第３２２堀：そんなことより (Part1)
**Chapter 322: More Importantly Than That**
**Side: Yuki**
"Uhyahyahya... Hii! My stomach hurts!"
The one letting out that vulgar laughter beside me is the useless goddess, Luna. As for why this good-for-nothing, useless goddess is rolling around laughing...
"Release me!! Do you intend to stain a duel with such cowardly tactics?!"
The one shouting that while gripping the iron bars, trying desperately to escape from the single-occupancy cell, is the goddess (lol) named Hifie. Whether she is above or below the useless goddess in rank is hard to say, but from my perspective, both are nothing more than biological entities that brought trouble to my doorstep.
"My emission-type magic and skills are sealed, too. What to do, what to do. I mean, we really walked right into this. Ahahaha."
The one muttering that to herself while laughing inside her own single-occupancy cell is Comet, the former Dungeon Master of this New Continent and an undead lich. From my point of view, she’s no different from Hifie or Luna. Well, she leans more toward being a researcher, so she feels like someone who just got dragged into this, but since she’s currently on the enemy side, it can't be helped.
"To think it would end so easily. Since we were supposed to show each other our true strength, such traps are part of that strength, I suppose."
The one nodding in agreement is Motome-san. To minimize the damage of this battle, Motome-san and I had set up a formation like the front and back of a coin, ready to flip either way. Well, looking at this result, it seems to have been a classic case of "an old man's cold water"—worrying over nothing. I hope he stays on that side, regretting his past self for joining them.
As for what happened after Luna gave the signal to start the duel? To put it briefly: Motome-san charged in, Comet charged in while firing magic, and Hifie started floating in the sky. To deal with that, I immediately used my Dungeon Renovation/Modification skill to seal all magic and skill emissions. The result? Comet was shocked when her magic vanished, Hifie plummeted, and Motome-san was sent to the "trash chute" in a classic, nostalgic fashion. The other two, stunned and frozen from their fall, were sent to the same chute.
See? Simple, right? For me, this is just a parade of the traps I use constantly—or rather, just a small fraction of them. People who rely on excessive technology sometimes fall for classic traps. I mean, falling for a trap like this is out of the question, and the fact that they can't even escape is pathetic.
"Luna-sama!! Yuki-dono is clearly staining the duel!! Don't just sit there laughing, punish him immediately!"
Hifie, perhaps unable to escape with her own goddess (lol) powers, cries out to Luna. I had already predicted that gods were clusters of high-density magical power. Earlier, Motome-san was shouting about his magic power decaying due to some skill that breaks down magic or interferes with certain signals, so I thought, *maybe this will work?* I modified the single-occupancy cells I used to capture the enhanced Zargis, Shinkuro, and the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings (lol). Can’t they use their heads a little and figure out how to escape on their own?
"Ahahaha...!! W-wait a second, Hifie, m-my stomach..."
The useless goddess seems to find the current situation hilarious; she’s crouching down, hitting the ground with one hand.
"...Ugh. Yuki-dono!! Are you not ashamed of doing something like this?! Do you think anyone could accept this?!"
Hifie, judging that asking Luna for help is impossible right now, complains directly to me.
"Look, you guys came at me three-on-one. I can't handle that without using traps, can I? And honestly, the fact that all three of you fell for a trap..."
"To use such cowardly tactics in a duel!! Challenging us to come at you three-on-one was clearly a scheme to wipe us all out at once, wasn't it?!"
"No, as I said, it was unexpected that all three of you would fall for it. And on top of that, you just scream because you can't get out. This isn't even a question of you fighting me. Or what? Are you telling me that even though you three can't even handle a trap, I should entrust this continent to you? Sorry, but I don't have the guts for that kind of gamble."
"T-that is not true! Just watch!! I will break this cell immediately... mmmph!!"
Hifie lets out a cute sound, grabbing the bars and straining herself again.
"It looks like that’s going to take a while, so when you break out, tell Luna. We can continue then. I have some business to attend to, so I’m heading back."
Actually, this situation is more than welcome for me. Since I’m in a hurry to get home, it’s better that Hifie says she’s "not done yet." Whether I win or lose, I’d have to attend meetings to finalize the schedule afterward. In other words, I wouldn't be able to go home. But in this situation, it continues until Hifie admits defeat. As I said, I can leave the supervision to Luna and return.
"Is there something more important than deciding the fate of this great cause?! Don't mess with me!! I cannot entrust this continent to someone with such a lack of resolve!!"
Hifie’s reasonable opinion rings out. Indeed, what she says is correct. But that assumes I came to this world because I wanted to.
Well, did I want to come here? No. Then, who is to blame for that?
"You're noisy."
"Eh?"
I spat those words out in a foul mood, and Hifie stiffened in surprise at my tone.
"Listen, your opinions don't mean squat. Everything is rejected. Be grateful that I’m handling this peacefully, you idiots."
"What did you say!?"
"In the first place, I came to this New Continent because you guys messed up, didn't you?!"
"..."
Hifie is speechless. That’s right; the root cause lies with Hifie and her group. They should have handled it before I arrived. No matter what high-minded ideals they hold, they are no longer in a position to reject my opinion. Well, truth be told, it’s Luna’s fault for failing to manage her subordinates, but I have a little payback prepared for her, too.
"Listen. I came to this New Continent to clean up your mess! My wives are already in the continent I’m in charge of! I have children! I talked to them today! That’s why I’m going home! What, are you telling me to leave my own children alone and keep you company to kill time? Huh?!"
"Yuki-san, calm down, calm down."
As I raise my voice, Taiki-kun rushes over, trying to soothe me. But since I’ve come this far, I’m going to finish what I have to say.
"Before you talk about 'great causes,' you should at least apologize to me for all the trouble you’ve caused, you idiots!! That’s a problem that comes before achieving anything!! Learn some common sense!"
To begin with, it’s nonsense to drag others into your own work-related failures and then interfere with their family time. It’s at a level where one has to question their character as a person. Even in some black-hearted companies, if you mention your wife is giving birth, there’s always that one cool guy who says, "Leave it to me and go!" People should celebrate each other's happiness. Well, as long as it’s child-related, anyway. And yet, these people who boast about saving the continent can’t even show that much grace?
"A-au..."
Unlike Luna, Hifie seems to have some common sense; she’s silenced by my words, finally realizing the reality of the situation.
"Eh, what? Those children talked?!"
"Here. This is the video."
I play the video attached to the Call email. It shows Sakura, held by Seraria, and Sumire, held by Rurua, staring at the screen...
"Now, try talking to Papa."
"Yes. Look toward the screen."
As they are prompted, Sakura and Sumire open their mouths clumsily.
"Ma... ma?"
"Manma?"
They’re talking! My daughters are talking!
"Wow!! How cuuuute!!"
Well, they’re my daughters, so that’s only natural.
"That’s Papa, right?"
"It’s Papa."
"U? Mama?"
"Mama?"
"Hmm, they said 'Papa' just a moment ago, though."
"They were looking at a photo of their husband earlier, so perhaps they need to see him with their own eyes?"