第１５０掘：メンバー選出
**Dungeon 150: Selecting the Members**
**Side: Yuki**
Good news and bad news have a way of arriving at the same time. Personally, the good news outweighs the bad, but when I consider the feelings of my wives, it’s a net zero.
What I mean by "net zero" is that my wives are pregnant, which means the number of people heading to the New Continent has decreased. As for me, I’d prefer to leave the New Continent alone, stay here until Seraria and the others give birth, and wait until the children are old enough to grow up a bit before continuing our adventures, but...
"That’s impossible. I won’t allow you to stop your progress just because we’re pregnant."
"That’s right, Brother. We’ll be fine, so please don’t abandon your mission to save the world."
"My husband, I appreciate the sentiment. But it is no reason to halt your journey."
"I agree. If we stop moving forward, many more will suffer as a result."
"I would love to accompany you... but I cannot put the child in my womb at risk. So, please leave Weed to us and go."
"As a maid, I was blessed with my husband’s child, and you accepted me so kindly. I don’t want to be a burden to you any longer. Please, fulfill your mission..."
And so, everyone who is pregnant is telling me to go on the adventure.
"Hey, come to think of it, wouldn't it be fine if you just brought a Doppelganger along?"
Riel suddenly suggested this, but no one nodded in agreement.
"Huh?"
"Riel, even a Doppelganger won't work. Giving birth is a difficult process, and it’s better not to have any mental strain."
"Is that so?"
"You know, I heard a story about the village chief's daughter back when we were adventurers. She felt so much pressure to give birth to a boy that she ended up unable to carry the child to term, even though she was pregnant. Well, it seems she was able to give birth eventually, though."
"Whoa, really? Is that true?"
Riel asked Tori, looking puzzled. Hearing this, Seraria chimed in.
"Tori is right. If you feel too much responsibility or pressure in your heart, it often leads to infertility or miscarriages. My mother and the others weren't the type to worry about such things, but other noble wives used to pray at the church just to ensure a safe delivery."
Ah, I see. In this world, at least among the upper crust, the issue of heirs places a heavy burden on the women who bear children. How pitiful...
"Riel, that’s how it is. Even if the Doppelganger’s abdomen is struck and there’s no physical harm to the real body, you might instinctively try to protect your stomach, right?"
"Yeah."
"For a pregnant woman, being punched in the stomach is something you absolutely want to avoid. It can cause significant mental distress."
"Ah... so even a Doppelganger is a no-go..."
And thus, the pregnant members were strictly forbidden from joining the expedition. Their work in Weed will be handled solely by Doppelgangers, while their real bodies are instructed to rest at the inn. Naturally, I’ve asked Lilishe to help out and serve as their personal physician.
The hospital will be fine; Rurua and Elju’s students will manage. At the very worst, I’ve already agreed that Rurua, Elju, and Lilishe can step in if needed.
"With that settled, I’m thinking of heading to the New Continent with everyone except those who are pregnant. But there will be people needed to take care of those staying behind, so what should we do about that?"
"Oh, in that case, I’ll stay behind."
Just as I was thinking this problem would be hard to resolve, Milly volunteered.
"Milly, are you sure?"
"Yes. To be honest, we had already decided on this beforehand. When you're pregnant, there are many things you can't do yourself. We talked it over and decided someone needed to be here to help with those things."
Wow, what excellent coordination. But with this, my plan to complain and spend a peaceful time with my wives has been thwarted.
"Though, to be honest, it’s tough for me to handle all six of them alone, so I’ve arranged for Anna and Riri from Deryu’s younger brother Reye’s place to help out."
"Oh?"
"When I told them about the pregnancies, they were happy to accept. See, Deryu? You’re being well taken care of."
"Indeed. As expected."
By the way, Deryu’s younger brother, Reye, has moved from the Gartz dungeon and is living in Weed. We haven't disposed of the Gartz dungeon; it’s still operating as usual. Weed is safer, so it’s a relief for us, too.
"Now we can rest easy. So, we, the ones staying behind, would like to make a request."
Seeing that their own issues were settled, Seraria turned to me with a request.
"Wait, what request? You know you absolutely cannot come with me, right?"
"I know that. That’s why, for your safety, you must take all the wives who aren't staying behind."
"Isn't that overkill?"
"That’s exactly the right amount. We haven't investigated the New Continent, so we don't know if Doppelgangers will work there. And even if they do, if word reached us that you had died—even if it were just a fake—the mental toll would be immense."
She’s right. If they heard I had died, even if it were a fake, the mental burden on my wives would be significant.
"Wait, hold on. 'All of them'? Does that include Aslin, Firia, Labyris, and Shera?"
"Of course. You aren't going to say you won't take them just because they're children, are you?"
"I understand your feelings, Brother, but Aslin and the others are fine women in their own right. Please treat them as equals."
"Shera’s status will surely be useful as well. Won't you please take them along?"
That’s how the ones staying behind insisted I take Aslin and the others.
"Brother, this time I’ll be useful!!"
"Big Brother!! I’ll do my best too!!"
"...I don't want to be left behind this time."
"Yuki-san, my knowledge and etiquette as royalty. It surely won't go to waste!!"
The little ones said this with teary eyes.
"Ah, Yuki-san, let’s just give up. I can’t leave them behind, can I?"
"Aslin and the others have been good girls until now, so wouldn't it be fine to take them?"
"...Besides, there aren't many people stronger than these girls. They will definitely be an asset."
The beastman group agreed as well. At this rate, even if I tried to leave them behind, they’d probably just follow me separately or sneak along. It would be more troublesome to refuse them...
"Fine. But you have to listen to what I say!!"
" " "Yes!!" " "
They’re always good at answering, at least. I’ve made them wait until now... so I guess it’s fine? I’ll stop overthinking it. It’s already decided, and I need to submit the leave of absence forms to the school.
As I was thinking about that, Deryu and Ria were talking about something.
"Ria, I can spend my time in Weed with peace of mind because you are here. I’m counting on you, Hero!!"
"Deryu-san!! Leave it to me. I will definitely protect Yuki-san!! I have heard the Demon Lord’s wish!!"
...Is something wrong here?
"Oh, come to think of it, Brother. I have a proposal."
"Hm? What is it, Ratz?"
"No, it’s not my idea, but Eris’s proposal..."
Ratz said this and looked at Eris beside her.
"Yes, I thought it might be troublesome with only women, so why don't you take those three?"
"Those three?"
"Yes. Those three are more used to adventuring than even Tori or Riel, and they are men. Wouldn't they be useful in various ways on the New Continent? They haven't had much of a role lately and have just been lounging around Weed."
"A role? Even so, they are exclusive to Weed’s Adventurer Guild, aren't they?"
"They aren't exactly doing any busy work, and Ovik-san and his friends—who are friends with Tori and Riel—seem to want to become exclusive to Weed as well, so wouldn't it be perfect?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, there was a report that we were short on exclusive adventurers because there are so many dungeons in Weed."
"Yes. So, those three are reasonably strong, and it would be good training for Ovik and his friends. Above all, they will be good guards for Aslin and the others."
"I see. Adopted. Let’s call those three."
And just like that, the members for the New Continent were decided. Those three, in particular, hadn't had much of a chance to shine regarding the Hero-related business, so this is perfect.
Members decided!!
The original three make an appearance for the first time in a while!!
Also, I’m taking tomorrow off.