第５２８堀：本当に忙しい半日 深夜之部 (Part1)
Chapter 528: A Truly Busy Half-Day – Late Night Edition
Side: Yuki
*Hoo-hoo...*
It was a night filled with the calls of what sounded like owls. I found myself thinking about something trivial—like how there were similar creatures on this continent, too. Nocturnal animals, as they were called, active in this pitch-black darkness.
It was just past 10:00 PM. I couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy, wondering what kind of tragedy forced me to be working at such an hour.
"Hmm. The entrance where the Gate exists was of a design I’ve never seen before, but the upper levels are just a standard mansion," George said.
"Well, that place was built by the First Generation—someone from our same homeland—so it’s like a church in this world," I replied.
"I see. Between Weed and that church, the world is truly vast."
"People, individuals, can only know so much. But the world isn't small. As long as you don't forget to recognize new things and enjoy them, like you do, George, the world will keep expanding indefinitely."
"Those are profound words from a Yuki-sama who has seen so many worlds."
"Still, I could do without being this busy."
"Indeed. Being rushed is not ideal. It’s tough on these old bones. Though, I suppose that is part of the thrill."
"I just want to sleep. Aren't you still young at heart, George?"
"Hahaha! Since I’ve learned of the new world connected to Weed, I won't lose to any youngster."
We continued our descent into the dungeon beneath Duke Kamishiro’s mansion. Standing at the entrance were the Duke, Vilia, and Amanda.
"Oh, Yuki-sama!! And who might this be?"
"Big Brother!! And George-san too!"
"Yuki-san, Taiki-san just took Eoid, Ruth-san, and Dressa down to the dungeon. They told us to wait here just in case of an escape attempt."
Three people, three different reactions. Thanks to Amanda, I understood the situation.
"Alright. I’m heading down, too. Ria, wait here. Deryu, come with me."
"Understood."
"Very well."
"What about you, George?"
"I shall accompany you. After all, I must meet them eventually."
"Then, be careful. Honestly, the situation is unclear."
After all, we were dealing with an abnormal situation where that "fluffy" princess was supposedly torturing prisoners. There was a non-zero chance she’d lost her mind and might attack us. Besides, what was her goal in coming to see the prisoners in the first place...?
Ah, well. It looked like I’d be pulling an all-nighter. If I were lucky, I’d get down there and find everything already resolved...
*Whoosh! Swish-swish!*
Apparently not. All I could hear was the sound of something being swung. When I opened the dungeon door, I saw...
"...As expected of a retainer chosen by Yuki-sama. To think you wouldn't even let a blade graze you. Now, Cuno!"
"Yes!"
The princess, who had shed her "fluffy" persona for a sharp, dignified demeanor, was wielding a sword alongside her maid, Cuno. They were launching a perfectly coordinated assault on Taiki.
"Whoops, steady now."
The sword strikes were indeed sharp. But in the end, that was all they were. They wouldn't land a hit on a cheat hero.
"That's unfair! That's a cheat, a total cheat!"
"Hey, don't just watch—stop them!"
"No, you should be the one suppressing them. Why are you letting them do as they please? There are injured people, aren't there?"
With their skill level, they could be subdued in an instant.
"It’s better if you see it for yourself, isn't it? If I told you later that the princess was swinging a sword around, would you honestly believe me?"
"Ah... you've got a point. Even if I had video evidence, I’d suspect it was faked."
That was how different the current princess was from her usual self. Hearing our casual exchange, the princess and her maid finally stopped moving, lowered their weapons, and turned toward us.
"...I see. I wondered why you were just letting us attack, but it was so you could show Yuki-sama. ...It seems I was getting a bit heated."
"My apologies, Princess. I was by your side, yet I didn't notice."
"Well, you were pushing yourselves to the absolute limit. You wouldn't have had the luxury to focus on anything else."
"...To think there was such a gap in strength. As expected of a retainer summoned by a hero."
*Actually, he's not a retainer, he's a hero. He's a double, but he's a king of a nation inside. If anything, he's more of a friend.*
"So, did Ruth handle the injured?"
"Yes, that's right. Ruth, how is it?"
"If we had been any later, they would have lost their lives. The major vessels in their limbs were severed, and they were on the verge of dying from blood loss. It would have been dangerous without Eoid-kun’s hemostasis and Dressa-san’s healing magic. I only gave the instructions."
"No, if Ruth-san hadn't given the orders, I wouldn't have known what to do."
"There was so much blood... I thought they were dead."
Hmm. I suppose it was a good experience for the two of them.
"Well, fortunately, the prisoners didn't die. Mind telling me what’s going on?"
I addressed the princess, who had gone quiet. I couldn't call her "fluffy" or "airheaded" anymore.
"...Very well. If it is the Hero's wish. I intended to tell you soon anyway."
Just as the princess finished speaking, I heard footsteps rushing down the stairs, and Kagura burst in.
"P-Princess went to see the prisoners and got attacked!? Yuki, is the Princess... she looks unharmed."
She had apparently been asleep, as she was wearing something like a thin nightgown. Her figure was quite good, so in a different situation, this might have been a "flag" event, but here, it was definitely a mismatch.
"Kagura. At any time, in any place, you must be mindful of your conduct. That is the duty of the Duke’s house and those who inherit the name of the First Generation."
"Eh?"
Kagura looked stunned by the princess's uncharacteristically crisp, dignified voice.
"Your attire may be unavoidable depending on the situation. However, refrain from such undignified behavior. Those who stand above others must discard shame even if they are naked, wear their ambition, and lead the people."
"H-huh?"
I understood what she was saying, but Kagura clearly wasn't following. Besides, she was the second daughter; her position was different from a ruler's.
"Pull yourself together!"
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
"Good. Now, I have a meeting with Yuki-sama, so I will go tidy my appearance. Kagura, change your clothes and join us. Is that acceptable, Yuki-sama?"
"Well, being covered in blood spatter is a bit much, so go ahead and change. Oh, and I’d prefer it if you didn't take as long as you did when leaving Baide."
I threw in a bit of sarcasm, just in case.
"Do not worry. Please wait in the reception room. I will finish changing before one-fifth of a small candle melts. If it looks like I won't make it, I will come even if I am naked, so do not worry. Let us go. Cuno, Kagura."
"As you command."
"Eh? A small candle... isn't that very short!?"
With that, the princess and her group left the dungeon.
"The burn time of a candle varies by type, doesn't it?"
"Well, yeah. She said 'small,' and I don't think the technology around here can make candles that burn for a long time, so I don't think it'll take that long."
If it did, waiting until morning without sleep would be a form of torture.