第５２２堀：公爵との会談 (Part1)
### Chapter 522: Meeting with the Duke
**Side: Yuki**
"What? You didn't come to the Kamishiro house by following the footprints of the Japanese?"
"That’s part of it, but it’s secondary."
We were moving through the hallway, chatting away with the Kamishiro family and some Water God.
"I had assumed you came seeking a way home, but if that is not the case, what is it you seek here?"
"Couldn't you just read that from Duke Kamishiro?"
"No. I did not read everything. I merely answered the question lingering in your surface consciousness: whether you were truly Japanese."
"I see. Well, explaining it would take a long time. Why don't you just read it from the Duke again?"
"Hmm. That is logical. Sou, Kagura, do you consent?"
"Yes, as you wish, Mizunotatsunomikoto-sama."
"I have no objections."
With that exchange, the Water God circled the Kamishiro family once more to read their memories. It’s certainly convenient, this consciousness-sharing ability of the gods.
After we confirmed we were Japanese, we returned to the upper mansion. The Water God had intended to retreat back into its sacred object, but since I wanted its memories, I’ve been supplying it with magic power to keep it manifested. It’s better to be on good terms, after all. Japanese gods are rare, and I’d like to believe they’re more useful than the useless deities from this world.
The sad reality, however, is that both sets of gods are subordinates of the goddesses who laze around in Weed. I can only hope that, as a cautionary tale, there’s at least one or two decent ones among them.
"Hmm. Over five hundred years have passed since then. I suppose for the human world, that is a decent run. Perhaps it is time for the nation to change."
Having read the recent history, the Water God muttered this.
"However, what I do not understand is you lot. Despite being summoned by Kagura, you do not seem particularly flustered. Moreover, everyone except you and Taiki are residents of this world. What does this mean? Were you not summoned from Japan?"
"Wait, didn't you read that from Kagura?"
"Indeed. Kagura herself does not quite understand. She is confused, perhaps finding it all too absurd to put into words."
"Ehh!? I-I am terribly sorry!"
I see. So it’s true that it only reads the surface consciousness.
"Everyone, I believe it is improper to continue this discussion while walking in the hallway. Please, into this room."
At Duke Kamishiro’s invitation, we entered the room. It was a standard Western-style reception room.
"Now, will you explain your circumstances? Why do you possess the protection of Amaterasu Omikami? Do you have friends in this world? Why do you not wish to return?"
"Ah, I’ll keep it simple. For us, stopping Haiden is the priority right now."
"Indeed. I understand you harbor no malice, and I grasp that this land is the priority at the moment. However, I cannot help but be wary of you, given your composed demeanor."
Well, it’s scary to have people around whose true nature is unknown. Understanding the Water God’s concern, I gave a brief explanation.
I told it how that useless goddess—or rather, the shitty woman who is Luna and Amaterasu Omikami—threw us into this world and told us to fix the environment and the magic depletion. Before we could even get to those solutions, we were busy stabilizing the countries and strengthening trade in the places we were dropped, and that’s when Kagura summoned us.
"I see. A truly logical summoning. If there were to be Japanese people in this world, you are indeed the most suitable candidates."
"From our perspective, it’s just more work, which is a huge pain."
"I-I’m sorry."
"Do not apologize, Kagura. For this man, it is work that must be done eventually. It is merely a matter of whether it is sooner or later. It is what one might call destiny."
"But why isn't Ukanomitama-no-kami here?"
"That, too, is unavoidable. Even as a divided spirit, she has literally mountains of work. Though she is an independent entity, her primary occupation is in Japan. It would be difficult for anyone but Amaterasu Omikami to exert the power to interfere in another world. I am fortunate to be a local rural god, so I have no real work. I have a sacred object, and I was able to follow Souta."
"Wait, why did you follow the second son, who isn't even the heir?"
"It is simple. The primary care of Ukanomitama-no-kami fell to the father and the eldest son, while the care of the local rural god fell to the second son. It is not as if I was treated poorly. She is one of the leading gods of the land of bountiful harvests, Japan. She had many business trips, and I simply had more interaction with the second son. I grew attached to Souta, who took care of me properly even while grumbling. Besides, the Showa era has passed fifty, and humans have begun to face nature with their own strength. There is no need for them to worship a Water God like me anymore."
"Showa, huh. We’re in the Heisei era. That’s about twenty or thirty years later."
"Ho, that is a significant discrepancy in time. Well, being in another world, it cannot be helped."
"True. I feel like I lose if I think about it too deeply. Anyway, let’s leave that aside. First, let’s talk about Haiden."
"Oh, my apologies. Sou, Kagura, I ended up reminiscing about my homeland."
"No, please, do not worry about it."
"I am just happy that Mizunotatsunomikoto-sama is pleased."
Duke Kamishiro and Kagura were incredibly humble. Well, it’s not normal to scold a god you worship for having a good time.
"Spending time on tales of the homeland can wait for another day. Now, Sou. How do you view Haiden’s recent movements?"
"Yes!! Honestly, I find it hard to believe. The current Emperor is a steady man. There were rumors of a feud with his older brother, the former Emperor, but I heard directly from both of them that it was an act. They are, in fact, very close brothers."
"Hmm. But what of the Princess? Judging by Kagura’s memories, it seems..."
"That is also a mystery to me. The fact that the enemy has targeted Baide is also strange. Even if they wanted the Princess, my daughter, or Baide itself, if other students from the Magic Academy are sacrificed, it wouldn't be strange for it to affect Haiden’s future governance."
"Hmm. I understand what you are saying. Indeed, even if they wanted the Princess, Kagura, and Baide, they are taking the other casualties too lightly. What do you think, Yuki?"
"I haven't even been here for a month, so I don't know the internal affairs of each country. All I know is that something is happening at the center of Haiden. That’s why I avoided a direct assault and came here. If they have some goal involving Duke Kamishiro, they’ll eventually make a move toward us, right?"
"I see. I understand your point, Yuki-dono. Unfortunately, there has been no movement as of yet."
"Well, it hasn't even been a month since Baide was attacked, and reinforcements only arrived five days ago. How was the news conveyed to the Kamishiro Duchy?"
"We were only told that the Empire had attacked Baide. There was no request for participation in the war. Therefore, we cannot move."
That makes sense. It would be a problem to move military forces without a request.
"Hmm. In the end, we don't really know. By the way, are you aware of Haiden’s recent hardline stance?"
"Yes. The Emperor was puzzled as to why some of his people were so eager for war. It is self-evident that they would be surrounded by enemies. Even if someone is inciting them from the shadows, surely even a fool would realize that three battalions of mages aren't enough to crush entire nations..."
Oh? Another new fact. Information suggesting the current King isn't as foolish as he seems.