第８６掘：晩酌
Dungeon 86: Evening Drinks
Side: Yuki
Today was the dinner with the King of Roschur—or rather, after the meal, he asked me to join him for a drink.
It’s been five days since the King arrived for his inspection.
The meeting with the Grand Master of the Adventurer’s Guild is finished, and the dungeon tour is mostly complete.
All that’s left is for him to enjoy a relaxing dungeon life.
"Son-in-law, what is this?"
"Ah, it’s a strong liquor. Will you be alright?"
"I can handle a little."
"Well, it’s brandy. It’s made by distilling wine and aging it in barrels... I’d say it’s about five times as potent as wine. It’s 55% alcohol."
"55, you say... Fufufu."
The King of Roschur laughed as he looked at the amber liquid in his glass.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, is it a matter of intoxication levels that only you can sense? You state the amount so precisely. You truly are an Otherworlder, Son-in-law."
"...Since when did you notice?"
"Well, let’s see. Perhaps from the moment you started letting people live in the dungeon."
"So, you felt something was off?"
"Yes. The deciding factor was after I arrived at this dungeon. No matter how I look at it, it resembles the characteristics of Otherworlders from the past. Especially the way you delegate political power to the citizens. Though, unlike the methods described in historical documents, your approach seems quite realistic."
I see. It wasn't so much a probe as it was a confirmation.
There was no reason to hide it, so I answered, but that leads to...
"Then, you intended to leave the princess... Shera, to us from the start, didn't you? Your true intention was for me to make use of her."
"Fu, no. I couldn't make good use of that one. I’m not as nimble as you are. If I were to let her disappear for even a day, it would be a massive scandal."
He said this with a wide grin. He looked like a mischievous brat.
"Pfft, well, you are a King, after all."
"I did intend to consider the princess's future after seeing the state of this dungeon, but by the first day, I decided I could leave her to you."
He took a sip of the brandy.
"...Guh! It’s strong!"
"But it’s delicious, isn't it?"
"Indeed."
I poured more brandy and ice into his empty glass.
"...Otherworlders. Many are called saviors and have left countless miracles on this continent. It might have started by chance, but now, there are many nations that engage in the ridiculous kidnapping known as 'Otherworld Summoning' to intentionally call them here."
"...I imagine so."
"Back when I was a young man, I ran wild as an adventurer. I was fifth in line for the throne, so I was basically carefree. In that line of work, I met a man. An Otherworlder who, despite knowing I was royalty, worked me to the bone even though I was just a greenhorn."
The King spoke while drinking, lost in memories of the distant past.
"He was a black-haired man with a strange weapon. It was the same type of weapon Seraria has—he called it a 'Katana.' Even though I couldn't feel a shred of magic power from him, he had the skill to slice through a Magic Sword-wielder and their blade in one stroke. He trained me well."
"...That person was an Otherworlder?"
"That’s right. He called himself Nobutsuna Kamiizumi."
"Pfft—! *Cough, cough!*"
"Are you alright? Do you know that name? Is he a friend of yours?"
Know him? That guy is a Sword Saint, isn't he?!
I don't know if it's the actual person, but still.
"Thanks to him, I attained a level of swordsmanship that no one had ever reached before: Level 5."
Ah, it’s the real deal.
Apparently, that guy was also good at teaching.
"That Mr. Kamiizumi... he didn't seem much like an Otherworlder, did he?"
"Hm? Oh, you caught on quickly. He didn't wear clothes like yours... let’s see, he wore something close to a 'Yukata,' I believe. He didn't think like the documents suggest; he called himself a mere practitioner."
"How old did he look?"
"Ah, he looked to be in his late twenties. He claimed he had lived out his natural life and was reborn young. I thought he was joking."
...Wow. A Sword Saint lived out his life, got reincarnated, and came here? That’s a total cheat.
"So, are you acquainted with Master Kamiizumi? That master was a powerhouse who swept everything aside with his swordsmanship. If you know anything about him, I would love to hear it."
Oh boy, I bet you would.
"Well, in my world... or rather, in the country I came from, he was a man called a 'Sword Saint.' He lived about five or six hundred years ago, I believe."
"A Saint of the Sword... that makes sense. He truly was a Sword Saint. If he held a wooden stick, I couldn't lay a finger on him."
"I’m sure your swordsmanship level was unmeasurable back then..."
"You know your stuff. He showed me once; his level was over 300, and his swordsmanship was listed as 'Infinite'."
...Hey, Luna. What’s up with the display rules?
Though, for Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, I suppose that makes sense.
"But we’ve strayed from the topic. Why support an anomaly like you, who is also a Dungeon Master?"
"Yeah, why provide such support to a monster like me?"
"Well, seeing you reminded me of my master—it’s a bit of a repayment of a debt. If I ever met someone from his homeland, I wanted to help them out a little."
"That’s a bit more than 'a little'."
"Hahahaha! Don't worry about it. You’ve produced results worthy of that reward. And unlike my master, who sought the path of the blade, you find all sorts of things interesting. This dungeon is a prime example. It would be foolish to try and bind you."
What a cunning old man. As expected of a King, he’s no pushover.
"...Son-in-law, your goal isn't just to build a city in a dungeon or form relations with other countries, is it?"
"No, I’m just doing it to make life better."
"Hahahaha. Let’s leave it at that. I hope you’ll tell me one day."
"...It’s too early for that. When the time comes, I will."
"I see... Yes, this is delicious."
The ice clinked against the glass, the sound echoing.
"Please take care of my daughter, Seraria."
With that, the King of Roschur bowed his head deeply.
"She’s a wonderful girl."
"Thank you."
Two men laughing with good expressions.
I wonder what it looks like from the outside.
"...What will you do? I can set up designated protection and we can communicate via Call. I could even turn the castle into a dungeon to ensure your safety."
"...Fu, I appreciate the sentiment, but I must decline. I want to remain a resident of this continent until the very end. It might be a fixation you can't understand, but..."
"No, I understand... though, that’s a complicated thing to say. Everyone is different. There’s nothing wrong with that; that’s just how you live your life, right?"
The King simply nodded and drank his liquor to my words, which were neither an affirmation nor a denial.
"Indeed. I intend to live at least until I see my grandchildren's faces. How are things on that front?"
"Hm, she’s very proactive, so it’s quite a handful."
"Kuh, kuhahaha!! That Seraria, huh? I was worried she’d become a 'heroic woman' because I pushed her too hard, but it seems she’s doing just fine."
"Wait, I thought that personality was inherited from her mother?"
"No, that’s correct. Aria and Seraria share the same mother, while Elju has a different one."
"Ah, I heard that from her."
"Both were comrades from my adventurer days. The mother of Aria and Seraria was a master of sword and magic who could rival even me. Elju’s mother was the team’s healer."
"That explains a lot."
"Yes, they were good wives. They didn't get along poorly, and to the daughters, both were important mothers. Unfortunately, they passed away from a plague. Seraria was young at the time, and I was so buried in government affairs that I neglected her mother—a fact I still cannot forgive myself for. She clung to Elju’s mother, who took care of her in my stead, but she, too, fell ill after giving birth to Elju."
"...I see."
"It’s truly difficult to raise children as a single father. I thought Seraria might end up single for life. I am grateful for what you’ve done."
"Even though I snatched your daughter away?"
"It’s lonely to see a child leave the nest, but I also want to see them spread their wings and fly..."
The time spent drinking continued in silence.
"Ah, may I ask one thing?"
"What is it?"
"It’s a bit late, but I always wanted a son, though I never had one. It’s a dream I gave up on."
"And that is?"
"To share a drink with my son."
"We’re already drinking, aren't we?"
"Ah, that’s why I said it’s a bit late."
He held out his glass toward me.
"Cheers."
The glasses clinked together with a sharp ring.
The night was still young.
That was the conversation between the King and Yuki.