第８７２堀：口は禍の元 (Part1)
**Chapter 872: Loose Lips Sink Ships**
**Side: Tori**
"Ah, so peaceful."
"Isn't it? It’s a good thing for Weed to be at peace."
Riel and I chatted idly as we strolled through the commercial district. Today wasn't a patrol for the police force; it was our day off, and we were enjoying some leisurely window shopping.
Walking around Weed without the weight of work on our shoulders was incredibly fun. The town we had worked so hard to build was overflowing with energy again today. When we're on duty, we’re always on edge, scanning for any sign of trouble.
Of course, for Riel, the lack of excitement seemed to be a bit boring.
"I wanted to go to Seacypho too. I wanted to see the sea monsters and stuff."
"You can't do that. Would you really just leave Riyuru, Yuri, and the other children behind? If you did that, Yuki-san would definitely lose his cool with you."
"I’m just kidding. But still, all I do lately is raise the kids and walk around town. The trouble in Seacypho is over now, so maybe a little trip to Heiden wouldn't hurt?"
"Well, I suppose that much would be fine. Kirue and Sasari said it wouldn't be a problem."
As we walked and talked, I spotted Kagura and her group approaching from ahead. Riel noticed them too.
"Ah, it’s Kagura and the others. Yoo-hoo!"
Riel waved, and Kagura’s group noticed us and ran over. Unusually, it was only the members from Heiden today; Princess Stasia and Bishop Enora were nowhere to be seen.
"It’s just the Heiden crew today, huh? Out shopping?"
"Ah, yes. While we were away on assignment in Seacypho, things didn't change completely, but a lot of things are different if you haven't been here for a while," Kagura replied.
"Right? We come to check things out pretty often ourselves. It’s fun, isn't it?"
It was true. The turnover of shops in the commercial district, especially along the main thoroughfare, was dizzying. That constant change was part of the charm.
Mikos joined the conversation with a bright smile.
"Exactly. It’s fun making new discoveries. Oh, that reminds me—Riel-san, Tori-san, are there any new shops that have opened recently?"
"Hmm, was there anything? Tori?"
"Honestly, Riel, you really were just wandering around aimlessly, weren't you? Let’s see... there should be a cafe with delicious crepes that moved from the main street to the third alleyway. Poni mentioned that they moved there because they’d established a loyal customer base through advertising and wanted a quieter spot."
"Ah, that crepe shop! They are delicious," Solo said, her face lighting up.
Oh, so they really are that good.
"I haven't tried them yet. Hey, if you'd like, why don't we go together?"
"Good idea! Mikos, do you all want to come along?"
"Is that alright?"
"Of course. It’s more fun to eat together. Besides, I want to hear about Seacypho firsthand."
"Oh, that! I want to hear it too."
"Yes! In that case, we would be delighted."
And so, we all headed to the cafe together to listen to their stories from Seacypho over crepes.
***
"...And that’s how we somehow managed to beat Shi-chan."
"Heh, that’s impressive. Shi-chan is a dragon, right? Like a giant snake?"
Riel was right; Shi-chan was enormous. To not just survive against something like that, but to actually win, was a feat.
"After that, we met with Yuki-sensei and a reincarnated person named Menou, but it was so strange. For a messenger, he was incredibly rude and just blabbed all sorts of information. Even when Kirika-san checked his story, there weren't any lies. He was telling the truth to a degree that even surprised Yuki-sensei."
"Mikos-senpai is right. Yuki-sensei was acting a bit strange then too. And that reincarnated man, Menou—even if he wasn't a diplomat, his behavior seemed a bit beyond the pale."
"Ah, I heard about that. Yuki-san and Taiki-san said there probably wasn't any malice behind it."
"Yeah, they did," Riel added. "They figured since they were from the same home world, and since Menou was older, he just acted that way. Well, we saw the footage, and that’s how it felt to us too."
He was certainly a disappointment as a messenger, though. Yuki-san had mentioned that it might have been a provocation—a way to gauge how much self-control Yuki-san and the rest of us had. That’s why Yuki-san chose to speak the truth in return, to test them back. After all, the truth can be the hardest thing to believe.
I felt the same way. We heard about Menou’s background, but he had already lived in this world—which is far harsher than the Japan of Earth—for over thirty years. He should have known what would happen if he took that kind of attitude with a mysterious nation.
It was clear he was testing us.
Taking everything into account—the situation so far and his own story—the conclusion was that he was likely just an ordinary man. However, Yuki-san acknowledged that since he had survived in this world for so long, he must have a significant will to live.
The only concern was his status falsification. While the average level on the new continent is around 20, Menou’s true level was actually 132. He’s stronger than a mediocre Demon Lord.
That said, he’s still far weaker than us, so it’s a bit of a gray area. Anyone would be wary of a powerful stranger, and it’s common to use certain attitudes to provoke a reaction. The consensus was that we’d figure him out through future interactions.
Well, it’s not like we aren't hiding our own true identities either.
"I see. That’s one way to look at it."
"Now that you mention it, it did feel like he was worried about Yuki-sensei."
"True. I didn't sense any actual hostility."
As we were discussing the events of Seacypho...
*Cling-clank...*
The shop door opened. I thought it was just another customer, but...
"There you are! Found you, Kagura!"
"""Huh?"""
We turned toward the familiar voice calling Kagura’s name and saw Hairen standing there in her usual sister’s habit.
"Why aren't you staying quietly at the embassy? I had to go on a wild goose chase looking for you."
"U-Um, it’s my day off today... Did you need something, Lady Hairen?"
"Oh, right! Listen, Kagura! You too, Mikos! Something incredible just happened!"
"Eh? Me too?" Mikos asked.
"Why am I being left out?" Solo added.
It was strange that she was only addressing Kagura and Mikos. If it was something regarding Heiden, Solo should have been included. As everyone tilted their heads in confusion at Hairen’s words...
"Well, it’s not like it’s unrelated to the rest of you. Solo, Tori, Riel too."
"It concerns us as well?"
"What could it be?"
If it wasn't just about Heiden, was it something about Weed?
"Fufufu. Listen and be amazed! Just a moment ago, Enora received a marriage proposal from Yuki!!"
"""WHAAAT?!"""
Kagura and the others gaped in shock, while Riel and I simply looked at each other.
"Oh, that’s right. Yuki-san did say he was going to talk about marriage today."
"Milly went along with him to make sure he didn't try to wiggle out of it."
"I'm glad it went well."