第３５２堀：過去と現在の研究者の邂逅 (Part1)
### Chapter 352: A Meeting Between Researchers of Past and Present
**Side: Comet**
*Wai-wai, gaya-gaya...* (The bustling noise of a crowd).
Why am I in the middle of such a throng? Honestly, I hate crowds like this. I can’t concentrate on my thoughts, and places with this many people are always dangerous. Pickpockets are common, and there are far too many vain people around; I’ve often been dragged into their petty squabbles.
Ah, that takes me back to my time at the Royal Capital’s Magic Research Institute. My colleagues there couldn't produce a single decent research result, but they were world-class at pulling the rug out from under others. Thanks to that, I was able to leave the capital and move to the village without a second thought. Fortunately, those idiots claimed my research as their own, so no strange pursuers or annoying people trying to convince me to return ever came looking for me. It was smooth sailing. The priestess, **Hifii**, in the village was kind, too.
Ah, those were the days. It was truly laid back back then. It’s been nothing but trouble since I was chosen as a Dungeon Master.
"Is something wrong?"
I was brought back to reality by **Milly**’s voice.
"Oh, no. Just remembering the old days. I’m in a special position now, but I used to spend my time just like the people in this castle town."
"Heh. So you were born in the city? I’m jealous. I was born in quite the countryside."
"Ah, no, that’s not it. Like **Ratz**, I’m from the countryside too. It’s just that, well, before I knew it, I was working in research. Then, I got sick of those vain people in the Royal Capital and went back to the country."
"Ah, I see. That’s a harsh world."
"Indeed it is."
Chatting like that, we walked through the Holy Capital of Enaria. Why are we here, you ask?
"Still, we got permission to see the Holy Sword faster than I expected."
"Well, we’re a bit famous around here, after all."
"That we are."
The two of them were drawing quite a lot of attention from the townspeople.
"Oh, it’s the Saint!"
"It really is her. To think we could see her again today..."
"Blessings be upon us..."
"Wait a minute, does that mean the Saint is performing healings at the Cathedral!?"
"Th-that’s right! I have to take Mom to the Cathedral!"
It was as if they were worshipping gods.
"If I recall, it was those girls from the 'Bet-Sword' incident..."
"Yes. We just happened to help out a little bit back then."
"What do you mean 'a little bit'? You were going wild, lopping off the heads of demons left and right."
"It’s fine. Thanks to that, we get to see the Holy Sword early, don't we?"
"Well, I suppose that’s true."
"Still, it’s strange. Why did the Royal Family entrust it to the **Sia** Church? Even if it’s a fake, it’s close to the real thing, isn't it?"
"I think that’s exactly why."
"Indeed."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if it were the real thing, it would be a question of whether the current Royal Family or the Church is closer to being the 'Holy Sword User'."
"Ah, I see. Because of my mind control, I ended up having a falling out with the Royal Family of that time."
"Exactly. And in the case of **Sia**, the Water Holy Sword is excellent for healing. Since there’s a church and even a religion built around worshipping it, the Royal Family can’t exactly hold onto a Holy Sword that has no user, given the public sentiment and all that."
"Ugh, that’s incredibly troublesome."
This is why I hate cities. Well, I’m the one who caused it, though.
"By the way, I heard you got the list of Dungeon Masters from **Yuki** and **Luna**. How is it? Can you figure anything out?"
"Ah, that. I’ve already reported it to **Yuki**, but it seems you haven't heard yet. Simply put, we gathered the parties involved and went around verifying things."
"The parties involved? ...Ah. Come to think of it, there are people involved. Well, it’s not exactly accurate to call them the 'parties involved,' but if it’s the Holy Sword users from when **Comet** was active, they’d be better than us at investigating."
"That’s the idea. And the results were better than I thought."
"Really? I thought it was so long ago that we wouldn't find anything."
"I thought so too. I expected to find nothing more than a name I’d heard before. But the world is surprisingly small. The leader of the 'Bet-Sword,' **Difes**, used to be a knight. It seems the name of the lord **Difes** served was on the list."
"Wow, such coincidences really do happen. Wait, that name sounds familiar..."
"It’s him. **Deryu**’s younger brother, **Raye**."
"That’s right. He does look similar to him. Well, it’s not confirmed that this is the right one, but **Yuki** said he’d start by investigating **Difes**’s story. It is, after all, a territory within the Ex Kingdom."
"Given the current situation, that’s the closest lead."
"We have almost no other clues, so why not?"
"True. Either way, we’re infiltrating the Ex Kingdom, and **Yuki** said it was a good opportunity."
"Oh, and where is **Yuki**?"
"Still in White Forest. The King and the Chancellor are currently replenishing their magic power, and he returned after finishing up with the gods. He has to bring **Runo** back, too."
"...My brother really has it rough."
"I hope he isn't overdoing it."
Yeah. Since I joined **Yuki**’s faction, I’ve realized his workload is extraordinary. He does delegate properly and puts the right people in the right places, but there are still things only he can handle, and he goes out into the field himself. He’s clearly one step away from overworking, so it’s no wonder his wives are worried.
"Well, he has the four guards with him, so if he tries to overdo it, he’ll be immediately confined to his home."
"That’s true. We have to make sure he gets some rest."
*Nu-fu-fu-fu...* The two of them laughed. It’s good that they get along, but I feel like that might just tire **Yuki** out even more.
"Oh, we can see it now."
"**Comet**, that’s the Grand Cathedral of the **Sia** Church."
"Heh."
It’s quite large, even though it doesn't handle national politics like **Hifii**’s place. In the center of the plaza, where they likely hold mass, stands a statue of a woman holding a sword modeled after **Sia**. Seeing that, there were so many people offering prayers.
"This is ridiculous... Ahahaha..."
It makes me want to laugh uncontrollably when two of my own kin are being worshipped by the masses. And it’s not like they’re doing anything worthy of worship; they’re both just 'imposters' who were defeated and captured by **Yuki**.
"Hey, you there. There are many people praying here. Could you take your noise elsewhere?"
"Ah, sorry. I just remembered something funny."
When I turned to the voice, I saw a girl—no, a woman, who was small in various ways—approaching with a magic sword at her waist. Her attire was luxurious; I wonder if she’s a big shot?
"Oh? Isn't that **Agil**?"
"You're back?"
"Hm? Oh, if it isn't **Ratz** and **Milly**!! Long time no see! Thanks to your husband and his friends, I’ve been able to do as I please at the Academy."
"Is that so? We’re glad to hear you’re doing well."
"So, **Yuki** isn't here? Is he at the castle?"
"No. I was the only one summoned this time. Well, you’ve probably heard the news, but since a large number of magic swords were discovered, I was called back as the expert in that field."
"I see."
*Hmm.* So this is the owner of the magic swords they created.