第３０８堀：使者 (Part2)
"Yes. Well, we do need to steer the conversation toward having them invade our country. We want to avoid any rampages in the capital, and above all, the power of this so-called Dragon Knight is an unknown variable. I believe we shouldn't cross such a dangerous bridge. More importantly, since she is a figure from the Lancer Magic Academy, which has declared neutrality, keeping her alive would be excellent publicity to inform other nations that Hifi has turned hostile."
"I see. That is certainly true."
"Though, she might just be an envoy of surrender."
At my words, spoken with a touch of jest, she reacted immediately...
"That is impossible. They are trash. Creatures that should not exist in this world; they must be eliminated."
*Snap.*
With that sound, Hifi-dono crushed the cup she was holding. Tea leaked from the broken vessel, spreading across the desk until it reached the edge and dripped onto the floor.
"My apologies. That was a thoughtless remark."
"No, I apologize for reacting so excessively. Now, my consultation is finished. Thank you very much. I will likely proceed as Taizo-dono suggested."
"Is that so? I am glad I could be of assistance. Then, let me help with the cleanup..."
"It is quite alright. I shall clean it up myself. It is, after all, my own doing. Thank you for your time despite your busy schedule."
Once told that, I could hardly insist on helping, so I stepped out of the room.
"Please be careful with the ceramic shards."
"Yes, thank you for your concern. It is only natural to deal with one's own messes. A mere scratch is nothing; I can heal it perfectly well myself."
"Haha. Then the maids will have less work to do. Truly, magic is a convenient thing. But, it seems I am prone to long conversations. I shall take my leave now."
"Yes. Until dinner, then."
With those words, I walked away from Hifi-dono's room. From inside, I could faintly hear the clinking of shards being gathered. I stopped and looked back.
"...'My own doing,' huh? Well, that is only natural."
In the end, Hifi-dono, Comet-dono, and the people of this world are no different from those in our own. That is why I will continue to do what I can.
***
**Side: Yuki**
In the cold air, I stare at the bird being left behind in the rear.
...So, the surveillance can't keep up.
However, since there are bird-like familiars appearing periodically, it seems they are deploying them to keep watch. They are an opponent that can afford to dedicate resources to surveillance, even while dealing with a Dungeon Master.
...This is troublesome. I’ve anticipated various scenarios and prepared countermeasures, but I can't help but worry. Honestly, a lack of information is terrifying.
Well, that aside...
"I ended up nodding along in the heat of the moment... I'm sorry, Eris-san."
"It's fine. It's okay, we'll all make it back together."
"Uuu, Eris-san!! I'm so sorry, what should I tell my child..."
"It's alright. It's going to be fine, so please stop crying."
The one clinging to Eris, saying this, is the Dragon Knight, Amanda. Eris is desperately trying to soothe her.
The reason for this situation is that after delivering the King to the capital as planned, I was asked for further cooperation by the Dragon Knight, and in the heat of the moment, I agreed. Now that the fervor has cooled, she is crying and apologizing to us for dragging us into this.
I intentionally didn't stop that momentum, but since Amanda heard from Popuri that we act based on our own decisions, she believes she is the one who dragged us into this mess. In reality, it is the other way around, but some things are better left unsaid.
Besides, the most vulnerable one is the flesh-and-blood Dragon Knight, Amanda. Next is the mortal Eoid, and then the Magic Sword User, Laraina, who looks like she could be turned into undead material. We are essentially Doppelgangers, so we aren't in any real danger. Well, if our control were seized, there would be nothing we could do, but we have countermeasures for that, so I’d like to think we can manage.
"...As I thought, even if she is a Dragon Knight, she is still just a student."
Approaching me with those words is the Magic Sword User, Laraina. According to Milly, she is a reliable envoy, but seeing the state of Dragon Knight Amanda, a shadow of anxiety is visible on her face. Well, having someone so emotionally unstable in your party is certainly worrying for an envoy.
"It will be fine. She will calm down in a little while."
"I hope so... But are you truly sure about this? You are merely hired mercenaries. Even if you have the trust of the Magic Academy's headmaster, I believe it is far too dangerous to venture into a nation that may well be at war with us."
"That is true. That is why we have limited our escort to a small, agile group, and why we intentionally brought along students from other countries via the Academy."
"...Indeed, you have Samantha-dono and Jessica-dono from major powers other than August, so in that sense, it may be safe, but the escort is, well..."
"Do we not look reliable?"
"...My apologies. To be honest, I think so. Yuki-dono, Ria-dono, Taiki-dono, Eris-dono, and Cleena-dono all look quite slender. Since the King and the Headmaster are backing you, I am sure you have the skill, but the way the enemy moves..."
Yes, this is the entire team for this mission. We are taking the approach of testing the waters with minimal force. If all our Doppelganger controls were seized at once, it would be the end, after all. I couldn't bring Aslin and the others, of course. The fact that they understood just by looking at me with teary eyes is proof of their growth.
"That is a difference in perspective. The King asked me to choose members who wouldn't be intimidating as envoys. If the opponent is the type to underestimate us based on our appearance, there are plenty of ways to handle them."
"...Is that so? Indeed. However, in the event of an emergency, I will focus entirely on escaping, so I may not have the luxury of helping you, Yuki-dono."
"Yes. Please prioritize your own safety, Laraina-dono. At the very worst, it will be enough if we can ensure the escape of you, Dragon Knight Amanda, and her husband Eoid."
"...Understood."
Well, if it comes to that, I’ll be free to run wild and do whatever I want.
I wonder what kind of move the enemy will make?