第１１１掘：お祭りと住人達 その３
**Dungeon 111th Excavation: The Festival and the Residents, Part 3**
**Side: Deryu**
"Oh, if it isn't Deryu-chan! On patrol?"
"Deryu-chan, thank you for yesterday."
"Big Sister Deryu, there’s an interesting stall over there!"
I responded to each greeting with a smile, only to be called out again immediately after. The number of people approaching me is even higher today because of the festival, but I don't find it particularly bothersome. If anything, feeling the vitality of the townspeople fills me with joy.
The town that my husband aimed for—the one we, his wives, helped build—has finally been completed and recognized as a nation. The voices of the town celebrating that fact... a feeling I cannot put into words wells up inside me.
"You look happy, Sister."
"*Hic*, *sob*. Seeing such a look on your face, Princess, makes me truly happy, Anna."
"Come now, Anna-san, calm down."
Beside me were my younger brother and Anna, who was raised like a sister to us. And then... there was the extra. Well, I don't dislike Riel, but something about her just irritates me.
"It is only natural. I, too, poured my efforts into building this town. My feelings are deep—well, it wasn't just me, but thanks to everyone's strength, of course."
I looked around the central plaza of the commercial district, where many stalls were set up. It was overflowing with smiles. Everyone was celebrating this day together.
"I never had anything like this when I was a princess. Father and Mother were trying to entrust this to us, weren't they?"
"Yes. They always told us from when we were small to protect this, to cherish it, and to nurture it."
"His Majesty and the Queen were well-loved, and they always said that as nobles and as royalty, it was their duty to protect the people," Anna murmured, looking around with a dazzled expression.
"Should I say it's too late, or that we’ve finally managed to offer them a tribute?"
"Indeed. What should we say?"
My brother and I shared a complicated look. If we told Father and Mother that it took us 200 years to finally understand what they meant, would they be happy? Or would they be utterly exasperated?
"Hmm, though Reye, you’re still lacking."
"Why is that?"
"Because your contribution to this place was only a tiny bit."
"Ugh, that may be true, but..."
After reuniting with my brother, I spoke with Yuki and Seraria, then welcomed him here to provide guidance and explanations. In the end, my brother offered his cooperation, and due to his position, he became an allied Dungeon Master. But in reality, he’s basically a subordinate. It seems this brother of mine wasn't a reformist like Yuki; he had just been holed up in his dungeon focusing on defense.
Well, it couldn't be helped. He wasn't begged by a god to save the continent like Yuki was. Oh, and incidentally, the one who gave my brother his power was that useless goddess, Luna. Apparently, she tried trial and error with various locals before bringing Yuki, but nothing sprouted, so she had no choice but to call for him. Truly pathetic.
No, should I be grateful because I got to meet Yuki? But to be separated from my family for that... I’ll have to talk to Yuki about this someday. I’ve discussed it with the other wives, too.
"Oh!! What a beautiful woman!"
Hm? I heard a strange voice. A nobleman appeared before me.
"Would you care to become my concubine? I swear I shall not let you want for anything."
He held out a flower toward me. ...Honestly, there’s no helping some people. It’s only been two days since the town opened to the public. No matter how much we explain, these nobles all think that if they show off their power and wealth, they can make commoners submit.
Other countries might be like that, but such stupidity is not permitted here. Besides, there is no life more comfortable than the one here, so I don't know what kind of mouth he’s using to spout such nonsense. Furthermore, I am a married woman. And to think he’d try to hit on a representative who is a wife...
As I was thinking this, the flower the foolish noble was thrusting forward passed right by me and went toward Anna and Riel behind me.
"Eh?"
I froze. No, well, I pride myself on being reasonably cute and a beauty, but...
"It is fine. I shall guarantee the life of that younger brother of yours as well. You have nothing to worry about!!"
"Um, Anna-san..."
"Riel, in times like these, it is necessary to decline firmly."
Anna stepped forward and replied to the noble.
"With all due respect, this person, like you, is here incognito. We shall pretend we did not hear that last remark. We understand your sentiments, but please take your leave."
"Oh, my apologies. I see, that explains why such a flower is kept as a guard. My thanks for your consideration, attendant. I shall return this favor someday."
The noble understood from Anna’s words and vanished into the bustling crowd.
"Do you understand? For a noble, when they see something fine, it is considered rude not to speak up. Such is the custom. That gentleman was truly a noble in the proper sense. It was likely just a social pleasantry. It might be a bit unfamiliar to you, Riel, but from now on, such 'noble-like' nobles will come to Weed. You must learn to discern them and respond accordingly."
"Ah, yeah. I understand. But... well, I don't think that’s the issue right now..."
In other words, to that noble, I was not even a candidate. I found out later through personal investigation that he was a well-regarded noble who had a daughter about my age. I suppose I can understand why he didn't look at me that way.
"It’s fine, it’s fine. I am a child after all."
"Ah, Sister. I was treated like a younger brother just now, too!!"
"T-that is correct! You are not a flower for the masses, Princess, you are a single, unique bloom!!"
"Look, Deryu-sama, you have Yuki-san, don't you!"
At Riel’s words, I suddenly looked around.
"That’s right!! I have a beloved person!! I don't care if others ignore me!!"
I want to see Yuki; he will surely comfort me. And immediately, Yuki’s magical presence approached.
"Deryu, what’s wrong? Did something happen?"
"Big Sister Deryu!!"
"Yahooo!"
Oh, the two children were running toward me. I scooped them up and dove straight into Yuki’s arms.
" "Kyaa, it’s tight!!" "
"Whoa there, what’s the matter?"
Yuki held me and asked gently.
"Listen to me!! It was terrible!!"
And so, I ended up having a meal with Yuki.
"So, where did you decide on?"
"At first, it was the supermarket, but..."
"No, no, there’s no way we’re having supermarket food at this festival."
"That’s true. Milly, since it’s an opportunity like this, why don't we go somewhere nice?"
"But it’s hard to find food better than what Yuki-san makes, isn't it?"
"That’s the problem, isn't it?"
"...Then, will you leave it to me?"
And so, the day passed by as we all enjoyed ourselves at a restaurant recommended by Labyris.