第２１７掘：動き出す者 (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 217: Those Who Set in Motion**
Indeed, the classic trope of those working in the shadows.
Just who could be the ones bearing ill will toward Yuki and his companions?!
Ah, sorry for the late update. Details in the afterword.
***
**Those Who Set in Motion**
**Side: Yuki**
Before me sits Olive, the trump card of the Zilba Empire and a wielder of magic swords, who had been stopped for questioning due to her suspicious behavior. Now, she is busy devouring a hamburger.
No, she’s practically inhaling it.
"As always, the food here is exquisite. Oh, could I have another one?"
Olive says something that I’m not entirely sure is a compliment, then demands more hamburger and proceeds to stash it away in her stomach.
"My, this one has a refreshing sauce on it. It’s quite to my liking."
What Olive is eating now is the grated daikon and ponzu sauce version. It’s a staple of Japanese-style hamburgers, and I’m a fan of it myself.
The question remains, however: what exactly did she come here for?
I’d prefer she finish her meal and get to talking, but...
"Ah, Big Sister Olive, that one is spicy!"
"It’s true, it’s super spicy!"
"It might be a little too hot for you, I think?"
"……That’s poison."
The little ones are all gathered around, happily eating their meals, so I can’t really scold them. Also, Labyris, spicy food isn't bad. Stop calling it poison; it’s bad for our reputation.
"I think the spicy one is delicious in its own way, but I guess it doesn't suit Labyris, huh?"
"It can't be helped, everyone has different tastes."
Riel and Tori say this while happily munching on the hamburgers topped with spicy sauce.
"If only we had some *abura-age* (fried tofu)..."
"No, I really don't think that goes with a hamburger..."
"What do you think? Yuki might have a recipe for it, you know."
Kaya is pushing her usual love for fried tofu, while Ria insists it’s impossible for a hamburger. And Jessica, as always, is under the impression that I’m a jack-of-all-trades.
...Hm? Wrapped fried food? It doesn't have to be fried tofu; if I wrap it in batter like a *tonkatsu* and bake it, wouldn't that keep the juices from spilling out? That might actually be pretty good.
"My, this hamburger is truly magnificent. To think one could enjoy the meat of an aged cow this much!"
"Indeed. This will become a specialty dish of Betan. Let’s immediately start purchasing the cattle that the farms no longer need. That should provide the farmers with funds and help them prosper."
Horst and his family are also enjoying the meal. His wife seems to be quite the capable businesswoman.
"Now, now, this dish was devised by Lord Yuki. You mustn't go saying such things on your own."
"Oh, my, please forgive me. I certainly didn't mean to slight Lord Yuki."
"No, no, it’s quite alright. Please, feel free to make use of this dish."
Even if I stopped it here, it’s a dish that would eventually be invented anyway. If this helps increase the food supply in the Betan region and boosts our reputation, it’s a win-win.
While chatting about such things, we decide to leave the talk about Olive’s business for after the meal and continue enjoying our dinner at a leisurely pace.
"Phew. Now then, is there any dessert?"
Somehow, this magic sword user just demanded dessert right after her hamburger.
"No, seriously, tell me why you came here. You didn't come all the way here just to play, did you?"
The conversation isn't progressing at all, so I can't exactly hand over dessert. Though, given that she didn't bring it up immediately, it probably isn't an urgent matter.
"Understood. Though, I’m not quite sure how to explain it. I reported the recent incident to the King, and I’ve received his reply."
"Wait, isn't that actually quite important? Didn't you need to gather at the fortress?"
"I came here to discuss the schedule for that gathering. A messenger has been sent to Mist as well. The reason I came all this way personally is that there are some things we need to get our stories straight on before you arrive."
"Get our stories straight?"
"Yes. In the initial report, the King intended to deploy a scorched-earth policy and retreat to the rear."
"Ah... well, the difference in military strength is pretty brutal."
"However, since the enemy disappeared due to the collapse, he decided to change the strategy and divert reinforcements from other fronts. And, to buy time in case they don't arrive in time, the Fifth Princess has been sent here."
"A princess, huh? Isn't that just a sacrificial lamb?"
"That is correct. If the reinforcements don't arrive in time, we will be at a significant disadvantage. One extra brave general won't be enough to turn the tide. But if that person is the Princess, the representative of the nation, it’s a different story."
"If they engage in negotiations, it buys time, and if they don't, Enaria will be criticized by other nations, slowing their movements."
"Exactly. As Hivia said, it’s easy when you only have to say it once for someone to understand. Now, the 'getting our stories straight' part concerns this Princess."
"What do you mean?"
"Would you understand if I said it was because of an unreasonable audience with the King?"
"Ah, so she's angry?"
"No. To save himself the trouble, the King told the Princess that you, the mercenary group, are the descendants of the royal family who departed four generations ago and went missing."
"So that's the story we need to align on..."
While Olive and I discussed the details of this cover story, my wives were enjoying their after-dinner tea, chatting idly about the situation.
"Yuki-san, you have it rough, don't you? Now you're an ancestor of the royal family."
"It's amazing how many titles you have."
"……Too many, I can't remember them all."
"Let's see, you're a Hero, right..."
"That's just what Ria says, and it's only our perception. On the continent where I was born, you're just the captain of a mercenary group, but on the continent where Weed is, you really do have so many titles."
"That's true. My ancestors being royalty—well, Seraria-san, myself, Rurua-san, and Deryu-san are your wives, so you're already part of the royal family as it stands. Besides, you're a messenger of the gods, so titles like that are trivial."
There are a lot of things, but no matter how you look at it, I fall into the category of an ordinary person. Back on Earth, I was definitely an ordinary person through and through. If I went back to Earth now, I’d be socially dead, no matter how you look at it.
"……And so, please handle the Princess properly."
"Got it. There’s no profit in internal squabbling."
I understood Olive’s concerns. We want to avoid a situation where we’re clashing with the Princess who came all this way, only to be unable to deal with the enemy. The fact that the King even included an explanation for us in the official orders suggests he’s worried that our defection would be a major headache.
"Phew. For now, I’ll return to the fortress tomorrow. You should come to the fortress in three days."
"Understood. For now, why don't you go get some rest in a room?"
"……I shall do that. I have to travel by horse all day tomorrow, after all."
Olive completely forgot about the dessert and left the dining hall, guided by a maid. Traveling by horse for a whole day must be exhausting; even driving a car is tough enough.
"Well, Olive is resting, but we still have dessert. Everyone wants some, right?"
" " "Yes!!!" " "
Whoa, I was overwhelmed by their voices.
"Haha... women are amazing..."
Beside me, Horst is also looking a bit taken aback by his own wife.
Even after eating all that.
So, sweets really do go into a separate stomach. Yeah, I could never do that.
"So, what kind of dessert did you serve over there?"
Seraria asks me this in the banquet hall. Unfortunately, Sakura and Sumire are already at their bedtime, so they aren't here.
"Uh, pudding. But that's not what you wanted to ask, is it?"