落とし穴２７掘：新人さん歓迎会 (Part1)
Pitfall 27: Newcomer Welcome Party
Newcomer Welcome Party
Side: Jessica
Where has my common sense gone?
Right now, before my eyes, Ria is explaining that this place, Weed, exists on a continent entirely separate from our own.
A separate continent? That’s absurd. Just as I was thinking that, she showed me a map of impossible precision, displaying the continent I know—or thought I knew—and the continent where Weed resides, separated by a vast ocean.
She claimed they traveled between these continents using a "transfer gate," a piece of dungeon technology that has long been lost to history on our continent.
Fine. Let’s say I can accept that for now.
The biggest problem is why the top-tier heavyweights of Weed came to our continent in the first place.
I’ve already seen a glimpse of their military might; the elite army led by the Princess was handled like a helpless infant.
With that kind of power, the Zilba Empire would fall into a disadvantageous position in an instant.
After all, they can transport supplies from Weed, and they can pull reinforcements from the dungeon’s functions in near-infinite supply.
No, let me be honest. If Weed had any intention of invading, not just the Zilba Empire, but all the surrounding nations would fall in the blink of an eye.
Yet, Yuki and his people were desperate to resolve things peacefully.
That leads to the true purpose of Yuki’s group.
Yuki and his companions were tasked by a god—and it’s impossible to deny that she was the real deal—to stop the depletion of magical energy, not just on a continental scale, but on a global one.
Having already solved part of the magical energy depletion on the continent where Weed is located, they came to our continent, where the phenomenon is severe, to investigate the cause and find a way to improve it.
However, in a situation where they don't even know where the root cause lies, they feared that if a nation like Weed, which possesses such vast magical energy, were to enter a continent suffering from depletion, the consequences would be unpredictable. Thus, they formed a small investigation team.
But when operating as a small team, there are times when local circumstances prevent proper investigation.
In this instance alone, we were dragged into the camp of the demi-humans and ended up in a confrontation with the Zilba Empire.
I don’t know what the best course of action is, but looking at Yuki’s objectives, being in a state of conflict with others is a major problem.
Furthermore, they mentioned that the Princess’s magic sword is strange.
I can’t imagine that the cause of the magical energy depletion lies within that sword, but for Yuki’s group, who are desperate for any scrap of information, I suppose it’s only natural to consider matters from every angle.
"...Why did it come to this?"
I was in the government building’s conference room, clutching my head after hearing the explanation.
I went from being a mere mercenary to being caught up in a world-scale problem.
"What, did you believe it?"
"Of course I did!! Look at my status!!"
I showed my status screen to Yuki.
Since he possesses the Appraisal skill, our combat capabilities—mine and the Princess’s—must have been laid bare from the start.
"I’m level 54!!"
"Yeah, that’s a high level."
"Is that all you have to say, Yuki?! Well, that’s fine. The problem is this blessing from Lady Lilishe here!!"
I pointed to the incredible skill attached to my status: "Blessing of Lilishe."
It boosts all stats, ensures safe childbirth, allows for non-chanting, and even grants intermediate-level healing magic. It’s completely insane.
"Someone just appeared out of nowhere and gave this to me. How could I possibly doubt it?!"
I never expected to receive a blessing from a goddess of a different continent, one I don't even worship!!
*“If Yuki-san brought you here, then I’m at ease. I’ll give you my blessing, so please make use of it. If you have any needs, I serve as a priestess at the church in Weed. See you then!”*
That’s how she just vanished!! And what is this about a god being in Weed, serving as a priestess, and living at the church?!
"Well, just give up. Your situation is better than mine."
"...Well, I suppose you were brought here from another world."
On top of everything, this Yuki was summoned from another world by a god.
Even on my continent, there are nations centered around heroes summoned from other worlds, but I have never seen such prosperity.
Perhaps this Yuki is an exceptional existence even among those from other worlds.
"All I can say is, you should write this information down and see if the Princess can understand it..."
"It’s impossible. Even I only accepted it because I saw the evidence and had it explained to me. You can’t convey this through a letter alone."
Side: Yuki
Yeah, exactly.
In a way, it’s the ultimate information leak prevention.
Only deal with information the other party can’t possibly understand.
Well, unless there’s someone else who was reincarnated or called from Earth on the other side, that is.
In Earth terms, it’s like being abducted by a UFO. No one would ever believe it.
"I mean, if anyone actually believes this story just from a letter, they’ve got a screw loose."
"That’s true."
However, if a local could immediately grasp this content, they would be an incredibly valuable talent for me.
"Well then, Yuki-san, is that all for the explanation?"
"Yeah. Ria explained most of it, and the rest is best seen in person. Seeing is believing, after all."
"What was that last part?"
"It’s a proverb from my world. It means that hearing something a hundred times isn't as good as seeing it once."
"So... it’s better to see it for yourself than to have it explained over and over."
"You’re quick to understand."
"Not at all, it’s just a logical statement. However, there are still things that are hard to understand based on the information so far..."
"Well, like I said at the start, this is just the basic knowledge. You’ll be learning about how Weed was founded later on."
"I see. I suppose I must also get the situation and history of this continent into my head."
"...To be learning at my age... the world is vast, isn't it?"
"Humans study until they die, after all."
"I believe that is true."
"Well, some people say life is just a way to kill time until you die."
"That’s a rather heartless way to put it."
"You think so? It’s just the difference between calling it 'studying' or 'killing time,' isn't it? For me, it feels more like killing time than studying."
"May I ask why?"
"It’s suffocating, isn't it? Studying until you die. I’m going to spend my time until I die just like this, getting along with my wives."
I said that and scooped Ria up into my arms.
"Hmm. I understand your feelings, Yuki-san, but as your wives, we intend to be with you until the very end."
"That makes me happy."
"...So, it’s a matter of personal perspective, then."
As we were chatting, a message came in from Aslin and the others.
"Looks like dinner is ready."
"I wonder what kind of food Aslin-chan and the others made?"
"They can cook normally, so I don't think there’ll be anything that tastes bad."