落とし穴１０８堀：年明けの戦争 (Part1)
The 108 Pits: The New Year's War
The New Year's War
Side: Yuki
"This is Steve... I'm at my limit. We can't hold this front. Requesting permission to withdraw..."
A voice, sounding like it was on the verge of death, came through the radio.
Or rather, it wasn't exactly a radio, but a call...
"…Withdrawal is not permitted. Endure. Endure."
I could only give such orders, frustrated by my own inability to do anything.
"Why?! Why!! If we continue like this, like this!!"
Steve's desperate plea continued, but...
"It's just a grab for lucky bags, don't be so dramatic."
"...No, you're the one who dragged me out for this lucky bag grab, so you have no right to say that."
That's right, we were lining up in front of the store at 4:30 AM today, January 2nd, to secure lucky bags.
Both Steve and I wondered why we had to line up at such an ungodly hour on this freezing day...
"Strictly speaking, it's not me, but Seraria and my wives. You can go home if you want. I'll just say Steve ran away."
"Don't you have any consideration?"
"None. I'm also unwillingly participating in this lucky bag securing operation every year. Just put up with it."
"Whoa. You're being too honest."
"You're probably just drinking because it's the New Year anyway."
"Even so, I wouldn't line up in front of a store in the dark this early in the freezing cold... More importantly, when did these people ahead of us start lining up?"
It seemed Steve's location also had a line, and we, who set out at 4 AM, were considered late.
The terrifying lucky bag commercial war!
"Who knows. Seraria did declare on the radio two days ago that anyone lining up before midnight would be forcibly removed, so it's definitely after midnight."
"Midnight? Human greed is truly profound. Also, why are so many people gathered when they don't even know what's inside?"
"It's probably like a lottery. I guess it's also about testing your luck. And, you know, the contents are generally worth more than the price."
"Hah. You're just being used to get rid of old stock."
"There's that aspect to it, but it's a win-win for both sides. That's why people are lining up like this."
"We're the victims, though."
"Well, for those who aren't interested, it's nothing more than a time-consuming shopping trip."
As we were talking, a north wind blew, hitting me directly.
Whoooosh...
"Did I hear a strong gust of wind? Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay. It's incredibly cold. As the dungeon administrator, I wish I could make it perpetually summer."
"I understand how you feel, but please don't do that, it would cause total chaos."
"I won't. It was a joke."
"Mhm, mhm. It's precisely because it's cold that delicious things taste even better."
A woman suddenly joined our conversation.
"Huh? Oh, of course, it's Dressa who's escorting us today?"
"Oh, you got it. And Viria too. But how did you recognize me just by my voice?"
"Well, when Dressa first came to Weed, we housed her at the military barracks."
"Ah, I remember now."
"That's right. Back then, it felt like I had defected to Weed, and the matter of the If Continent was a secret, so my status was also sensitive. And speaking of the cold, why don't we buy some ozenzai or amazake?"
"I have a feeling if I leave the line, I won't be able to come back."
"...Haa. Alright. I'll go buy some, so Viria, please look after Yuki."
"Yes. Leave it to me. My brother's protection is absolute."
"Sorry about this, Dressa."
"It's fine. I needed to go to the restroom anyway."
"Um. What should I do?"
"Eh? Just hold it in. Dressa is mine."
She's going to buy something warm for me, right?
I don't care about Steve.
"F-feh!? I-I'll be right back!! I'll be back soon!!"
Huh? Did I say something strange?
No, more importantly...
"You know, you don't have to go all the way to buy it, you can just take it out of your item box."
"...You absolutely shouldn't take it out of your item box and drink it. Dressa went to buy it for the boss in this freezing cold."
"Honestly, Brother, I agree with Steve-san, that's not very appropriate."
"No, no. How much of a demon am I? I'm talking about Steve's situation. You must have some warm drinks stocked in your item box, right?"
"Ah, yes, I do. But things like this, like Dressa, someone has to, you know?"
"You have unreasonably high ideals and hopes for someone who doesn't have a partner."
"Shut up. It costs nothing to say it..."
But, well, I could understand the sentiment...
"Brother?"
"Hm? What is it? Are you going to play a game? But you were looking for a different color and haven't trained it yet..."
"Ah, not that. I just remembered I need to contact someone else."
"Ah. Work?"
"No. It's not work, it's contacting an acquaintance. I haven't greeted them since the New Year."
"Huh? Is there someone you didn't invite to the New Year's party?"
"It's not that. I'm going to contact them, so I'll hang up for now."
"Okay. It was a good way to kill time, thank you. About 5 more hours until opening..."
With that, my conversation with Steve ended, and as promised, I decided to contact my acquaintance.
"Hello?"
"Yes. Hello, Happy New Year."
"Oh. Happy New Year. So, I have a small favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"That's right. It's early in the morning, right after the New Year, so it's a bit late, but if you can move, could you do me a favor?"
"Yes. It's fine. Everyone is scheduled to gather on the 3rd, and I'm just relaxing at home today, so it's no problem."
"That's good. Actually..."
I asked Alfin for something and hung up the call. Just then, Dressa returned.
She was holding amazake in both hands.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! What's wrong?"
"Brother is kind."
"...Well, he can be kind sometimes, but that look... it's when he's scheming something..."
"Oh. Dressa, thank you. Come on, let's drink."
As Dressa returned with the amazake, we started drinking it. Just then, Steve contacted me again.
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean, 'what's wrong'?! Why is Alfin here?!"
"Eh? Yuki-san said you were cold, so she told me to hug you?"
"Gyahaha!! I just said I wanted a warm drink..."
"I bought warm drinks. You must be cold out here. Here, canned ozenzai. There's a lot."
"A lot?! A lot?! A can of ozenzai is usually one! No matter how you look at it, there are about 10!!"
"Drink a lot because it's cold. Here."
"Ugh!? The scent of red bean paste..."
"Steve's cold problem should be solved now. Alfin, I'll leave it to you. Ah, you can buy your own lucky bag too."
"Thank you. I've wanted to try the sweets set here, so this is a good opportunity."
"Wha-!? Boss—"
*Click.*
"Well, now that Steve's cold issue is resolved, let's hang in there for a little longer."
"Yes."
"...Somehow, in many ways, it's both terrible and kind. It's a bad kind of kindness."