第５２３堀：いつかこの手紙を読む君たちへ (Part1)
**Chapter 523: To You, Who Will Someday Read This Letter**
**Side: Yuki**
Well, things have gone a bit off-script, but since the plan to head to Haiden and cooperate with Duke Kamishiro remains unchanged, I’ve begun my work as originally scheduled.
"Ahem. Is there a convenient underground space?"
"Yes. I’d like to install a convenient dungeon, so I was hoping you could provide a location."
Yes, that’s the deployment of a dungeon.
It’s not easy to deploy dungeons here, but I’ve obtained permission to install them in key locations with limited functionality.
It’s a massive rip-off at 50 million DP per gate, but... well, I’m covering that with the resources extracted from the prisoners—or rather, the "bait"—currently being held in Baide. I haven’t touched Weed’s DP savings.
"Hmm. I understand the situation, but where would be suitable?"
*“Then, how about at our shrine? It’s practically a hidden spot to begin with.”*
"Are you sure?"
*“I don’t mind. It’s sad to have a shrine that no one visits. This is a good opportunity, isn't it?”*
"If Lord Mizunotatsu-no-Mikoto says so, then there is no problem. However, I have preparations to make for my departure to the Royal Capital, so I cannot be there to oversee it."
*“That’s fine, I will oversee it myself.”*
"No, I couldn't possibly have Lord Mizunotatsu-no-Mikoto handle such menial tasks. Therefore, Kagura."
"Yes."
"Go and oversee the installation of Yuki-dono’s 'dungeon.' I doubt it will happen, but if there is any risk of damage to the shrine or its grounds, stop them."
"Understood."
Kagura, who had joined the conversation, is now a full-fledged shrine maiden.
A literal shrine maiden.
She must have changed while I was talking to Duke Kamishiro and Catherine earlier, because at a glance, she’s indistinguishable from a Japanese person. She’s a Japanese-style beauty.
"Also, Father. The book in question."
With that, Kagura kneels before Duke Kamishiro, holding a book on a *sanpo* (ceremonial tray).
"Oh, I had completely forgotten."
*“So that’s where it was.”*
Duke Kamishiro receives it carefully and places it on the table.
When Taiki and I see it, our eyes widen.
Actually, some of the wives recognized it too.
"Wait, this is a manga, right?"
"It’s *Shonen Jump*, isn't it?"
Yes, just as Ria and Deryu said, it’s one of Japan’s most famous weekly manga magazines: *Weekly Shonen Jump*.
A legendary magazine that has birthed countless masterpieces, known even to those who don't read manga.
"It’s incredibly old, isn't it? The era, specifically."
"Late Showa 50s. I mean, *Kochikame*, *Dr. Slump*, and *Fist of the North Star* are all in here."
"Oh, so you really do understand."
*“So Souta was right. He said that if I showed this manga, I could tell if someone was Japanese. Honestly, I didn’t think this was what young people were into. I assumed it was just Souta’s personal hobby.”*
You said you wanted to show me a "book," but it was this!?
Well, in a way, there’s nothing more definitive than this.
"But it’s in great shape for being over 500 years old. Shouldn't it be falling apart?"
*“Indeed. I have kept it stored properly, and I’ve used divine power to reinforce its durability to some extent.”*
"That’s a cheap way to use divine power, man."
*“Don’t say that. To begin with, it was a book Souta used to teach his children that they were of Japanese descent. In that sense, I cooperated. Besides, Souta was summoned while he was reading this very magazine in front of my shrine. It was a form of divine retribution.”*
Whoa. Japanese shrines are scary.
You get sent to another world just for reading a manga magazine?
"Haha, please don't say that. For us, the Kamishiro Ducal House, this is a precious book that tells us our bloodline originates from Japan. The stories are diverse and interesting. And here is the letter that the first head, Souta-sama, asked us to deliver to any Japanese person who might come along someday."
He hands me a letter.
The seal hasn't been broken.
Well, it’s a long, thin brown envelope, the kind common in Japan.
Written on it was: *To my fellow countrymen who visit this place – From Souta Kamishiro.*
"Are you sure we should open it?"
"Yes. That is the first head’s wish."
Urged on by Duke Kamishiro’s words, I gently open the envelope and take out the letter.
It’s folded into thirds, containing four pages.
I slowly unfold the paper and read it aloud.
*"Dear fellow countrymen who have come to this other world. Nice to meet you, my name is Souta Kamishiro. I cannot imagine the circumstances under which you have received this letter. Are you our descendants, or has that line already faded? I assume it is a situation where I cannot speak to you directly. ......"*
It begins like that, briefly describing how he lived, enjoyed, and struggled in this world. He decided to be buried in this land and left this letter for the day his countrymen would arrive.
*"......If the Kamishiro Ducal House is still standing, I have instructed them to support you as much as possible, but I have also told them to kick you out if you are a nuisance, so please be mindful of that. Finally, I know the chances are incredibly low. But there is one thing I must ask of you. If you are looking for a way home, please take the lock of my hair inside this letter on your journey. If it becomes a hindrance, you may throw it away. It is just a selfish request. I still think about what happened to my family, even at this age. It is a memory I cannot forget. The cherry blossoms at that damn shrine blooming, and all of us going to see them. P.S. By the way, how does the manga continue? It hasn't been cancelled, has it? I’m especially curious about 'North Star.' Tell me at my grave."*
There was a postscript that I couldn't tell was a joke or serious, but Taiki and I stood up without a word.
"We can show him the cherry blossoms."
"Yeah."
"And we can have him read the rest of the manga himself."
"Exactly."
Returning to Japan is difficult, but there are things we can fulfill right now.
It’s not impossible.
Fortunately, I have the ability suited for it.
*“Is that true? You can show him cherry blossoms?”*
"Can you really prepare the 'Sakura' that the first head spoke of......"
"Sakura? That beautiful pink thing the first head mentioned?"
The Water Dragon, Duke Kamishiro, and Kagura all stand up in surprise at our words.
"We can. So, let’s get this dungeon installed quickly. Water Dragon, Kagura, can you guide us?"
*“Leave it to me.”*
"Yes. This way."
"No, I will accompany you as well. This is the fulfillment of the first head’s deepest wish. As the current head, I cannot be absent!!"
In the end, Duke Kamishiro comes along to oversee the dungeon installation.
*“Sakura? That cherry blossom? Why? I’d like you to avoid such wasteful spending...”*
*“Yes, Yuki-san. I’m sure you’re aware, but using DP there carries a 5,000-fold multiplier...”*
I told Seraria and Eris about the cherry blossom installation, and they were vehemently against it.
Well, it is a waste of money, after all.