第２７９堀：ｕｎｋｎｏｗｎ (Part1)
**Chapter 279: Unknown**
**Side: Yuki**
The current time is 3:00 AM.
Damn, I’m sleepy.
Waking up this early is quite a change from the usual. Do I look like a newspaper delivery boy to you?
I tried to go to bed early, thinking it would be for the best, but waking up at this hour actually feels worse. Still, my wives worry if I don’t get enough rest. I wonder what the best approach is.
Well, it’s not like this happens often. I guess I have no choice but to accept it.
"Jessica. Wake up."
"Nn..."
I shake Jessica, who is sleeping beside me.
For this pre-dawn guard duty, it’s Jessica’s turn. Among my four guard wives, she’s the only one with actual military experience. Since she’s used to nighttime operations, I’m having her accompany me this time. The plan is for her to handle the guard duty from late night until morning, then tag out with the other three. The others should be resting soundly in their own rooms.
"Ah, Yuki. Is it already that time?"
"Yeah."
Jessica sounds sleepy, but she answers clearly. Since she was asleep, her *yukata* is disheveled, leaving her ample chest fully exposed. Honestly, between Rurua, Samantha, and now Jessica... why do they all maintain such perfect shapes, defying gravity like that?
Perhaps she noticed me staring at her chest, because Jessica pushes them upward with both hands and thrusts them toward me.
"Would you like to?"
"No. Not today."
"...I see."
For some reason, she looks sad. Well, I can't help it. The task ahead is going to be quite grueling. Usually, it’s become a routine to wake up with her doing that with her large chest, but...
"Well, once today’s work is done, we can do it to our heart's content."
"Yes! Let’s do our best!!"
Oh, I see. So that’s what gets her fired up.
It seems I’m destined to be drained dry even after the work is finished. I don’t dislike it—in fact, I love it—but why do the wives end up looking so radiant while I’m the only one who ends up withered? Is it unfair? Or is it because I use them as body pillows, so I should just give up? Jessica, for one, lets me squeeze her breasts as much as I want.
Thinking about that, I hurriedly get dressed and step out into the quiet, sleeping hallway.
"It’s... quiet. Everyone is still asleep."
"I suppose so. The fact that we’re burning energy means everyone else is recharging theirs."
"Ah, no, that’s not what I meant. It’s just a strange atmosphere. It’s usually quite lively, but at this hour, it’s so still."
Ah, I see what she means. The world at night always leaves a different impression.
"I understand that feeling. But let’s save the appreciation for another time. For now, let’s leave quietly so we don’t wake anyone up."
"Yes."
We slip through the hallway and out the entrance, only to find...
"Safe travels, Master, Lady Jessica."
"Au."
Kirue was standing at the entrance with Shael.
"Did we wake you?" I ask instinctively.
Kirue immediately shakes her head.
"No. Shael’s nighttime crying had settled down, so we were taking a little walk. It was around the time you and Lady Jessica were scheduled to leave, so we were waiting for you."
"I see. Thank you. Kirue, Shael, we’re heading out."
"Thank you. Kirue-san, Shael. Mama will be back soon, okay?"
"Uu? Aa, aa."
As Jessica strokes her head, Shael reaches out, demanding to be held. But we have to go, so we can’t pick her up. Jessica walks out the door, looking back longingly without picking her up. Shael, ignored, becomes grumpy, tears welling up as she lets out a cry.
"Uuu!! Uuu!!"
"Yes, yes, Shael. Jessica-mama has work to do. You’re a good girl, so let’s be patient. Everything will be fine here, so please do your best."
"I’ll leave Shael to you."
"...P-please do."
We leave the inn, but... didn't Jessica sound like she was choking up?
I look over at her, and she’s crying.
"Uuu, my child wants me, but I have to leave her behind... I’m sorry, Shael. Mama will definitely come back."
Hmm. Jessica has really softened up since becoming a wife. Ever since the other wives gave birth, she’s become even gentler—or perhaps her maternal instincts are just in full bloom.
Well, we’re far enough from the inn now. Let’s just use ring-teleportation to get there quickly.
"Oh, you’ve arrived."
When I reach the military command room, Steve is already there, working on various things. For now, Jessica and I take our seats.
"Coffee, sir?"
"Yeah, black."
"The same for me, please."
"Understood."
Steve takes our requests and heads to the nearby server to pour the coffee. I take the cup placed before me and take a sip.
Bitter.
At times like this, a bitter black coffee is exactly what’s needed to blow away the sleepiness. The heat adds a synergistic effect to keep me awake.
"Nothing beats bitter black coffee when you’ve just woken up, sir."
Steve is drinking his black coffee with an equally bitter expression. Naturally, Jessica beside me is doing the same.
"So, how is the investigation by the advance team?"
I stop drinking my coffee and ask Steve about the main issue. Steve sets his cup down to talk to me, shaking his head.
"We haven't found anything, sir. After the weapon survey finished yesterday, we released animals for reconnaissance, but there’s nothing that looks like it."
"What about the birds?"
"It was already evening, so the sun went down quickly, and we couldn't use them at all. Only the owls are out scouting, but their range is quite limited."
They say birds have poor night vision, after all. Well, there are many nocturnal species, but generally, it’s a jab at the fact that birds are quiet and inactive at night. Oh, and the reason I’m not sending out Aslin’s Ten Demon Beasts is to avoid alerting the enemy. Since they are the last Holy Sword user, they might be highly sensitive to such things. If I provoke them carelessly and they unleash their trump card—a monster—the damage would be catastrophic. That’s why we’re conducting the investigation with animals, trying not to stir them up.
"How much of the area have you been able to survey?"