第５０１堀：縁の下の力持ち (Part1)
### Chapter 501: The Unsung Hero
**Side: Zargis, Weed Affiliate, Director of the Magic Depletion Research Institute, Former Member of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings**
No matter how grand a title one may hold, at the end of the day, I am merely an employee. Whether it be a king or a leader of the world, one has no choice but to manage limited human resources and materials effectively. If the system collapses, dissatisfaction brews among those around you, and eventually, you are cast out. That is the simple truth of it.
My former master, Her Majesty Liliana, was honestly skeptical of me. After all, she appointed me as one of the Four Heavenly Kings not for my technical prowess, but for my magic. Well, one could say that was because I lacked consideration and understanding for those around me. It was certainly not because I was fired for staring at Her Majesty Liliana’s fine figure.
I retired from the Four Heavenly Kings due to a minor trouble, got to know Yuki, and attained my current position. And let me tell you, it was a surprise. Seeing Yuki, Taiki, and Taizo-san helped me understand the reasons why people would summon Heroes—the very beings who could be considered the natural enemies of the Demon race. The gap in technology is staggering.
While it is a nuisance for those being summoned, as a researcher of the fringes who seeks to explore and elucidate the unknown, the arrival of these individuals—who carry the vast knowledge of Earth—was a marvel. I had no qualms about bowing my head and begging for their teachings.
Back then, I held the theory that even if summoning itself was wrong, wasn't it necessary to push the world forward? I understood that it could be called kidnapping and lead to war, but let’s just say it was driven by a thirst for the unknown. I don't harbor even a shred of that sentiment now, though.
"Well, if we follow these steps, it should be fine. Trying to intervene in that now would be nothing more than a suicide wish."
I say this while watching Yuki’s wives dash fiercely toward the Gate.
"You're right about that. The advance team has reached them, so they're on their way back. We’ll confirm the bidirectional passage immediately. If things look dicey, I’ll issue a retreat order right away."
*“Understood!! We’ve arrived!! The advance team is pulling back!!”*
Steve has it rough, too. Weed has arguably overcome a sort of crisis. Yuki, the secret leader, had been kidnapped via summoning, and they had finally managed to reunite. The atmosphere among Weed’s top brass until that point had been abysmal. The research institute members were also called in for countermeasures, halting all research to shift toward developing interference for the teleportation magic.
Of course, there was also the matter of finding a way to rescue Yuki, but that became unnecessary once Yuki contacted us directly. In short, if I lose Yuki—my greatest benefactor—I get worked to the bone like this. So, my desire to protect him to maintain my current happy life is exactly the same as his wives’.
Summoning is evil. Because it stops my research.
While I was thinking about that, the advance team returned.
"Alright, hurry up and deploy the second, third, and fourth Gates! The location is registered, so we can deploy Gates from this side. Don't slack on checking the DP consumption! Start transporting supplies from the first Gate!"
"Understood!!"
Seeing the advance team return, Steve immediately moved to the next phase of the operation. Now, I suppose I should get to work as well.
"The three of you from the advance team. Thank you for your hard work. We’ll begin the medical check now, so head over to that medical vehicle."
I speak to them while moving to begin the examinations immediately.
"So, how was it on the other side? Any discomfort since returning?"
"No, I feel fine."
"Same here."
"We didn't need to use the emergency stealth or oxygen tanks."
"…I see. It might just be that you're fine for now. If you start feeling unwell, tell Comet immediately."
"Huh? Isn't Zargis-san the one doing the checkup?"
"Unfortunately, I have to stay on the Weed side to monitor the state of the Gates. Measuring, and so on. Honestly, medicine isn't my specialty, so it was decided that Comet would handle it."
She herself is an undead, closer to a magical lifeform than I am. It was decided that I, who carries less risk, would handle the work near the Gates. Honestly, Taizo-san would be the safest, but he is the Prime Minister of the Hifie Holy Kingdom. We can't have him working here for long periods.
"…What about Rurua-san?"
"As you can see, she’s busy with the checkups for Yuki and his pregnant wives. I understand your feelings, but please, do your best."
Even from my perspective, I wouldn't want to be examined by Comet. When we first met…
*“Your magic power is rising too high, are you turning into a Demon!? What is that!! Let me investigate!! Strip! Also, can I cut you? Can I slash you? Let me slash you!!”*
She was a total mad scientist. Yuki told me, “But Zargis, you modify monsters too,” but that is strictly a mild affair involving drug administration and the like; it’s not like Comet, who takes living things apart and stitches them back together. I told her that, but she said it was six of one, half a dozen of the other—there was no difference.
Well, despite those fits, she is an excellent researcher. My field is magic power itself, Comet’s is the development of tools using magic, and Narjia-san’s is the conversion of magic into weaponry; our fields are quite distinct. Taizo-san seems to be unraveling magic power from a scientific perspective.
"Ugh. Maybe this is the end for us."
"No, no, what do you take me for?"
"Hii, he appeared!?"
"…Should I answer that request?"
"Please stop. If you take them apart, my workload increases. I’ll tell Hifie-dono on you."
"Yes, yes. It was a joke. Come on, you lot, I won't dismantle you, so hurry up and get your medical check. I have other things to do. Besides, you should be happy that you're dealing with such a beauty."
"Anyone who says that is either a suicide candidate or someone who hasn't met her for the first time."
"Yeah, yeah."
"…Everyone says the same things as Hifie. Hifie was the one who used corpses, though. Well, whatever. Just hurry up and finish. I’m seriously backed up with work."
"Understood."
"Well then, Zargis, I’ll leave that side to you. Investigate thoroughly. I don't want to drop dead the moment I get close."
"I have a possibility of being affected too, you know. I will do my best."
Once Comet’s medical check is finished, the experiment on teleportation interference awaits. Since it’s a type of tool, it falls under Comet’s field and Narjia-san’s weaponry field, so they plan to do various things together. I just hope there aren't any unnecessary functions added.
Praying for that, I returned to the front of the Gates, where four were already in full operation.
"Steve, what’s the status of each Gate?"
"No problems so far."
"I see. For now, we wait until the supplies are completely moved."
"That’s right. If we do something unnecessary and the Gates get sealed, that would be a real problem, so we’ll finish transporting the necessary supplies before doing any further verification."