第２８４堀：初心を思い出す (Part4)
"……Even if I submit this in a report, the outcome is already clear."
Naturally, I’ll have to keep Alfin by my side to help her stabilize. With this kind of psychological trauma, it’s rare for things to end well if you just shove the truth in someone's face out of nowhere. They either break down completely, or they reject reality and sink even deeper into their dependency. It’s important to let them realize the truth gradually.
So, if I submit this report, it’s going to lead to a happy-yet-embarrassing life of cohabitation with Alfin—strictly platonic, of course. If I were to cross that line and she ended up pregnant, there’s no doubt in my mind that Seraria and the others would have me strung up for a capital offense. Not that I have any intention of doing that, anyway.
But, well, I’m a man, after all. I think I’ll consult the Boss about that sort of thing. He seems to get "devoured" by the ladies quite often, after all.
Ugh, I’m not jealous or anything.
While I was lost in thought, I arrived at the Boss’s office.
"Boss, I’m coming in."
I gave a polite knock and stepped inside. I didn't expect a proper response, figuring the Boss would be busy drafting his own report on how everything turned out.
But when I walked in, the room was empty.
"……Huh? Is it already time to clock out?"
I checked the clock, but it had only been an hour since the lunch break ended. I tilted my head, wondering if something had happened, when a voice called out from behind me.
"What are you doing?"
"Hm? Oh, John. I’m just here to turn in a report. And you, why are you carrying so many vegetables?"
"Haven't you heard? Work is canceled for the day, and we're having a banquet starting now. Man, it’s a relief, isn't it? Apparently, there’s no punishment for Princess Aslin or Princess Firia. The Boss had been on edge since the start of this operation, and I was worried, but it looks like it was all for nothing. So, you can save that report for another day."
"Geez, I guess it’s just a given that all my hard work ends up being for nothing."
"That’s always the case, isn't it? Here, Steve, help me carry these vegetables."
John said that and shoved a basket of vegetables into my arms. I caught it reflexively, but...
"H-heavy!?"
I was shocked by the weight, which was far more than I expected. What the? Are vegetables always this heavy?
I looked into the basket and saw a mountain of cucumbers spreading out before me.
"Cucumbers again!! Who’s going to eat all of this!?"
"I am, that’s who!!"
"You!? Then you carry them yourself!!"
"No, obviously, there’s a portion for you and the others, too!!"
"We aren't kappa, you know!!"
Ah, it’s the usual routine, I suppose. Well, like John said, as long as the Boss is back to his old self, it’s fine. I’m sure he’ll come up with a solution to my problem—something funny and lighthearted that ensures there’s no real trouble.
Yes. There will be no punishment. Just a verbal warning: "You shouldn't do dangerous things," and that’ll be the end of it.
Well, as mentioned in our talk, it’s all being handled within the family, and there’s no one else to justify our actions to. Even without a formal penalty, the two of them will reflect on their actions properly, so there’s no need for anything more.
Honestly, we were just stopping them while investigating the mana depletion, so no one’s going to complain. No one even knows that Yuki and the others were fighting against the Holy Sword users, after all.
So, we can just do as we please, just like on the Weed continent. It’s not like we’re asking for human sacrifices or anything.
Well, the situation looked like it might spiral into a major disaster this time, so Yuki had to harden his resolve. Mostly, because he was so conscious of the "Monster King," he felt that talking things out was impossible. It’s a case of modern knowledge being a double-edged sword.
Everything requires flexibility.
And so, Seraria, who is always watching Yuki, talks about what happened and supports her husband. They really are a close couple.
Ah, as for Steve’s situation, that’s for next time.
Now, will he avoid the death penalty!?