第６５２堀：ポンコツ残念駄目駄女神 (Part2)
"Grrr!? What’s your problem, you?! I’ll definitely make you cry later! Actually, I’m basically just a remnant, so I’ll disappear on my own anyway. The main body in the jewel heard everything, so it’s fine! I’ve been thinking about Kagura-chan’s body properly, too. Idiot! Even if I had something important to say, I wouldn’t tell *you* anyway! Blehh!"
Saying that, she—no, Lady Hairen—walked over to the core and touched it.
"Honestly. I have no idea what you see in that ill-tempered boy."
Um, well, everything...
"Hah. Kagura-chan, you’re the type to get hooked on a deadbeat man. Make sure you consult your big sister properly next time. If you touch the jewel like this, you can communicate your will just like you did now. It was supposed to be Enol, but, well, Grandma is a bit... you know. Just smooth things over for me."
Y-yes... I understand.
As I replied, I felt something pulling away from my body, and before I knew it, I had regained control of my limbs.
"Oh, my hair is back to black, too."
I had been worried it might stay red, but it seemed to have returned to its original color, which was a relief. As I was checking, everyone gathered around me.
"Kagura, are you alright?"
"Kagura, you okay?"
"Mikos-chan, you had us worried!"
"Kagura-senpai!"
"Ah, yes. I’m fine. Sorry for making you all worry. It seems Lady Hairen has returned inside the jewel."
When I said that, everyone looked relieved, but Yuki remained wearing a grim expression...
"She said she’d disappear on her own, so why did she touch the core? Is she hiding inside you, Kagura? Is your body really okay? I heard you were using magic power—any fatigue or symptoms?"
"Ah, yes. My body is truly fine. Besides, when I touched the core, I felt something foreign leaving me, so I think she probably returned her remaining magic power to the jewel. Also, the fatigue from the magic depletion is gone, so I think she shared some of the jewel's power with me."
"I see. So there’s a possibility of a trap being laid."
No, I don't think she’s the type of person to do something like that, but I knew Yuki wouldn't be convinced even if I explained it, and his concern was valid. Still, I wanted to believe in her, and I was just about to say as much when—
"Don't you dare mock me!? Do you think I’d do something like that!! Kagura-chan is the descendant of Souta and Enol. That means she’s practically my own daughter. She’s the same to me!! If you keep saying such ridiculous things, I’ll use this jewel to beat you into a pulp!! Besides, this jewel has plenty of magic power, and I can speak through it, so communication is no problem at all!"
Suddenly, Lady Hairen’s voice echoed from the core. The core... spoke? And what did she mean by having magic power? As I looked at Yuki, he scoffed.
"Hah. Calling that amount of DP 'plenty of magic power' is laughable. And threatening to beat me with my own spare core? You’re a riot."
"Huh!? This jewel is yours... Wait, what!? What do you mean, 'Administrator Authority'!? Why can't I use the jewel's power freely!? Don't tell me, are you a Dungeon Master!? A villain!! Souta, Enol, Kagura-chan, get away from him!! He’s an enemy! That guy!"
Ah... I don't even know what to say.
As I was thinking that, Yuki approached the core with a faint smirk.
"I didn't expect you to enter the core and start talking, but considering the principles of a Call, it’s not strange that you could speak through it. It’s just that there wasn't a talking OS or AI until now."
"W-what are you doing!? Don't come any closer!"
"Weren't you just going to 'do something' to me? Besides, that core is my property to begin with. You’re a bold thief to be squatting in someone else's house. Though, come to think of it, this could make an excellent makeshift prison. If I catch troublesome spirits in the core like this, it’ll be quite convenient."
With that, Yuki grabbed the core. I thought it might be dangerous, but if Yuki had control over it, there shouldn't be any issues. Actually, if it were truly dangerous, Yuki wouldn't be touching it, would he?
"Kyaa!? You pervert!! Don't touch a lady's body!"
"I'm not enough of a pervert to lust after a gemstone, so don't worry. I have a wife. She's more beautiful than you, so that's out of the question."
"Grrr!! I’ll definitely make you cry!! Kagura-chan, touch the core and lend me your body!! I’ll make that man weep!"
"Hahaha, you can't even get out of the core without my permission."
"Let me out!! Locking a beautiful girl in a prison—you *are* a pervert! I knew it, you’re a pervert!"
...Hmm.
Somehow, the divine image of Lady Hairen was rapidly... fading. But then again, Lady Luna was quite friendly, too; perhaps this is just how gods are. I thought this while watching Yuki and the core (Lady Hairen) bicker.
Well, she’s like a goddess who remains a young girl at heart. And Kagura is just her usual self.
Now, all that remains is the idiot in the broken jewel.