第７２０堀：夜はこれから（仕事） (Part1)
## Dungeon 720: The Night is Still Young (Work)
The Night is Still Young (Work)
Side: Yuki
I dashed through the night streets.
*Why do I have to run on such a sweltering night?* I grumbled to myself, but given the situation, running was unavoidable.
"Those damn goddesses!"
"Now, now, Yuki. This time, it couldn't be helped."
"It's a marital matter, after all."
Ratz and Eris responded to my complaints. This incident was unfolding at the Super Public Bath in the Commercial District. Naturally, Ratz, the Commercial Representative of Weed, was present. And Eris, who was originally entrusted with managing national entertainment facilities like Super Public Baths...
"Honestly, even for goddesses, causing a commotion in a bathhouse might warrant a ban..."
The one muttering this was Narjia, the overall manager of all bathhouses in Weed, who held the incomprehensible title of "Bath Sommelier" and was also an ice cream fanatic Fairy. Oh, and she was also the Blacksmith Representative. Unfortunately, her successor hadn't matured yet. Firia was a candidate, but she was still busy with other things and was of school age. Well, she seemed to enjoy swinging her hammer every day, and as a technical expert, it wasn't easy to find a replacement for Narjia. Narjia herself was enjoying her work and was still active, so she didn't feel the need to step down as representative.
"Please don't let this get too big. Queen Miyabi's visit itself is a secret."
"I understand. We'll handle it discreetly."
As we spoke, we arrived at the Super Public Bath. It was already past 10 PM, yet the place was bustling. This was only natural. It was one of Weed's tourist attractions, and nighttime was its busiest period. It was a bathhouse, after all. Many people came to relax in the baths. There were also simple lodging facilities, so many visitors, tourists and Weed citizens alike, came to bathe, read books, eat, drink, and unwind here. However, since it was a weekday, it was still relatively quiet. The day before a holiday or during long weekends, it was far more crowded.
But more importantly, I had to clean up after those idiotic goddesses.
With that, we entered the Super Public Bath, led by Narjia, the Bath Sommelier. Of course, since this was work, we didn't pay admission or bathing fees. We used the employee entrance.
"Ah, Sommelier. And Vice Representative Ratz, Eris, Yuki, we've been waiting for you."
"Yes. Is there trouble?"
*Sommelier? What kind of title is that?! Is she some kind of charismatic figure?*
No, never mind that. First, the trouble. I had to rescue Queen Miyabi from the clutches of those fools.
"It is trouble, but it's not exactly trouble. A very important person who came incognito suddenly prostrated herself before Priestess Lilishe and began to greet her. Surprised by this, Hifi and Nonoa stopped her and took her to an empty room. We were worried it might become a big problem... Since Hifi and Nonoa are queens whom Seraria has also asked us to treat well, we thought it would be bad to deal with it ourselves, so we contacted General Steve, who was on standby."
"I see."
Steve's report was accurate.
"I understand. For now, we'll go to that room. Can you guide us?"
"Yes. This way."
Led by an employee, we arrived at the problematic room, where Steve and his team were waiting by the door.
"This is it. General Steve has been keeping an eye on things."
"Thank you for the guidance. You can return to your usual duties."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
After confirming the employee had left, I immediately approached Steve.
"Current status report."
"Roger. Nothing particular has happened. They're probably just explaining the situation. There's no harm being done."
"That's good."
If anything had happened to Queen Miyabi, it could have truly escalated into an international incident.
"So, Yuki. What do we do? I'd like to go in, personally."
"Yes, I think that's fine. Steve and your team, maintain your positions and keep watch. Ratz and Eris, you're coming with me."
"Understood!"
"Understood."
I had no intention of dilly-dallying. I would rescue Queen Miyabi immediately. With that, we promptly opened the door and entered.
"Hey, Lilishe, not only did you cause trouble yesterday, but you're at it again the moment I look away! Wait..."
As I complained to Lilishe, what I saw was...
Queen Miyabi, her chancellor, and her other guards prostrating themselves in a full kowtow. And Lilishe and the others looking troubled by it.
"What is this? Are you making them worship you? That's in poor taste."
"Thaaat's not it!"
Unlike during their marital spat, Lilishe had returned to her usual relaxed demeanor, but seeing her subtly flustered, a corner of my mind thought, *Serves you right.* This was karma, a taste of her own medicine.
"Lilishe isn't at fault this time. It's amazing that this High Elf saw through our true identities."
"Yes. She should be praised for discerning our divinity; it's not Lilishe's fault at all."
Nonoa and Hifi said, supporting Lilishe.
"I heard the story, but can it really be exposed so easily? Even if it was, couldn't you have pretended not to notice?"
"We couldn't help it! These children immediately knelt like this!"
"It was also in public. If we simply denied it, it would put her in a difficult position, wouldn't it?"
"And if they're showing respect rather than hostility, we can't treat them harshly."
I suppose their arguments had some merit. Queen Miyabi prostrating herself in public would be terrible for her reputation. If the High Elf nation were to participate in intercontinental exchanges in the future, this incident would be one of the factors that would lower Weed's reputation. So, I decided to make Queen Miyabi and her retinue, who were performing a kowtow close to a full prostration, stop.
"Well, that's the situation, so Queen Miyabi, please raise your head."
I called out to her, but Queen Miyabi's voice came without her raising her head.
"...What do you mean, 'that's the situation'? Why are there three gods, three goddesses, here..."
"No, rather, did you also realize those two are goddesses?"
"...If you address Lilishe-sama as just 'Lilishe,' then you must be of equal standing."
I see. That makes sense. *How careless of me...* I looked at the two, and both averted their eyes. You all have a common skill for averting your gaze like that, don't you?
"But if that logic holds, aren't I the same?"
"No, in Yuki's case, we know he is Japanese, and we know that they do not readily worship other gods. Was it 'Yaoyorozu'?"
"Exactly, Yaoyorozu. 'Gods are here, unseen by my eyes. Surrounded by the blessings of nature,' that kind of thing."
Gods dwell in everything. That's Shintoism, isn't it? Well, there are many misunderstandings, but that's roughly the nuance.
"Anyway, please raise your heads already. We can't talk like this. We're not going to punish you or anything, and we can't even tell you the truth. Right, Lilishe, Nonoa, Hifi?"
"Oh, please don't be so formal! I'm just a church priestess here in Weed!"
"I'm also here as an individual, so please don't be formal."
"Likewise, I'm also in Weed for personal reasons, so please treat me like a normal person."
Lilishe aside, Nonoa and Hifi didn't state their true identities. Well, saying "I'm the head of a country" would be an even bigger bombshell, so let's take it gradually.
"...Indeed. To disobey the goddesses after they've said so much would be disrespectful."
Saying that, Queen Miyabi finally raised her head.
"Um, everyone behind you, it's okay too, you know?"
"Chancellor, it is the command of Goddess Lilishe-sama."
"Hmph, everyone, raise your heads."