第５１７堀：旅路と変わらぬ漢 (Part2)
"Well, we can't exactly go without rest like machines, can we?"
"Even so, considering the delay this morning, I'd say we're doing quite well."
"I suppose so."
I talk with Taiki while looking over the map. We are ahead of schedule, but if not for the morning delay, we could have made even more progress. That princess is, quite literally, dead weight.
As I'm thinking that, Deryu and Ria walk in.
"Hey, Yuki. I fed that princess and tucked her in."
"That princess really is carefree, isn't she? It's surprising how different she is from people like Deryu or Seraria."
"Don't lump me in with her. I'm sure Seraria would say the same thing."
If a princess like that existed in every country, the world would either be at peace or completely annihilated.
"Brother. The bath is ready."
"...I still find it hard to believe we have a bath while camping out in the wilderness."
Vilia and Dressa return as well, having finished the tasks I requested.
"If you can prepare it yourself, you'd want to use it, right?"
"...Well, I suppose that's true."
"Dressa, cleanliness is important. Brother is not wrong. Since it was created with magic, it can be easily returned to its original state, so it serves as both training and perfection."
"...That's not what I meant, but fine. So, who's going in first? We can't all fit at once, obviously."
Somehow, it feels like Dressa is the most sensible person here. Preparing a bath with magic is a wonderful thing—not only for hygiene but also as a form of magical training.
...And with that, the stage is set for Taiki and me to achieve our ambitions.
"Let's see. Taiki, who do you think should go first?"
"Well, how about Kamishiro-san? She seems to have the most on her mind. After that, maybe Catherine-san, and then the princess... but she's already asleep, so let's prioritize those two and we'll go last."
"Sounds good. Oh, and Eoid and Amanda must be tired from Deryu's training, so they should go first."
"That makes it sound like I did something terrible, but it was just normal training, you know?"
"Eh? Making someone run alongside a horse isn't normal! Deryu, you're a Demon Lord!"
"I am a Demon Lord. Though, I find the Hero who watches that and does nothing to be just as questionable."
While listening to the banter between the Demon Lord and the Hero, we discuss how to guard the bath. Thanks to the magical defensive barrier and the fact that the bath itself is surrounded by walls capable of withstanding mortar fire, we only need to monitor the entrance. Taiki, Ruth, and I stand guard outside.
Rather than standing around aimlessly while Kagura is inside, we pass the time with light conversation.
"By the way, Ruth, what do you think of this New Continent?"
"Yuki-dono, that is a difficult question to answer."
"Ah, I see. What I mean is, after seeing and hearing everything, what did you think of the situation in Haiden?"
"...Hmm. One must acknowledge the skill it took to get this far. Personally, however, seeing how that princess and Kamishiro-dono are treated, I cannot say I like it."
Well, that's to be expected. From an outsider's perspective, it looks like they are treating people like pawns, even when it comes to life and death. "For the sake of the country" is a common enough excuse, but when it's that blatant, it only fuels the anxiety of those following them—wondering if they'll be the next ones to be discarded. Wasn't there a saying about how if you execute your own people too much, you'll end up with no allies left?
Just as I'm thinking that, a sound echoes through the air.
"Kyaaaaah!?"
A scream rings out from the bath. Since only Kagura is inside, it must be her.
Hearing the voice, Ruth immediately jumps to his feet, ready to rush into the bathhouse, but Taiki and I hold him back.
"Your Majesty!? Yuki-dono!? Let me go!! It is our duty to protect her..."
"Ruth, calm down!! Do you really think someone could break through Yuki's defensive barrier?"
"If they did, this whole area would have been blown to bits. Don't panic; call out before you enter. If we catch a glimpse of Kagura, it'll only lead to trouble later."
People call that a "flag." It must be avoided at all costs. Though, I have a rough idea of what happened to Kagura.
"You are right. Kamishiro-dono!! Are you safe!! May we enter!!"
Ruth calls out. Ah, the booming voice of a handsome knight is truly pleasant. Best of all, Taiki and I don't have to raise our voices.
"E-eh, ah, w-wait a moment...!! Please, come in!!"
Good, Kagura managed to cover herself with a towel. We've successfully avoided the "accidental naked encounter" trope. We step inside to find Kagura, wrapped in a towel, standing up from the bath and staring at the ceiling.
We follow her gaze and look up...
"...Squeak."
Eoid is dangling from the barrier on the ceiling, knocked unconscious.
"H-he just suddenly fell from the sky. I-is there an enemy?"
Kagura runs toward us, trembling.
"Ruth, protect Kagura..."
Before I can even finish the sentence, she clings to me instead. Taiki is doing a small victory pose in the background. Meanwhile, the others, having heard the commotion, gather around.
"Oh my, he really went flying, didn't he?"
"That's not 'flying,' Master Deryu!? Eoid!! Are you okay!?"
According to the story, they were doing some post-meal training, and Eoid was sent flying right into the bath. As expected of a "lucky lecher," though it's unfortunate he's unconscious. At least we've confirmed his "lucky lecher" ability still works on people other than Amanda.
"T-training? Is that what you call training—making a person dance through the air...?"
Kagura, sensing danger to her own life in a different way, ends up clinging to me even tighter.
...This isn't raising my favorability rating with her, is it?
Her strength hasn't changed. But the end result is pathetic.
Now, how will this all end!? Will it be Yuki!? Taiki!? Eoid!? Or someone else entirely!?
What do you think?