第２５９堀：動き出す欠片たち (Part1)
## Chapter 259: The Fragments Begin to Stir
Well, I inserted a side story, but that's almost entirely unrelated, so this one will proceed as usual. Those who read the side story will understand that they should not get involved with the "Certain-Victory Dungeon." After all, Yuki is the protagonist of this stage. If they come, they'll be devoured.
Now, that's enough for the prologue. From here, we'll accelerate.
### The Fragments Begin to Stir
**Side: Nina, Holy Sword User**
Late at night.
I walked alone down an empty corridor. Unlike that place, the moon peered through the window, faintly illuminating the corridor and showing me the way. How many times have I visited this place now? How many years has it been since my last visit?
Yes, this was the orphanage she had founded. Before I knew it, it was being called the continent's foremost magical academy... It had already undergone numerous expansions and renovations, leaving no trace of its former appearance as an orphanage. No, it had already surpassed the size of the orphanage by more than tenfold, so it should probably be called something entirely different. Yet, parts of this academy's structure still evoked the orphanage of that day.
Ah, with every step, I remembered. She frequently visited here, checking to ensure that the children she had taken in lacked nothing. If anything were to happen to her, it would be a crisis for the orphanage's very existence, yet she visited frequently, even knowing that. We, too, would rush to escort her and play with the children of the orphanage. The sister entrusted with the orphanage never sought to learn our true identities, simply treating us as good friends.
“It was you, then…”
As I gazed at the moon through the corridor window, I heard a voice address me. Feeling no particular killing intent, I slowly turned to find Vice Principal Lara standing there.
“Oh, long time no see.”
“Indeed, Lady Nina. I'm glad to see you well.”
She is one of the few people who still knows about us, the Holy Sword Users. It's fortunate that she's an Elf. While not immortal like us, she too ages only slowly. Acquaintances who were human have long since passed away, but seeing her reminds me that the time we lived through truly existed.
“You've become even more beautiful.”
Seeing Lara, I honestly thought so. We Holy Sword Users are older than her. Therefore, her growth brings me great joy. Is this what a mother feels? Did she, too, harbor such feelings?
“Thank you.”
Lara said, bowing politely. I felt a slight pang of loneliness at her formality. Well, we've mostly left her to her own devices, so it can't be helped. My purpose wasn't to check on Lara, so I should get straight to the main topic. For events are about to set in motion once more.
“I came here on business with Principal Popuri. Is she in?”
When I asked, Lara nodded, turned her back, and began to walk. I followed after her. How many years has it been since I last came here? Thanks to that, I didn't know where the principal's office was and had been wandering around the academy late at night. As I was thinking such thoughts, we must have arrived at the principal's office, as Lara was preparing to open the door in front of me. Seeing her, I couldn't help but think how truly grown-up she had become. Of course, it's probably strange that I, a Holy Sword User, have known Lara, an Elf, since she was a child.
“Principal. You have a visitor.”
“Huh? At this hour?”
A familiar voice came from beyond the door. Lara didn't wait for a reply, opening the door and urging me to enter. Well, we're not strangers to each other, so she probably thought it was fine to skip the formalities.
“Ugh, Nina.”
“'Ugh' is rude, isn't it?”
Upon entering the principal's office, I saw the same small Popuri from back then, doing paperwork while popping candy from a jar into her mouth.
“Honestly, after all this time, Popuri, you haven't changed at all.”
“Hmph, I'm better than you lot, who are always plotting gloomy, underhanded schemes in the basement.”
“Oh, you're one to talk. Seriously, stop sucking on those candies. You're not a child anymore. Oh, wait, are you still a child in both appearance and mind? No, my apologies.”
“You! You lot are completely old hags on the inside, too! Your outsides might be young, but your insides are decrepit, aren't they? Ugh, it's annoying. Every single one of you, when we meet, it's always 'Stop sucking on candies' and 'Act like a principal should.' Do you know what that's called? It's called 'an old person's cold water.' You old farts!!”
“Hah!? You really don't act like a principal should, Popuri!!”
“Still as impulsive as ever, and blind as a bat, aren't you? The fact that I've maintained this academy until now proves how suitable I am as principal. If I weren't suitable, I would have been removed from the position already. It's not like I couldn't get along with the country, unlike you lot!!”
“…”
Told that by Popuri, I fell silent. Seeing my silence, Popuri seemed to realize what she had said, her face taking on a slightly awkward expression.
“...My apologies. I spoke too harshly.”
“...I spoke too harshly as well.”
Both Popuri and I apologized to each other. But there was one thing I absolutely had to say.
“It's true that we couldn't get along with the country. But that's because the country, because people, are foolish!!”
Yes, they trampled on our wishes, shattered the signs of peace, and ignited further wars. Not only that, they imprisoned us, forced us to create demon swords, and showed us that there were only scoundrels who pursued nothing but their own nation's profit.
…The country, people, should perish.
That was the one thing I could never concede. However, upon hearing those words, Popuri looked at me with cold eyes.
“That topic again? ...Haa. Certainly, I think the treatment you received was cause for indignation. But you lot were also utterly unreasonable. I've said it many times before.”
“Why is stopping war and achieving peace 'unreasonable'?”
“...It was the *means*. Your methods weren't about gradually moving towards peace. You used the full power of the Holy Swords to forcibly bring about peace in an extremely short period.”
“What's wrong with that? The sooner peace is achieved, the more people will be saved.”
“No, that's wrong. With the forced peace you brought about, the very people you wished to be happiest could never truly be happy. That isn't peace. It was indeed peace by force. But the result is the current situation, isn't it? No matter how much you desired peace, the hatred between nations wouldn't simply vanish. True peace comes from gradually creating such a flow. They joined hands, obeying you, the strong ones, but peace didn't permeate to the core of the nations. Rather, a forced ceasefire is an evil to be shattered for those whose hatred and sorrow have festered. In such a state, even a nation could erupt into civil war. And it's the common people who suffer the consequences. That's why the nations imprisoned you, hoping for a gradual path to peace. ...I believe that was the best possible course of action at the time.”
“But they used us as tools.”
“...Ah. I agree that was wrong.”
“Then how was that the best course of action?! For four hundred years, until now, the conflicts have never ceased!! It should be obvious!! The answer must be clear: people are not worth saving!!”
“...Yes. Perhaps you're right.”
“Then why won't you help us? Popuri, though you don't possess a Holy Sword, you are a great sorceress who inherited magic from her!! You were raised alongside us by her!! So…”
I tried to continue, but Popuri's sharp gaze, fixed on me, stopped my words.