第２４１掘：聖女の願いの残り (Part1)
"Ah, right. I was completely an extra. Back then, I used the area-of-effect healing magic with Rurua, but Rurua took all the credit. Yeah, I get it. You wouldn't expect the man who came with the Saintess to be able to use large-scale healing magic, would you? You'd think Rurua did it all. After all, I was completely ignored.
"Saintess, please look at my child!!"
"Please!! My daughter, my daughter has a high fever!!"
"I beg you!! Please, look at my husband's wounds!! He was caught in the collapse..."
Well, once we went outside, we were found by ordinary citizens. It seems my wives, who had been so active, weren't just ordinary passersby.
"Understood. However, I cannot treat them here in the middle of this thoroughfare. Let us head to the Grand Cathedral."
"Excuse me, please make way!! We can't move like this!!"
Rurua and Milly said this as they responded, but looking around, there were mountains of people who seemed to be patients. Wouldn't the Grand Cathedral be unable to hold them all?
Thinking this, I called out to Eris and Ratz, who were being jostled along with us.
"Eris, Ratz, this is going to be difficult. I'm sorry, but could you two handle the treatment of the injured outside? Just tell anyone who seems serious to head to the Grand Cathedral."
As I said this, all eyes turned to me from the surrounding people.
...What is this man? That's what they seemed to be thinking.
"Hey!! Don't look at someone else's husband so rudely!!"
"If you're rude to our husband, we won't treat you!!"
At those words, the crowd immediately parted.
Seriously, what are they so surprised about?
Please stop looking at me with such intense curiosity.
"Alright, for now, those who want Rurua and Milly's treatment, head to the Grand Cathedral. Those who want our treatment, come to the plaza."
"After that, we'll visit those who can't leave their homes. Please follow us."
With that, Ratz and Eris led the crowd away.
Then, the crowd thinned a bit, and Rurua and Milly led the remaining people to the Grand Cathedral.
"I should have asked for guards..."
"You really should have. But, isn't it fine? It's all going according to plan, isn't it?"
"Yeah. According to plan, we split into two groups. Nina and the helpers."
That's right, two days have passed since then, and we were finally granted an audience with the elderly High Priest.
Well, I suppose it's quite a strain to be able to move around after only five days from that huge commotion.
And so, as planned, some secret society or other followed us as we left the castle, just as they had declared.
How obvious can you be?
See? Easy, right?
It was a tail, as if to say, "See? Easy, right?"
Anyway, I don't have an artistic eye, so I didn't understand the "Easy, right?" part.
"You know, at least try to remember the name of the other person."
"No, I don't know why, but I just can't remember the names of our enemies this time. We didn't confront them head-on, and I don't think they were particularly beautiful."
"...You're not someone whose memory is swayed by beauty or ugliness, so tell me the truth."
"Yeah, I'm not very interested."
"Haa... But if you don't act so unmotivated, they probably wouldn't be alive, you know."
"..."
"After all, if Peace's story is correct, they're the ones who killed the previous Dungeon Master. ...For us, they're an enemy that must be eliminated immediately. I acknowledge the value of information, but there's no reason to keep them alive."
As Seraria said, if we want to ensure our safety, killing them quickly is the best course of action. However, they can solve our problems with information and manpower.
From my conversation with Sia and the others, it seems there was a reason for their actions, and if we can achieve mutual understanding, I think we can get along well... but for my wives, they are an opponent with a proven track record of endangering my life.
If I hadn't played up my terrible treatment to evoke sympathy, I would probably be a corpse by now.
"Well, thanks to your terrible treatment, we were able to talk to Sia and the others as people before deciding to kill them. It seems there was a considerable reason for killing the previous Dungeon Master."
"Killing them would only incur the wrath of the enemy. We can kill them after we know the truth, or after we've captured all of them."
That's right, we can deal with them anytime.
The problem is, what happened that led to the previous Dungeon Master being killed?
If it was a trouble related to dungeon management, I might make the same mistake, so I want to get that information.
Also, if it's related to the cause of magic depletion, I absolutely want to know.
In fact, she said she'd leave the rest to Peace, so it's obvious she didn't kill him because she wanted to.
I don't know what happened, but as a result, she wishes for the extinction of humans. However, I have my own circumstances, so I'll do as I please.
"For now, the enemy is watching us as they declared. We'll use Rurua and the others as bait and have a leisurely chat with the High Priest."
"...We have almost all the information about the enemy, yet they only know about Rurua and... well, Milly."
"Milly was the only one flying around in the sky killing monsters, and she's the only one who was seen. Well, one of the observers followed Eris and Ratz when they split up, so they've probably investigated us to some extent. We're not hiding anything, so I wish they'd hurry up and investigate Betan too, and then attack us."
"That seems like it would be the quickest way to finish this. If they rampage in areas we haven't reached, we won't be able to stop them."
In that sense too, I'm keeping them alive.
If a large amount of magic were to spread in an unregulated area and cause a massive dragon outbreak, it would be a disaster.
As we were talking, we arrived at the Grand Cathedral.
"Welcome. We have been expecting you."
The old man from before was waiting with many subordinates.
"Thank you for the welcome. And as you can see, some people followed us, so may we treat them inside?"
"Yes, you are indeed the Saintess and her companions. Please use it as you wish. We will assign sisters to assist you, so please take care of the people."
The old man gave instructions to the sisters, who then guided the accompanying patients inside, lining them up to make it easier for us.
"For now, we'll go talk to the High Priest, so Rurua and Milly, please take care of things here."
"Yes, leave it to us."
"Understood. You two, please handle that."
The two of them will stay here to treat the patients and stall Nina, who is tracking them.
And then, Seraria and I will hear what the High Priest wanted to talk about.
"Then, please follow me."
With that, we were surrounded by priests and led to the back of the Grand Cathedral.
...Since the area directly below has been turned into a dungeon, this is practically my backyard.
Of course, Ria and Deryu are on standby for surveillance.
Jessica is guarding Princess Miffy.
"Please, have a seat."
In a room we were led to, which I assume was a reception room, we both sat on sofas.
Then, a waiting sister brought us tea.
Black tea, of course.
I wonder if they don't have green tea...
While thinking such trivial thoughts, I confirmed there was no poison and drank the black tea.
Yeah, I really prefer green tea.
"So, what did you mean by 'you should not get involved with the Enaria royal family'?"
While I was harboring such dissatisfaction in my heart, Seraria cut to the chase.
That's right, Seraria is a black tea person, so she probably doesn't mind.
Ever since we came to Enaria, the drinks have been black tea.
When I was in Betan, I could do as I pleased, but I can't do that in Enaria.
Moreover, since we are guests, I can't just say, "Oh, I brought my own drinks!"
Do you understand? The feeling of being forced to drink black tea all day long, even though I'm Japanese!!
"Haha, I'd say there's no need to rush, but given our positions, it's not good to talk for too long. Let's get this done quickly. Is that alright?"
"I don't mind. What do you say, you?"