第３１５堀：真面目な奴はついて行けない (Part1)
**Chapter 315: The Serious Can't Keep Up**
**Side: Yuki**
Yeah. I was a fool to trust Luna.
Back when she first appeared before my wives, I thought it was just a gag to lighten the mood. No, I *wanted* to believe that. After all, she had been trying to recruit people on Earth in a suit, looking like a normal person to avoid being reported to the police. I figured she wouldn’t pull a stunt that would ruin the tension in a situation as explosive as this.
I expected her to appear with a sense of solemnity—something that would make everyone think, "Ah, this is truly a god," fitting for this world.
"Mmm-hmm. It’s been a while since I’ve had tea brewed by Hifia. It’s delicious."
"I am honored that it suits your palate."
Currently, Taizo-san is standing behind Hifia, watching the situation with a strained expression. Since his superior, Hifia, is fine with it, he can’t really say anything, and I have nothing but respect for his ability to maintain his composure without any explanation. Soldiers from the Second World War were certainly patient.
If it were me, I’d have already smacked her with a paper fan.
"Um, Yuki-san. What should we do?"
"…We’ll just have to watch from the sidelines until Luna moves the conversation forward. Luckily, the Holy Maiden Hifia seems to hold Luna in high regard, so it’s best if we don’t interrupt."
"…I hope the conversation actually goes somewhere."
I really hope so. Luna herself seems to have a lot on her mind regarding this matter, so I want to believe things will proceed properly.
…Why am I the one worried about that?
"Apologies for the wait. Did you call for me?"
While I was lost in thought, the final player arrived. The previous Dungeon Master, Comet Tail. She’s an undead, and I still don’t quite understand her position.
"Oh, Comet, it’s been a while. Wait, you’re an undead, aren't you? Judging by the flow of magic power, Hifia is the one holding the reins, right?"
Ah, so Hifia was the one who turned her into an undead. I had noticed a strange flow of magic coming from Hifia, and that must have been the cause.
"My apologies. There were various circumstances…"
"I know, I know. But I want to hear from the 'real' Comet in this meeting, so I’m going to release the control. …Wait, oh my, it looks like you can release it yourself."
"Eh?"
As Hifia turned back to Comet with a puzzled look, a sound like a piece of glass shattering echoed through the air.
"Heeey! Man, long time no see, Luna-san. Sorry about being dead and all. Hahaha!"
A beautiful woman stood there, laughing. …Well, she was beautiful until she started scratching her head so carelessly that her hair became a complete mess. The beauty was ruined.
"Same high energy as always. Seems like even death couldn't change that."
"Who knows? Maybe it’s because the dungeon's stabilization kept my soul intact? Most other undead lack any facial expressions, after all."
Hmm. I agree with Comet-san. Unless an undead is of a very high rank, they usually only retain animalistic instincts. This means she has some way of preserving the information that is her soul. Well, even if just a fragment remains, given enough time, even simple skeletons or zombies can regain their original emotions.
…No, wait. I need to focus on the discussion that’s about to start. But…
"Wait, Comet. Since when!?"
"Well, I could have released it from the start, but I didn't want to risk being controlled again due to a misunderstanding. Plus, having a body that moves regardless of my will based on orders was actually pretty convenient."
"You really are something else…"
What a friendly, casual conversation.
"Well, well, Taizo-dono, this is my true self, so please treat me well!"
"H-ha. Nice to meet you."
Taizo-san seems unable to keep up. I can’t keep up either. What is this energy? What kind of selection process does that useless goddess have?
Thinking she had finished greeting her acquaintances, Comet turned to us…
"Hi there, nice to meet you. My junior, and the hero from another world."
She saw right through our identities. …She might be a weirdo, but her intelligence might be off the charts.
***
**Side: Taizo Motome**
…I’ll be honest. I don’t understand the situation at all.
In a situation where only Yuki-kun, Taiki-kun, myself, and Hifia-dono were present, someone calling herself Luna suddenly appeared—or rather, the person Hifia-dono addressed with the honorific "Luna-sama." And then there was the transformation of Comet-dono, who had been like a doll until now.
…Someone, please explain this situation to me.
But reality is cruel. No one answered my silent plea, and time just kept ticking away. Well, perhaps it’s a good thing time passed. The situation is moving on its own. Hifia-dono is having tea with Luna-dono, and Comet-dono is chatting with Yuki-kun and Taiki-kun. Even if I had the power to stop time, I’m not confident I could come up with a solution.
Looking at it, it doesn’t look like a fight is going to break out here and now. For the time being, I can be at ease.
"My apologies, Hifia-dono, but would you mind introducing me as well?"
Seeing that Hifia-dono and Luna-dono had taken a break from their tea, I spoke up. If I stay like this, I’ll just be a scarecrow.
"Ah, my apologies. This is someone of higher rank than me—well, should I call her a superior officer? This is the High God, Luna-sama."
"Hello. Must be tough, being sent from the Second World War to a place where civilization is a cycle or two behind."
"!?" Luna-dono is from Earth as well?
"Ah, yeah. Something like that. Judging by your look, you’re skeptical about Hifia being a god, right?"
"…"
"Ah, it’s hard to say that in front of the person herself, isn't it? Well, I’m in that category of 'suspicious gods' too. It’s a hassle to show proof or convince people, so just think of me as a biological entity that calls itself a god. You can keep thinking of it that way."
…I see. She truly seems to possess some power that transcends humanity. Well, as she said, my perception of her as a biological entity called a "god" hasn't changed.
"Understood. However, since Hifia-dono pays her respects and calls her a superior officer, I shall follow suit."
There’s no reason to rebel and cause Hifia-dono unnecessary stress. Thinking this, I offer a salute. Luna-dono looked at me with a hint of surprise before she began to laugh.
"Sorry. I wasn't laughing at you, Motome. It’s just that your attitude is so different from those two over there."
She pointed at Yuki-kun and Taiki-kun.
"That is only natural. They are not soldiers. One cannot demand what is not there."
"True. You’re right, Motome."
"However, Yuki-kun mentioned there was 'one more person.' Was he referring to Luna-dono?"
"Yes. I am that 'one more person.' I’m the one who sent Yuki to this other world."
"What do you mean? Yuki-kun said he was a hero, but he didn't say..."
He had only said it was "something like that." Was I deceived? Well, one shouldn't show their hand before knowing the other's intentions. …But to think someone of that age could think that far ahead. Should I be relieved that the future of Japan is secure, or lament that such talent was pulled away to this place?
"That’s how it is. I only called myself out because I confirmed Hifia was here. We both came here without knowing the other existed."
"…Was the mission to protect Hifia-dono’s world an order from Luna-dono?"
"Yes. Though, looking at you, it seems you haven't been given much of an explanation."
"My apologies. In the current situation, I thought we had to pacify the continent first..."
"Hifia-dono is correct. Before doing anything about the world, we must stabilize the place we live in. Without a solid foundation, there is no future. Even if I were given information, it would only confuse me. Hifia-dono’s judgment to provide the necessary information only when necessary is, I believe, appropriate."