第５６４堀：皆が幸せになる方法 (Part3)
"Yuki-san, who is so considerate even to us commoners, would never drag Milly, who was pregnant, along on a business trip. He even gave us permission to visit whenever we wanted. And yet, there’s been no word for nearly a month. Just hearing Ratz-san and Eris-san, who look completely drained, tell us 'she’s safe' isn't enough to put our minds at ease."
Ah, I see.
I heard that both Ratz and Eris had been quite distraught.
So that’s how they found out.
I have special protection in place, so I can enforce information blackouts, and since I’ve received permission to tell my family that keeping secrets isn't good, I could tell them... but I was worried that they might become as unstable as Ratz and Eris, causing more trouble. As I was pondering this, Kina and Shera, having finished playing with Yumi, approached me and spoke up.
"If Milly won't talk, I’m sure there are various circumstances involved... But still. I want to know. Everyone else was in a terrible state, too. Ratz and Eris were on edge, and Ria was completely listless. It’s painful for us as friends to be unable to do anything."
"That’s right. We want to help you and the others. I don't want to wake up one day and find out that Big Brother is dead. What is going on? Is there anything I can do?"
Seeing the serious expressions on their faces, I decided to tell them about the incident.
Yuki-san had said that this wasn't a job we could handle on our own forever, and the fact that he gave me permission to speak was likely because he anticipated something like this.
I, too, believe that everyone here wouldn't just lash out based on emotion.
Just as Yuki-san trusted us and told us so many things, I will trust my family and friends.
"Alright. I'll tell you."
"Wait, Milly. If this is something like a state secret..."
"It’s fine. I’ve already received permission from Yuki-san and Seraria."
"I see. Then, please..."
I used the call function to contact the Weed Goblin Guard to secure the perimeter, cast sound-dampening magic, and began to explain the incident.
I told them how we were caught up in a kidnapping and summoning plot targeting Yuki-san, how we had to deal with a foreign nation on the New Continent, how we couldn't travel until after the birth because we didn't know how gate teleportation would affect us as pregnant women, and that now that the commotion had settled and I had given birth, I had returned to let everyone know we were safe. It took about an hour.
"...Ugh. I feel like I shouldn't have asked."
Kina muttered.
Well, I suppose so.
The Adventurer Guild is already busy preparing for the intercontinental exchange with the If Continent.
The fact that a "New Continent has been discovered!!" is nothing but a massive headache.
I agree that it would have been better not to know.
"Don't say stupid things, Kina. Do you intend to betray Milly’s trust?"
"Ah, no, I’m just joking, Milly."
"I know. You owe me a whole cake later."
"Ehh!?"
As we were joking around like that, Shera began to tremble with anger.
"This isn't a laughing matter!! Big Sister, you were kidnapped along with Yuki-san!? Yumi-chan could have been in danger too!! Why are you helping such a country!! You should just destroy it!!"
*Slap!!*
Before anyone could answer Shera’s outburst, that sound rang out.
"Mo... ther?"
"Calm down, Shera. I certainly understand those feelings. If things had gone poorly, Milly, Yuki-san, and Yumi might have lost their lives."
"Then!!"
"But, do you think it’s right to inflict death like that of Dabrik upon people who have nothing to do with this? You know well enough that if a war breaks out, innocent people get dragged into it, don't you?"
"...That’s..."
Shera faltered and looked down.
Was that a bit too much for Shera?
But Aslin and the others were convinced, so she shouldn't be unable to understand.
So, I spoke to Shera gently.
"You know, Shera. Just like Mother said, I understand those feelings well. If someone told me Yuki-san had been kidnapped, I’m sure I would have collapsed, and my anger would have exploded."
"That’s right!!"
"But. Yuki-san wouldn't want that. And I know that very well. If a war starts, many innocent people will be caught up in it. We’ve had enough of that already."
"But that’s just an ideal..."
"That’s true. But if no one tries, that ideal will never be reached. Besides..."
"Besides?"
I sat up in bed and reached out to pick up the crying Yumi.
"I don't want my child to carry the burden of the sorrow or hatred of killing someone or being killed. For the sake of this child’s future, I will strive for peace."
"...Big Sister. Can you really endure it if Yuki-san is killed by someone?"
"...I don't know. But if the world becomes peaceful, then everyone will be happy, right? Yuki-san, I, and everyone else just need to be safe and build that world. You have to dream big."
As I laughed, Yumi stopped crying.
Seeing that, the tension in Shera’s face began to fade.
"...Phew. Alright. I understand. I’ll just have to help you so that you don't overexert yourself, Big Sister."
"No, we’ll all help. This is a matter of the state, after all. It’s not something you should keep relying on Milly and the others for."
"That’s right. Well, even if you say you’ll help, Shera, you need to study more and pass the exam first."
"The exam?"
"Yes, this girl was inspired by Eris-san’s work and has been studying because she wants to work at the government office."
"That’s right. Eris-san is so cool."
Heh. So she’s aiming for that hellish accounting department.
Lock-san and Kina, who know the situation, gave a wry smile.
"Well, do your best. Before you talk big, you have to pass the exam first."
"Just watch. I’ll definitely pass this year’s exam. By the time Yumi-chan is an adult, I’ll be the representative of the accounting department."
"Heh. I’ll look forward to that. I’d certainly welcome an increase in the Adventurer District’s budget."
"I see. Should I start buttering up Shera-chan now?"
"I’d like to be moved back to the reception desk..."
" " "Absolutely not." " "
" " "Ahahahaha..." " "
That’s right.
Striving to find ways to be happy and peaceful together—that is exactly what Yuki-san wishes for.
That will surely be the key to solving the magic power depletion problem covering the world.