第５３３堀：女神の協力 (Part2)
"More importantly, this also involves resolving the fundamental question of whether that 5,000-fold DP consumption is just lining your pockets, Luna."
"Huh? What are you talking about? In regions where magical power is depleted, the system experiences a heavy load..."
As she said this, a look of realization dawned on Luna’s face.
"Wait, are you saying that my power being obstructed isn't caused by extreme magical depletion?"
"So, you really don't know the specific reason for the interference, do you?"
"I don't go out of my way to investigate on-site. I just lose contact and that's the end of it."
"I’m not trying to blame you for that. However, only the Dungeon System is being obstructed. Or rather, it’s safe to say that only *your* power is being obstructed. The magical consumption in the areas I’ve explored so far is no different from the Rogali Continent. If anything, the quality of their mages might even surpass Rogali’s. They have an aviation unit that uses flight magic, after all."
"Is that for real?"
"Why would I lie about that?"
"...In other words, the severe restriction on my power isn't a natural phenomenon caused by magical depletion, but the intentional result of some force active in that region. That’s why you want me to go there, isn't it? Come to think of it, you did say that indigenous Japanese gods have manifested there, so it’s unlikely that magical power is truly depleted."
"Exactly. There are things you’ll only understand intuitively once you’re there. I’m not asking you to give your all until it’s solved, but I need you to help me establish a strategy. Well, if you say you’d rather die, I won't force you."
"Ha! You know exactly what you're saying, don't you? My power might be restricted, but there’s no way I’d just cease to exist. You understand that I’m essentially a divine fragment—both the main body and not the main body at the same time, right? Even if I were to vanish, I have enough backups to return immediately."
I suppose so. Since she calls herself Amaterasu Omikami, she’s likely capable of at least that much.
"So, you’ll come?"
"Fine. From what I’ve heard, there’s someone in that region picking a fight with me. I’ll have to go there, impersonate myself, and teach them a lesson! Suke-san!"
"Who are you calling Suke-san?"
"It’s not that different, is it? Well, never mind that. So, when should I go? It’s not like I have to go right this second, right?"
"True. It’s still a ways off. But I need you to handle the DP multiplier issue immediately. There’s a meeting with the Empire on Faide’s side, and we haven't even laid the groundwork for an investigation yet. If we mess this up, it’ll trigger a war."
"...I see. So you want me to ease the DP burden there because there’s a limit to what can be transported. Summoning modern weaponry there literally drains DP like water, doesn't it? Fine. I’ll head over there, check how the load is being applied, and try to bring it down to around 20 times. It’s pointless if the magical power isn't being cycled back."
"I’m counting on you."
"Anyway, I’m going to head out now. Anything else?"
"Nothing for now."
"Good. I’ll finish this quickly, go home, and sleep. You make sure you work hard."
With that, Luna vanished.
"I’d be grateful if it were always this easy."
But this time is an exception. *Sigh*, I guess that’s it for today’s work... I’ll just pay the bill and head home.
"Hey, thanks as always."
My stomach is full, and my tasks are done... but now I have a mountain of reports to deal with. Ugh, what a pain.
Just as I was thinking that, Luna returned.
"Yahoo! I dropped the DP multiplier down to 2x."
"That was fast!?"
"Well, it was just something pushing back against my magical power. I just had to tweak the magic a little bit. Easy-peasy."
No, that sounds like changing someone's blood type. I started to say something, but there’s no point in arguing with a useless goddess.
"So, how did it feel to visit that region for the first time?"
"Ah, probably the subordinates of my predecessor, that mid-level god, are still around. They’re the only ones I can think of who would target my magical interference so precisely. Remnants are everywhere, aren't they?"
*Ugh*, she’s blabbing about things I didn't want to hear again...
"Well, I’ll help you investigate the remnants this time. It is my mistake, after all. And since they’re clearly picking a fight with me, I’ll take them up on it."
"Don't go rampaging on your own. Things aren't stable over there yet."
"I know, I know. Contact me once things settle down. Alright, Lilishe, Hifie, Nonoa, let’s go home."
"Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes!"
With that, the useless goddesses headed home. Or so I thought, until they all turned back toward me...
"Lunch. Thanks for the meal!"
"No, if you’re coming back, pay for it!"
I shouted, but they just dashed away.
"...They really are unique goddesses, aren't they?"
"Mm. Luna is a fun goddess."
Samantha and Cleena tried to smooth things over, but to me, they’re just a bunch of moochers.
And so, a new fact has come to light! It seems that behind this situation, the subordinates of Luna’s predecessor, that mid-level god, had a hand in creating this mess!
Hooray! Yuki is cursed by paper-thin gods! Well, it was a long time ago, so I’m sure she’s forgotten, but the mid-level god himself was defeated by the locals before Luna even arrived, so you can imagine what their abilities—and their intelligence—are like. And these are their subordinates, so...
Also, I’ve updated the details for the 2nd "Victory Dungeon" offline meetup, so please check the activity report if you’re interested.