第１２３掘：やっぱり面倒事はまとめてやってくる
### Chapter 123: Troubles Always Come in Bunches
**Side: Yuki**
The world really is just like this, isn’t it?
You know, that thing where everything happens exactly when you’re busiest?
The Rankus problem involving Taiki-kun, the otherworlder hero.
The movements of the Demon Lord.
And the protection of a homegrown hero?
Okay, I get it. You guys clearly coordinated this.
It would have been fine if things had just stayed as they were. But then—
"Please take care of me starting today," Ria said, and for some reason, she was raring to go about living in my house.
*“Reporting from the perimeter. A woman claiming to be a demon is requesting an audience,”* came the contact from the Weed village guards.
*“Um, the idiot princess is more furious than I thought, and she’s already reached the edge of the Gartz territory,”* came the message from Taiki-kun, noting that she was moving with a cavalry-only formation.
So, I’m not in the wrong for losing my temper.
"Seraria, organize the military. Start preparing the scheduled engagement zone with mortars. Two battalions of Goblins, one battalion of Orcs. Use Type-4 equipment."
"Huh?"
"Use only Seraria’s direct subordinates to move in and rescue survivors. The total number of enemies is five thousand; we’ll finish them off in the kill zone. For those who remain, issue a surrender demand. If they don’t comply, shoot them in the limbs to incapacitate them. Then capture them."
"W-wait a minute!?"
"Their march speed is abnormally fast because they’re all cavalry. Get on it immediately."
"Ugh, fine, I get it already!"
Good. That takes care of the Rankus situation.
I’ve already told Taiki-kun about the mortars, so he can use his hero power to do his best.
I’m too busy to listen to any grand speeches.
"Next, Eris, escort the demon. She’s likely here to talk. Gather information."
"Understood."
"The location will be the conference room in the General Government Building. That place has skill and magic-sealing properties, so they can only resort to physical means. Deryu, I need you for protection."
"Leave it to me."
"Tori, Riel. There are surely other demons lurking. Use your 'Dig-Dig Woof-Woof' skills to investigate thoroughly. Capture them and extract information from them as well. Also, since a war is about to break out, public order might deteriorate. Call for reinforced police patrols and make sure it’s strictly enforced."
" "Understood." "
With that, I can head over to the demon-related matters as soon as preparations are complete.
"Milly, Kaya, inform the residents that Rankus is attacking, and make sure they don’t panic. I considered keeping it a secret, but with the military mobilizing, that’s impossible. So, I’ll report it in advance. Tell them that when the enemy approaches the city, we will initiate a draft, so they need to hang in there until then. As for supplies, open up the First Warehouse and let them use what’s stored there."
" "Understood." "
That handles the residents.
"Shera, Rurua, Narjia-san, notify the various countries about the Rankus advance and the demon’s visit. Deliver the message directly to the royal families. Declare a temporary suspension of trade starting in three days. Tell them to increase the pressure on Rankus."
" " "Yes." " "
That covers the notifications to the three countries. They’ll figure out how to handle it based on their own judgment.
"Aslin, Firia, tell everyone at school that the teacher won’t be able to make it for a while and calm them down. Also, take care of the cooking at home. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it."
" "We’ll do our best!!" "
Honestly, I spend one day at school in a long time, and this happens.
"Ratz, Labyris, stand by at the General Government Building. Be ready to respond if a problem arises. Ratz, there’s a possibility that supplies might run dry due to war rumors. Use the DP savings to cover the difference. Tell the residents that Super Ratz is operating as usual to put their minds at ease. Tell them there will be no shortage of supplies."
"Understood."
"Leave it to me."
I’m glad I thought of the countermeasures quickly. If I hadn’t, things would have been a total mess. Three things at once, seriously...
"E-e-eh? Rankus? War? A demon? Eh?"
Ria is confused, just as I expected. Well, she just arrived at a place where she thought she could relax, only to be hit with incomprehensible information. It’s no mistake to say this inn is the highest authority in Weed.
"Um, what on earth is happening?"
And what am I going to do? It’s decided. The remaining problem is Ria’s hero situation. Now that she’s heard this much, I can’t just leave her be.
In that case...
"As you heard, Rankus shouted during the Founding Festival that Weed was harboring a Demon Lord and was in league with us."
"Lies."
"Rankus’s true motive is just that they want the supplies to wage war. Thanks to that, it seems demon spies have infiltrated Weed. The current situation is that the Rankus forces, having returned home, are now attacking us because they want Weed’s interests."
"That’s... insane."
"Yeah. That’s why we have to oppose them. Don’t worry, I’ve been preparing for things like this. And the problem is you, Ria."
"M-me?"
"Yes. Ria, you’ve now learned Weed’s secrets."
"Eh?"
"I don’t intend to do anything to you, but someone on the outside might see some strange value in you. That’s why my wives and I have unanimously decided that we want to protect you. What do you think?"
"W-why would you protect me? Spending time and effort on me is... inefficient. Especially in this situation."
Ria looks like she’s afraid to take the hand being offered to her. I still don’t know what kind of things she’s been through to end up like this. After all, it’s only been two days since I met her. We’re both full of things we don’t know about each other. The only thing she can trust is that I am the representative of Weed. I’m also her master, but let’s leave that aside for now.
"You just got here, so I don’t think you understand yet, but protecting and nurturing people like you is what Weed is all about. So, I’m not going to tell you to follow me. But it’s safe here, so could you wait with Aslin and the others?"
"Are you going to stay home with us, Big Sister Ria?"
"Are you going to cook?"
The two of them tilt their heads and stare at Ria. Ria looks back at Aslin and the others, thinking.
"If you come with me, you’ll just be diving deeper into the trouble. I wouldn’t recommend it. Well, I’m heading out. I have to interrogate the demon."
With that, I head toward the entrance. The other wives have already scattered to their respective posts.
The idiot princess of Rankus returned on the first day of the festival. It’s been less than two weeks since then; it feels like she sent a messenger on horseback and then turned right back around. It’s going exactly according to Taiki-kun’s plan.
As for the demon, she’s an idiot for getting caught just one day after the meeting, isn’t she? Or maybe the reason is different if she came openly through the front door.
"Well then, I’m leaving the house to you."
When I say that and look back, Ria is busily putting on her shoes.
"I... I’m coming too. I can’t... just stand by and do nothing again."
There was a firm strength in Ria’s eyes. Well, from my perspective, anyway. I’m not enough of a genius to be sure of that.
"Understood. But don’t leave my side. Ria, you’re officially my attendant now. Got it?"
"Yes."
Well, I don’t fully understand Ria’s resolve, but now there’s no problem with her being with me. I don’t need to make any desperate moves like yesterday. I’ll save getting to know her better for after I’ve finished dealing with these nuisances.
Alright, I’ve decided.
If you won’t let me relax, and if you’re going to come at me all at once...
"I’ll just overwhelm you right back."
I’ll force a state of relaxation through sheer power.
Listen here, Rankus—you brought this trouble on yourselves. Even if it’s going according to plan, I won’t forgive you.
And just like that, the sunset of Rankus began.