第３６９堀：司祭と研究者の旅路 (Part1)
### Chapter 369: The Priest and the Researcher’s Journey
**Side: Comet**
*Clack-clack, clack-clack...*
The scenery drifted slowly past the window, accompanied by the rhythmic rattling of the carriage. It was a leisurely journey, devoid of any bandits or monsters. I couldn't help but wonder why I was stuck in a carriage instead of being back in my laboratory.
*Sigh.* If only I could use a Doppel, I could be eating and sleeping in my lab right now! No, wait—I could have been making real progress on my research!
"Comet, why are you making so many faces?"
"...I’m just wondering why I’m stuck in this piece-of-junk carriage."
"Don't call it that. This is an experiment for the suspension system, after all."
"That’s just a convenient excuse you tacked on. We’ve already tested that in Weed, Betan, and the Hifie Holy Kingdom. Actually, let’s change the name of the Hifie Holy Kingdom. It’s annoying to distinguish it from Hifie herself."
"You never change... Do you think changing a country's name is that simple? And have you forgotten our critical mission? The fate of this continent rests on our actions."
"The 'fate of the continent,' huh..."
Hifie takes that seriously, and well, she isn't exactly wrong. But Yuki-kun gave the go-ahead for this. I’m sure we’re just one piece of a much larger strategy. We’re the main attraction, yet not the main attraction at all. If it’s Yuki-kun or Taizo-san, they’ve surely set up a formation that can deliver a fatal blow from any angle.
It’s been three days since we left the Hifie Holy Kingdom in this ordinary carriage, heading toward the Royal Capital of Ex. I’m certain Yuki-kun and the others are busy adding even more cards to their hand. Before I knew it, I started feeling like we were just an afterthought.
Ah, the reason we’re going in person without using concealment—to make the enemy trust us and to keep the existence of the Doppels hidden—is a pain. I know we have the lowest risk of dying; after all, one of us is a god, and the other is a super-high-level undead. But while Hifie is one thing, I’m a Lich. I don’t know who this 'Noble' person is, but if I were to be controlled... well, I’d hate to be handled like a doll, even if I am a beauty. I’d really like to avoid that.
By the way, our carriage guards are high-level mages and magic sword users I turned into undead. Their sense of self has been returning lately. It’s far from complete, but since I took bodies that had already lost their lives on ancient battlefields, they didn't have the pristine preservation I did. They don't have souls anymore, so it seems they’re just calling back the remnants of emotions left in their bodies.
I say "it seems" because that’s just what I heard from Yuki-kun. I’m undead, but I’m not an expert on undead research. It’s outside my field. Regardless, they make excellent guards. Since they haven't fully regained their sense of self, they’re dull to fatigue—and they’re okay with me poking and prodding them!
Well, that was a joke. Their levels are decent, so we can afford to space out. The downside to being dull to fatigue is that they’re also slow to react to pain. Sometimes I’ll look over and realize one of them has a broken bone. Managing undead is quite the chore. I hope they regain their sense of self soon so they can manage their own physical condition.
Perhaps annoyed by my zoning out, Hifie speaks up.
"You really have no motivation, do you..."
Are you my mother? I admit I rely on her, but still.
"Because it’s so boring! My job is supposed to be research. I understand the reason for this, but when I’m being rattled around in a carriage like this, I start to question my reason for existing."
"...*Sigh*. You really are just as you were back then."
"I could say the exact same thing to you. Hifie hasn't changed either. Thanks to that, life is interesting, so I can't complain. Oh, wait, my life is already over—should I say 'death-life'?"
"Who knows?"
Just as our conversation was drifting off, my call signal rang.
"Oh. It’s Yuki-kun. Yes, hello?"
*"Yo. Enjoying the carriage trip and the change of pace?"*
"Honestly, I’m bored to death. I want to get back to my lab as soon as possible. That place is my true castle."
*"Don't sound like a shut-in. And if that's how you feel, why don't you just come back?"*
"Because you were the one who said we should go in person."
*"No, no, I meant why don't you just prepare a Doppel over there and do your work?"*
"What... did you say..."
I froze at those words. That was the solution! I didn't need to use a Doppel just to go outside. I could use one to do my work instead!
*"Anyway, forget the usual routine."*
"Alright, I’m heading back to the lab immediately! The rest is up to you, Hifie!"
"Hey, wait a minute!?"
I just thought of an even more miraculous way to use them! I’ll leave the research to one Doppel, and use another to enjoy Weed! Other than Yuki-kun, people usually have trouble controlling multiple Doppels, but as a fellow Dungeon Master, it’s no problem for me. What a perfect shadow double! What kind of researcher would I be if I didn't do this?!
*"Wait, hold on. That’s not why I called. I’m giving you a progress report. We’ve received interesting information from Mauve and the others who infiltrated ahead, as well as from the Doppel members."*
"Oh? Let’s hear it."
"Wait, if it’s that kind of talk, shouldn't we go back to Weed first?"
*"No. Stay as you are. It’s one thing to have one of you, but having both of you return is out of the question. I’m keeping an eye on things, but leaving an empty shell behind is dangerous."*
He’s right. If I were attacked while my main body was elsewhere, I’d be defenseless. Even with guards, I wouldn't want to leave my body in a carriage. Unless it was deep inside Weed, in a place turned into a fortress, I couldn't do such a thing.
"...Does that mean, Comet, that I’m the only one who has to keep riding in this carriage?"
"...No, I just want to advance my research. I don't have any intention of leaving the rest to you, Hifie."
Yeah, I just want to be comfortable, I don't intend to inconvenience anyone. It just so happens that Hifie will be the one left in the carriage. If you ask which is more beneficial, it’s definitely me returning to the lab. I think it’s best for both of us if the empty-headed Hifie relaxes in the carriage... probably.
*"I know you two get along, so save it for after I finish the explanation."*
"..." "..."
We both had things we wanted to say, but we stayed silent. It’s useless to argue with Yuki-kun now; he’d just twist our words and shut us both down. Plus, I want to hear the information.
*"Alright, I’m starting the explanation. First, based on the letter that arrived, there’s a possibility that the dungeon—or rather, the ruins—are active. I’ve ordered a multi-faceted information gathering effort with that as a priority. Also, the Ex side hasn't reacted to Mauve and the others, so they’ve managed to infiltrate through a different route. Furthermore, assuming the ruins near the Royal Capital of Ex are active, I’ve organized an exploration team and already sent Steve out as the captain. The date and time for Steve’s operation is..."*
As I took in the explanation, I watched the young man on the screen. He summarized the key points and provided documents, making it easy to understand. I couldn't help but be impressed by how much he does.
The young man’s name is Yuki. As he himself said, it’s a pseudonym. He uses it because if his real name from his original world were leaked, it could be a fatal blow. I can understand why. In Weed, the family registry system makes it easy to find out a person’s origin, family structure, and even their personal relationships.
His hometown is likely the same. If his name were leaked, there’s a possibility that someone could intentionally bring his relatives from the other world and use them as shields to corner him.