第３３１堀：彼女だからこそ (Part2)
Difes Promis, the leader who had been coordinating the Holy Sword Users, had even gone so far as to demand their execution.
Thanks to everyone’s persuasion, it seems that fate was narrowly avoided, but I wonder if it’ll be possible for everyone to head outside together for a while?
It feels like a waste, especially since we’ve all finally gathered, but that’s something that depends on the individuals themselves.
"Riel, thank you for your hard work."
"Ah, yeah. But it’s really thanks to Tori bringing those two in, so I don’t think I was much help."
Oh dear, now that I think about it, did I end up pushing my work onto those two?
Umm, even though Yuki-san entrusted me with it, I didn't get to show off my good side.
...For now, I’ll just report it honestly.
There’s no point in trying to take credit for the hard work those two put in.
"You look a bit down, don't you?"
"I left the job Yuki-san asked of me to those two. I know Yuki-san wouldn't get angry, since that’s just how he is. He entrusted it to me because he thought I could do it... Ah, I’m the worst."
"I don't think that's true at all."
"Really? I mean, I just went on a rampage at the Lancer’s magic sword user’s hideout, and left everything else to Tori. I hate to say it myself, but I’m confident I didn't do much work."
"Well, I do think you should learn to do a bit of desk work, but I’m sure anyone who hears about what happened this time will think it was Riel’s achievement."
"You think so? Do you think Yuki-san will praise me?"
"I’m sure he will."
If Tori says so, maybe he will.
That’s a relief—I was planning on requesting today’s meal from Yuki-san.
I’m craving salt-grilled salmon today. His homemade kind, of course.
He always prepares it with the perfect amount of salt, just the way I like it.
Come to think of it, is salmon caught in cold places?
Is White Forest the northernmost of the six great nations?
"Hey, is White Forest cold?"
"Eh? Yeah. I’m pretty sure it is. We’ll have to wear proper cold-weather gear when we go. Otherwise, our ears will fall off."
"...No. We beastmen don't get frostbite that easily. Or rather, are you still hung up on that?"
"Of course!! During that snow mountain quest back in our adventurer days, I thought I was going to freeze to death. My ears were throbbing with pain. If my ears had fallen off back then, Yuki-san definitely would have turned his back on me. You have to have perfect cold protection in cold places!!"
"I don't think Yuki-san made us his wives just because of our beast ears, though."
"That might be true, but he says my ears and yours are cute, right? I couldn't bear to tell him I accidentally chopped them off or lost them."
"Well... I suppose."
Ah, this is bad.
I was going to ask if we could catch all the salmon we wanted, but did I step on a landmine?
"Oh, by the way, Riel, do you have your cold-weather gear ready?"
"Eh? Yeah. I have the one that was issued to me."
"Issued? You mean the one for the military's snowfield training, right?"
"Yeah. It’s the type that can actually be used in real combat."
Thanks to the dungeon, Weed’s military can conduct training in all weather conditions.
It was Yuki-san’s idea to ensure they could handle any climate without issues.
Recently, it seems other countries are using it for their training, too.
Well, since border disputes have disappeared thanks to the dungeon, if they don't come to Weed to train, their skills will get rusty.
They seem to be holding mock battles with other countries as well, and since they’re aiming to improve their techniques, I guess we can be at ease.
The allied forces centered around the dungeon are growing stronger like this every day.
We also have training where we fight against massive amounts of monsters thanks to us.
That’s actually quite fun in its own way.
I’ve even challenged Steve and his monster army and lost, but next time, I’ll win.
"That doesn't have ear muffs for beast ears!! That’s no good!!"
"Eh?"
"Don't 'eh' me! You can't go to White Forest with such insufficient cold protection."
"Ehh, if I just tuck my ears like this..."
I press my cat ears flat against my head.
"No!! That’s not allowed!! Honestly, Riel, you’re really careless about these things. Look, Narjia-san has made ear muffs specifically for beast ears, so let’s go get them, okay?"
"No, if I wear ear muffs over my human ears and then ear muffs for my beast ears, I won't be able to hear anything, so I’m fine."
I really don't like putting things on my cat ears.
Tori doesn't seem to mind putting them on her dog ears, though.
"No way!! Come on, let’s go!!"
"W-wait a second, I need to report to Yuki-san..."
"I’ll do it via call, so it’s fine. I’ll handle the paperwork too, so your beast ears, which are more important than life itself, take priority."
Whoa!! So this is the consequence of leaving all the desk work to Tori!?
Now I can't ask Yuki-san for a reward!?
Actually, will I even make it back for dinner? Tori takes forever to choose clothes!!
At this rate, I’m going to end up eating cold dinner!!
"I'm home..."
"I'm home."
"Oh, welcome back, Riel, Tori. Did you find some good ear muffs for your beast ears?"
"Yeah..."
"Yes. I made sure to ask Narjia-san for the highest quality ones."
"I see. That’s a relief. Now, it’s dinner time. I heard Riel worked hard today, so I made the salmon you like. I grilled it with salt."
"Eh!?"
"That’s great, Riel."
Yes!!
It really pays to have an understanding husband!!
Yahoo!!
Cats are cute.
That’s the story.