第６８８堀：たのしいおはなし (Part1)
### Chapter 688: A Pleasant Conversation
**Side: Yuki**
For the time being, we had arrived safely—or perhaps I should say, we arrived—at Eris’s home village.
Yes, let’s just call it "safe." Even if Eris had nearly ended the life of a male villager, the Elder didn't seem to view it as a problem, so it was as if nothing had happened at all.
In fact, for some reason, the village elves—especially the younger men and women—were cheering at Eris’s actions. Once I heard the circumstances, it made sense.
Apparently, the villager who had been grabbed by the throat and nearly sent to the afterlife—a man named Bakas—was considered the sharpest mind among the village youth. He had decent magical talent and a promising future, but he had a habit of "consuming" and discarding young elven women of his own age, which had earned him quite a bit of resentment.
However, since these were matters of romance, the elders couldn't exactly take concrete action against him, especially given his potential. In the midst of all this, Eris—my Eris—had returned, and Bakas, who had apparently had his eye on her for a long time, had reached out as if she were his next target.
And so, that happened.
Yeah. They say a name reflects the person, and in this case, it was quite literal.
"Lord Yuki, consort of the Weed Dungeon Master. Please forgive the rudeness of our village youth. I humbly ask for your mercy."
With those words, the Elder and the older elves bowed deeply.
"No, it’s not as if I were the one harmed. My wife, Eris, seems to have retaliated with a bit too much enthusiasm, so I should be the one apologizing."
I bowed as well, but Eris made no move to follow suit. Normally, I’d be annoyed, but since this was her home turf and the opponent was who he was, I didn't know how to handle it. Then, Eris spoke up.
"Yuki-san, Elder, there is no need for you to apologize. That Bakas is simply at fault."
Well, that’s true, but the Elder was bowing as the representative of the village...
Then it clicked. I had been wondering why Eris was acting so strangely, but I realized she wanted me to just leave it at that.
"It seemed like a bit of roughhousing between old acquaintances, so there’s no need to worry about it," I said.
"Yes. I just misjudged my strength a little," Eris added.
"…*Sigh*. Well, if you’re going to frame it that way, I’m grateful."
"Now, Elder. Regarding the reason we came here..."
"Ah, I understand. You’re talking about the High Elf nation."
"Yes. In Weed—no, across the entire Rogari Continent—intercontinental exchange is beginning. Or rather, it’s already in motion. Because of that, we need to address the special status of beastmen and elves in the If Continent and the New Continent..."
"Eris, it’s fine. I understand the situation. To avoid confusion, you want to offer greetings and explanations to the two nations considered the homelands of the elves and beastmen, right?"
"Yes. I came back to the village hoping for your assistance in that regard."
It seemed she understood the situation perfectly. Despite the time lost to the incident with Bakas, the conversation proceeded surprisingly smoothly.
"Assistance, you say? Judging by your tone, you’ve already been to the High Elf nation, haven't you?"
"Yes. But even though I am an elf, they would not open their gates to me. I can obtain support from the Holy Kingdom of Litea, but I am concerned that it might take too much time before I can actually visit."
"Hmm. I understand. As you said, Eris, even with the backing of the Holy Kingdom of Litea, your prediction that it will take time to get them to open their gates to Weed is not wrong. In fact, it might even cause them to harden their stance further."
"Harden? What do you mean by that?"
Does the involvement of a major power have the opposite effect? What did he mean?
"Well, it would be best for you to confirm that for yourself at the High Elf nation. I cannot say much on the matter. However, even without knowing the reason, I can provide you with an introduction so you can at least offer your greetings and explanations."
That was a strange way of putting it.
"Is there some sort of problem?" I asked.
The Elder looked at me and smiled.
"Well, the High Elf nation rarely invites outsiders. I’m sure there are one or two problems behind their doors. It’s not exactly common to share such things with people from other countries, is it?"
"That is true..."
He gave an obvious answer. Consulting outsiders about one's own country's problems is fundamentally unheard of. Solving one's own problems internally is the norm, and relying on foreign hands often leads to complications later on. I knew that well from my experiences on the If Continent.
As I nodded in agreement, Eris asked for more details, perhaps for my sake.
"Elder, do you know of this problem—or the reason behind it?"
"I do. But it is not my place to speak of it. You could even say I established this village for that very reason."
"Eh? Does that mean this village was created under the instructions of the High Elf nation?"
"I cannot say anything more. It would be best for you and Lord Yuki to go to the High Elf nation and learn it for yourselves. If you possess the qualifications, I am sure they will tell you."
"One last question before we end this topic. Could that reason put us in danger?"
"Exposing a person's secrets is not something to be praised. If it is a secret of the state, such a response is only natural."
This was starting to sound like a cryptic conversation from an RPG. But since I didn't think he would spill the beans even if I pressed him, and I had no reason to sour our relationship with the village, I refrained from further questioning, despite the ominous feeling rising in my gut.
Still, Eris was incredibly eloquent—it was no wonder the Elder held her in such high regard. She wasn't saying anything out of the ordinary, but her phrasing was masterful at putting others at ease. It was clear why she had been a village leader.
"Thank you for your cooperation. It’s a small token, but is there any support the village needs? Eris has been a great help to me. Oh, and this is some liquor we brew ourselves. I brought it as a personal gift for you, Elder, so please don't hesitate to accept it."
"Thank you. I will gladly accept the liquor. As for support for the village... tell me, is Eris really that useful?"
"Yes. She is an indispensable presence to Weed, and to me."
That was the absolute, unvarnished truth. She was the heroine who held the purse strings of Weed. Even though she had stepped down as the representative, her fame in other countries—and even within Weed—surpassed even Teffa’s. Furthermore, she was at the center of managing the finances related to our primary work: the mana depletion issues. The DP spending in the New Continent had been quite brutal, and she was the one helping us compensate for it.
"Hmm. It seems you’re telling the truth. You don't have the face of a man who just likes Eris for her chest."
"Honestly, Elder!! Yuki-san isn't that kind of lecherous person!!"
When Eris said that, for some reason, everyone—including Kagura and Eoid—nodded in agreement.
Well, I *do* like Eris’s chest, but I suppose I should be happy they think of me as a gentleman?
"Haha, my apologies. I know Eris is intelligent, but usually, one’s eyes are drawn to her chest, aren't they? Even I am. It’s only natural for a man, isn't it? Even that Bakas was pursuing her so intensely."
"As the Elder says, when I first met her, my eyes were drawn to her chest."
"Eh!? Is that so!?"
For some reason, Eris sounded genuinely surprised, and the others—especially Tori and her group—tilted their heads in confusion.
"Hmm? That’s a strange reaction. Everyone except Lord Yuki is surprised. May I ask how the two of you first met?"
"I don't mind. The first time I met Eris and the others was..."
And so, I began to recount the nostalgic story of our first meeting. It really was nostalgic. Back then, I thought Eris might leave the dungeon, but now, here she was, standing right beside me.
"Haha, I see. So, under the instructions of Lady Elju, you built a village inside the dungeon. And you chose Eris and the young ladies behind her first, specifically for those who had lost their homes and families to the flames of war... I understand now."