第４４０堀：最終兵器幼女とかの勇者の因縁 (Part1)
### Chapter 440: The Ultimate Weapon Loli and the Hero’s Fate
**Side: Eris**
I hadn’t expected Yuki-san to intervene with just his voice, but it was likely the most peaceful and clear way to prove that he had seized control of the castle. He was clearly cooperating with Taizou-san’s stance of keeping things as amicable as possible. Yuki-san, after all, dislikes blood-soaked affairs like war.
It seems Nonoa was not as foolish as I had imagined, and the fact that she was willing to listen to us was a stroke of luck. Well, if one were to call it a misfortune, it would be because she was up against Yuki-san.
We have reached this point by operating in a way completely different from any dungeon that has come before. If the gods who are said to have created the common sense of this world were capable of such thinking, the problem of mana depletion would have already been solved, and Yuki-san would never have been summoned here in the first place.
...However, there are always those who cannot grasp the reality of a situation.
"You bastards!! Do you think you’ll get away with this?! Did you think our country would bow to such threats!! Lady Nonoa, do not be deceived!! These people are clearly spouting lies!!"
One of the guards came shouting as he approached us. I believe this was the person Nonoa had certified as a "Hero." He certainly seemed to possess power beyond the norm, but...
"Calm yourself!!"
"But I cannot overlook their words and actions!! This can be taken as nothing less than a declaration of war!! As Lady Nonoa’s Hero, I shall place these people under arrest!!"
Ignoring Nonoa’s attempt to stop him, the Hero—the only one among the guards not dressed as a mage, but clad in armor—drew the sword at his waist and pointed the tip toward us. From the perspective of a guard or a protector of the nation, this was a natural course of action after hearing what had been said. In that sense, he deserved praise for fulfilling his duty, but...
"Popuri."
I could handle it myself, but I am here as a VIP, and it would be meaningless if the members assigned to guard duty didn't do their jobs. So, I called out to Popuri, the petite one who would have the most impact.
"Understood."
Popuri seemed to understand my intent. Without a hint of panic, she walked toward the Hero with a cute, toddling gait that matched her appearance. The Hero’s expression turned to one of visible disgust as he watched her.
"Look at this, Lady Nonoa!! These people are not worth believing if they bring a small, helpless girl along and call her a guard!! Moreover, to use her as a shield against me... they are the lowest of the low! You there, you don’t need to listen to their orders. We’ll protect you, so come over here."
As expected, he was underestimating her and was indignant. He saw Popuri as a poor, helpless little girl who needed protection. Normally, that is how one would see her. But for Popuri, this is just one of her many practiced acts. Since she has lived far longer than I have, she has experienced this kind of exchange countless times. In that sense, it is precisely why she was left as one of the three guards. She excels at negotiations that utilize her age-old wisdom and her appearance as a young girl.
"Thank you, big brother."
Popuri said in a sugary-sweet voice, toddling even closer to the Hero. Perhaps because he didn't feel threatened, he didn't even point his sword at her...
*Clench.*
Popuri grabbed the tip of the blade with her small, cute hand.
"Hey, it’s dangerous to touch a sword, let go," the Hero said, unable to comprehend why she would do such a thing. Nonoa, however, had gone deathly pale. That was to be expected. The moment Popuri stood in front of him, she had released her mana; anyone with a certain level of strength would have sensed it. We already had an accurate grasp of Nonoa and her group's levels, and to put it simply, this Hero had not yet reached that realm.
In other words...
"Hmm. I appreciate your concern, but you should have questioned why a little girl like me stepped forward and been on your guard."
"What are you..."
"It’s not 'what.' It just means you’re still a greenhorn."
*CRUNCH!?*
Yes, he was not an opponent worthy of being called an enemy. Without waiting for the Hero’s response, Popuri crushed the sword in her grip. Then, flying directly in front of the Hero, she delivered a kick that sent him flying into the wall. He didn't get back up; he fell into silence.
"Hmm. I’ve done enough field testing to know, but even at my level, this is the power. My, how terrifying. Or perhaps I should thank Deryu-dono for teaching me martial arts? If not for her lessons, I might have killed him without being able to hold back."
Popuri said, smoothing out her clothes. Then, as if she had just remembered, she called out to Nonoa.
"Oh, Nonoa-dono."
"Y-yes!?"
"I hope it’s not rude for a mere guard to speak up, but may I ask one thing?"
"P-please do!!"
"I won't complain about his actions, so please rest assured. We understand that we look suspicious, just as he said, and his actions were commendable for a guard. Well, he was a bit naive, but he passes as a knight."
"Th-thank you very much..."
"And, my apologies. That wasn't what I wanted to say."
"Th-then, what was it?"
"To put it simply, I am the one with the lowest ability among this group. My specialty is actually being a mage, just like you, Nonoa-dono."
When Popuri said that, Nonoa’s eyes went wide. She looked at us, her face turning from pale to white, and she began to tremble violently. She had finally understood the accurate difference in strength and the current situation. Suddenly, she bowed her head...
"The Magic Kingdom pledges total surrender and obedience to Weed!! Therefore, I beg of you, please spare the people. I take full responsibility for everything!!"
She began to say. We had no such intention, but I suppose once she saw that difference in strength, she thought it was all over the moment she challenged us. However, it was a relief to see that she truly wished for the peace of her own people. Should I say she is a god, even if she is a bit rotten? Her judgment had been wrong, but it was still her own path toward peace. After all, if she really tried, she had the strength to somehow defeat someone like Popuri—provided she wasn't wearing her Naljia-series equipment, of course.
"Nonoa-dono, please raise your head. We do not desire your surrender or obedience. The fact that we came here to talk is proof enough of that."
Taizou-san spoke to the trembling Nonoa with a wry smile. Popuri had already returned behind us; Jessica had a neutral expression, but Riel was desperately trying to hold back her laughter. I imagine Ria and Comet, who were watching this situation from another room, must be bursting with laughter.
"Why would you be so generous?"
Nonoa finally raised her head, looking fearful, but she didn't seem to understand why Taizou-san would say such a thing. Well, since Yuki-san’s policy regarding mana depletion is completely different from these gods, it couldn't be helped. This world has yet to develop its civilization, and they doubtlessly believe that consuming others is the only way for their own country to develop toward the future.
"You ask why, but this is simply my policy."
"Policy, you say?"
"To begin with, I have no intention of taking the route of unifying the world. I believe we should focus on advancing research into mana depletion as quickly as possible. In other words..."
And so, Taizou-san began to explain Yuki-san’s policy to Nonoa in detail. By forming an alliance, having each side conduct mana research, making them realize the danger of mana depletion on their own, and utilizing multiple perspectives from various fields of study, we would search for a solution to the mana depletion together.