第４６８堀：ランクスの後始末 (Part1)
Chapter 468: The Aftermath of Ranks
Side: Nonoa
*Sigh.* Honestly, I am nothing but ashamed of myself.
The reason is simple: the actions I took, believing them to be correct, turned out to be based on superficial rumors and the fact that I was being used by someone else. If the other party hadn't been so magnanimous and broad-minded, my country would have been wiped off the map. I had done enough to warrant such a fate.
Perhaps it was a mistake from the start to form an alliance with a fool. In the end, "muscle-brained"—a term I heard from Comet-dono, which literally means his brain is made of muscle—is the perfect description for that man.
Apparently, that muscle-brain started moving after receiving the Dungeon Master’s blessing from Bicks, but that was also a scheme by a man named Irwin who held a grudge against him. Either way, our coalition was destined to collapse. We had a knife pressed against our throats long before we ever faced Weed.
"Haa..."
That duel had such a regrettable outcome, too. After the muscle-brain was sliced in two at the very beginning, he ended up being puppeted by an Ogre with terrifying power that emerged from within him. Moreover, the source of that disaster was a sword summoned through the Dungeon Master’s ability. There was no salvation to be found anywhere.
"Why did I ever..."
This is exactly what people mean when they say they want to punch their past selves. Well, I suppose I couldn't accept becoming a vassal of Weed because I was fixated on the idea that I had to manage things with my own power.
"Well, well, it’s all over now. Just clear your head and do your best from here on out, right?"
"Yes, you're right."
The one encouraging me is Comet-dono, a Dungeon Master from a different continent. She is a mage-type like me, though her power likely far exceeds my own. As a fellow mage, she is someone I should admire and respect.
"I’m the one who picked a fight with Yuki-kun and lost, after all."
"Fufu... In the end, I suppose I’m just not cut out for deception..."
Back then, when I heard Taizo-dono was going to duel Nogosh, I tried to advise him, thinking it was inappropriate for a Dungeon Master and a liaison to other countries to step out like that...
*"Ah, Nonoa-san. Taizo-san is just a dummy for Yuki-kun, you know? The real Yuki-kun is that young boy we met at the meeting the other day."*
*"Eh? I thought that person was the shadow meant to protect Taizo-san?"*
*"Yup. I’m quite happy to see you were so thoroughly fooled. It’s hard to tell which one is the real deal. Well, there’s no malice in it. Did you really think the real one would go to your place, Nonoa?"*
*"That is true, but..."*
*"Are you angry? I only told you because I thought it was safe to reveal it now. Do you want to break off our cooperative relationship?"*
*"No. What you say is reasonable. From here on out as well..."*
And so, I was made to realize just how small-scale my own scheming was.
"Well, the biggest problem was after Nogosh was cut down."
"That’s for sure. That was dangerous."
Indeed, the Ogre that appeared after Nogosh fell—the one called Shuten-doji, which we had been warned about—was simply on another level.
"I couldn't move at all."
"Me neither. The pressure was incredible. Actually, the only ones who could move at that time were Bicks, Irwin, Taizo-san, Taiki-kun, and Yuki-kun."
"If not for them, we would have been finished."
"True. In that sense, it might be the right choice for us to follow Yuki-kun and his group. Though, Yuki-kun gets angry if we rely on him forever. He’s looking far ahead in more ways than one."
"A child who can't leave the nest is no good, after all. I understand what he means. However, it will be a long time before I can move against an Ogre like that."
"Well, Shuten-doji turned into a child quite easily and was taken into custody, so... I think that capacity of his is amazing."
"Normally, one would just cut them down and discard them. That is the difference between us and them, I suppose."
"It seems there were other issues, too. Taking someone into your own fold is not a choice everyone can make. Oh, is this it?"
While we were talking, we arrived at a room in Ranks' castle. The area was heavily guarded by soldiers, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Umm, I’m Comet, and this is Nonoa. I heard Nogosh is here?"
"Yes!! His Majesty Taiki is already waiting!! Please, come in!!"
Yes, the reason we are at Ranks' castle is for this very purpose. We were asked to help persuade that muscle-brain. I wondered why we had to persuade him instead of just cutting him down, but if we lose Nogosh now, the Sword Country will inevitably fall into chaos. Since we don't know what kind of repercussions that might have, the policy of Weed and Ranks is to have Nogosh reconcile with us and continue ruling the Sword Country.
Well, if the Sword Country falls into disarray, the evil deeds they committed against Weed might leak out, which could endanger my own country, which was a co-conspirator. So, I had no choice but to come. Honestly, it was Nogosh and Bicks who sacrificed the people, so the idea of saving them is laughable, but it cannot be helped. If chaos erupts, others will surely exploit it, and in the end, the people will suffer the most. There may be a time for his resignation or execution in the future, but now is not that time.
"Ah, you've arrived. Nonoa-sama, Comet-dono. Thank you."
Upon entering, Ruth, the captain of the Ranks Royal Guard, greeted us immediately.
"Not at all. This is for the peace of the people."
"Honestly, I don't even know why I was called here."
Come to think of it, Comet-dono has no direct connection to Nogosh. Is she here as my bodyguard? If so, Comet-dono is certainly the best choice. As I was thinking this, Taiki-dono, who emerged from the back, provided the answer.
"That’s because Comet-san is the only one who can move right now."
"What about Yuki-dono and Taizo-dono?"
"Those two are currently discussing how to handle the Dojigiri Yasutsuna with Luna-san. In that sense, I think it’s better that you’re here. Truly."
" "Ah..." "
That’s right. A national treasure-class katana from their homeland was damaged. Since recovering that was the primary objective, it is only natural that they would be handling the aftermath.
"I get it now. I’m the representative of the Dungeon Masters, then."
"Well, something like that. Plus, you’re here to guard Nonoa-dono. You’re known as her disciple, so it shouldn't be a problem for you to tag along."
"Got it. I’ll do my best in that regard. But if that muscle-brain tells a joke, I might laugh, you know? I’m sure I won't be able to hold it in."
"Please try your best to endure it."
Perhaps because Comet-dono hasn't been directly inconvenienced by Nogosh, she seems to find the muscle-brain's behavior so absurd that it makes her want to laugh.
...I suppose she's right.