第３３０堀：お仕事お仕事 (Part2)
"...So, since we're the ones initiating this, you're basically telling us to do our best, right?"
"That is correct. If we fail after having everything laid out for us like this, we’d surely be the laughingstock of the world."
"What do you mean 'laid out for us'?! You're just dumping the final, troublesome chores onto us!"
"...Sigh, please don't say that. Well, Yuki and his group are heading to the Beastman Kingdom to verify if they're really using Ex's name in vain, so they have their own set of headaches to deal with."
"I know that, but... the Beastman Kingdom, huh? I just hope nothing goes wrong there, too. I want to hand over this command to the General as soon as possible."
"That’s impossible."
"Yeah, I figured."
It seems I’m the only one who has to put in the effort. Well, if things get truly dire, the General and the others will likely help, but I have no idea how much they’ll tease me for it, so I’d better give it my all.
...What kind of motivation is that, anyway?
Still, the Beastman Kingdom... if I'm not careful, it might be even more troublesome than I am. I mean, I received this nonsensical report saying we’re supposed to use two Beastman Holy Sword Users as our guides. Why on earth has it become such a complicated mess? One of them apparently tried to make a move on Kaya-neesan and ended up in a 'nightmare' situation, so things are bound to be tense.
*Ring, ring...*
"Your call is coming in."
"Who could it be? Hello?"
I answered it anyway. Lately, I’ve stopped checking the caller ID. I only ever get calls from people I know, and there’s absolutely no such thing as a prank call like the ones they get at the General’s place.
*“Ah, Steve, what time are you coming home today? You know, we had delicious school lunch today, so I tried to recreate it. I’d be so happy if you came home early.”*
*“Grawr.”*
"...Uh, I'll be back as soon as I can."
*“How early is 'early'?”*
"...I'll be back at my scheduled time."
*“Okay, we’ll be waiting for you.”*
*“Grawr.”*
*Click.*
"..."
Zargis’s gaze is stinging.
"Was that Alfin-san just now?"
"...Yeah, it was."
"..."
"Well, isn't that a good thing? She’s basically the girlfriend you’ve always wanted, right?"
"...That’s a world of difference from the truth. I have to walk on eggshells even when I’m at home; I feel like I’m going to collapse from the stress any day now."
"Is that because you’re too patient?"
"If I weren't patient, I’d end up becoming a female myself. Besides, having that kind of misguided affection directed at me—isn't that just what some bottom-tier scumbag would do?"
"...The world is a complicated place."
"It sure is."
"I think I’ll stick to my research."
"...Must be nice for someone who’s already been married once."
"I don’t have any strange longings for it. I’m quite indifferent."
"I’m allowed to long for it, aren't I?! Is it so wrong for a guy to wish for a cute wife, God?!"
*“Isn't it fine? It sounds interesting.”*
"Ah, your request is denied."
*“Hah!?”*
"Because, Luna-neesan, you aren't married, are you?"
*“Guh... I, I can't even talk back to a Goblin...”*
I don't think there's any point in responding to her anymore. Now, I need to finish my work and get back, or Alfin will start crying. ...Why isn't there a salary for family service?
***
**Side: Yuki**
I had heard a story from Popuri, but I found myself staring into the void, feeling like two idiots had just been having a bizarre conversation. Don't worry, you two—you're both cut from the same cloth, fifty steps to a hundred.
*“Is something the matter?”*
"No, it's nothing. So, Popuri, why do you say it's better to take those two Beastman Holy Sword Users along?"
Our next objective is the Beastman Kingdom, but there’s one problem: Popuri insists that we use those two Beastman Holy Sword Users as our guides.
*“It’s simple. Kaya’s race, the White Fox tribe, is long-lived. And the other one, Claudia, is an Elf—that goes without saying.”*
"...You mean their blood relatives are still alive?"
*“Exactly. Kaya’s younger sister serves as the Prime Minister in the Beastman Kingdom, and Claudia’s older brother is the current King.”*
Well, that would certainly make things go smoothly, rather than just acting as guides. ...Assuming those two can keep their cool.
*“Well, I’m sure you realize this, but because Comet-shi’s mental conditioning was a bit too effective, they’ve had a falling out. I’ll leave the final judgment to you.”*
...So that’s the punchline. Even with Comet and Hifii on our side, they’re still tripping us up... Should I leave the moderation to Luna and play that game again?
"Achoo!"
"Are you alright, Comet?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Narjia. I’m sure Hifii is just worried about whether I’m doing my job properly."
"Sniffle."
"Are you catching a cold, Hifii-dono?"
"No, it’s not that. It’s likely that Comet is complaining about me somewhere."
"I see. So there is a superstition that one sneezes when they are being talked about in that world as well."
"Ugh, it’s so annoying that I’m on the same level as Steve. Maybe I should play with Hifii and Comet again to blow off some steam?"
If the Ex Kingdom is the mastermind, then Steve is attacking Zilba, and Yuki and his group are heading for August. It’s truly a case of a tiger at the front gate and a wolf at the back.
Now, what will the truth reveal?!
And so, everyone, it is midnight. In other words, it is now February 1st. If you’re wondering why I posted at such an unusual hour, it’s because I just published a new work.
"We’re going to do things our own way!!"
http://ncode.syosetu.com/n5451dc/
Come on, bring it on!!
It’s a story from Yuki’s days as Kazuya Torino!