."
As Milly looked around...
"Go ahead, Milly. Leave this to us."
"Hurry along now. We wouldn't dream of raining on your parade."
Eris and Ratz, who were nearby, urged her to go quickly. The others also turned toward Milly and nodded in encouragement.
"Ah..."
Milly unconsciously took a step forward. I gave her a gentle push on the back to nudge her along.
"Big sister! Big sister!"
"Milly, thank goodness. You were the only one we lost track of."
"Thank goodness. We were so worried you’d ended up like Dabrik!"
No one among us would dare to interrupt their reunion. We watched the scene unfold in silence.
"And, my apologies. Since Milly is guiding people here, does that mean she is a subordinate of Lady Seraria? I’m sorry for interfering with your work."
"I’m just glad to see Milly safe. Milly, you should rest easy and focus on your duties."
"Big sister, we can meet again, right?"
"Yes, of course. Dad, Mom, and Shery, don't worry. We can see each other easily whenever you like."
Milly’s father seemed to notice the atmosphere and urged them to return. I’ll have to finish the explanations quickly so they can relax.
"Creating this place... just for this sight alone, it was worth it."
Deryu watched the scene before her with a look that was somehow both lonely and happy. For her, these were things that would never return...
"Now then, my dear. I suppose I should be going soon?"
"...I suppose so. But Seraria, how long are you going to keep calling me that?"
"Perhaps you would prefer I call you Yuki?"
"Hah, do as you like."
"Then, I’ll be off. My... dear."
After that, I gave the same speech and explanation as I had when welcoming the Fairy tribe. Due to the number of people, we had to split them up into different training grounds for housing. The issuance of identification cards was postponed until tomorrow. For now, the priority was to let them rest as soon as possible.
Once the speeches, explanations, and representative greetings were finished, and everyone had been shown to their rooms, a modest welcome banquet was held in the cafeteria. Even so, the new residents were moved to tears of joy.
"Well, refugees usually don't have a roof over their heads and have to find their own food. I tried telling them about you and the others, but they wouldn't believe me. I told them it would be self-sufficiency once they arrived. But, this food... to you, this is just normal, isn't it? This is much better than life at the castle. Oh, by the way, would it be alright to bring some to Quar and the others keeping watch outside?"
"Of course. But Seraria, you should come along too, right?"
"Yes, of course. They are my unit, after all. But you really must learn your subordinates' names, you know? As my husband, you are essentially granted secondary command authority."
After that, I went with Seraria to deliver food to the guard unit outside, and the rest of the day was left free for rest.
I had requested the Fairy tribe to help out with the transition. In the meantime, we returned to the base inn to hold a meeting. Seraria’s guards had insisted on coming along, but Seraria convinced them to let only Quar accompany her. Or rather, she had snapped at them.
"Don't you dare disturb my honeymoon with my husband. Quar, don't you try anything funny either."
"Of course not!"
With that single remark and a glare, Seraria’s unit fell silent. Even Quar had cold sweat on her brow as she saluted.
"...And so, thirty more children have joined us since then. That brings the total to 355. Excluding our own unit, that is."
Seraria was already accustomed to the Japanese-style rooms, so she had no trouble adjusting to the current environment. When I explained the open-air baths and such, she remarked that it was even more luxurious than when I was there.
"I see, I see. Just as you informed me, Lady Seraria. Thank you."
"It's fine. Oh, by the way, Ratz. You don't need to use 'Lady' here."
"Ah, my apologies. I was nervous because we were finally meeting face-to-face. It’s a pleasure to work with you, Seraria."
"Yes, likewise. Everyone, don't be so stiff. In this inn, I have the lowest standing of all. Well, I won't yield when it comes to my husband, though. Make sure to tell me when you want to 'sway your hips.' If you don't, I'll basically monopolize him every day."
"Hahaha. You're joking, surely. I’ll be the one swaying my hips every day."
*Sigh*, it’s hard to interject when the women are being so blunt with each other.
"Hey, Big Brother. Where is Big Sister Milly?"
Aslin asked me from Seraria’s lap. Currently, Aslin was sitting on Seraria’s lap, Firia on Elju’s, and Labyris on mine. Seraria was doting on Aslin and Firia without issue.
"Milly was able to meet her family. She’s spending time talking with them at the training grounds today."
"I see. Big Sister Milly got to meet her family. That’s good."
"Yeah, it is."
Seraria stroked Aslin’s head affectionately.
"Tell me, Aslin, do you feel lonely because you can't meet your family?"
"I don't remember my family."
"...I see. I'm sorry."
"But, I'm not lonely."
"?"
"Because I have Big Brother, Big Sister Elju, everyone else, and Big Sister Seraria too! Everyone is my family! Is that not allowed?"
Aslin looked up at Seraria as she said this.
"How could that not be allowed?! Even without blood ties, we are family! That’s right, and I will kill anyone who bullies Aslin! You’re so cute, too cute! This is worlds apart from the call screen!"
"Whaaa!?"
Seraria rolled around on the tatami mats while hugging Aslin tight. And so, the day passed by in a lively manner.
"Excuse me, Lady Seraria. Are you not going to introduce me?"
Quar’s introduction didn't happen until just before bedtime. Finally, Seraria had joined us. It had been 15 days, after all.
Seraria had become my wife to politically put a collar on Yuki! Well, there were various other reasons, too. Milly reunited with her surviving family. Aslin declared everyone her family and was cherished for it.