第１４９５堀：意外な組み合わせ (Part1)
Chapter 1495: An Unexpected Combination
Side: Stasia
"Bwah-ha-ha...!"
The one letting out such an unrefined laugh is Comet, one of the researchers Weed prides itself on.
"Yuki is as interesting as ever, isn't he?"
The reason for her laughter is the decision to purchase the former princess from earlier.
"Indeed. My husband is as impulsive as ever—or perhaps, as one should expect... Under normal circumstances, such a thing would never be permitted."
"That’s just like Yuki. He pushed it through by saying all sorts of things. Honestly, even I, hearing it from you, Stasia, find it convincing. I imagine everyone else was left completely speechless."
"That is true. It was only after it was pointed out that I realized it myself."
"Yuki probably only realized it quite recently, too. I mean, the former princess went on the market a month ago, so he was likely in the middle of vetting the background information during that time."
"That is most likely the case."
Before that, we had no information that the country had collapsed, so there was no way for us to know. Or rather, the information might have existed, but we hadn't been paying close attention to it. The pieces simply hadn't been in place.
"But, putting that aside, why did you come to talk to me, Stasia? Oh, yes. Here’s your cocoa."
"Thank you."
I take the cocoa from Comet and drink it, feeling the sweetness and bitterness spread through my mouth as I answer her question.
"I suppose... I wanted to hear your opinion, Comet."
"Hmm. Are you worried about something?"
"Who knows. I feel as though my husband sees right through my worries before I even voice them."
"That might be true. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be worried. You are Yuki's wife, and I am his friend. No, regardless of our positions, it’s fine to be concerned. So, tell me."
"Understood. There is no point in having come here otherwise. Well, it is not a difficult matter. I simply wondered why my husband decided to save the former princess."
Indeed, there is no necessity for us to save the former princess. In fact, not saving her would likely draw less attention from the dark guilds. That much is certain. By acquiring her—by saving her—the level of vigilance against us will inevitably rise. If one were to weigh the options, ignoring her should be the better choice on the scales of the whole.
As I think this, I notice Comet staring at my face, looking blank.
Hm?
"Did I say something strange?"
"No, that’s what’s strange. Why save the former princess? Isn't it because Ria asked him to?"
"Huh? Well, that is certainly true, but... would he really shoulder such a risk based solely on Ria's opinion? Was it not already factored into his calculations?"
"That’s just a convenient excuse. Well, he does talk people into it so it doesn't *become* just an excuse. If you put it that way, wouldn't that apply to me, or even you, Stasia? It’s painful to say he didn't need us, but we were certainly obstacles to him at one point. Right?"
"...Indeed, that is true."
I am a rugged woman who once pointed a weapon at my husband and bears a scar on her face from being driven out of her homeland. At that time, there was no reason for him to carry such a burden.
But...
"But Yuki accepted us—and while 'using us as military force' is a poor way to put it, he made us useful."
"Yes. That is correct."
Even though accepting people from elsewhere—people from a different continent, no less—and turning them into a fighting force requires an immense amount of labor. Above all, considering my husband's background, the difficulty level must have been significantly higher.
"It might sound rational, but in truth, you could say he was doing something reckless."
"That is certainly true. In other words, this current matter is..."
"Yuki said it himself, didn't he? That it was for Ria's sake. It might be safer to cut ties, but in the end, you never know how things will turn out until you try. Research is the same. You don't know the results until you conduct the experiment. In that case, you just choose what you believe is right. Yuki is just that kind of man. He chooses what he believes is good over safety. That is simply the source of your happiness, and mine. Simple, isn't it?"
"Simple... is it? I do not have the courage to make such choices."
"Ah-ha-ha. The stakes could be our very lives, after all. Well, he does take maximum precautions regarding that. Exterminating all enemies is also a huge risk. It also means it’s better to increase one's allies. If you think of it that way, you understand, don't you?"
"Indeed. When attacking an enemy nation, saying you will 'destroy them' only brings risks. We attack while using pacification strategies and subversion."
When put that way, it makes sense. I see; by taking the former princess under our wing, he intends to gain trust. It is a bit difficult to say trust from which quarter, but there is a merit to it. Ah, no, that was wrong. At the root of it all was the request from Ria. And thanks to that, I, too, was saved.
"Yes. You have a clear look on your face. Are you convinced?"
"Yes. As expected of my husband. I have reaffirmed that he is the number one person for me."
"It’s wonderful that you can say that so honestly. In this world, even just living is difficult, and one is barely able to protect oneself."
"That is true. Compared to my husband's world... no, that is also incorrect. He says that in his world, too, one must put oneself first."
"In the end, living in this world is tough everywhere. That just means Stasia's husband is a good man."
"That is exactly right. Ah, that is why I was worried. Because he does things that invite danger. Perhaps that is the root of it all."
I have known since long ago, with my own body, that my husband helps others. Even when those around him call him soft, he retorts easily and does as he pleases. This time is no different, but the reason I could not come to terms with it was likely because the level of danger was in a different league.
"Ah, so that's it. Indeed, this time it's like charging into the enemy's stronghold. Well, I suppose it's not like that hasn't happened before..."
"No, we have charged into enemy strongholds before, but at the time, Weed and my husband were not considered major threats by the enemy. Everyone just thought some nobodies from an unknown small country had arrived."
"Hmm. Indeed, Yuki's theory until now was to 'snip' the enemy before they could realize his true power."
"Exactly. We decided the outcome before we were even recognized as enemies. Therefore, the danger was not that high."
"I see. But this time is different. The enemy already knows his true identity."
"Yes. And they likely know that my husband is a Dungeon Master."
"Well, looking at our history, Yuki is the most suspicious one, after all~"
Indeed, the danger level of this enemy is completely different. They will surely view Yuki—my husband—as an enemy. They already view Weed as an enemy. Even for us, the level of danger is quite different.
"This time, we are remaining in Weed. It is a necessary deployment, and while there is no guarantee they won't strike here, considering the situation..."
"So the standard strategy is to aim for them when they come out, rather than charging into their stronghold?"
"Yes. If it were truly urgent, I don't think we could reach them, but we had a month of leeway. Even if the enemy couldn't prepare perfectly..."
"They could still manage to launch some kind of attack, couldn't they? Besides, the defenses of the fallen country, which is considered their base, have been strengthened."