第８２掘：神の使い (Part1)
**Dungeon 82: The Messenger of God**
**Messenger of God**
**Side: Shera Quo Gartz, 7th Princess of Gartz**
"Princess, are you sure about this? No matter how you look at it, this treatment is nothing more than that of a hostage or a mere plaything."
My maid, Kirue, said this out of genuine concern for me.
"There is no 'sure' or 'not sure' about it. If we do not provide a suitable return for this, our nation will lose its dignity."
Indeed, this is necessary to maintain the prestige of our country. Even though Roschur had its internal affairs compromised by demons, they were the first to bow their heads and pay reparations. If we were to stubbornly refuse, other nations would call us incompetent and lacking in understanding. Conversely, if we simply accepted the payment without offering a return, we would be seen as nothing more than opportunists who only know how to exploit another’s weakness.
That is the burden of being a great power. However, returning money for reparations defeats the purpose of the reparations themselves. Therefore, we need to provide a return that serves as a proper expression of gratitude to Roschur.
But now, with the Demon Lord active, we cannot simply hand over weapons or armor that could be used against us. If we were to send people, we cannot afford to let go of our best talent. Thus, the solution is to send someone useless.
That is why I, the 7th Princess—an ornamental figurehead—am the perfect choice. I am someone who wouldn't be missed. My brother also instructed me to investigate where the funds for these reparations were sourced. He said that if, by some chance, I were to perish, that would be the justification for the investigation.
My older sister, the 2nd Princess, opposed this and offered to go in my stead, but that was impossible, and in the end, it was decided that I would go. My sister is the pillar of our military’s morale. While the 3rd Prince controls the military department, my sister is renowned for her martial prowess; she possesses a defense so solid that she once repelled a strike from an Ogre Tempest. She is the one who can wield the legendary shield, the very symbol of Gartz. She is not a talent we can simply hand over to Roschur.
"But...!!"
"It’s alright. My sister has already given them strict instructions. They wouldn't dare treat me as disposable."
"...You mean Lady Lowel?"
"Yes. You understand how much of a blow it would be to this country if they were to offend the one who can wield the shield brought by the founder of Gartz, don't you?"
"I cannot guarantee that the 4th Prince won't try something underhanded."
"Well, perhaps. But even as a military strategist, I doubt he would do anything reckless."
My brother, the 4th Prince, seems to be the type who uses his head rather than his fists. While he is an excellent strategist, I do have a feeling he might stray from the righteous path.
"I understand your concern, Kirue. But my brothers and sister are all acting for the sake of the country. There were no assassinations. You know there is no internal strife in our family, right?"
"Yes, I know that. That is precisely why sending you, Princess, as a return gift to Roschur is so...!!"
"This, too, is for the country. Everyone told me not to do anything reckless, didn't they? It’s fine. I’m not going there to ignite the flames of war."
When I said this firmly, Kirue dropped her shoulders.
"...I understand. But, Princess... Lady Shera, you are so brilliant. To have you..."
"It can't be helped. No matter how you look at it, I am just a small child. My brothers and sister know that, but if they were to prioritize me, the rest of the structure would collapse."
I looked into the mirror in my assigned room. All I saw was a small girl with silver hair and rabbit ears. I am barely 140cm tall—or perhaps, for my age, I am on the larger side. My chest is developed enough to be fully grasped, and my waist is slender; I am certainly capable of inciting lust in a man.
"However, why hasn't the King of Roschur introduced your partner yet? Could it be that they are looking down on us?"
Kirue seems indignant at the fact that we have been left largely ignored in the Roschur capital.
"Calm down. Roschur is struggling with how to handle us."
"Why? Is there some dissatisfaction with you, Princess Shera of Gartz?"
"No. Before that, remember that my brother told me to act as a spy and investigate their internal situation?"
"Ah, so they are aware of that as well."
"Exactly. Furthermore, the Roschur royal family currently consists only of women. There are many dukes from branch families, but they cannot simply add me to those ranks."
"Because it wouldn't be a suitable match, and they fear being spied upon?"
"Yes. They are likely trying to find someone who is a suitable match for me, someone who wouldn't be harmed even if I were to investigate them."
Honestly, as for me, it would be easier to move if my partner were of lower status, but it seems it won't be that simple.
After spending several days there, the King himself arrived to take us from the capital, saying he would introduce us to our partners. A partner for whom the King of Roschur would go out of his way? No, is this just an act to convince us? But to leave the capital just for that...
"We have been traveling for ten days now. What are they thinking? We are so far away that this is practically the countryside. ...Could it be that they intend to imprison us!?"
"That won't happen. I am a royal sent as a return gift, not a hostage. If they were to imprison me, it would immediately be discovered that I have lost contact, and at worst, the alliance would be dissolved, leading to war."
"But why so far away..."
"I don't know. But if there is a problem, I can simply refuse."
Yes, if this is just a sloppy attempt to get rid of a nuisance by marrying me off to a local lord, I can put a stop to it with a single word. Do they underestimate me as a child, or is the King simply not thinking that far ahead?
"Now, Lady Shera, I have kept you waiting. My apologies for the cramped conditions for your attendant as well."
As I was thinking this, the person who had been handling us since the capital approached. It seems we have arrived.
"What is this!! This is just a village!! What are you thinking!?"
Kirue shouted in indignation. However, no matter how I look at it, it is just a village. It looks like it was newly built, but... this is, by any measure, too much...
*BOOOOM!!*
A sound echoed from a distance, as if something had collided. Kirue immediately took a stance by my side, shielding me.
"Could it be that they intend to do away with us!!"
She drew a knife from her waist. I can fight reasonably well, but Kirue is in a league of her own. Her level is 45; she has the skill to command an entire army. If they intended to do away with us, the people around here would hardly be enough.
"W-wait, please wait. That was not an attack. That was just the King and his daughter playing."
"..."
While we were stunned, the King of Roschur approached with a beautiful woman.
"Oh, oh, you've improved your skills again. But to think it would be this much. And you say you went to meet them outside? Is this not the city of the dungeon?"
"...*Sigh*, well, just follow me for now. It is inappropriate to talk about various things here. My husband will be here by the time we reach the meeting place."
She walked toward what appeared to be the entrance of a dungeon and spoke with the guards.
"You said 'daughter,' didn't you? If it is not Lady Aria, then that person is..."
"Yes, our Goddess of War. Lady Seraria."
"...Does that mean this is the dungeon that was once governed by the late Lady Elju?"
"Yes, as you say, Lady Shera. I do not know the details myself, but it seems Lady Seraria has become engaged to someone who played an active role in the recent conflict."
"...I see. So that is my partner."
After that, we left the King, the princess, and the ministers to tour the dungeon.
...What, what is this? Everything is too different. It is so different that I cannot find the words. What I should be reporting is not the source or reason for the reparations, but this dungeon itself.
"...I must thank the King of Roschur."
"...Yes."
Kirue could only nod, dazed, her consciousness clearly not yet returned. We have been assigned a room and are trying to settle down, but even this room possesses a level of technology that is fundamentally different.