第３４４堀：事情把握ともう１人 (Part2)
"Phew, that's a relief. I'll be retiring for the night, but please, Yuki-dono, ensure you show the utmost respect to His Majesty."
"Understood. I have no desire to see everything fall apart due to a blunder. Once the talk is over, I’ll come by to report."
"Yes, please do."
The way Runo casually smoothed things over so that I wouldn't question meeting the King—it was a move worthy of a true royal. I wish the Sword King of 'Lo-something' would take a page out of her book. Though, to be fair, that level of blunt, head-on honesty is rare.
Dinner ended, and a short while later, we were summoned. Naturally, my guards and the members who had been with me this time all came along. The only one left out was Runo. Well, that couldn't be helped.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Honestly. Don't make me repeat myself over and over. It's what happens when you get old..."
"I wouldn't be saying that if I were you, Onee-san, trying so hard to look young."
"...For now, both of you, be quiet. You're stalling the conversation. You've done well to come here; please, take a seat."
It seemed neither of them had any major issues. There was a slight chill between Kaya and Hina, but it looked like nothing more than a standard sibling squabble.
"Now, Yuki-dono. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping the reckless rampage of these foolish sisters."
"Thank you so much for bringing my sisters back. I truly thought I would never see them again..."
The eyes of the two speaking were slightly red. Well, that’s to be expected. They were seeing family they thought had already passed away.
"Not at all. I just apprehended them when they got in my way on the road. It was simple enough."
" "Ugh!?" "
The two Holy Sword Users clutched their chests at my words. It was the truth, so it couldn't be helped.
"Well, the background to all this is so incredibly deep that it still gives me a headache..."
"We bear responsibility for that. We couldn't stop our foolish sisters or the other Holy Sword Users."
"Let's leave that aside for now. And while we're on the subject, may I ask who this lady is?"
"Ah, my apologies. She is Hina's daughter."
"Forgive my late introduction. I am Tomori, Hina's daughter. Thank you so much for bringing Auntie... I mean, Onee-sama Kaya back to us!!"
I see. That explains why she looks like Kaya. It’s not quite a 'reversion to ancestors,' but it’s common for relatives to resemble each other more than siblings do. Also, she caught herself before calling her 'Auntie.' Kaya was glaring at her, so I suppose she’d been 'trained' on that point. Is it really that taboo to suggest a woman's age?
"Now, then. How much of our story have you heard so far?"
"Not much. We haven't had the time. Only that they tried to cause a disturbance and were defeated after a desperate struggle against you and your party..."
"Yes. The details are quite fragmented. It seems they don't know much about the contents of the official letter, either..."
Ah, right. Aside from the fact that someone had fought Comet at the very end, these two had been effectively under house arrest in Weed, so there was no way they could explain the proper sequence of events.
"Hmm. I see. Honestly, the amount of information is staggering, so it will take some time. Is that alright?"
"Time is not an issue. If anything, it’s clear we must dedicate time to this."
"Yes, as His Majesty says. To fully understand the matter of the official letter, it is correct to devote time to this discussion. Other matters can be left to my subordinates."
"Understood. But where to start... Ah, actually, it would be faster if we met with one more person first. May I call for them?"
"Aside from Runo, all of your companions are already here, aren't they?"
"Well, things are complicated, and someone else is actually nearby."
"Hmm. If you say it's necessary, Yuki-dono, then I see no problem. However, judging by that, are they in the castle town? I shall have the guards search for them, so please provide a description..."
"Oh, no. They're already here."
As I said that, simultaneously...
*Flap!!*
The sound of cloth snapping echoed, and a fool appeared standing on the table.
"Hahaha!! Man, this place has gotten big since I last looked!"
Her name is Comet. The source of this entire disturbance. However, the way she made her entrance was similar to a certain useless goddess. Or rather, identical.
"How about that!! A light-magic camouflage cloak that utilizes the refraction of light through the application of science and magic technology!!"
The fool boasted, flapping her cloak back and forth.
"C-Comet-sama!? Y-you were alive!?"
"Hm? Oh, is that where we're starting? No, I'm definitely dead."
What is that supposed to mean, "definitely dead"?
"Eh? But... Onee-sama, what does this mean!? You said you killed Comet-sama with your own hands..."
"Ah, yeah. Not me, though. The leader did the cutting."
"Um, Onii-sama, Comet-sama is quite cheerful for someone like that..."
"Hey, hey!! There's no rule that says a Lich can't be cheerful!! Peace sign!!"
The fool said, flashing a V-sign.
"C-certainly. I have never heard that Liches or the undead must be gloomy, but..."
"...Was Comet-sama always like this?"
Ah, I see. These two didn't know Comet's true nature. This is bad; it’s going to take even longer to explain. It’s a lesson in why you shouldn't romanticize people too much.
Also, for the record, I’m still fighting through *Gundam Breaker 3* using only the GM.
*Ahyahyahya!!*