第２９３堀：こっちも密談 (Part2)
"Indeed, it hasn't even been a month since we captured the Holy Sword Users. If they were the type to spill their secrets so easily, they wouldn't have harbored ambitions of changing the world in the first place. Still, it is strange. Setting aside the issue of mana depletion, we have already captured all of the Holy Sword Users, so shouldn't we be able to stop worrying about that front?"
"The remaining Holy Swords that have gone missing—their whereabouts are unknown. I can't even imagine where the next fire might break out. As for the mana depletion, the location where she passed away, as mentioned by the Holy Sword Users, remains a mystery as well. According to Peace, it seems to be an isolated space connected by a teleportation trap, much like the anti-intrusion measures I use. The details are completely obscure."
Ah, so that is how it is. The remaining Holy Swords are missing. As Yuki-sama says, that is a massive seed of anxiety.
*“Sia and Kishua have started to speak up a bit more lately, but all their information is just like Peace’s. They’re completely silent on the crucial parts.”*
If I recall, those two were the ancestors of the Holy Kingdom of Enaria and my own nation of Roday. Honestly, I find it hard to believe, but Yuki-sama would never lie, so it must be the truth. However, from what I have heard, their way of thinking is by no means that of a ruler. Rather than being betrayed, it feels more like they simply went against the flow too much. It is rude to say, but I find it baffling how people like that could have become the heads of nations, even if only temporarily.
"We’ll just have to take it slow. Four of the six great nations are already connected via the dungeon, so we can move easily and respond to whatever happens. Once the negotiations and schedules here are finished, I plan to use Samantha’s father’s connections to visit the beastman country, and the last one is a friendly nation of Zilba. We’re finishing securing our foundation, so it’s best to think of the real work starting from there."
*“I suppose things have been going a bit too smoothly until now, haven’t they?”*
"That's right. As I said before, looking back at history and improving environmental issues requires an enormous amount of time and information gathering. We have no choice but to take it patiently. Fortunately, we’ve secured the key locations, and we’ve managed to establish connections with the bigwigs without drawing too much attention to ourselves. In a sense, things are going well."
I see. That is one way to look at it. To firmly secure one's footing before tackling the objective. Now that it’s been pointed out, I understand, but actually putting it into practice is difficult. I, too, had expected to find clues for the next step immediately.
"Luckily, since she calls it 'trivia' and a 'way to make a living,' she won't complain about going to the library. We need to decide on a rotation for the research. Oh, and we need to ask about how the general public uses the library so we can keep investigating even after we leave this country."
As we were discussing this, Aslin, who had been playing, suddenly slumped over onto my lap.
"Aslin, is something the matter?"
To both Cleena and me, Aslin and Firia are like adorable younger sisters. I understand well why everyone calls them a source of healing. That innocent smile is like a patch of sunlight to someone like me, who has spent so many days in desolation. It feels like basking in a warm, pleasant ray of light.
"Ah, Samantha-oneechan, I'm sorry. I'm just... a little sleepy..."
Aslin replied, then drifted off to sleep. It has been quite a while since the sun went down, after all. Normally, this would be the time to bathe and go to bed.
"Oh, Yuki-sama. What shall we do about Aslin's bath and dinner?"
That’s right; while we ate here, it was merely to provide nutrients for the doppelgangers; Aslin’s real body hasn't taken in any sustenance. Naturally, she hasn't bathed either.
"Hmm. If we were at home, I’d wake her up. But we still have to discuss the finer details..."
Before I knew it, Firia had also rested her head on Yuki-sama’s lap and fallen asleep. ...I am not jealous of someone who is like a younger sister to me, I assure you.
"In that case, it’s fine. We’re here, so when they wake up, we’ll see to it that they get their dinner and a bath."
"Indeed. Please leave that to us."
It was Labyris and Shera-sama who said that. Labyris and Shera-sama are like older sisters to Aslin and Firia, and they often take care of the two of them like this. Both of them have had more than enough education—one acts as a dummy Dungeon Master in Yuki-sama’s stead, and the other is a princess of the Gartz royal family. It is an incredible situation where I am the one with the lower status and standing. No, if we are to speak of that, compared to Her Majesty the Queen or the Saintess of Litea, my own upbringing is truly mediocre.
Yet, those of such noble birth still treat me as a friend. I truly feel from the bottom of my heart that I want to contribute to everyone’s strength by speaking my mind, all to support my husband. As I renewed that resolve, Yuki-sama opened his mouth as if he had just remembered something.
"Right, I’m counting on you. Then, let’s wrap this up quickly, head back, eat, and bathe. You wouldn't want to skip the bath, would you?"
"““We absolutely would not!!””"
Skipping a bath is out of the question! Neglecting one's skin and hair care would be a disqualification as a woman and as a wife! And staying up late is also a natural enemy! ...The clock has already passed ten. We must finish this conversation quickly!
Now then, things will accelerate starting next time. I have finally managed to plan out the recovery of the foreshadowing I’ve scattered until now! Well, I had considered a few patterns, but they felt a bit too cheap, and I couldn't recover the foreshadowing well, so I spent my time thinking while letting them travel leisurely like this.
Well then, wait for the next installment.
Also, it’s getting cold, isn't it? Time for the *kotatsu* to make an appearance.
And perhaps a warm hot pot for dinner, too.