第１４８掘：ダンジョンにとっての勇者とは？
**Dungeon Floor 148: What is a Hero to a Dungeon?**
What is a hero to a dungeon?
Side: Yuki
"However, Master. We haven't finished dealing with Ranks or the demons yet. Furthermore, we have the task of lifting the trade embargo caused by this recent commotion, and the work of installing gates in other countries. What shall we do about those?"
Rurua’s words made me realize it all over again.
That useless goddess really needs to pick her moments better. There’s just too much to do.
But, well, this is a good stopping point. If we lift the trade embargo and start installing gates in other countries, the issues in the New Continent will end up being pushed to the back burner.
That’s why this timing—right after defeating the Demon Lord and catching our breath—is, in a sense, perfect.
Most other matters are settled, and there’s no real reason for us to handle them directly.
To monitor Rumel’s movements, it’s better for us to keep a low profile and avoid drawing external attention.
We can just have the subordinates I raised in Weed or the three allied nations handle the gate installations.
"I suppose so... It’s not something I should be the one to decide, but I think we’ve reached the point where we can leave diplomatic matters to our subordinates."
"I see. Indeed, the gate installations can be left to the subordinates, and lifting the trade embargo is just a matter of sending out a notification and restarting the gates. So, you’re saying that letting the subordinates handle the work is a way to encourage their growth?"
"That’s it. Just as Eris says. Everyone is teaching their subordinates how to do their jobs while working, right? Since it’s a good opportunity, why not treat this as a long-term vacation and let them handle it for the sake of the next representative selection? Set a deadline, maybe a week or so."
"That might be good. It’s often troublesome to teach them after they’ve already been voted into the representative position. So, we have the candidates serve as representatives for a short period beforehand, and use that as an evaluation—or rather, as a basis for the voting?"
"Exactly."
The wives currently serving as representatives took this as a brilliant idea and began contacting their respective subordinates.
After Rurua explained the Weed-related matters, Shera spoke up next.
"Setting aside the future management of Weed, what shall we do about Ranks and the Demon Lord’s remnant army?"
"Ranks is already a non-issue."
"Eh?"
"Didn't you get the report? Taiki-kun has already taken the royal capital of Ranks."
"Yes."
"Anything beyond that is Taiki-kun’s problem. It’s not a matter for us to interfere in clumsily. There are various tokens of gratitude from Gartz and us to be exchanged, but that’s just a matter of us being there to receive them. We can move at any time, and there are almost no concerns regarding war. I’m a bit curious about that 'Idiot Princess' who ran away, but we can’t just go after her on our own."
"That is true..."
"Kiyu and Covil have already departed for Weed, so the defense of Weed itself will be even more secure."
In short, the Ranks issue is effectively over the moment the interception was successful and the capital was taken alongside Taiki-kun.
If Taiki-kun, who bears the name of a Hero, requests our help, we would have to assist him for the sake of appearances, but a guy who can handle domestic policy cheats on his own would never ask for help with something like this.
Until now, he desperately managed Ranks alone without any allies, secured our cooperation, and successfully ousted the foolish royal family.
We can wait until we get a direct request from Taiki-kun before we stick our noses in.
Actually, my stance is to leave troublesome matters to others anyway!
"So, that leaves the Demon Lord’s remnant army."
"Indeed. What is the current situation with them?"
"Actually, the messenger hasn't reached the Rumel invasion force yet."
"That is... well, it’s only been a few days since the Demon Lord’s castle fell, and even if they had left beforehand, it would still take about another week."
"Right. Even for an army, using fast horses only cuts the time to a quarter, so that’s the best we can expect."
"That was a failure on our part. When you stormed the Demon Lord’s castle, you took out all the wyverns that could have been used for aerial communication, didn't you?"
"Yeah. If they called for reinforcements before the allied forces arrived, the operation would have been in danger. But, they did send a messenger before the allied forces attacked the Demon Lord’s castle, right?"
"Yes, using Dekira’s doppelganger, they were definitely told to return as reinforcements."
"Since Eris says so, it must just take time. However, with nearly 200,000 of them scattered by the heroes of Rumel, the morale of the invasion force is mostly shattered. Even if the remaining 100,000 were all hostile, we have the 10,000 allied troops at the Demon Lord’s castle, about 30,000 demons who sided with Liliana, and around 10,000 monsters. Plus, the covert monster unit has been reinforced to 1,200. They must be at their limit from fatigue, so us stepping in would be a last resort."
"If I may say so, I would think they would surrender under those circumstances."
"Exactly. Even if they did attack, if it gets dangerous, we could just head over and suppress them in a day."
Currently, if we took the lead, we could finish it quickly, but since our policy is to avoid involvement as much as possible, we aren't exactly "busy" from an outsider's perspective.
"My, I thought things were quite hectic, but I guess that’s not the case."
"Riel, that is because we are properly raising our successors. People like me, Ratz, and Milly have people who can fill in for us, like successors and guild masters. Do you have anyone, Riel?"
"Eh!? T-that is... I’m the vice-chief, after all?"
"Sigh, it’s fine. Since you’re always wandering off on your own, I’ve already been training your subordinates."
"As expected of Tori!!"
Riel pounced on Tori with a giggle.
It seems going to the New Continent won't be a problem.
"However, should we consider that we were ultimately pushed around by the Hero?"
"I wonder? The problem was brought in by Ranks, and I don’t think the Hero himself was the cause, do you?"
"Hmm, I don’t really get it."
Everyone is summarizing and analyzing the recent commotion.
This is important.
What was the cause, and why did it turn out this way?
By investigating this properly, we can prevent similar things in the future.
"But, as a result, because he came along, we were able to save the Demon Lord—no, Liliana-san... Thinking about that, doesn't it mean that because Ranks acted like idiots, we were able to create this outcome?"
Shera hits the nail on the head.
That’s right. If the Idiot Princess hadn't brought Taiki-kun along, the situation in Weed would never have been conveyed to Liliana.
Well, if you want to get technical, Gartz cutting off support and us offering trade should also be considered causes.
But if you ask who the biggest factor was, it would be the Hero, Taiki-kun.
Compared to me, who is passive, he takes action himself to carve out a path.
He saved Ranks from poverty, ran around to admonish the foolish royals, and grasped the current outcome.
I think he is worthy of being called a Hero.
I don’t want to emulate him, though.
"Well, Taiki-kun is definitely the one who created this flow. As a result, many people were saved. I think he is fully deserving of the title of Hero. And the allied forces defeated that monster who played the role of the Demon Lord, even if it was a fake. Ares, Lowell, Hiera, Crack, and the soldiers who participated in the攻略 of the Demon Lord’s castle are also heroes in their own right. Without that farce, we would still have a hostile relationship with the demons."
As I concluded that everyone had done their best, everyone suddenly turned their gazes toward me—some glaring, some looking dumbfounded, others smiling.
"...What? Did I say something strange?"
As I looked at them, Ria spoke up with a radiant smile.
"See, Yuki-san, you really are a Hero."
"I’m convinced. As Ria says, if you ask who is most deserving of being called a Hero..."
"It can only be you, big brother. No matter how you look at it."
"That’s right. I don’t think there is a Hero greater than you, Yuki-san."
"Exactly. If it weren't for you, Yuki-san, this situation wouldn't have happened."
"...Most people don't know. But we know."
"I think Yuki-san is a Hero. After all, you’ve saved so many people until now."
"Big brother is a Hero!!"
"Brother is a Hero!!"
"...Oh my, for me, you were a Hero from the moment we met."
The wives who were once ordinary citizens cheered.
"Fufufu... Indeed, those in power cannot become heroes. However, I don’t think it would be strange for you to hold that title, Master."
"That’s right. Even from my perspective, Yuki’s skill is that of a Hero—no, I think the results exceed that. The Demon Lord herself gives you her seal of approval. There is no doubt that Yuki is a Hero!!"
"That is correct. Above all, you are a messenger of the gods, bearing the great task of saving the continent, and even this situation is just a waypoint. The title of Hero is only natural for you!!"
"I am but a maid, but I believe you are a person worthy of the title of Hero, Master."
The former members of the ruling class also backed me up.
But I denied those words.
"I don’t need a title like 'Hero.' Look at Taiki-kun and the representatives of the allied forces. No matter how you look at it, they’re just glorified handymen, aren't they? I’ll pass on that, thank you very much."
When I said that, everyone laughed and agreed.
Heroes are just like that, aren't they?
Well then, the series of commotions caused by the Hero has some troublesome post-processing, but with this, it is concluded.
From here on, the new chapter "New Continent Arc" begins.
And finally, there will be a departure from the wife members.
Stay tuned!!