第１２４掘：事情聴取でさらに噴く (Part1)
### Dig 124: Further Revelations During Interrogation
**Side: Yuki**
"Alright, Ria, it’s fine for you to tag along. But there’s something you need to do to protect yourself."
"Yes, I understand. I must not leave your side, correct?"
"That’s right. But that alone isn't enough. I want you to wear this ring and this dagger."
"Um, what is the significance of these?"
Well, they do look like nothing more than a plain ring and a simple dagger. That’s the case for my wives' gear, too. I have them carry flashy, luxurious-looking decoys, but these are the real deal—transfer rings I gave them a long time ago. They allow for teleportation, and in emergencies, they trigger an automatic warp. The dagger is a masterpiece that boosts stats just by holding it. It’s the absolute pinnacle of Labyris’s hobby.
I explained the items to her as we walked.
"Th-this is incredible..."
Ria checked her status and recoiled. Well, naturally. Just equipping them boosts your base stats by 200. Across the board.
The material is high-purity Orichalcum, synthesized with Magic Metal and Spirit Ore, extracted in the same way. It’s forged using a technique of layering different types of metal and repeating the folding and hammering process countless times. We even use high-purity Elixir—procured via DP—as a coolant. It’s a weapon born from the height of absurdity. You could say it’s a reckless feat only possible because we have over ten thousand residents.
If I told you that the material costs alone blew through 30 days' worth of DP, you’d understand just how much of a waste it is. It would be cheaper to just stock up on modern firearms. But I have things I want to investigate regarding the possibilities, so I’ve begged Eris and Ratz to permit the DP expenditure.
Well, as you can probably imagine from what I’ve said so far, my wives' equipment is updated roughly every month by Labyris. Labyris herself treasures the blade I gave her, but even that has become outdated in terms of performance. Technological innovation is terrifying, isn't it? Even computers get new models every six months.
"Don't be surprised by just this. Since you'll be with me, the Representative, there will be various dangers, so you'll have to get custom equipment made."
"Custom!?"
"Yeah. You're my personal attendant, so you'll also be acting as my guard. It’s the opposite right now, but if you don't work hard in the future, there’s a possibility others will complain."
"…I will… do my best."
"I hate to say it, but you don't have to worry about it *that* much."
I’m going to hold a forced level-up festival anyway. Now, time to apply the designated protection.
"Lastly, we Representatives and those in high positions are granted the Dungeon’s protection so we can contact each other at any time. That protection grants you the 'Call' skill. You’ve seen it before, so you know how it works."
"Yes."
"The condition is that you must accept the protection. From the bottom of your heart. A few people have been rejected in the past, so be careful about that."
"I-it’s fine."
The designated protection took hold without a hitch. Incidentally, the ones who were rejected were strictly interrogated and it was easily discovered they were trying to embezzle funds. They hadn't actually done it yet, so there was no punishment, but the fact that they tried to deceive us remained on their record, so they were denied promotion to any important positions.
"Preparations are complete. It’s too far to walk, so we’ll use the rings to fly. To use it, just say the destination and then 'Transfer.' For now, say 'Transfer to the General Government Building.'"
"Yes. Transfer to the General Government Building."
The moment she said it, she vanished. Good, the personal authentication worked perfectly. Of course, these rings and daggers have keys tailored to individual magic power, so even if they were stolen, the opponent couldn't use them. Strictly speaking, it’s a combination of magic power and fingerprint science and sorcery, so it’s not something that can be easily bypassed—unless you’re like me and utilize knowledge of both.
Shall I follow her?
"Oh, thank goodness."
"We were waiting for you, Advisor Yuki."
The guards at the transfer point saluted me. It seems Ria was worried about when I would arrive.
"Good work. You can tell by the ring and dagger that she’s an executive, but let me introduce her. This is Ria, my personal attendant. Please treat her well."
"Yes, sir!! Lady Ria, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"H-hi."
"Finally, you’ve decided on a guard. Advisor Yuki’s wives are all very busy. Even if we soldiers guard you, we can’t handle your private life. Please, take care of Advisor Yuki."
With that, the guards at the transfer point all bowed to Ria in unison. Wait, how do you guys know about my guard problem?
"It’s been a constant issue regarding our security. While your wives cannot get anyone pregnant, we’ve been consulted and worried for some time about Advisor Yuki being led astray by some strange woman. If one thing goes wrong, Weed will be thrown into chaos."
"Hey, I haven't even said anything yet."
"Then please stop wandering around all the time."
"Guh."
I don't have the guts to act arrogant when I’ve caused them so much trouble.
"Well, we know the Advisor breaks his back for our sake, so it’s hard for us to stop you. But we understand your wives' anxiety and the possibility of Weed becoming unstable. That is why, Lady Ria, please take care of Advisor Yuki."
"Yes, leave it to me!!"
Why are you answering so energetically? ...Hm? Wait a minute. Based on that conversation, does this mean Ria will be with me twenty-four-seven? I was entrusted with Ria because of the Hero situation, right? They aren't planning on making the Hero my permanent guard and monitor, are they? Surely not. They wouldn't waste resources like that.
...The Demon Lord of the Human race is relaxing on special duty, but that’s not a waste, is it?
"Well, that was a long conversation. The meeting with the Demon is being held in the Third Conference Room. Representative Eris and Special Duty Deryu are handling it."
"Did you hear any information?"
"No, they’ve only just begun the interrogation."
"I see. Thank you. Continue guarding the transfer point. I’ve reported it to the kings of each country, so they should be gathering; make sure you don't mishandle the situation."
"Yes, sir!! Please take care, Advisor!!"
I led Ria toward the conference room. We entered through the side door in front of the Third Conference Room.
"Yo."
"Ah, Advisor."
"How is it?"
"No, for now, we’re just having them drink tea to calm down."
Since we’re conducting an interrogation, the room is equipped with a one-way mirror. I entered the observation side to listen, but there was no progress.
"Oh, this girl is Ria."
"Yes, I’ve heard about her from the wives. Please take care of Advisor Yuki."
"Yes, leave it to me."
What is this, am I a child?
"So, what do you mean by 'calming down'?"
"Yes, when they arrived, they were quite out of breath and covered in wounds. There were no fatal injuries, but there were some fractures; they were in a dangerous state."
"Huh? Wait a second, you’re interrogating them in that state? Shouldn't you let them rest?"
"We, as well as Lady Eris and Lady Deryu, suggested that, but they said they had something they had to talk about immediately, even after only light treatment."
"Is it that important of a case?"
"To them, it likely is. So, they are recovering while drinking tea mixed with potions."
"Ah, Rurua and Elju are out, aren't they?"
"Yes. Rankus has invaded the Gartz territory, hasn't he? If so, dealing with that takes priority. Unless it’s a matter of life and death, these aren't life-threatening wounds, and it’s a level we can handle ourselves."
Incidentally, upon hearing about the current situation, Elju is busy with hospital staffing and medical supply orders. Since Rurua has to be out for diplomacy, Elju’s workload is quite heavy. Aside from me, the only ones in Weed who are top-tier healers are Rurua and Elju.