第３４５堀：夢の続き (Part1)
**Chapter 345: The Continuation of the Dream**
**Side: Comet, The Idiot Genius Lich**
Hmm?
I feel like I was just insulted and praised at the same time.
Well, whatever.
In any case, I learned from Yuki-kun that it would be easier for me to be the one to step out and negotiate if I want to gain the cooperation of White Forest. I’m not opposed to helping out—after all, I’m the one who sowed these seeds.
But the King and the Chancellor of White Forest currently standing before me are…
"We rejoice from the bottom of our hearts at your return."
"And we are deeply sorry that we could not stop the reckless actions of our sisters."
They are kneeling on one knee, heads bowed low.
Yeah.
This is exactly why I didn't want to come out. It’s a huge pain.
I knew this would happen, and it makes moving the conversation forward difficult. I’m just a researcher, after all. I didn't do this to "save" anyone; it was for the sake of my research data. I have no reason to be thanked.
I tried mimicking Luna-san’s entrance, but I guess it’s rare for people to react to it the way Yuki-kun does.
"Ah, look, we aren't going to get anywhere if you keep doing that. Could you please lift your heads? My visit this time is related to that letter of credence. I don't think we have the luxury of taking our time."
"Yes. If that is what you wish, Comet-sama."
The King says this and finally sits back in his chair.
…I’ll be honest.
Even looking at his face, I have absolutely no memory of him. I didn't hand the "Betsu-ken" (Special Swords) to them directly, nor did I mentor them like I did with Popuri, so it’s unavoidable that I don't remember. It’s force majeure.
But they recognized my face and called my name immediately, so there’s no doubt they are survivors of the demi-humans I brought here back then.
"So, Yuki-kun. Is it alright if I take the lead on this?"
"Go ahead. It’ll probably be easier for them to accept the conversation that way. I’ll chime in if there’s a problem."
"OK. I’m counting on you for the follow-up."
I can only explain things from a researcher’s perspective, after all. I’m not the type to sweet-talk or manipulate people like Yuki-kun.
"Um, Comet-sama. What is your relationship with Yuki-dono?"
"Hm? Ah, starting from there, are we? Did I mention that I’m a Dungeon Master?"
"Yes. You created the system for converting magical power into DP using a Dungeon Core, as well as the food supply system."
"…Ah, I did do some research like that, didn't I?"
I believe that was an experiment from before I created the Special Swords. I had been trying various things, wondering if they could be diverted to other uses outside the dungeon.
Yikes, that was such an early-stage experiment that my memory of it is fuzzy.
"So, is it still operating properly?"
"It is still functioning without issue."
"We have designated that area as a sanctuary and strictly prohibit unauthorized entry, so the safety management is well-maintained."
"Heh, it lasted a long time, didn't it? But we’re getting off track. Anyway, this Yuki-kun is my successor as Dungeon Master."
" "A successor!?" "
"That’s right. I died, you see. The god who certified me as a Dungeon Master decided to make someone else the Dungeon Master. Oh, and the fact that Yuki-kun is a Dungeon Master is, of course, a secret. If you go blabbing about it…"
Yuki-kun’s wives behind him flash brilliant smiles while radiating killing intent.
Yeah.
Whoops, I went and said Yuki-kun is the real Dungeon Master.
But Labyris isn't here, so it can't be helped, right?
Yuki-kun himself isn't complaining, and at this point, this White Forest group is practically family.
"…Of course, we understand. Given the circumstances regarding Comet-sama, we will never speak of this to outsiders. However, how did you revive as an undead? I had assumed that your successor, Yuki-sama, had revived you…"
"Ah, yeah. This is where it gets complicated…"
I briefly explained that the Priestess Hifii who was with me at the time was actually a god, and that after my death, she revived me as part of a process to conduct a sort of "humanity selection."
"…And that’s how it is. Well, part of it is my own fault, too."
"…The fact that other places are mass-producing magic swords has come to light, and one Holy Sword has gone missing. It is only logical that you would come here to confirm the situation."
"But it is not Comet-sama’s responsibility. If Priestess Hifii—no, Hifii-sama—despaired of the world, the root cause lies with us who live in this land."
"Indeed. Though, it was hasty to strike down Comet-sama."
"Agreed. If Comet-sama were still alive, the situation might not have deteriorated this far."
"It couldn't be helped. As Comet-sama said, she was a bit 'off' to reduce the mental burden."
"Now, we understand that the true mission of a Dungeon Master is to stop the depletion of magical power. However, it is not easy to simply move the location of the capital."
"Yeah, I know that. That’s why I tried to use the Great Flood to shift the location back then, but the children holding the Special Swords wouldn't allow it. Well, I didn't tell them the full details, though. Haven't you noticed the magical depletion becoming visible from that day until today?"
"…Yes. Clearly, the birth rate of demi-humans has fallen over these past 400 years."
"It is gradual, but at this rate, eventually…"
Eventually, the demi-humans will vanish from this continent.
Well, before that happens, they can just move to Yuki-kun’s continent of Weed, so that part is easy. It’s reassuring to have a contingency plan ready.
"Well, in the worst-case scenario, you can just escape to the other continent Yuki-kun is in charge of. That continent has a slower rate of magical depletion than this one, and there are plenty of demi-humans there. In fact, they live mixed in with humans quite normally. In a sense, it might be an ideal place."
"My, such a place exists…"
"Yuki-dono… no, Yuki-sama is truly remarkable as well."
"That’s right. I mean, as I said, Hifii and I were played like fiddles, unable to do a thing. I’ve seen the research data from Weed, and if he really wanted to, I think he could easily blow this continent away without a trace."
"T-that much!?"
"I-is that true!? Yuki-sama!!"
"Ah… blowing it away without a trace is impossible. I think I could turn it into a barren wasteland, though."
*You can do that!?*
I mean, I can only think of one type of weapon that could do that!!
"So, it’s best not to get on Yuki-kun’s bad side. Well, he’s not the type to throw tantrums over nothing, so I’m not worried. He did build a country in just one year on the other continent, after all."
"I see. A country built by Yuki-sama. If the opportunity arises, I would very much like to see it."
"Ah, that’s always possible, so we can do it when the time is right. Eventually, I intend to open diplomatic relations between this country and that one. I would appreciate your cooperation when that time comes."
"Eventually… so, not yet?"
"Yes. If we establish diplomatic relations with a continent that still has a fair amount of magical power while we don't know the cause of the depletion here, I can't imagine what might happen. Will the magical power here increase? Will the side we connect to become depleted? If we connect without properly investigating these things and problems arise, it could, at worst, develop into an intercontinental war."
"…Indeed."
There are plenty of other problems, too.
Small skirmishes between nations happen every single day, and unlike over there, there is no system in place like the one in Weed where dungeon-utilizing nations monitor each other.
I don't think they’d want to intentionally intervene in a conflict zone.
If it weren't for Hifii, I would have just run off to Weed and left this place to its own devices.
"Well, even if it can't be done openly on Yuki-kun’s continent, it’s OK to do it secretly as long as it doesn't cause problems, right?"
"I suppose so. I’ve learned a certain amount from my investigations so far. No other country has been told this much, so if White Forest is willing, I would like to have a dungeon relay point placed here openly. With other countries, it has to be done in secret."
"There is not a single citizen who would object to the blessings of a Dungeon Master increasing."