第３４２堀：変わりすぎていると気が付かない (Part1)
**Chapter 342: You Don't Notice When Things Change Too Much**
**Side: Yuki**
Well, despite being stranded for a day, the car I’m driving is equipped with studless tires—the kind that can handle snow without issue—and I’ve even added spikes to them. It’s not like the tires are going to just fall off.
Mind you, I probably couldn’t drive this on a public road back on Earth. It would leave the pavement riddled with holes. I suppose I should be grateful that the civilization level here is low enough that traffic laws haven’t been strictly established yet.
Because of that, our travel speed is incomparably faster than the local standard. Thanks to that, the previous day’s delay was a non-issue, and the White Forest was already right before our eyes.
"That large tree is the landmark. Please head in that direction."
"There’s no mistake. That is the Holy Just Tree located in the White Forest."
"Comet-sama planted it because it emits a component that keeps monsters away, but it has grown even larger, hasn't it?"
"Understood."
Since Runo, who is guiding us from Roday, and Kaya and Claudia, who are from the White Forest, all agree, there’s no doubt about it.
However, what I see before me is... a large cedar tree? No, was it a Holy Just Tree? The part about it emitting a component that keeps monsters away is what bothers me. I’ve never heard of such a thing on the Weed continent; is it a byproduct of Comet’s research? It sounds like something she did half-heartedly because it wasn't her original objective.
Actually, after hearing from Tori yesterday that Comet is quite important and revered in the White Forest, I tried contacting her to see if I could summon her here, but...
*"Ah. So it’s grown that big, huh? I understand what you’re saying, Yuki-kun, but I’d prefer you not call me unless it’s an absolute emergency."*
She said that and didn't seem very keen on it, so I asked her why.
*"Honestly, for me, it wasn’t so much about helping people as it was a sort of experimental site. It was for observing the securing of demi-humans, whether there were any changes, if they could survive in the northern lands, and testing the results of my research. Of course, I didn’t carve them up to use as research materials, and I lent a hand so they could survive, but at the root of it, as I said, it was to investigate the cause of mana depletion. It’s nothing to be praised for. Oh, but if it still remains, I’d like to confirm the results of the research I conducted there, so I’m fine with you taking me along as long as you don't reveal my identity."*
As far as she’s concerned, she did it for research and there’s no reason to be thanked or praised. If anything, she feels like she should be the one thanking me for providing the research data. I can understand that sentiment. Even the dungeon city of Weed was originally a facility to earn DP, and I’ve been using it to gather all sorts of data on the side.
That’s why I’ve had Elju, Seraria, Labyris, and the others take all the misplaced praise. It’s a lesson in knowing one’s place and realizing that having a stand-in is the best way to avoid trouble.
As this conversation implies, there is a dungeon there that Comet used as a research facility in the past. It’s non-functional now, but it could be restored. That would likely become our base in the White Forest, and it seems like there might be various things Comet left behind.
So, while we have major issues like the problem with the magic swords and verifying the three holy swords, there seems to be a lot more to gain in the White Forest.
...Still, I really think things would go much smoother if I just dragged Comet out here. Well, I’ll respect her wishes as much as possible. As much as possible, anyway.
While I was thinking about this, a stone wall came into view, along with what looked like a gate.
"Yuki-dono, please stop the car for a moment. The gate guards have spotted us and are gathering. It’s not desirable to cause an unnecessary commotion. I will go ahead and explain."
"Fair enough. Runo-san, I’ll leave it to you. Samantha, go with her as an escort."
"Yes, understood."
"Don't hold me back, okay?"
"Hmph. I won't be a burden to my older sister."
"I hope so. I’ll be the one doing the talking, so keep your mouth shut except for your self-introduction. I won't forgive you if you have a repeat of your past offenses, okay?"
"Ugh... Understood."
With that exchange, the two of them stepped out of the car and began walking toward the gate. If we just drove up, they’d be on guard. Runo-san really feels like a proper, mature adult.
After clearing up the misunderstanding and talking with Runo-san yesterday, I realized she is an extremely serious person. Even though she wasn't the one involved in Samantha’s gate-refusal incident, she kept bowing her head simply because she was the older sister, apologizing for a lack of supervision. In that sense, she truly has a sense of responsibility as an older sister.
Her attitude up until then was also partially Eoid’s fault, so her reaction was natural for sisters who get along well. I’ve already told Taiki-kun to increase Eoid’s training load, so he’s probably gasping for air right about now. Since he got caught in the crossfire, he should be able to handle this much. It’s literally for his own good—he’ll get stronger.
Oh, and by the way, the older sister decided she wanted to be called "san" because she didn't like being called "Big Sister." According to Samantha, being called "Big Sister" makes her feel like she’s becoming an old maid. ...I think she’s plenty young, but in this world where the average lifespan is short, things are harsh in that regard.
"Eris, have you contacted everyone in Weed?"
"Yes, I have. I told them we arrived at the White Forest safely."
"...But, Eris-shishou, the real work starts now."
"That’s right. The possibility of magic swords being brought in, verifying the three holy swords, and restoring the old dungeon in the White Forest. There’s more to do than I thought."
"Well, as usual, we can just have a separate unit secure a house and turn it into a dungeon, but honestly, I don't know how much of a cultural gap there is, and I don't know how our behind-the-scenes work might be discovered. It would be bad if things got complicated because of that, so we should talk to the royals first... Calling Comet would solve this easily, so I’ll have to get her to give up on that idea."
"...That’s true. Since there are blood relatives and even siblings of the King and Prime Minister here, it’s better than making a clumsy move."
"...Mm. I agree with Yuki. Looking at it, we’re the only outsiders here right now. Since it’s winter, I don't think they’ll be letting any strange people in anytime soon."
"I think so too. That’s exactly why it’s hard for us newcomers to move—because there’s so little traffic."
"...The world is difficult."
"It is. While the low traffic is a blessing considering the current situation, it’s so low that we stand out quite a bit just by moving. As Cleena says, it’s difficult."
It’s a case of "damned if you do, damned if you don't." Everything has its pros and cons.
"Oh, the two of them are coming back."
"They’re waving. It looks like they managed to talk to the gate guards without incident."
"...The gate is opening."
The small pedestrian gate was already open, but for a carriage—or the car we’re riding in—the main gate has to be opened. We can see it slowly swinging wide.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Yuki-sama, we’ve managed to settle things."
"I did, anyway."
"...Older sister, please concede that point."
"I won't indulge you at a time like this. Now, please approach the gate at the speed of a carriage. There will be a luggage inspection, so please stop in front of the gate."
"Understood."
As Runo-san instructed, I slowly approached the gate and came to a stop. There were about four soldiers there, a mix of Wolf, Rabbit, Cat, and Hunter beastmen.