第３９０堀：もう一つの神と洞窟の物語 (Part1)
Chapter 390: Another God and the Tale of the Dungeon
Side: Noble
The sound of a pen scratching across paper echoes through the room.
Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be anything to take note of, but if you listen closely, it’s strangely interesting—there’s a peculiar, steady rhythm to it.
The Chancellor, who is processing documents beside me, is doing the same; perhaps unconsciously, he taps the tip of his pen against the rim of the inkwell twice, repeating the cycle of writing and pausing.
I wonder, do I have a similar rhythm myself?
"…Hm? Your Majesty, your pen has stopped. Are you finished with the documents?"
"No, just a little more. I was taking a brief rest. You shouldn't push yourself either, Chancellor. Make sure to take breaks."
"I appreciate your concern. However, I am nearly finished as well, so I shall continue."
"Hmm. In that case, I shall do my best as well. I would hate to see the Chancellor finish first and look all relaxed while I’m still working."
"Hahaha, you mustn't overdo it. You are not as young as you once were, Your Majesty."
"Nonsense! My body is younger than yours. Just watch. I’ll be the one to finish first and show you the face of a man liberated from his duties."
In that competitive spirit, we finished our paperwork and took a breather.
"My, I acted like a child, didn't I?"
"Indeed. But it wasn't bad."
"Quite right. It’s what they call remembering one's childhood innocence."
"Childhood innocence... I find it hard to recall the days when I was a child."
"Though, in appearance, you still have one foot in childhood, Your Majesty."
"Don't say that. Don't you ever think, Chancellor, that if you had met me when I was a bit younger, things might have been different?"
"Hmm. Well, I used to think so, but I’ve come to believe this form isn't so bad. If I were in a younger form, people would be much harsher on the position of Chancellor. It’s easier when people treat you with the consideration one gives an old man."
"That sounds logical, but wouldn't I, in my child-like form, be treated with even more consideration?"
"Your Majesty is overflowing with ambition, and in truth, your governance is flawless. It’s quite difficult to judge whether one is being treated with consideration or being looked down upon, but I believe you are sufficient as a King."
"Is it a matter of position, then..."
As I said that and slumped over my desk, the Chancellor muttered.
"...Position. Come to think of it, Your Majesty was once a general of Ex."
"Ah, that was right around the time of the Demon King War. Though, back then, it was nothing more than a small nation."
"That was about a hundred years before I was born... It’s a difficult question to ask, but were you already with Sakuri-sama at that time?"
"Indeed. My friend and I were already standing shoulder to shoulder back then. Come to think of it, I’ve never told you. The story of my meeting with my friend, Sakuri, and the process that led to that form."
"Your Majesty, that story began with me hearing it from you, but is it really alright for me to hear it? You don't have to force yourself to speak of it."
"Nonsense, Sakuri trusts you, and you converse with her regularly, do you not?"
"That is exactly why. Sakuri-sama is, like you, a pillar of Ex. How could I possibly do anything to offend her?"
"Hahaha, she isn't the type to get bent out of shape over such trivial things. She has the breadth of spirit to accept that form of hers. I suspect she’d only be embarrassed to have a trusted Chancellor know how we met."
"...Well, if it is Sakuri-sama, that is likely true."
"So, listen well. I’ve been too busy to talk about it until now. But with Popuri-dono and Hifie-dono, the heroes of the Demon King War, about to gather, it wouldn't be a bad thing to hear the stories of those days."
"...That is also true. May I ask you to teach me of those days, as much as you are willing?"
"Indeed. Now, where should I begin... Yes, chronological order would be best. My meeting with my friend—that could be called the beginning of the Ex we know today."
It was still before the Demon King War.
Back then, there weren't many nations with the kind of clear, powerful strength or national power that exist today; it was a time of war far worse than the present.
As I said, Ex was a small nation back then, and it wasn't even called Ex.
"Ex" was the name given when it became a great power; it had a different name as a small nation, but well, that doesn't matter.
At that time... ah, I can't refer to myself as "I" in the royal sense back then. It was just "me."
I was already a god, but I was blending in among the people, and as the Chancellor said, I was in the position of a general for a small nation, searching for a way to guide the people and the world.
I didn't think that simply being worshipped as a god was something a being of power should do.
Well, the effects of magic depletion were becoming prominent back then, and honestly, my power as a god was as good as non-existent.
In fact, I was almost no different from a human.
Many gods lost their lives in that war and the subsequent Demon King War.
I suppose they understood that.
There were gods above us—though I don't suppose you could truly grasp that—and there was an oracle from one of them that those who could become our strength should be made Dungeon Masters.
It was logical. But in those days, dungeons were nests of monsters.
It wasn't easy to join forces, and I heard that most of those Dungeon Masters failed to maintain their dungeons and lost their lives.
In fact, after the Demon King War, the only gods and Dungeon Masters left were the Goddess Hifie, the genius Comet Tail, myself, and my friend, Sakuri-face.
But I digress.
During those days of war, when I invaded the territory of another nation as a mere general, the lord of that land was Sakuri.
I was met with more resistance than I had expected.
At the time, I was called a "God of War" because of my military achievements. I became even more famous during the Demon King War, but even then, I was already being called by that grandiose title.
Yet, against me, she managed to evacuate the common folk, and even as the last one standing, she utilized her abilities as a Dungeon Master to summon monsters and resist me.
"You. Are you a Dungeon Master...? If you had used monsters from the beginning, the result might not have been this way."
"Haa, haa, guh. I cannot do that. A lord who frightens their own people is worse than a fool."
"And as a result, the lives of the people in this land are gone."
"They are not gone. Seeing you, I am convinced. You are not a person who would oppress the people. Will you kill the people who return?"
"...The people are the true treasure of a nation. Any fool who lays a hand on them will surely perish soon enough."
"Then, the only question is whether you have the strength to protect this land."
"...So, have you reached an answer?"
"Yes... I entrust the people who live in this land to you, in place of my own weakness."
I did not take the head of Sakuri, who had ceased her resistance after saying that.
"...If I were to take your head, the backlash from the people living in this land would be immense. Therefore, submit to me. I have seen that you have fulfilled your duty to your motherland. Submitting is not an act of a fool."
"But..."
"That power you received from the gods, and above all, your stance of prioritizing the peace of the people without being blinded by power—it is too precious to lose. As one in the same position, I feel this."
"...The same?"
"I may look like this, but I am a fragment of a god. Did you not receive an oracle as well? To cooperate with other gods or Dungeon Masters if you could?"
"...I see. Is this fate?"
"No, this is the path you and I have chosen. There is no such thing as fate. We must carve it out ourselves. That is precisely why it would be a shame to lose someone like you, who has stood against me."
"...I understand. I will submit to you, Noble."
"I look forward to working with you, Sakuri."
That was the meeting between Sakuri and me.
We both felt the limits of what we could do alone.
That is perhaps why each other's power seemed so attractive.
Well, more than that, as friends, they were comfortable days.
We studied every day, discussed our abilities, did what we could, and somehow managed to lead Ex forward.