第５６１堀：徹夜明けは辛い (Part2)
I, too, had a brief sparring session with Deryu-san, but it was incomprehensible how she deflected my specialty—the Lightning Summoning magic—with just her bare fists.
But putting that aside, what were those two doing?
"Hey. What were you two getting so excited about while watching that TV?"
"Eh? The game, of course."
"A game? You were just watching the TV, right?"
"Amanda, you don't get it. Look, see that red arrow on the screen?"
"Yeah."
"I can move that with this controller I'm holding. If I tilt this stick to the side..."
Oh, the red arrow moved.
"It's a game you play using the TV and this controller. We're playing a racing game with vehicles right now."
"Hmm. I don't really get it, but this is something from Yuki's place, isn't it?"
"Exactly. It’s from Yuki-san’s place, and it’s so much fun. Hey, Taiki-san, Ruth-san, can we let Kagura play too?"
"I don't see why not. But this screen only supports up to four players. So, in this case, Ruth..."
"Your Majesty should be the one to step down. You’re far too skilled when it comes to games. It’s nothing but unfair. As an expert, you should be assisting Kagura-san, who is a beginner."
"You—!? Shouldn't it be Ruth who steps down in this situation!?"
"It’s not even a contest. What is it? Is it that fun to take first place against someone with so little skill? Have you become such a boring person?"
"...Alright. Fine. In that case, I’ll assist Kagura-san and make sure she takes first place!!"
"Eh?"
"That is the true spirit of a Hero, Your Majesty. You really do have a low tolerance for being provoked, don't you?"
"...No, I'm just playing along with the banter."
"I am well aware."
I didn't really understand what was going on, but I ended up joining in on this racing game called "World Kart"...
"Take this!! Eoid!!"
"Gah, a homing attack!?"
"Hehe, while you two are busy crushing each other, I'll get ahead..."
"Now, Kagura!! Throw an item at that smug Ruth!"
"Like this!?"
"What!?"
"Never let your guard down!! While you're distracted, I'm passing all three of you!"
"Alright, here I go!!"
Before I knew it, I was completely enthralled and having a blast...
*Chirp, chirp...*
"Ah, it's morning already."
"Eh?"
"Yaaawn. Kagura, you have a meeting coming up, right? Let's call it a night here."
"I suppose so."
"In the end, it was almost a draw. Damn, I can't underestimate a Hero who claims to have been a hardcore gamer back in his homeland."
Hearing that, I looked toward the window and saw the sky turning a pale blue, welcoming the dawn.
...No way. I didn't sleep at all.
If I go like this, I'm going to be fast asleep during the meeting.
"That's right, Kagura-san. I'm sorry for keeping you up all night, so I'll teach you a way to wake yourself up so you don't fall asleep during the meeting."
"R-really!?"
If I were to doze off during the meeting, I would be dragging the names of the Princess and my father—who allowed me to participate—through the mud. That is something I must avoid at all costs. Therefore, Taiki-sama’s method for shaking off drowsiness was incredibly welcome.
"It's about Yuki-san. Actually, on the first day of the meeting, one of his wives, Milly-san, went into labor, so he had to rush back. That's why we're here in his stead."
"Yes?"
*Shussan* (Childbirth)?
"By *shussan*, do you mean childbirth?"
"Does the word 'childbirth' have multiple meanings in this country? Anyway, it just means she gave birth to a child."
...Yuki, the consort of Weed, had a child?
Even if it wasn't with Queen Seraria, Yuki's wives are supposed to be high-ranking officials of Weed. To say I didn't know about this would be inexcusable! This is a chance to improve Weed's impression of us by offering congratulations and gifts!
"E-ehhh!? A-ah, thank you!! I have to tell the Princess and my father immediately!!"
I rushed out of the room. My sleepiness had vanished.
Since the pregnant wives were summoned to Haiden by the Princess and me, it would be seen as rude if we didn't show proper concern. If I don't convey this and get them to act, Haiden might face another crisis!
***
**Side: Taiki**
"Your Majesty. You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah. It wouldn't be right to keep it from them. It's for the future."
"No, that's not what I mean. I'm talking about telling Kagura-dono. The matter concerns the birth of a child to Milly-sama, one of the wives of Yuki-sama, the consort of Weed, who oversees the Adventurer's Guild. This isn't the sort of thing that should be handled by a student like Kagura-dono. It should have been communicated to Princess Carrie or Duke Kamishiro."
"Nah, the others looked busy."
"I see. And so, Kagura-dono will now head to Weed as the representative to offer congratulations. You really went out of your way just to get Kagura-dono to meet them, didn't you?"
"...Huh? No way. With this, Kagura-san is officially assigned to work with Weed!! I'll be busy with Ranks and the New Continent, so we'll be distant! Yuki-san will be the one dealing with her mostly, so I win big!!"
"...Honestly. These people..."
"More importantly, the Princess and Duke Kamishiro will be here soon, so please help move Eoid and Amanda, who are still sleeping."
"Yes. Understood."
"Either way, the matter of the child had to be discussed. It's much better to have Kagura-san handle it than to make it all stiff and formal. Yuki-san would probably agree."
"Even if you say that now, it sounds like a complete afterthought."
"Shut up!?"
*A/N: I apologize for forgetting to post yesterday, so here is an extra chapter. Please forgive me. It, it was Splatoon 2's fault! I, I'm not the one to blame!!*