第２８４堀：初心を思い出す (Part3)
"There's nothing to show, and this operation was strictly top-secret. It caused no trouble for Weed whatsoever. The costs were covered by our own private soldiers, supplies, and personal funds. We were just stopping a mass slaughter in another land while we happened to be investigating the cause of the mana depletion. Besides, even if it was a coincidence, Aslin and Firia managed to resolve it without shedding a drop of blood. Where exactly is the cause for punishment in that?"
Ah, so that’s how it is.
Since we were doing this secretly on our own, there was no one to report to or show anything to in the first place.
Everyone understands that we are investigating the cause of the mana depletion and is cooperating; as long as there is no actual damage, a verbal warning is more than enough.
"……For better or worse, you’ve been producing too many results lately. That’s why I never hesitated to praise you and give you rewards whenever things went well. But this is your first clear-cut failure. You didn't expect to be stirred up by your own people, did you? That’s why I was trying to scold you properly—to protect those two. Am I wrong?"
She’s right.
Those two have become my precious little sisters.
That’s why I wanted to make sure something like this never happens again.
In a sense, I’ve been diving headfirst into politics since coming here, so perhaps my way of thinking had become too rigid.
"……*Sigh*, I suppose it wasn't necessary."
"Exactly. Just tell them verbally: 'Don't go off on your own without permission.' That’s all. We aren't a military force acting on a country's orders. We are simply investigating the cause of the mana depletion ourselves. It’s just that the scale is so large that the management has ended up looking like a military. Well, if Luna told me to punish them, that would be a problem, but she hasn't, has she?"
"Not at all. That useless goddess is just doting on them as usual. But, I see. I was doing this in secret because I find those kinds of entanglements troublesome."
"Exactly. Once you have a general idea of what's going on, you'll just dump it on someone else and live a leisurely life with us, right? Well, I suppose you took it seriously this time because if you had failed, the people in the New Continent might have died—not to mention our own doppelgangers. Though, speaking of the cause, it was a self-inflicted disaster to begin with."
"That’s a harsh way to put it. But that’s my line."
"Yes. The usual you would have just accepted it and tried various things. Like, 'If I fail, I’ll just save everyone anyway.'"
That’s the usual me, alright.
Ah, my thinking really had become strangely rigid this time.
In a way, talking too much with Taiki about the King of Monsters must have been a bad influence.
I had firmly categorized that as a disaster, leaving no room for negotiation.
"If it came down to it, I could have just dragged the entire academy into the dungeon. Man, I didn't even have the leeway to think of that."
"Exactly. Well, the idea of dragging an entire city inside to protect it wasn't something I had thought of either. You always come up with the most unexpected ideas."
In some new century, there’s a method to store cities like that to prevent damage.
Ah, the fact that I couldn't bring that kind of thinking to the table shows just how exhausted I really was.
"Well, in the end, people think with themselves at the center. There’s no point in worrying about the gazes and evaluations of those around me."
That’s right. That’s how I’ve been living since I came here.
How can I make things as easy as possible for myself while solving the mana depletion?
I’ve been kicking aside everyone else's expectations all along.
"You're back to your usual self. You look wonderful when you act like a statesman, but to me, this version of you is the best."
"Seraria……"
"You pulled me out of my small world when I was so rigid. And the world you showed me was so vast. I couldn't see the end of it at all. A world where status, power, and wealth meant nothing—it just stretched out before us. You always walk through that endless world at your own pace. When you’re hungry, you find food in the surroundings, and not only do you eat it, you cultivate it, and eventually, you even build a city in the wilderness."
"……Isn't that just absurd?"
"Isn't that what you always do?"
*Sigh*, Seraria got the better of me.
She’s a good wife.
……I’ve lost all motivation for paperwork now.
For now, I write this at the end of the report: *All's well that ends well.*
Seeing that sentence, Seraria gives me a lovely smile and wraps her arms around mine.
There are points to reflect on, but it didn't end in a tragic result. Let’s celebrate that first.
"Now, work is over, isn't it?"
"That's right. Everyone, it's time to prepare dinner."
"Yes!"
The four guards reply with bright smiles and leave the room.
I take the opportunity to scoop up the slender Cleena, who looks like she could be lifted with one arm.
"Eek!"
"Ah, that's not fair!"
"Yuki, next is my turn."
"I would like a turn as well."
"Fufu, I suppose so. I'd like one too."
While we’re bustling about, I send messages to the other wives.
Everyone replies immediately, saying they are heading home.
I should call Taiki, Airi, Popuri, and Lara, too.
Fun things should be shared with everyone.
That aside, what should I cook?
Man, was it always like this when I was acting like an idiot with my best friends?
***
Side: Steve
"*Sigh*."
I let out a sigh as I walk down the hallway.
To be precise, I’m walking down the hallway to deliver the completed report to the Boss.
The cause of my sigh is this report.
The content is about the Holy Sword User, Alfin.
For some reason, that Alfin-san has had a high opinion of me from the very beginning.
Well, thanks to that, I was able to guide her through Weed smoothly and she accepted the designated protection, so in a sense, this is the most peacefully resolved case among all the Holy Sword Users so far.
However, for me, it’s not something to be happy about at all.
She cries or gets happy over things I have no memory of, and I don't know what to do.
"Probably... judging from Alfin-san's words, she's projecting me onto a goblin she was close with in the past."
It’s true that I wanted to be popular.
I wanted a cute, beautiful wife.
But it doesn't make me happy at all to be looked at through the lens of someone else.