第２３３掘：動きだす過去とイレギュラー (Part1)
In the deep underground, where light cannot reach, a dim flame flickered, illuminating the surroundings.
It was so dark that a single candle could only manage this much.
Without fear, without hesitation, I walked on through the darkness.
My footsteps echoed, *clack, clack*.
A sound I'd heard countless times, a path I'd walked countless times. What had I felt the first time I visited this place...?
"...Why am I thinking about that now?"
I unconsciously voiced my thoughts and denied them.
I have no right to look back.
After acting as I did, after taking this place, and now doing this, I truly am not permitted to dwell on the past.
"...What's wrong? Aren't you coming inside?"
"...My apologies. I'll enter immediately."
Before I knew it, I was standing before the door to our destination, frozen in place until a voice from behind called out to me.
At any rate, I entered quickly and sat in my chair.
I placed the candle on the table before me; it was a long, unchanged table.
How many times had we exchanged opinions at this very table...
As I gazed at the table illuminated by the candlelight, others gradually gathered, more candles appeared, more light filled the room, and the space became faintly discernible.
In a corner of the room stood a wooden shelf.
It was so old that I could tell even in this darkness.
"Nostalgic?"
A voice echoed in the room.
At the word, I instinctively turned around.
There sat our leader, looking at me.
"...I am sorry. I was just... just for a moment, remembering. I know it's foolish to look back now, but..."
Before I knew it, everyone had taken their seats and was looking at me.
"No, there's no need to apologize."
The leader spoke, then turned his gaze to the old shelf I had been staring at.
Everyone else also turned their eyes in the same direction.
"I... feel the same. Every time I come here, I think about it. As you say, perhaps we have no right to look back, but it can't be helped that we remember. After all, this is undeniably where our beginning was."
With those words, I turned my gaze back to the old shelf.
Now it was an empty, old shelf, but the companions gathered here all had memories tied to it.
Considering the time we had spent together, it felt like an instant.
But even so, I could recall it vividly.
...The face of the person who saved us.
...And the way they died.
"...For our beliefs, for what we held dear, we betrayed those we cared about."
The leader murmured.
I and everyone else turned our gazes back to the leader upon hearing his voice.
"But even those beliefs were meaningless. Perhaps it was only natural. In the end, we were betrayed as well. Betraying and being betrayed, here we are."
The leader slowly scanned our faces.
After looking at everyone, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled his words.
"Enough reminiscing. From now on, we can only atone. At the very least, let us handle our own mistakes. And after that, we will entrust it to Peace."
As the leader spoke, everyone, including myself, nodded.
"The preparations are complete. Now, we only need to act and accomplish our goals."
And with those words as a signal, I stood from my chair and raised a certain sword.
"For the unseen tomorrow!"
"\"\"For the unseen tomorrow!\"\""
Now, I shall do what I must.
side: Yuki
"Kushun!!"
Whoops, no.
"Oh, what a cute sneeze."
Ah, so I was seen after all.
Damn it, why does my sneeze always come out like this?
I can't do a cool, manly "Hee-ckshoo!"
"Ratz, keep this a secret from everyone."
Yeah, if it's not a secret, it'll ruin my reputation.
A cute sneeze... you know?
"No, what are you talking about now? Everyone already knows. They say your sneezes are cute. The ones who saw you were all smiling, so I guess I can smile now too."
"Oh, the wives are going to tease me..."
Can't hide anything between a married couple, huh...
While I was feeling a little down, Ratz grinned and continued.
"Nufufufu..., seeing you like this makes me so happy as your wife. Today is my turn, so I'm feeling all fired up. But, putting that aside, you're not catching a cold, are you?"
"Ah, my nose was just ticklish. I haven't heard of any Doppelgangers getting sick, and I'm getting enough sleep."
Doppelgangers are monsters, but since they've taken human form, they have metabolism and get tired when they move.
So, it's not impossible for them to catch a cold, but for now, I don't have any of the joint pain or other symptoms of a cold.
"Then, it must be one of the remaining members talking about you. Everyone loves you so much."
"...That's right. I asked them to stay behind, putting them in a difficult position, so they must be worried."
Lately, since coming to the new continent, we've been splitting up so much. I'm causing them trouble...
And I have a daughter, but I'm leaving her entirely to my wives...
"It's okay. You always think of us like this. That's why we, and the members who stayed behind, trust you and want you to move forward with peace of mind."
"Ratz..."
"That's right~. If you want to apologize to us for something, then hurry up and finish Enaria's business and make us a delicious home-cooked meal."
"Ah, thank you. Though, we're camping out here tonight. I'll leave this to the Doppelgangers, and we'll be returning to Weed."
"Nahaha, that's easy~. But if it weren't for this method, I really couldn't keep up with you, brother. My daughter would be neglected."
"I'm really glad I'm a Dungeon Master. Normally, I couldn't easily bring my wife on an adventure like this, and if I had this much power, I'd have to be cautious even in my hometown."
"That's right. People with greedy hearts, or kidnappers, are things you normally have to worry about, but thanks to the Dungeon Master skill, that worry is minimal. I'm so glad I love you, brother."
Ratz said, throwing herself at me.
I like hugging my wives too, and Ratz is the bustiest among them, so her breasts feel good.
"Nufufufu.... I'm glad you're happy, brother. Let's have some fun when we get back to Weed."
With that, Ratz buried her face in my chest.
Yeah, my wife is cute.
"Aaaah, Ratz, that's unfair!!"
" ...You come back with firewood and find Ratz getting a hug?"
"No, Ria, Jessica, calm down. Today is Ratz's day..."
"That's right~. Today, brother and I are going to be lovey-dovey."
"\"Hmph\""
The two of them said that, looking frustrated.
Wait, is the light in their eyes not gone?
That's terrifying.
"Well, it's okay to hug you too. Ria and Jessica are both my wives, and besides, why don't you two join us today?"
"\"Really!?\""
Their eyes suddenly lit up, and they latched onto the idea.
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it, but I also have my daughter, and I can't always be with you, brother. But that would be sad for you, wouldn't it?"
"\"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.\""
No, I was just planning to relax and sleep...
"Then, for the two of you who aren't pregnant yet, it should be just right. Tori and the others have their own teams. After I go to my daughter, please take care of brother."
"\"Leave it to us!!\""
Whoa, am I going to be eaten?!