第１３６５堀：残っているみんな (Part1)
Chapter 1365: Those Who Remained
Side: Rurua
"Honestly, what on earth are you all doing?"
"““We’re sorry...””"
With those words, Dressa and the others lay sprawled across the banquet hall of our inn.
We had been in the middle of a meeting regarding the negotiations between Lady Alstaire and the Principality of Suls, but when I was called over, I found them suffering from a classic case of overindulgence.
If they were newcomers to Weed, I might understand, but these are people who should be used to this by now...
"Rurua. Forgive them. Apparently, they took the younger group from the school to a cake shop. Alfin’s shop."
"…Alfin’s? You don’t mean…"
"Exactly. Wishing for the future prosperity of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance and the growth of the children, she gifted them a mountain of whole cakes."
Even though Yuki-san was just stating the facts, he looked a bit pale.
Naturally, I couldn't help but cover my mouth with my hand.
Cake is a wonderful, delicious treat, but everything has its limits.
Sweets are luxury goods—that is a common understanding in this world.
I can understand the desire to devour such a sugary work of art when it’s placed right in front of you, but overdoing it inevitably leads to feeling ill.
However, capacity varies from person to person. Alfin, perhaps because she has no limit to how much sweetness she can consume—while not infinite, it certainly feels like it—tends to serve us an overwhelming amount out of pure goodwill.
I have learned that there is such a thing as goodwill that is harder to bear than malice.
"…And the children they took with them?"
"They seem to be fine. They set a limit on how much they would eat beforehand, and the rest was taken back to the dorms to be served as dessert for their meals."
"Thank goodness."
If a whole group of them had collapsed from overeating, it would have become a public scandal.
That is the last thing we need during a time of crisis.
"But because Alfin would be crushed if they didn't eat it, Dressa and the others…"
"Became the sacrifices, I see."
Goodwill can only be repaid with goodwill.
If they had tried to share it with other customers in the shop, it would have been tantamount to saying they couldn't finish it, and they couldn't exactly call in their own kin as reinforcements.
The only remaining option was to eat as much as they could right there and declare that the rest would be finished by the students.
The sheer earnestness of it brings tears to my eyes…
"They could have just said it would take too long to eat here and that they’d take it back to the dormitory, you know."
"I suppose Dressa and the others aren't quite that crafty."
"So Labyris and the others managed to dodge it, then?"
"Well, yes. Though, I did eat six pieces, so I don't need any dinner tonight."
"Yeah… I’m so full…"
"I crave something salty…"
"Haha, after sweets, one always wants something salty. Though, I think I’ll stick to just tea…"
It seems even Labyris and her group, who managed to dodge the worst of it, took some damage.
I could manage six pieces myself, but like Labyris, that’s enough calories to warrant skipping or significantly reducing dinner.
"Anyway, enough about us. What about the situation? The visit to the Suls Principality capital?"
Ah, that’s right.
We are currently acting to stop and provide aid for the Great Flood that has struck the Principality of Suls.
Thanks to Steve and the others arriving just in time, we managed to defend the northern town, but we couldn't pull our forces back without knowing the situation in the royal capital or the eastern town. Thus, Lady Lilishe was sent to the capital as an envoy for Litea.
We couldn't rule out the possibility that the Great Flood approaching the northern town was merely a diversion by the enemy.
…Though I would prefer not to believe there is an opponent that clever.
As for the current status…
"Lady Lilishe and the others are still en route to the Suls capital. They are scheduled to arrive in two days. Come to think of it, I believe drones were sent ahead to scout—what’s the status on that?"
"Ah, I just received word that they arrived. They’re gathering intel, but at a glance, it looks like people are living their daily lives normally. It’s unclear if they are gathering troops. Our advance intelligence unit will enter tomorrow and report on the state of the capital, but… look."
With that, my husband projected the footage.
"Hmm. It looks like a normal capital. Well, it is evening, so there isn't much foot traffic. It’s only natural that we can’t judge much without seeing the situation during the day."
"What about the surroundings?"
"They’re scouting that now, but there are no obvious groups nearby."
Next, my husband showed us footage taken from a significant altitude.
Indeed, there didn't seem to be any army waiting beyond the walls surrounding the capital.
"Then, what about the eastern town that’s still left?"
"That’s on the opposite side, so they haven't arrived yet. Still, this at least confirms the safety of the capital and the northern town for now. Even if they have infiltrated, given the situation, it doesn't seem like they intend to do anything to the people of the capital."
"Are you sure? If they’re a Dungeon Master, couldn't they just use a Doppelganger to replace the King?"
Labyris says something quite chilling so casually.
It is true that if one uses a Doppelganger, replacing a king would be a trivial task.
"No, that possibility is low. Usually, the reproducibility of a Doppelganger is so poor that it’s incredibly obvious. It’s only because our own versions have had their restrictions removed that they’re so terrifying. Besides, you don't think royalty wouldn't be on guard against that kind of replacement, do you? Right, Rurua?"
"Yes, that is certainly true."
The monster known as the Doppelganger has existed for a long time, so it has been used for replacements in the past.
However, by using holy water or creating a sanctuary, their true form is easily exposed, so that’s as far as it goes.
To think I had forgotten such a thing.
No, it’s simply because I’ve come to view the Doppelgangers my husband prepares as the standard.
"You don't think they prepared a Doppelganger on Yuki’s level?"
"If that were the case, it would be better to replace people gradually rather than causing a Great Flood. Well, one could argue they’re using the current chaos as a cover… but then, the question becomes: why Suls?"