第２０２掘：けっ (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 202: Tch**
Side: Yuki
In a corner of Betan, the city governed by Horst, a small, pale light overflowed.
As the light faded, I spoke.
"There, all fixed. If a boy cries forever, his mother will worry."
When I said that, the boy, who had been crying over his scraped knee, looked blank. He stared at his leg, then hopped around to check if the pain was gone.
"Thanks, mister!!"
"O-Oh, wait!! I-I am so sorry!!"
Realizing he was healed, the energetic little boy thanked me. The mother beside him, perhaps knowing who I was, turned pale.
Well, I am the head of the occupying force. Given the common sense of this world, that reaction is only natural.
However, I have no intention of acting like a tyrant. I need to be accepted by the townspeople, so I’ll behave like a gentleman.
Actually, even in Japan, anyone who gets angry over a gesture like this would be considered abnormal.
Ah, though I can’t guarantee the same for "missus" when it comes to women. Some women show no mercy, even to children.
"Don't worry about it. To him, I'm just a nice mister. Oh, and though I healed the wound with magic, as you can see, he's still covered in blood. You should wash or wipe it off somewhere. Is there a water source nearby?"
"Yeah, it's over there, mister!"
"T-This child..."
"It's fine that he's energetic, isn't it? Alright, as a thank you for healing your knee, will you guide me to the water source?"
"Okay, follow me, mister!!"
Just like that, the boy took my hand and started pulling me along.
"Whoa, you'll fall again if you rush."
"I'm okay. I just let my guard down before. Say, aren't the ladies who were next to you coming too?"
"“M-Missus!?”"
Ah, it seems "missus" is a landmine word for Ria and Jessica, too. Their faces were twitching.
"P-Please forgive us!! Please, please!!"
The mother was even more desperate than before. Being a woman herself, she must have realized just how forbidden that word was.
"You don't understand a girl's heart," said little Aslin, Firia, and Shera, who were following beside me, lecturing the boy.
No, there’s no way he could understand that.
"What’s with you guys? Are you the mister’s kids?"
"We are not!! We are his brides!!"
"That’s right!!"
"Please correct that. We are his wives. We are definitely not Yuki-san’s children. If anything, we are the ones who will bear his children."
Shera, don't explain it so seriously. He really won't understand.
"Well, whatever. Mister, the well is over here."
Phew, I'm glad he's the type who doesn't care about things he can't understand. If he kept asking for explanations, things would get complicated.
"That age is just like that. Everyone, calm down."
"Unyu... If Labyris-chan says so."
"Muu. Understood."
"...You're right. We were being a bit immature."
At Labyris's words, the little ones quieted down.
"No, it’s just a child speaking. Please, don't let it bother you."
"Yes, exactly. I'm just glad your child is alright."
Ria and Jessica were talking to the mother like that. By the way, the beastmen group was waiting at the mansion, as we weren't sure how the townspeople would treat them yet.
Watching everyone, I let the boy pull me toward the water source at a light jog.
"Hey, mister. There's a girl back there with two huge things in her chest. Isn't that heavy? Isn't it in the way?"
"...I wonder."
Yeah, that's the normal reaction.
Only those who have seen the real thing would believe that Labyris's "bouncing assets" are genuine. They are that big. Yet, there’s no unnaturalness to them. It just means Labyris is used to them. Well, they jiggle even with a bra on when she moves, so if you look closely, you can tell they're real.
"Whoa!! Labyris-chan, calm down!!"
"Using that sword is definitely a bad idea!!"
"The city will be sliced in half, including the defensive walls!!"
"A kid who doesn't even know colors called my chest a nuisance!! Don't stop me!!"
Stop it, Labyris. You’re going to destroy the city.
"Here it is, mister."
While I was listening to the shouting behind me, it seemed we had arrived at the well.
I thought my guards, Ria and Jessica, were still talking to the boy's mother, but they were suddenly right beside me.
Hmm, I'm happy they're doing their job as guards. I don't think I'd be able to wander the city alone.
"Heh, thanks. You go ahead and wash your knee clean."
"Yeah."
When I said that, the boy headed straight for the well and pulled the rope to draw water. His mother was right beside him, watching carefully to make sure he didn't fall in. She caught my eye and gave a slight bow.
"So this is the water source, the well. I knew it, but it's inconvenient and dangerous."
"I think that can't be helped."
"Weed is just abnormal."
"That's true. But as far as easy-to-improve locations go, there's nothing better than this."
"Indeed. Horst-dono has accepted the improvements to the food supply, but that only applies to people who have the luxury of spending money on food."
Right, even if I want to capture people's hearts through their stomachs, I can't provide it for free forever, so it has to be sold. Naturally, that doesn't help those without money—those who can't afford to live.
The solution to that is improving the water supply. As expected, the mainstream method on this continent is drawing water from a well. So, we'll introduce pumps and frame it as a public works project between the lord and us. That way, regardless of wealth, people won't have to spend their energy on the labor of drawing water.
"Once they get used to it, I'll install running water, too. But this is the first step."
"True. If we suddenly installed water and sewage systems, the townspeople wouldn't be able to keep up."
"In that regard, toilets are still a long way off, aren't they..."
"...Couldn't we prioritize the installation of toilets?"
"...I agree with Ria's opinion. It's a matter of hygiene and directly linked to people's lives, so we should install them regardless of whether they understand the concept yet."
"You're not saying that because the smell is bad or because you don't want your own business to be seen, right?"
"“...”"
The two of them looked away.
"No, I don't think that's bad. I wouldn't want other men to see my two wives doing their business, either."
"Thank you very much!!"