第２８０堀：怪獣の名前 (Part1)
Chapter 280: The Name of the Kaiju
Side: Yuki
The current time is 5:40 AM.
It has been approximately 40 minutes since the target was discovered.
Right now, the government building’s conference room is packed with my wives, Narjia, Peace, and the people I brought in on short notice: Popuri, Lara, and Taiki and his group.
Oh, and the Holy Sword users are in the dungeon, of course.
They’re just noisy, after all.
"Wait!? P-Peace!?"
"It has been a long time, Popuri. You’re as small as ever."
"Don't call me small!! ...Well, that’s not the point, though we can discuss that later. Why are you here!?"
"Um, Lady Popuri. Is that knight an acquaintance of yours?"
"No, Lara. It’s not just an acquaintance..."
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Peace Guardworld, who was summoned by the previous Dungeon Master to serve as a guardian."
"What!? Wait a minute!! If you’re a guardian, then Peace-san is..."
"A monster. A Dullahan-type. And the Demon Lord who triggered that Great War."
"D-Demon Lord!?"
"That did happen, didn't it? I was defeated in the battle against the thieves and slept underground until my magical power recovered. Literally covered in dirt, beneath the earth."
"...Thieves, you say. Is that all they are to you?"
"Yes. Just thieves. They took up the weapons my benefactor—my master—had created to grant their wishes, and used them to cut my master down. ...I can only call them thieves."
"...I see. I suppose we could have talked it out. But they chose that path. And I couldn't stop them."
"No, I knew that you, Popuri, were not involved. That is why I pursued them."
"...I appreciate your consideration, Peace. Thanks to you, the orphanage she left behind survived the Great War."
"We were consumed by rage, but we knew how much our master cherished the children who had no family. We knew she poured her own personal wealth into them. To us, it was something left behind by our final master. We kept guard monsters stationed there until the very end."
"...Yeah. Thank you."
"However, I am surprised. That this place, which was once an orphanage, has become the highest-ranking magical academy on the continent. You must have had a difficult time."
"...Not as difficult as you, Peace. So, when did you join up with Labyris and the others?"
"Labyris? Ah, yes. I awoke during the border dispute between Zilba and Enaria, and was promptly suppressed by the current Master."
"Ah. I recall hearing that a Magic Sword user and a blood-related Holy Sword user had been found or something. I thought it was just a tall tale. So Labyris and her group were participating in that conflict?"
"Yes. They had just arrived and knew almost nothing of the situation, so they were gathering information on various things."
"I see. And what do you mean by 'suppressed'?"
"It is embarrassing to admit, but I was having nightmares. I kept dreaming that the thieves were stealing various things from me, and when I woke up, I lashed out at the current Master, who happened to be there."
"That is, well..."
"I was suppressed quite easily. After that, I spent some time in Weed under house arrest, cooling my head. I’m sure you understand, but the current Master is several levels above the previous one."
"So it seems. I was handled quite roughly myself. You said you were cooling your head in Weed, but what is Weed like..."
The two of them, having enjoyed a nostalgic reunion, began to get excited talking about Weed.
I suppose it’s fine since the data isn't all here yet...
I have to get through this troublesome kaiju countermeasures meeting soon.
And the person I’m relying on most for this meeting is someone from the same Earth, from Japan.
Taiki-kun, who has seen the footage of the Kaiju King and other kaiju landing and waging great wars over and over again.
Speaking of Taiki-kun...
"What are you doing?"
He was literally brought in rolled up in a straw mat.
I mean, I did say to drag him here even if he had to be rolled up, but still.
"Ah, Yuki-san. Please help me."
"No, 'help me'—I don't get it. Weren't you sleeping, and that's why you were rolled up and dragged here?"
I looked at Airi-san, who was laughing beside him.
"For now, could you untie me?"
"No, 'untie me'—you should ask Airi-san for that. Besides, I just need your opinion; it doesn't matter to me if you're rolled up."
"Wait!?"
Because the aura coming off Airi-san is saying, *You are not allowed to let him escape.*
Well, fortunately, we still have time.
I just need to hear the circumstances and have him officially released.
Honestly, a lovers' quarrel in the middle of a Kaiju King crisis?
Try to get along with your wife.
Jessica and I looked like a heartwarming couple from every angle just a moment ago.
"Oh my. So you had such a fun time with Jessica."
Perhaps she read my thoughts, as Labyris, who was up above, voiced her dissatisfaction.
"It’s fine, isn't it? Labyris is always on top anyway. Jessica isn't like that."
"True. Jessica is serious, after all. Fine. I’ll let it slide."
"Much appreciated. So, Airi-san, why is Taiki-kun rolled up?"
I know it would be easier if he were released, so I’ll just ask Airi-san for the story.
The time limit is either when the data is collected or when it hits 6:00.
"Ah. Yuki-san, were you in Weed with your family yesterday?"
"Yes. The Duel Festival was over, so we were spending time relaxing at home."
We cleaned the house, took naps with everyone who was left, and played board games together—it was truly relaxing.
Cleena got along well with Schans, and we all ate dinner together, chatting away.
Things are busy, but I think this kind of interaction with family is necessary.
I feel like back when I was a student, I wasn't just on a roller coaster; I was breaking through the atmosphere and crossing dimensions...
Literally!!
Ah, why is that?
I feel more at peace with this family than I did in the past.
Though, my wives might not like to hear it, but I was most free when I lived alone before coming here.
Outside of work, I was free to play games, stay up late, or sleep until night.
"...Yuki. That might seem free, but isn't that a bit of a mess in many ways?"
"Well, there were times when that was nice. Though I prefer being with Labyris and the others now."
"Thank you."
For my cute wives and daughters, I’d do anything.
Now, I need to hear what Airi-san has to say.
"It seems you and your family had a meaningful holiday, Yuki-sama."
"Yes. Just some quality family time. I heard you stayed at the academy?"