第１０５７堀：彼女の決断 (Part2)
Seraria looked at me with an expression that clearly said she found that hard to believe.
"No, don't go turning this into some achievement of mine. I'm still in the middle of gathering information in every territory. All I’m doing is forcing things to work by installing a circulatory system via the dungeon. It’s nowhere near the proper, intended state. And for the record, who are you calling a 'useless man'?"
I still don't get why she only chooses to praise me at times like this. It’s precisely because of that praise that Seraria’s attention is fixed on me. Also, she needs to make up her mind whether she’s going to insult me or compliment me.
"Yuki. You aren't denying that you lack motivation, are you?"
"Yeah. It’s rare to find anyone who would be motivated after being forced into such a high-difficulty task against their will. Plus, this whole thing started with a kidnapping."
If there were anyone who could worship a goddess like this and work earnestly, they’d just be a fool. They’d have to have a screw loose somewhere. Personally, I sympathize more with the sentiments of the gods of this 'Third Army,' as you might call them. I have no desire to work for her sake. That said, it’s a troublesome fact that she possesses such inconvenient abilities, so I suppose I’m just doing the work because I have no other choice.
"Well, as you can see, I’m in a position where I’m being inconvenienced by Luna, who calls herself a Higher God. That means I have a certain degree of authority here. I can at least manage to keep you alive."
"And what do you intend to ask of me in return?"
Seraria responded immediately. Oh, she understands that there’s no such thing as a free lunch—that’s a relief.
"I appreciate how quickly you catch on. That said, what I’m asking for is quite a headache. Lend me a hand in resolving the magic power depletion phenomenon."
"That request is far too vague. Besides, we’re the ones who couldn't do it in the first place, which is why we’re on the verge of extinction. And you expect us to trust the words of such a dim-witted god?"
"Look, it’s not about trust. In this case, if you leave things as they are, you’ll just run out of magic power and vanish. If you cooperate, I’ll provide enough magic power to ensure you don't cease to exist."
"What is this? In the end, it’s just a threat."
Exactly. If you don't want to die, become an ally. In another sense, that’s exactly what it is. But, looking at it from a different perspective...
"I suppose it would be easy to say I'll resist... but this is also a way to survive, isn't it?"
"That’s right. If you refuse to cooperate with Yuki, you’ll be punished by us. As I said before, I have to set an example for the others."
Luna stated it clearly. She declared plainly that if they didn't cooperate, they would die. No, wait—that’s not quite right. Knowing Luna, I’m sure it would be some sort of 'entertaining' punishment. After all, Hairen is standing right next to Seraria, looking at me with such obvious concern. If the decision were to kill her, Hairen would surely step in to stop it.
After all, Seraria’s motivation was simply to help her friends. The direct damage was limited to the Dungeon Masters of this land and the Zurabl and Haine armies that fought Seraria’s monsters in that decisive battle.
"...Do you not think I might betray you?"
"Hmm. I can't say the possibility is zero. However, seeing you talk with Hairen, I think that outcome is unlikely. I’ll be taking precautions, anyway. Oh, and I’m going to make sure you give me a full account of why you went around killing Dungeon Masters."
"That’s a simple story. We took the magic power the Dungeon Masters had hoarded so that we could survive. We were the ones who brought the faith to them, after all. It might sound like a grudge, but since dungeons are treated as resources, I don't see the problem with me going to collect them."
She’s right about that. In the end, it’s nothing more than a power struggle between gods and Dungeon Masters. Luna, who created this situation, is hardly in a position to criticize that.
"So, what will it be? Of course, this is on the condition that I take measures to ensure you don't betray us."
"I suppose that’s only natural. I’d be more wary if you said you trusted me without doing anything. Besides, it seems I’ll at least be able to stay alive as long as I’m under your command."
So that’s what’s most important to her, huh? Then again, isn't that true for everyone?
"For now, shall we say we're on good terms?"
"Yes. But be careful. You seem to have managed well so far, but that might not be the case in the future."
Hey, hey, is that a death threat in a place like this? Kagura and Enora are already narrowing their eyes in caution. Even so...
"Yeah, unfortunately, I don't think I’ve been managing 'well' at all. Especially with someone like *her* around."
"Ah. I see."
"Hey, you two over there. Show a little more respect."
That, at least, is impossible.
This time, many different opinions emerged regarding Seraria’s actions. Just as everyone has their own feelings, they have theirs as well. That is all there is to it. Even if they are gods, they were once human. If they say that being a god means not being swayed by emotions, then they must not understand the hearts of men.
It’s inconvenient, isn't it? If you satisfy one side, you offend the other. That is the way of the human world. Even so, Yuki and his companions push forward. Let us paint over the unreasonable with even greater unreasonableness.