第５３５堀：真実とさらなる苦悩 (Part1)

**Chapter 535: Truth and Further Anguish**

**Side: Carrie Haiden**

"..."

I don't know what to say right now. To be honest, I still haven't been able to accept the reality before my eyes.

The reason is...

"Where should we have dinner tonight?"

"Hmm, let's see. We had Japanese food yesterday, so how about Chinese?"

"No, how about sushi?"

"Hey, Mom, Dad. Can I order two desserts today?"

"No. Eating too many sweets isn't good for you."

"That's right. You saw what happened to little [Name] next door, didn't you? They turned into a little piglet in just half a year."

"...One is fine."

"Hey, why don't we go there today?"

"Oh, you mean that place that just released a new dessert?"

"That sounds good. We're going to the hot springs afterward anyway, so the extra calories will probably cancel out."

"Wait, didn't we say we were going to look at clothes before that?"

People, people, and more people walk through the night streets while having such conversations. In what country does a place exist where people walk about so freely after dark? No, it exists right here before me.

The sun has already set. Normally, unless something extraordinary happens, children and women would never walk outside at night because of the poor security. Or so I thought, but this place is different. The streetlights illuminating the town are brighter than any torch, and they are lined up along the roads, allowing one to see their surroundings clearly despite it being night. Perhaps thanks to that, the people here don't seem to know the meaning of sleep, enjoying their strolls through the night city.

Naturally, the shops are also wide open to accommodate them. Even those shops are clearly abnormal from an outsider's perspective. No, every single shop is far brighter inside than it is outside, as if it were broad daylight. Seeing food, clothing, and sundries I’ve never even dreamed of—honestly, I can’t keep up. I only understand one thing: the wealth I once knew doesn't even come close to the foundation of this city.

"...Where are we?"

That was the only word I could finally squeeze out. The ones who answered were Kagura and Zargis, who had visited here before.

"...Uh, where was it again? Zargis?"

"Hmm. If I recall the brochure correctly, this is the Food and Entertainment Street in the Commercial District."

"Food and Entertainment Street? What does that mean?"

While I was dazed, Duke Kamishiro asked the question. And the one who answered was...

"It's simple! It literally means a street where you can eat and drink easily and enjoyably. As you can see, it gets lively even at night, so there are many police patrols here, too!"

Ratz, the Fairy Priestess, answered while twitching her rabbit ears. Wait, in this place, Fairy Priestesses and warriors seem to live as ordinary citizens in large numbers; it’s apparently not a rare sight at all. I had heard of it, but I suppose I was half-doubting it until I saw it with my own eyes. I was so shaken that I couldn't even speak properly.

On top of that, this Ratz is one of Yuki’s wives and seems to be the administrator of this commercial district. *'Well, I'm just the vice-representative now, though.'* ...The person who conceived, developed, and managed such an incredible commercial area is saying such humble things. If I had her incredible talent, I would never let her leave this position as long as she lived. Anyone could see that doing so would be a loss to the nation.

"Well, regardless of that, I'll give you a detailed tour of Weed tomorrow. For now, let's just have dinner. What would everyone like? This is meant to be a secret, unofficial visit, so it's better to be relaxed than to have a formal seat."

With that, Ratz asked for our preferences. Yes, Duke Kamishiro and I are currently visiting Weed, relying on Zargis and Kagura. I never imagined that the "Gate" really connected and that travel could be so simple. I had no choice but to believe the fact that Yuki and his people could send an army from Weed at any time.

To think they had summoned high-ranking officials from such a super-technological superpower... Perhaps it would have been better to have just stayed at war with the Findall Empire. I felt the power of Weed so intensely during this short visit that I started thinking such ridiculous things. If the living standards of ordinary people are this high, and such unbelievable technology is being used, one can only imagine how terrifying the national power of the entire country must be. My intuition screams that this is not a force we should ever make an enemy of.

However, unfortunately, there is the fact that we summoned and kidnapped Yuki. It is no exaggeration to say that Haiden is now on the verge of extinction. Yuki says he has no such intentions, but I remember the sharpness of his wives' gazes all too well, and even now, that same intensity radiates from some of them. In other words, Haiden is not out of danger yet. I must somehow appease the wives to ensure that, even in the worst-case scenario, they don't decide to attack Haiden.

But I find myself unable to speak to Ratz. It is only natural; not only did we kidnap her husband, Yuki, but we also dragged her own child into the summoning. One does not easily forgive those who kidnap their husband and child. If it were me, I would have sentenced them to immediate death. Honestly, it wouldn't be strange if my head were to fall to the ground right here. Even if I tried to defend myself, Yuki’s wives are all masters of combat whose skills defy common sense; defense is impossible.

It is understandable that I would hesitate to open my mouth to such people, but there was one person from Haiden who didn't care about that at all.

"Um, Ratz-sama. What is that shop over there?"

"That one? Ah, that's a pasta specialty shop. Let's see... do you know what pasta is? It's wheat dough, kneaded and thinned into strands..."

"Oh, I see. So you have something similar here, too. But it looks like there are many varieties. Back home, we only have, at most, herbs, mushrooms, or soup."

"It was like that for us, too. Most of the pasta varieties in that shop are dishes from Yuki’s hometown."

*Why!! Why can Kagura talk so normally!?*

"Huh, so it's from Yuki's hometown... *slurp*"

And to think she’s licking her lips just hearing that it’s food from Yuki’s hometown! What are you thinking, Kagura!? Do you want them to doubt the dignity of Haiden!?

"Ho ho. Pasta from Yuki’s hometown, you say? I am interested as well. If Princess Carrie and the Duke have no objections, I would like to have dinner there."

Zargis agreed with Kagura and turned the conversation to us. Hearing that, Ratz also turned her gaze toward us.

"U-um, I have no objections."

"I-indeed. With so much unfamiliar food, I feel more at ease with food I recognize."

"Is that so? I am glad to have your agreement. Then, Ratz-sama, could we trouble you for that place?"

"Understood. I'll go ask if they have seats available. Aslin, Firia, I leave the rest to you."

"Yes!" "Sure!"

With that, Ratz headed toward the pasta shop. Remaining behind were us and Aslin and Firia, who had come with Ratz to act as our guards and monitors. Perhaps because they are young, or perhaps because they don't fully understand our situation, they don't hold any hostility toward us, making them the easiest people to talk to. While Ratz is away, I must somehow try to get on good terms with Aslin and Firia...

"Um, Aslin-sama, Firia-sama, I have a few questions I would like to ask, if you don't mind?"

"What is it?"

As expected, the two of them don't seem to hold any hostility toward us; they tilt their heads and ask back, just as innocent as can be.