第４５９堀：集まる情報とメンバー集結 (Part2)
"I see. So, are they planning to send monsters to the village from here? Or perhaps they’ll strike the royal capital of Lanks again?"
"It’ll likely be the village. Since Taiki is there, it’s far easier than attacking the capital of Lanks."
"True, that would be the natural choice. But we’re keeping our defenses around the capital, right?"
"Of course. We’d be in trouble if they managed a two-pronged offensive."
I’ve already confirmed that the enemy’s main force can be neutralized with heavy weaponry. Even if they bypass that, we can set up defensive lines and handle them with smaller, specialized units. If things go south, I can always call for reinforcements. No problem there.
As I stare at the map, I place markers on the points that need reinforcement.
"...Seeing you prepare so methodically like this, I don't really get the feeling that we're on the back foot."
"Right? Normally, we’d be in a total panic."
"Well, that’s just how our brother is."
"Mm. Yuki is reliable."
"As expected of Yuki-sama."
"I appreciate the praise, but it doesn't make my workload any lighter."
If anything, this situation has only increased it. It’s piled up immensely. Is this some kind of targeted harassment against me?
"Do your best. I’m strictly a field operative, after all."
"...Deryu, you should help out a little, too."
"I’m just a concubine, so I can’t interfere with state affairs. My job is with the police investigation department."
"Honestly, how convenient. Speaking of being busy, what’s the status with Nonoa? Did Comet stay behind after Taizo made his round trip?"
"Yeah. Comet is a former Dungeon Master, so she’s better suited to teaching the ropes than Taizo."
It feels like an eternity ago, even though the Lanks raid was just a short while back.
"...Let me see. I believe they’re still in the middle of upgrading the defensive capabilities of Nonoa’s castle."
As I search for the report from Comet, the door swings open, and in walk Comet and Nonoa.
"Yahoo, Yuki-kun. And everyone else. Glad to see you’re all so busy."
"Oh, uh, hello."
"No need to be so formal. They’re quite easygoing."
"You—you should be—more formal and try to shrink into a corner, you know—"
Comet enters with a beaming smile, followed by Nonoa, the Goddess of Magic, who looks nervous. Behind them, Faide is calling out to Nonoa, while Lilishe is, as usual, spewing venom at Faide.
Yeah. If I invited my in-laws here, they’d probably collapse from the shock. To me, they’re just a bunch of bumbling "so-called" gods.
"Hey. Why did you bring them here? It’s bad if that castle is left unguarded."
"No problem at all. Popuri is there, along with the magic-god-loving hero. I mean, love is free and all, but choosing Popuri is a lost cause, don't you think? Well, Popuri is pulling away, and it’s interesting to see how it plays out, so I gave them a chance. Aren’t I kind?"
"That just sounds like you want to be entertained."
"You could say that."
Am I the only one who thinks *she* is the most hopeless of them all? Why is it that someone with such a beautiful exterior has such a disappointing personality? Then again, my friends were the same way, so I suppose it’s only natural.
"So, why did you bring them?"
"Is there even a need to ask? Word of the Shuten-doji has reached us, too. I want to see that Great Oni myself, and it’ll be easier to stall Nogosh and the others if we have this whole group assembled, right?"
I see. So she actually thought that through. Indeed, if we want to catch them off guard, these bumbling deities might actually be useful. But there’s one problem.
"I understand the situation. If you want to push this plan through, go talk to Taizo, who is currently planning and leading the operation."
"Eh?"
"Don't look so surprised. Isn't it obvious? I’m just following Taizo’s lead."
I emphasize that point. As far as Nonoa is concerned, Taizo is still the Dungeon Master. There are other factors, but I can't just ignore that and move forward. And there is one more problem.
"Also, try not to get on the bad side of his wife, Hifie. I’m impressed you’d chase her husband into an even deeper hell of work."
When I say that, Comet’s mouth hangs open, and her face turns pale. Then, seemingly making up her mind, she adopts the expression of a dignified beauty...
"Alright!! Let's pretend this conversation never happened—"
"Welcome back, Comet. You don't actually think you can just run away after causing such a big mess, do you? Naturally, you’ll be helping from start to finish so that Taizo doesn't bear the burden alone, right?"
Too bad. There’s no escaping Hifie. Not that I didn't have a bad feeling and call her here myself. On the surface, I just told her that other gods were visiting and she should come say hello.
"She’s hereeeee!?"
"Don't talk about people like they’re ghosts!!"
Good. Now I have someone to dump this troublesome reinforcement on. With that, and knowing the movements of the other countries, we are in a perfectly prepared state.
Well then, let’s see how this turns out.