年末スペシャル その１ (Part2)
"……And so, while the two of them are just having a friendly spar, the people around them don't know that, so they find it terrifying. In that world, those two possess combat capabilities that are simply off the charts. In the worst-case scenario, they could end up trading continent-shattering volleys."
"I wouldn't do something like that."
"True. That would be war, not a spar."
"Yeah, well, that’s just how you two see it. To everyone else, you’re basically walking nuclear weapons."
"Anyway, I’ve got the gist of my own situation. Now, a question from me: Yuki, you have a mountain of women serving you and you’ve gotten them all pregnant—how was that handled in the beginning?"
"Hey, watch your mouth. That’s a terrible way to put it."
"No matter how you phrase it, you’re a guy who wasn't popular in Japan, so it’s a lethal jab. Plus, you’re under arrest."
"……It couldn't be helped."
"Well, leave 'Nari-no-ji' alone. To answer Tanaka’s question, it was a huge dilemma at first. I thought about who might return to their original homes or who might betray us, but we were desperately short-handed."
"Short-handed?"
"Exactly. Short-handed. When it comes to building a city inside a dungeon, we didn't have nearly enough people. If even one person was missing, it would have turned into one of those 'I’m the only one doing everything' domestic management tropes you see in web novels. Yuki’s stance, after all, was to stay hidden in the shadows."
"I see. So that’s why you decided to bring them into the fold."
"Yeah. It was convenient. The slaves were women, the likes of Mauve were already burnt out, and in that world, abandoning one's homeland is a common occurrence."
"Fair enough. Even in conflict zones on Earth, refugees are always fleeing to other countries. Only a handful of people truly refuse to leave their homes. It’s rare to find people who can hold their ground just by saying their homeland is important. Plus, the infrastructure in this world is completely undeveloped. Living in small numbers in places where monsters roam or where there are no other people is genuinely harsh."
"And as for making them my wives, protagonists in these 'I’m so powerful' stories rarely get married, so I decided to get it done quickly. I made sure to provide a proper justification for it, too."
"If I recall, you make it look like Yuki’s main wife, Seraria, holds the sovereign power, right?"
"Yeah, otherwise, people wouldn't be worried enough to join us, and it wouldn't attract the right talent."
"It’s hard to transition from a monarchy to a system where the person in charge is just a regular guy. So, to make it look like Seraria is managing things, you had Yuki marry the representatives of each district. Even though, in reality, Yuki is the one at the top of the hierarchy. Isn't that right, Nari-no-ji?"
"……Marriage is a difficult thing in its own right, you know."
"Well, I imagine so."
"I’m single, so I wouldn't know."
"I’m fine being on my own for a while, too."
"Damn you all……"
"So, what is the main point of this conversation anyway?"
"Ah, I felt like you and Yuki were two sides of the same coin."
"Yeah. Simply put, it’s a story about how there are many ways to live and many different answers. Values, good and evil—they’re just things people create. That’s what it boils down to."
"Right. Whether mana depletion is good or evil is something for people to decide."
"It’s just a matter of whether it’s harmful to the people living now or not. Me? I just pull the trigger on the battlefield I’m given."
"Exactly. It’s about how to face one's own sense of justice, common sense, and discrimination in a place like an alternate world, which has different values than Earth. But you two are the ones who transcend all of that. One with cunning, the other with the combat arts he’s cultivated. You two already have such firm values that you blow away all those other perspectives and stories."
"“Yeah, that’s about the size of it.”"
"And as for what those 'firm values' are, that’s something to look forward to. It’s decided that when you two speak those values, it’s when your opponent is being completely crushed. No matter what kind of arguments they line up, in front of you, they’re nothing but pebbles."
"Isn't that repeating what was just said?"
"Look, Tanaka, it’s the 'I said it twice because it’s important' thing, right?"
"Why did I say the same thing twice? Because with your firm values, there’s an opponent you’ll never be hostile toward, and who will always choose to run away, right?"
"……Wait a second."
"……Stop it."
"It’s a bit early, but let’s introduce our next guest!! Come on out!!"
*Clack.*
"Huh? I opened the door and it was an izakaya?"
"What kind of snowy country is this? And Nari-no-ji, what are you doing?"
"Tanaka’s here too."
"“I-it appeared!?”"
Next time: Year-End Special Part 2: The Three Freewheelers
"For now, old man, three orange juices!!"
"Oh, and six servings of the assorted yakitori, salt style!!"
"Eat your vegetables, too. Six servings of Caesar salad."
"Don't just calmly manifest a door in mid-air, walk in, and start ordering!! *Guh...*"
"Y-Yuki!? You’re spitting blood!? What did you guys do!?"
"Nah, Nari-no-ji just has a weak stomach."
"True. Here, have some stomach medicine."
"It’ll cure you if you drink it; it’s Takaya’s special blend."
"I-is that so, Shiraki? Hey, drink it, it’ll make you feel better..."
"W-wait, don't bring that any closer..."
*BOOM!?*
"*Cough*, what? The pill exploded!?"
"Hahaha, I knew Nari-no-ji would be wary of the medicine I make!! That’s why I made it explode just as expected!!"
"Don't screw with me!! Give me a normal one!! Who do you think caused my stomach to die in the first place!!"
"Well, you’re cured now, so it’s fine."
"……Heh heh heh. What terrifying people. I’ve been left behind in an instant. Well, next time, we’ll be talking about various things with these three."
Yes, the three great little girls gave their greetings in the activity report, but that was for the Q&A corner. Here, I will continue with the every-other-day updates as planned, even on the 31st.
Even if people tell me to rest, I end up writing something. That’s just who I am.
So, in Part 1, I talked about my state of mind, the purpose of this story, and how Tanaka represents a different side of things.
Next up, it’s *their* story.
I’m sure you’re all looking forward to it.
The story of those three.
I’ll talk about those plans in Part 2 as well.
Look forward to it.
Oh, and go do your spring cleaning.
I left it to my family.