第１０５８堀：いつも通ってきた道 (Part2)
"That's right. Because Kagura and the Princess summoned me, Mikos-chan is super happy now. Isn't that right, Stasia?"
"Yes, as Mikos says, I am happy now as well. So, Kagura, please don't worry so much. And Enola, you're being too intimidating."
"Sorry, sorry. I feel the same way, you know."
"Geez!! Wait, Yuki. Why are you bringing this up?"
"Well, if we go by the logic that 'they're dangerous because they tried to kill me, or they're dangerous even under designated protection,' then many of you wives should have been judged the same way, right?"
"..."
Perhaps they understood my point, as everyone fell silent.
That’s right—if we start talking about danger, there’s no end to it. Among my own wives, there are plenty who once aimed for my life.
They say Senal has killed many Dungeon Masters, but if we're talking about dangerous individuals, the Demon Lord Deryu is top-tier.
Besides, Seraria, Rurua, and Shera have dealt with dungeons as representatives of their nations; one can't deny the possibility that they've indirectly caused the demise of Dungeon Masters.
"...Haa, you really have a silver tongue, don't you?"
"That's not it. I know you're all worried, but we just need to handle it properly. Besides, I've taught you all the importance of gathering information, and you should be convinced of that by now. Above all, there is no return without risk. If you think I haven't been taking risks until now, that's just your imagination. I've always paid a price somewhere. I'm just keeping things balanced."
A Dungeon Master's abilities won't function without magic power and DP.
I've struggled immensely to gather those.
This time is no different.
I'm just getting cooperation from Senal to gather information. That's all there is to it.
"Well, given the situation, is it similar to when we captured Jessica?"
"It certainly is similar. We did various things to capture the Melt sisters and obtain information on the magic swords, so it feels quite like that. Besides, while we can't act as guards because we're pregnant, Tori, Riel, and the others are here. We aren't in a state of lacking guards like we were back then, so I, for one, agree with Yuki's opinion."
"Ah, yeah. We'll definitely protect Yuki-san."
"Yes. We will certainly protect Yuki-san."
"...That much is certain. All that's left is to keep a proper watch on Senal."
That's right, the conditions are better than they used to be.
Above all...
"There have been hostile gods since forever, anyway. It's nothing new."
"When you put it that way, I suppose you're right. Ahaha..."
"Hifie, Noble, Nonoa, Nogosh, Aqueno. Well, there certainly are a lot of them."
"Yeah. It'll be fine. We'll protect Big Brother too! Besides, I don't get any weird vibes from Senal-onee-chan."
"That is so. Like Aslin, I don't get a scary feeling from her either."
Since Shera, Labyris, Aslin, and Firia—the ones most sensitive to malice—are saying this, the possibility of betrayal is low.
"Haa, it can't be helped. Fine, I understand. However, I will be setting up a proper surveillance system for Senal, okay?"
"That goes without saying."
I don't want to die either.
I'll make sure that part is handled correctly.
Besides, I only plan to meet her via a Doppelganger anyway.
"So, where are these gods that Senal said were somehow surviving? We need to go retrieve them, right?"
"Ah, she said they're at the church in the imperial capital of the Hain Empire."
"Huh? Why are they in a place like that?"
"Well, Senal is still worshipped as the Goddess of Healing, to an extent. It’s also a religion recommended by the Hain Empire. Well, it's the largest power in that land. It might even be bigger than Lilishe's."
"Then why are they so weak... oh, I see."
"Exactly. Senal was literally wearing herself down, sharing the magic power she gathered from her own faith with her companions. Even though the efficiency is terrible."
Passing magic power gathered for oneself to others results in massive loss.
Furthermore, gods who aren't worshipped suffer even more severe exhaustion.
So, she was periodically recovering Dungeon Cores to provide magic power to her fellow gods to make up for the deficit.
Man, you can tell she was going through some really tough times.
"Master, she was truly a 'Goddess,' wasn't she?"
"Yeah. And she was desperate, feeling like she had to at least protect those around her."
Yes, she couldn't abandon the companions who had been cast aside, even at the cost of her own body.
That’s why she appeared on that battlefield back then.
Rurua, who was once a Saintess, surely understands those feelings well.
"With that said, let's talk to Eupia and start the various procedures. We have to do things by the book."
To get Senal's cooperation, we must prioritize the safety of her companions.
Nearly half of the wives were once hostile to Yuki.
And they were blatantly aiming for his life, too.
It’s surprisingly common in this world to turn enemies into allies.
If you don't put in the effort to build a relationship of trust, you'll get stabbed in the back. Just like some Dungeon Master we know!
I mean, does everyone remember that Seraria and Deryu were once trying to kill Yuki?