第３１６堀：それでも…… (Part1)
**Chapter 316: Even So...**
**Side: Comet Tail**
I am experiencing something unprecedented.
Who would have thought that even after death, one could still encounter new experiences? Life is truly unpredictable.
To think that an entire massive pond could be turned into hot water, transformed into the luxury of an open-air bath...
"My, my. It pays to live a long time, doesn't it?"
"You are already dead, aren't you?"
"Does it really matter? I still have consciousness, don't I?"
Honestly, Hifie is so boorish. Though, I suppose that’s just like her.
Still, I wonder how she managed to construct something like this so easily with DP? You can't produce things with DP without a clear, concrete image in mind.
Between the cherry blossom petals dancing in the air and the fake stars in the sky, I have no idea what the logic behind it is.
As I was pondering this, Luna-san opened a box in the corner of the... open-air bath, I suppose? She pulled out a bottle. Looking at it, it was clearly a drink.
"Well then, one simply must have a drink in an open-air bath, don't they?"
"Luna-sama. Surely, now is not the time, as Yuki-dono and the others are in the middle of their discussion..."
Ah, that’s right. I had forgotten.
With Luna-san’s sudden appearance, the conversation had completely derailed. She really hasn't changed a bit.
"You’re as stiff as ever. Well, I figured you’d say that, so here—have some juice."
"Ah, thank you."
"Comet, you’re on this side, right?"
"You know me well. I’ll take that. What is that white bottle?"
"It’s a unique Japanese liquor. It’s called *seishu*—a versatile drink that can be enjoyed either hot or cold."
"Hmm, I see. Judging by the name, it’s good both warmed up and chilled, then?"
"Exactly. Well, since we’re in a bath, we’ll have it cold. We can have it warmed up tonight."
With that, she poured the liquor from the bottle into a small cup.
"Whoa. It’s cold!?"
"I did say it was chilled, didn't I?"
"I thought you meant it was just at room temperature."
"Ah, it’s winter right now, after all. But that’s what we call a refrigerator..."
"A box that cools things down, right? Hmm, I used to think that using magic or mana for such trivial things was a waste, but it’s actually not bad at all. I wish I’d had a bit more leeway like that in the past."
"It’s nice to have things that are easy to explain. Now, let’s drink. To our long-awaited reunion..."
"Cheers."
Yes. When the three of us first gathered, didn't we also drink to celebrate our new beginning?
"Delicious..."
"Ahhh, this is the good stuff!! As expected!!"
"It’s no wonder Luna-san recommended it. It’s truly excellent."
It had a clear, water-like texture as it slid down my throat, yet it possessed a strength that made the alcohol content undeniable. It must be made from fruit; with every sip, the vibrant, floral flavor became more apparent.
"Honestly. I’ve thought this many times, but it’s hard to believe this flavor comes from rice."
"...Wait, what!? You’ve got to be kidding me! This feeling—it’s definitely mixed with fruit, right!?"
"Fufufu, that is the power of Japanese technology. It’s not magic; it’s the power of things built up over time. Well, in a sense, magic is also something built up, I suppose."
"Magic is limited to those who can use it. I believe true value lies in things that everyone can use."
I am a mage myself, but there is too much magic that can only be used by mages—and specifically, only those among them with talent. Even if the power of magic increases, the ceiling is quite low. Diversity is born when many people can utilize something. Seeing the utility of that "cooling box" I had previously dismissed, I realized that.
People from a world that possesses such diversity, and a country that accepted that way of life—*Nihon*, huh.
"...Um, would it be alright if I had just one sip?"
While I was lost in thought, Hifie seemed to have become curious about our conversation, looking at us with a longing expression.
"It’s fine. Here, take it."
"No, I couldn't possibly let Luna-sama pour for me..."
"It’s fine. Think of this as the etiquette for drinking this liquor."
"Hah? If you insist..."
*Glug, glug...*
The pleasant sound of liquid echoed. Hifie slowly poured the liquor down her throat, savoring it.
...There’s no way she’s going to stop at just one sip, is there? It’s far too delicious.
*Hehehe*, this is going to be great material to tease her with later.
"...Delicious."
"I’m glad it suits your palate, Hifie. Now, since we’ve caught our breath, let’s get to the explanation. I had Yuki build this place specifically for this purpose, after all."
"I see. So, the reason you separated us from our juniors was to prevent an argument?"
"Something like that."
That means this probably isn't good news for us.
Well, since she didn't deny the term "juniors," that means we are...
"I’ll be blunt. That Yuki is currently working as your successor on this New Continent. And he has been achieving significant results. How do you two intend to act toward Yuki? If things continue as they are, you will clash with him. No, it wouldn't be strange if a battle broke out at any moment. From your perspective, Yuki is the one interfering, but from his perspective, *you* are the ones in the way."
That’s true. Since he came as an envoy for the opposing side, he wants to avoid starting a war.
"Is that why Luna-sama came here...?"
"Because I want to settle things as peacefully as possible."
"...With all due respect, Yuki-dono has only been in this continent—this world—for a short time. A newcomer like him cannot possibly find the cause of the mana depletion in this rotten continent."
"I agree with Hifie. I don't know if our junior knows this, but even if he manages to reach the same conclusions we did, I believe he lacks the absolute experience. I fear he will likely follow in our footsteps."
Yuki-kun is young.
He certainly has talent as a Dungeon Master—he built this place on the fly, after all. But I don't think someone of that age can handle the messy political situation of this continent. That is a skill separate from the talent of a Dungeon Master. I know that painfully well—I’ve learned it through my own flesh and blood.
"Ah, yes. Let’s start there. I haven't told you this yet, but are you aware that there are other continents in this world besides this one?"
"Eh?"
"I’ve heard rumors, though only from dubious documents. Well, it would be strange if there were only one continent. The world is vast. Besides, there are other worlds, like the one Taizou-san and Yuki-kun came from."
"Now that you mention it, that is true..."
Hifie was convinced by my words.
...Wait, why did Luna-san bring this up now?
"...Don't tell me."
"Yes. I appreciate your quick wit. Yuki has already mostly resolved the mana depletion on another continent before coming here."
"What!? I-is that true!?"
"It is. Well, he hasn't found the fundamental solution—the root cause—yet, so I had him lend a hand in this blank zone, this continent where we thought you had disappeared."
"Um, so in other words..."
"Exactly. In terms of track record, you two are below Yuki. That includes negotiations with the nations and everything else."
"..."
Ugh, my counter-arguments have vanished.
However, Hifie opened her mouth.
"I understand that Yuki-dono is more capable than us. But things are already in motion. And we should be the ones to clean up our own continent. Since Yuki-dono has other continents to attend to, could you ask him to withdraw from this one?"
That won't work, Hifie. Your logic doesn't hold up.
In the first place, the reason Luna-san sent Yuki-kun to this continent is...
"Hah, Hifie. First of all, the problem is that you went silent. Do you understand that? To ask Yuki to withdraw after that is unreasonable. Well, I understand that you couldn't report back while you were essentially failing, though."
That’s right. It’s because we failed.
To ask for another chance after that is a bit much...
But I can understand where Hifie is coming from.
In the end, it would be rude to call this continent a place of strangers, but we don't want to leave it to outsiders. And the situation has already reached a point where it cannot be stopped.
"...I understand. And in my foolishness, I even summoned Taizou-dono. But we are finally on the verge of reaching our goal. Please..."
Yes. It is true that thanks to Taizou-san, we are finally within reach of our objective.
To withdraw now is...
"..."
Luna-san stared at Hifie, who was pleading, her head bowed low, face-first in the bathwater.
...Isn't that incredibly strange? It’s surreal!
"..."