第９１掘：まずはご挨拶 (Part1)
**Dungeon 91: First, a Greeting**
Side: Shera
"Honestly!! What on earth were you thinking, Brother?! Even if you are my brother, this is something I cannot forgive!"
I was angrier than I had ever been in my life. After all, he had ordered Yuki-sama to fire magic and arrows, and he had actually gone through with it.
Well, since Kaya-san and I had intercepted the attacks with ease, no harm was done. But the thought of what might have happened had that been the real Yuki-sama instead of a doppelganger made my blood run cold.
"U-um, Shera. C-could you let it go at that? Higil was just worried about you..."
"And you too, Sister!! Even though Seraria-sama stepped in to stop you, you just started competing with him anyway!! You should be bowing your heads and apologizing right now!"
"G-guh..."
Incidentally, this foolish sister and brother of mine, who had attempted to commit violence against Yuki-sama, were currently sitting in the reception room in seiza. Naturally, at my instruction.
"Shera, calm down. I enjoyed it, and my husband is unharmed. It can be dismissed as nothing more than a bit of entertainment."
"Seraria-sama, but still...!!"
"H-hey, Seraria is saying that, right? So?"
"Sister, be quiet!! You have no right to speak right now!"
"Eek!?"
"Father, Brother, what do you intend to do about this?!"
I demanded an answer from the King of our nation—my father—and my brother, who would lead the next generation of Gartz, both of whom wore indescribable expressions. Beside me, Seraria-sama was chatting with Lowell-oneesama.
"Lowell, your sister is quite firm, isn't she?"
"Uuu, Seraria, help me—we’re childhood friends, right?"
"We are, but if you look at it objectively, you’re the one in the wrong this time. The best I can do is put in a word to make your punishment lighter."
"P-punishment... what kind of..."
"Well, I doubt you'll lose your head, but since you tried to assault your own brother-in-law, you can't get away with nothing. Maybe three months of princess duties without any training?"
"W-what?! If you take my shield and sword away, what’s left of me?!"
"That’s the problem. Take this as a good opportunity to train your brain as well."
"I-it’s impossible. Isn't it the same for you, Seraria? You feel more at ease swinging a sword, don't you?"
"That’s true. But I am in charge of the military, and unlike you, I don't have a staff... I have to handle everything myself, you know?"
"......Uwaaaaaah."
Serves them right. They can stay crushed for a while.
"So, do you have nothing to say for yourselves?"
"C-calm down. We can talk this out."
Father backed away, sensing that I was genuinely furious.
"Talk this out? That sister and brother of mine over there attacked without a single word of conversation, didn't they?"
"T-that was because I saw him grabbing Shera’s head and assaulting her...!!"
"He was merely patting my head, Brother. How dare you ruin such a lovely moment between a husband and wife?"
Higil-niisama, who kept making such pathetic excuses, began to look like a truly hideous creature to me.
"You trash of a brother."
A silence followed my words...
"Waaaaah...!! I can't go on living like this!!"
Before I knew it, Higil-niisama had pulled out a knife and held it to his own throat...
"Hey! Calm down!! Shera was just joking. Right? Right?!"
Sharl-oneesama desperately grabbed his hand to stop the knife and pleaded with me. Oh, had I said something a bit too extreme?
"Y-yes. It was a joke. But I do want you to reflect on your actions."
"I'm sorry!! I'm reflecting!! Please, don't hate me!!"
Higil-niisama was bowing his head repeatedly, with a desperation that was frankly off-putting.
"...This incident was our fault. Shera, I apologize. And to Shera’s husband, Seraria-dono, Rurua-dono, and all your attendants, I offer my deepest apologies here and now."
My eldest brother bowed his head deeply as he spoke.
"Father also wishes to bow, but given his status as King, I hope you will accept my bow as an apology on behalf of the Crown. As for the punishment, we will carefully deliberate and confirm it with you before carrying it out."
...Eldest Brother, have you lost weight? Was I a bit too harsh? Mostly toward him; the others don't matter.
"...I'm sorry. Since we haven't even introduced ourselves properly yet, I'll prepare some rooms. Shall we talk slowly over a meal later?"
Sharl-oneesama wiped sweat from her brow, trying to salvage the situation.
"I don't mind."
"I don't mind either. What about you, Shera-sama?"
"...Complaining here won't change anything now. Let's do as Sharl-oneesama says."
"Thank you, Shera. You know where the guest rooms are, right? Things are a bit chaotic right now, so please feel free to use the rooms and maids as you see fit."
"...Yes, I understand."
"I am truly, truly sorry."
Shera guided us to a room and bowed her head deeply once more. Well, I’d be pale too if something like that happened.
"I know you'll worry even if I tell you not to, but I'm fine. Besides, this might make the negotiations easier, right?"
"...Are you really okay with that?"
"They're my precious family, too. It would make Shera sad if I let something like this cause a rift, wouldn't it?"
"Th-thank you so much!!"
"There, there."
"If I had been... hated by Yuki-sama... just thinking about it... *hic*, *sob*."
Ah, ah, she’s started crying.
"Is everyone else okay with this?"
"The brother-in-law was the one who got attacked, so if he's fine, I'm fine."
"...No problem."
"I've already settled things with Lowell."
"I have no issues either."
"I have some complaints from a security standpoint, but I suppose it's fine."
"I'm the Guild Master, so I don't have the right to say anything."
When I said that, Kirue also offered words of gratitude.
"We thank you all for your magnanimity. Please wait a moment, drinks will be arriving shortly..."
After that, the drinks arrived, and we spent some time listening to Shera talk about Gartz's local specialties and memories.
"...And that’s how that happened."
"Heh, so that’s what happened."
"That’s a nice story."
"Yes, a very lovely story."
The room assignments were decided: I, Shera, Seraria, and Rurua would share a room (with Kirue). Ratz, Kaya, and Quar would share another, and Rock-san would be on his own. Well, it couldn't be helped.