第１０８９堀：あの戦いの別の視点 (Part1)
Excavation 1089: Another Perspective on That Battle
Another Perspective on That Battle
Side: Yuki
"Yo. Long time no see."
"It really has been a long time. I'm surprised."
The one who responded to my single word of greeting with surprise was Senal, who had rebelled against—or rather, was still rebelling against—the self-proclaimed High Goddess Luna.
"I said we'd talk once things settled down."
"Well, you certainly did say that. But I didn't expect to be left alone for nearly a month."
"No, considering the care of the children, that's a short time, isn't it? So, how are those children?"
The "children" I'm referring to here aren't children in the literal sense, but rather the child-like gods Senal had taken under her protection.
If Senal's account is true, those gods are children both in appearance and in mind, so it's not hard to imagine they're having a difficult time. After all, they were made into gods while still children, then nearly vanished due to the magic depletion phenomenon, so they were put to sleep to endure it a little longer. When they awoke, their surroundings had completely changed—a situation akin to Urashima Taro. Can such a thing be accepted by a child's psyche? Or perhaps, precisely because they are children, it's easier for them to accept? Perhaps it's adults who would find it more precarious. So, for their mental stability, I had Senal stay with them.
Of course, I had asked Rurua and Lilishe, who are professionals in treatment, to handle their care, but it's only been a month. Physical recovery aside, if emotional care could be achieved in such a short time, there would be no need for counseling even on Earth.
"Yes, fortunately, they're settled. They've even opened up to Hairen and Aslin, so I'm relieved in that sense."
"I see. Hairen and Aslin, huh..."
Aslin and the others make sense, but Hairen... I really don't want to acknowledge her as a goddess, but judging by her past actions, I have to admit she's exceptionally capable in the sole aspect of instinctively choosing the right path.
However, no matter how many warnings I give or what I do, she acts without regard for plans, making her incredibly difficult to use. Haa, in any case, from now on, Hairen is definitely out of any future operations. As I was thinking about the problem child among the "Useless Gods," Senal, with a serene expression, said...
"This country is truly peaceful."
"What's with the sudden change of topic?"
"For the past month, I've observed Weed closely. Despite people from various nations coming and going, they live peacefully without trying to take from one another. And the commercial district, for instance, is so vibrant it almost makes your head spin. You're aiming for a world like this, aren't you?"
"Ah, I'm not good at killing each other. I think anyone would agree, wouldn't they?"
"That's certainly true. But it's incredibly difficult to resolve things through mere conversation without trying to take from others. You, who ended up apprehending me, would know that best, wouldn't you?"
"Indeed. I was suddenly caught up in the war between the Zuraburu Empire and the Haine Imperial Nation."
Yes, I was only supposed to confirm the safety of the envoy at Seasypho's request, but the port of Aurelia, which I visited for that purpose, was on the verge of enemy invasion. I ended up having to deal with the situation before I even fully grasped it.
And the Kingdom of Gusdo, which governed that land, had been destroyed. It was truly difficult.
"With this country's—no, with your technology and power, conquering the world would be easy, wouldn't it? Why don't you do it?"
"Because it's not easy."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"What, haven't you heard from Rurua? About Weed's policy?"
"She doesn't talk about such things. She's merely a healer, isn't she? I thought I should hear about that from you."
I see. Indeed, one wouldn't ask a doctor about the future of a nation. Now, about why I don't "conquer the world," was it?
"There's nothing good to gain from conquering the world. In the first place, there's no point in doing it."
"Why? If you conquered the world, wouldn't the investigation into the magic depletion phenomenon progress more smoothly?"
"Hey, do you really think that?"
I couldn't help but ask Senal again, given her rather absurd statement.
If her current statement was serious, it would be better for Senal herself if I stopped seeking her cooperation altogether and instead had her work as a school teacher or something. As I reconsidered this, Senal offered a wry smile.
"No, the world isn't that simple, is it?"
"That's right. Or rather, deliberately conquering the world would take far more time than what we're doing now."
"Indeed. I know that firsthand. Though for me, it was purely for the survival of myself and my comrades."
"That's right. Just surviving is hard enough. That's precisely why I make an effort not to create enemies."
If I didn't, I'd be surrounded by enemies on all sides and unable to move. I can do without that kind of trouble. It's been my unwavering policy from the start. Sticking to my initial resolve. Ah, how splendid.
"So, enough with the small talk. Can we discuss things? You seem to have some leeway."
"Yes, I'm fine. But you seem quite busy."
"Well, I'm running a country. It'd be strange if it were easy."
A country where the ruler has no work is proof that the economy isn't moving.
"That's certainly true. I also had a difficult time when I was with the Seraphina Church."
"Speaking of which, why were you just a sister, Senal? If you had become an archbishop, you could have done whatever you wanted, couldn't you?"
That's something I've wanted to ask. It's quite unnatural for someone to have their own religious organization yet not be at its head.
The Holy Nation of Litea, which worships Lilishe, was merely a country founded by her daughter, Litea, and Lilishe herself had no interest in power whatsoever—a rather rare pattern. Senal, if anything, is closer to Hifi. Nevertheless, even if she hadn't established a nation, as an archbishop, she would have had free rein over military forces and could have issued more commands. What was the reason she deliberately didn't do that?
"That wasn't due to any particular intention of mine. It was simply that my power waned, and I could no longer remain at the top of the Seraphina Church."
"So that was the problem."
"Yes. So, I had no choice but to subtly gather magic within my capabilities while stimulating human desires. If I could have directly recovered magic, I wouldn't have resorted to such roundabout methods."
"Indeed."
For a god attempting to change the world with her own hands, her methods seemed rather small-scale. So, because her original inherent power was limited, she had no choice but to resort to such indirect tactics.
"Is that disappointing? Such a trivial reason."
"No, I'm perfectly satisfied. It means Senal herself was at her limit."
"Yes. As I said earlier, if I had had any leeway, I wouldn't have taken such methods. And the result is me being here now."
"But didn't you say something about stealing dungeon magic? And also killing a Dungeon Master like me?"