第２０１掘：動き出す敵と今日の御飯 (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 201: The Enemy Begins to Move and Today’s Meal**
**Side: ??? – Enaria Royal Capital**
"...!! ...!?"
It’s noisy outside.
I had finally managed to fall into a deep sleep after three straight nights of staying awake...
"Honestly, I’ll have to give them a piece of my mind. They’ve got some nerve, disturbing my slumber."
Still half-asleep, I tumble out of bed and head toward the door leading to the noisy hallway.
*Thud, thud... clatter, crash, clang.*
"Ah, geez. My books, my documents, my materials..."
Well, I suppose it’s my fault for leaving them scattered all over the floor. But still, none of this would have happened if they hadn't disturbed my sleep.
"Yep, I’m not at fault. For now, I’ll just head outside."
As for the room... Prism is back, so I’ll have her help me clean up later. Since this place doubles as my laboratory and my private quarters, I can't just let anyone in. If someone incompetent touched my things, something disastrous might happen.
I finally manage to reach the door to the hallway. It feels strange to have to struggle just to leave my own room. The noise outside shows no signs of subsiding.
"Honestly, you’re so loud!! Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep!?"
I throw the door open and shout at the top of my lungs. Naturally, the group causing the commotion nearby turns their attention toward me, and the noise stops.
"So, what’s the cause of all this? You do realize this entire area doubles as my laboratory and private quarters, right? And you know how important my research is."
That’s right. I am a person of considerable status here in the Holy Kingdom of Enaria. This laboratory is located right inside the Royal Castle of the Enaria capital. That fact alone should tell you how important I am.
"U-uh, well, you see..."
The soldier I’m staring at stammers, opening his mouth. Did I intimidate him too much? At this rate, it’s going to take forever to get an answer.
"You there, you shameless woman. Cover your chest. Even if you don't have much, you’re still a woman, so you should have some sense of modesty."
"Eh?"
At those words, I shift my gaze from the soldier to my own body. My shirt is disheveled, the buttons have popped off, and my chest is fully exposed—not just one side, but everything. Furthermore, I’m not wearing any pants or a skirt underneath, so if it weren't for the shirt, I’d be completely naked.
"Oh, my. That’s embarrassing. You could have told me, you know."
"I-I am terribly sorry."
"What are you talking about? Considering your position, how could I possibly make such a careless remark?"
"I don't intend to throw my weight around regarding such matters."
"You certainly seemed to be throwing your weight around about your sleep being disturbed, though."
"That’s different, isn't it? I was *just* about to fall asleep."
Exactly. No matter the reason, disturbing someone’s sleep is unforgivable. If you don't sleep, you die, after all. It’s a matter of asserting one's right to survival.
"You say 'just,' but when was the last time you actually slept?"
"Let’s see... three days ago?"
"You haven't slept since the day you met me!? That’s bad for your health, no matter how you look at it!!"
"Ah, please, spare me the loud voice. I just woke up, after all. Anyway, since you’re here, do you know why these soldiers are making such a racket? General Prism, the Dual-Wielding Magic Sword User?"
Well then, let’s get to the bottom of this so I can go back to sleep. It’s fortunate that my friend who can clean up my room has arrived.
"I actually came to talk to you about that. Or rather, His Majesty is calling for you. Go change your clothes for now. It’s going to be a formal audience. I’ll explain the situation while you change. Agil Thomson, discoverer of the Holy Sword and wielder of the Lightning Magic Sword."
"Huh? Is this commotion really that big of a deal?"
"Just go back to your room and put on your formal attire!!"
Following her order, I’m dragged back into my messy room. Ah, formal attire... where did I put that again?
***
**Side: Yuki**
For now, we ate dinner on the day of our arrival and disbanded after a light conversation. Well, there’s no point in rushing things on the first day; we’ll just have to take it easy. If there were a rebellion or an enemy army attacking on the very first day, defending would be impossible anyway. Sometimes, knowing when to give up is key. Or maybe it’s about knowing when to retreat?
"Big Brother, I’m done peeling!"
"Oh, thanks."
I thank Aslin and take the peeled ingredients from her.
"Brother, is this the pot I should use?"
"Yeah, that’s the one."
Firia hands me the pot for cooking. I finish preparing the stove and think a bit about today’s menu—or rather, about various other things.
"Yuki-san, but why are you cooking lunch yourself again? We are, after all, of higher standing than Horst-san, the lord... the servants are quite intimidated."
Shera glances toward the kitchen entrance, where the cooks and servants are standing at attention, looking tense.
"I guess that’s what happens when I cook. But this is necessary for the future of this city, too."
"Because of your delicious cooking, Yuki-san?"
"Whether it’s delicious or not depends on the person. Well, it’s also necessary to discuss the future of the city with Horst-san. Anyway, let’s get to stir-frying."
I move my eyes, looking for a frying pan...
"Here, Yuki. A frying pan."
"Oh, as expected of Labyris."
"Of course. Now, I’m coming up."
The petite, busty girl fulfills my wish and climbs onto me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It happens all the time, so it would be a waste of time to complain.
"It’s okay, I don't mind if you want to do it once."
"That’s not the kind of 'climbing' I meant."
"What a shame."
"Um, Yuki-san, what do you mean by 'for the sake of the city's future'?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
I decide to explain the future plans to Shera while I cook.
"Shera, what did you think of Horst and the city yesterday?"
"Let’s see. It doesn't compare to Weed, but the governance is impressive. He seems to have captured the hearts of the people."
"Yeah, I thought so too. So, you understand that we can't just do whatever we want with this city, right?"
"Yes. Forced governance breeds resentment."
"And how do we avoid doing it by force?"
"Well... Horst-san might have some issues as a lord, but pointing them out in the current situation would only invite backlash from the townspeople. I think the best approach is to have our ideas permeate the city with Horst-san as the figurehead."
"Exactly. That’s the first step. Weed’s system has a lot of unconventional things, after all. I thought I’d start with something everyone loves: food. I want to capture their hearts through their stomachs. There’s room for improvement in the defense sector, too, but if I suddenly change things today, it’ll cause problems, right?"
"Indeed..."
Cooperation from the townspeople is essential for defense. No matter how strong a castle is, it’s fragile if it crumbles from within. If we ignore the popular Horst and something like that happens, it would be a disaster. It’s like we’ve acquired a large city from a beastman village. The Zilba royal capital isn't bad, but this place is better suited as a base. Escaping is fine, but if this place falls, it’ll be a hassle for us, so I’ll make sure it’s done right.
"The enemy isn't coming today or tomorrow. First, let’s make sure we’re standing on solid ground. Now, Shera, could you go get some cheap wine from those people standing at attention? We could make it with just our Weed supplies, but that wouldn't be very polite."
"Yes, understood!!"
Shera runs toward the servants, her cute rabbit ears twitching.
"Now, let’s put some heart into this cooking."
Food is important at all times. It’s a part of daily life, something inseparable. Even after coming to this distant, different world, it’s an important thing that reminds me of home. That said, I’m just making stew. I’d need a lot of guts to try making sashimi or miso soup in the New Continent right away. I’ll play it safe.
**Side: Agil Thomson – Enaria Royal Capital**