第１３５掘：嫁さん勇者爆誕 (Part1)
**Dungeon 135: The Birth of the Heroine Wife**
**Side: Yuki**
*Sigh.* I’m feeling lightheaded.
I never expected Ria to make the first move, nor did I expect things to snowball from there. Even with my stamina enhanced, I don't exactly have the mental fortitude to do "that" in the workplace.
Ria didn't seem to mind much, and we ended up going for a third round. By the time it was over, I was so drained it was actually painful.
I’ve decided: I am absolutely never stepping into the limelight. If my footprints were to ever reach future generations, I’d be branded as a "harem-scum" for sure.
Well, if I were to write down the path I’ve walked since my days in Japan on Earth in detail, I’m sure people would be forced to sympathize. But this is another world; even if I wrote about Earth, it would just be dismissed as the ramblings of a madman.
"Yuki-saaan."
Her white-haired twin tails swayed against her chest. Since we couldn't exactly stay completely naked, we were dressed. The fact that I find this gesture of Ria’s cute just proves how far she’s already eroded my defenses.
"Ria, do you feel any discomfort in your body?"
"It still feels like you’re inside me, Yuki-san."
"……Ah. Well, that much can't be helped, but... how about pain? Anything that makes it hard to move?"
"I’m too happy to move."
……Yeah, she’s a lost cause.
"Listen, I need to talk to you seriously."
"Yes."
At those words, Ria immediately looked at me with a steady gaze.
"As you know, we’re going to be doing some pretty dangerous things from here on out. You’ll inevitably be dragged into it, too. Are you sure about this?"
"If it’s the path you’re walking, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth."
I know that, but it doesn't stop me from feeling a certain way about the fact that I’ve made her entrust her life to me. Still, rather than leaving my future to someone else, I’d rather carve it out myself. That hasn't changed, then or now.
"Thank you. So, Ria, if you ever get sick of me, feel free to leave. And if I die, don't worry about it—go find your next happiness."
"I refuse. I will be with you until the very end. The other wives feel the same way."
"You all have your retorts ready, don't you?"
"Naturally. You are our Hero, after all."
"Hero?"
"Yes. You guide people, save many, and bring peace. You are truly a Hero, Yuki-san."
I was surprised by the conviction in her eyes and her words.
Me, a Hero? That’s impossible. I’m just the world’s strongest handyman.
Then, I remembered something.
The idea of me being a Hero is nonsense, but someone *was* supposed to be one. The awakening condition is... doing the deed. And if it’s forced, it explodes.
*Whoa.* I got swept up in the moment, but if I’d made one wrong move, the entire office would’ve been blown to bits.
And yet, it doesn't look like Ria has gained any "Hero" benefits yet. What does that mean?
"Um, did I say something strange?"
Seeing me fall silent, she looked anxious, her face on the verge of tears.
"No, I just thought that the title of 'Hero' doesn't suit me."
"That’s not true at all!!"
"I appreciate your feelings, Ria, but I’d rather just be your husband before I’m a Hero."
"Ah, yes. Yuki-san is our husband."
We hugged for a while longer until Steve walked in.
"Pardon the intrusion, Boss. I have the military supply documents..."
"Ah."
"What’s wrong?"
Recently, Steve and the others have been able to speak human language quite normally. I actually kind of miss the days when they just went *gob-gob*.
Anyway, Steve dropped the documents on the floor, turned around, and dashed out of the room at full speed.
"I’m not jealous at all!! You idiot, Boss, you idiotttttt!!"
No, you’re definitely jealous.
Maybe I should call over some female goblins next time? Wait, do female goblins even exist?
After that, I could hear the other goblins talking in the hallway.
"Is that General Steve again?"
"He’s probably just jealous of the intimacy between Boss Yuki and his wife."
"I’m just here for the food, so I’m not really interested in women."
"That’s the spirit."
Sorry about that, Steve.
"Well, let’s get back to work."
"Yes. I feel bad for Steve-san. Should I introduce him to a female friend of mine next time?"
"Don't bother. He’d probably just end up coughing up blood."
"?"
Ria doesn't quite get it, but Steve is one of the oldest residents in this dungeon. Even older than Seraria. And yet, if he’s never had a romantic rumor attached to him, the result is inevitably a crushing defeat.
Well, there’s the issue of the species barrier, but here in Weed, the goblin unit is relatively accepted by everyone. They eat with humans normally.
But Steve can't even manage that. I heard from the others that he’s apparently way too aggressive when he tries. So, Ria’s behavior was just salt in the wound.
"Phew."
"Is that all for today?"
"Yeah, let’s head home."
"Yes."
Later, I heard that Steve was caught by Seraria while looking depressed, and because she deemed it "slacking off"—which, to be fair, wasn't wrong—she dragged him into training.
I suppose Steve really is a rare talent if he’s the only one who can keep up with Seraria.
"What are we having for dinner tonight?"
"Hmm, let’s see. Gratin might be good."
"Gratin?"
"Yeah, it’s a cream sauce base with ingredients inside, topped with cheese and baked."
"Wow, that sounds like an amazing dish."
I’ve tasted it many times, but it really hits home that the food culture of this continent is equivalent to Earth’s pre-16th century. If you’re wondering why the 16th century, that’s when French cuisine is said to have originated. Before that, there were local delicacies, but no one really tried to standardize them.
Well, it’s an era of warring states, after all. The Hundred Years' War was around the 13th century, right?
Spices have existed since the 1st century, but for a long time, they were stored away as luxury items for nobles and rarely served to the masses.
Anyway, that was a long tangent.
The point is, the average person on this continent can’t afford spices. They’re lucky if they can get salt. Pepper is practically called "black jewelry."
And as for cooking, it’s mostly just bringing out the natural flavor of the ingredients... by grilling them as they are. Local dishes exist, but they rarely spread elsewhere. The ingredients themselves don't last long, after all.
That’s why the food I make is a feast and a mysterious, unknown experience for Ria and the others.
"I’ll make sure you get to eat all sorts of delicious things from now on."
"Yes."
Ria smiled as she said that.
*Yeah, yeah.* Her once-stilted speech is flowing much more smoothly now.
"But, I can't just have you making everything for me. Could I try making some village food someday? It’s not that delicious, though."
"I’m looking forward to it. Also, let me tell you something good."
"Something good?"
"Ria, you haven't used spices much, have you?"
"Yes, they’re expensive."
"But from now on, you can use as many as you want. So, try adding your own twist to your village’s food to make it even better. Everyone else is doing the same with their own local dishes."
"That’s amazing!!"
That’s right. Because Weed gathers so many different races, we have events where people share local dishes, and we have restaurants for them.
But people have their likes and dislikes, and there are many things they aren't used to eating.
Spices are the key to harmonizing those flavors. Because of that, people bond over saying how delicious each other's food is, and many people visit the restaurants just for those unique flavors.
This is also part of the policy to keep Weed running smoothly.
*You just have to invade them through their stomachs!! There’s no sin in a good meal!!*
And because of that, outsiders come to eat. Money flows in. Money increases. *Cha-ching.*
"Oh, we’re already at the inn."
"It feels like no time at all when we’re talking, even without using the rings."
"Because talking to you is fun. We’re home."
"Welcome back!"
For some reason, everyone was waiting at the entrance.
Hmm. Ah.
I guess everyone is responsible for Ria’s earlier behavior, huh?