Side: Elju

Today's duties are finally over.

While yesterday was chaotic with Derieu-san's sudden raid, today passed quite peacefully. Yuki-san appeared to be relaxing as well, as there has still been no movement from Rurua-sama's side.

We have just finished dinner and are now taking a post-meal breather. Although the dungeon's schedule fell slightly behind yesterday, things have actually become easier now that Derieu has joined us. Since Oriel and I cannot appear openly in public, her participation is a godsend.

"I feel bad for splitting up the Fairies today, but we had to assign them to different areas to teach them how to operate the various facilities. Elder, how are things on your end?"

"Yes, it's been more well-received than expected. Since they usually only focus on crafting, it seems they're enjoying experiencing different things."

"Well then, for the time being, I'd like to ask that we keep the current personnel arrangement to prepare for accepting the 300 people from the Roshure Kingdom."

"I agree. Unless something major happens, this setup is fine. Since those 300 will eventually move to their own specialized workplaces, our priority now should be ensuring the facilities function smoothly."

"That's reassuring. So then, how are things in each area? It's a hassle, so let's just have a meeting like this while relaxing with tea."

Yuki-san said, turning his gaze toward Eris-san. She nodded and began her report.

"The training center has mostly shifted to individual workplace training, so there are almost no problems. As for household registration, we've finished processing all 57 fairies. If there's an issue, it's that everyone arbitrarily decided their own birthdays. It seems dates don't exist in the countryside. As for the entertainment facilities under my charge, Narujia-san has taken over the bath area, so I've left it mostly to her. Well, since she hasn't been here long, I'm still helping out. The other entertainment facilities are still unopened due to lack of staff."

"Yes. I am Narjia, in charge of the bath facilities. The usage fee is five copper coins per visit, and we are operating with seven staff members. There are no problems with customer turnout or operation. Ah, if there is one issue, it would be that when cleaning the men's restroom, there are... various situations, so we would like to recruit male staff from the incoming 300 people."

I see... So that luxurious bath is operating without problems. They've cast a disguise spell on me, so I should go check it out tomorrow.

"Then I'm next." Ratz-san spoke up. "I'll skip the Training Center since Eris covered it. Regarding the administration's accounting: over the last two days of operating the General Store, our revenue is 12,235 Fol. That breaks down to 12 platinum coins, 2 gold, 3 silver, and 5 copper. Revenue sources are 70% from the store, 10% from the commissary, and 20% from the bathhouse. At this rate, the Fairies are going to run out of savings. Fortunately, since these are state-run shops, we can use the funds as we please. But honestly, if we don't start returning money in the form of wages soon, they're going to dry up."

"...I'm very ashamed. I've warned them, but the fools are deep in that forest and have little concept of money."

"As long as they're in the Training Center, they won't starve," Ratz-san continued, "But it's not good for morale to have them just staring longingly at luxury goods they can't afford. They've likely learned their lesson over these two days, so let's see. 'Bulk buying' out of novelty was the main culprit. On the management side, I received 10 staff members, so the workload is easier. The registers are simple, so they'll be used to them in a few days. I have people who can do arithmetic on the tills, so no issues there. Actually, I thought stocking shelves would be hard, but they use mana to transport goods—it's faster and more accurate than us. They're surprisingly well-suited for the job."

Ah... it seems the fairies are making full use of their abilities in that shop.

Giving people various roles reveals so many possibilities.

"Hmm. Regarding the overspending, let's follow Ratz's advice and watch for a week," Yuki-san decided. "Elder, can I leave that to you?"

"Yes, leave it to me. I will definitely make them follow the monthly wage policy..."

"Well, we can't let the fairies go completely broke. It would also make my wage calculations a nightmare, so we can afford to be somewhat generous for now."

"...I will make sure they follow it."

It must be tough being the Elder.

Having to deal with the shame of your own people...

"Next is me," Milly-san said. "The Adventurer District is still inactive, and the dungeon itself isn't finished. We have the inn, shop, and tavern structures, but the equipment isn't laid out. As for the suggestion box, there are many requests to stock 'Super Ratz' luxury items in the commissary. But the commissary is small and has a limited inventory. What should we do?"

"Well, we can do the same as the complaint box," Yuki-san suggested. "Put up a suggestion box and stock the top-ranked requested items. For space issues, we can ask which items people don't want anymore through the survey."

"I see... That way we can manage the shelf space... Ratz, is it okay to put up a suggestion box?"

"No problem. I felt bad for Riel because she was constantly running back to Super Ratz to buy things for people."

"Uwaa, I kept telling them to just go to Super Ratz on their own, though?"

"Well, Milly has guild staff experience and I have merchant experience, so we're used to this kind of thing. Riel has only been an adventurer, so she's not good with that kind of response."

"If that was an option, tell me sooner!" Riel-san groaned. "Do you know how many trips I made today..."

Poor Riel-san.

She's earnest, which is admirable, but... she's a bit inefficient.

"Next is security," Tori-san reported. "I received five staff members, and patrols are going smoothly. The transceivers you gave us are very functional. The only 'trouble' has been a few lost Fairies during their free time. Riel handles the Training Center security."

"Nothing to report in the Training Center," Riel-san added. "Though, thanks to the electric lights, a lot of residents are staying up late. There are many sleepy faces in the morning. Also, the three recruits assigned to me are struggling a bit with their first night shifts."

"Security is a demanding job," Yuki-san said. "The pay is high to compensate, but we can't have them collapsing. If they look unwell, don't push them."

""Understood.""

"...Me next," Kaya spoke softly. "I'm also part of security, but right now I'm focused on the farmland in the work area. Sorry, you two. We've been given about 10 people, and together with the goblins and Modified Pill Bugs, we're tending to the crops and developing new farmland. The Modified Pill Bugs, especially, have made plowing very easy. As for the goblins, I've been entrusting them since the farmland was created, so they're very reliable. The fairies don't seem to be used to playing in the dirt, so they were hesitant at first, but they've been eating the crops and seem to be enjoying growing their own food."

"Yes, fairies generally don't eat if they have magic power. But they can eat, and since magic power is consumed, they recover it through food and drink. Now that they've come here, they've experienced a wider diet beyond fruits and water, so they're enjoying it. If those children invite others, the farmland may expand further."

"Well, there's no need to force it. Let's leave it to them."

So even those giant pill bug monsters are useful...

"I... h-have a r-report..."

Ah, you're so cute, Filia-chan. I want to take lots of pictures of you and display them in my room.

"Calm down, Filia," Yuki-san said gently. "It's okay. Take a deep breath."

"Y-Yes, Nii-sama. Suu— haa— Suu— haa..."

She is an angel. No matter what anyone says, Aslin and Filia are my sisters and my angels!

"...I will give my report." Filia-chan continued. "Regarding the forge, 18 personnel have joined, and in these two days, we've produced 35 iron swords. And this... is a prototype made by the fairies—a katana. Details from Narjia-san."

"Yes, I will explain. The forge is operating extremely well. Though there are unfamiliar aspects, the equipment is far more refined and easier to use than what we had. Based on what Yuki-san told us, we independently completed a katana. Please accept it, Yuki-san."

Narjia-san presented a katana in a beautiful scabbard.

To think they finished something that would normally take a month in just a day... Fairy blacksmithing is terrifying.

Yuki-san unsheathed it to reveal a beautiful... green blade?

"As you can see, the blade is green," Narjia-san explained. "We interpreted the alloy theories Yuki-san gave us and mixed Tamahagane, Mithril, and Magic Ore. The blade took on the attributes of our enchantments: Wind and Plant."

"I appreciate the sentiment," Yuki-san said, "but as a Dungeon Master, I can't accept this personally. I'm just one of the representatives. I'll give this to our General Representative, Labyris. Is that okay, Elder?"

Narjia-san's eyes widened, then she nodded in understanding.

"My apologies. Indeed, the head of this place is Labyris-sama. Please, use this."

"...It's so light. Can I even swing it?"

"Yes. Its weight changes according to the wielder's ability and feelings. Its sharpness is enhanced by both traditional forging and enchantment, so until you're used to it, it's best to practice with it sheathed."

"It's big for Labyris, so you'll have to practice properly before you can swing it."

Labyris-chan happily hugs the katana and sits on Yuki-san's lap again.

The blade is about 70 cm, over 1 meter including the handle—almost reaching her neck... Will she really be able to use it?

"The forge seems fine. Next is Aslin and Labyris."

"Yes! For meals and cleaning at the training center, we've assigned rotations, so it's fine!!"

"...On my side, I've taken all remaining office personnel. They have a lot to learn, so it's hard for them, but I think they realize how much they're helping everyone."

When Labyris-chan says that, everyone nods.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Elju, how about you?"

"Fweh!?"

Ah, that's right. I also have things to report. I haven't been able to appear publicly lately, so I forgot.

"Ahem... As for my clinic, consultations and hospitalization are always possible. However, since we don't have staff yet, I can only handle treatment and consultation. And since I'm working from the training center's treatment room, using the actual clinic is still a ways off."

"Well, that's true. So, have there been any injuries the past few days?"

"Yes, but only minor ones—scraped knees from tripping, or a small finger cut while cooking."

"That's good to hear. But one day, you'll have to deal with serious injuries, right?"

"Yes, I'm prepared."

That concludes all the reports from everyone.

And finally...

"Now, for my report as the actual Dungeon Master. No intruders since Derieu. And the DP report for the five days since the Fairies arrived... about 80,000 DP. After subtracting the 500 DP daily allowance for the Fairies, we have 79,500 DP."

"That is a staggering amount!" Ratz-san exclaimed. "Each Fairy has at least 1,000 MP, so that's 10 DP an hour per person. From 56 people, that's 13,440 DP every 24 hours at minimum. The possibilities are endless!"

"For now, we're going to save it. I'm handing over the tedious calculations and the 'hidden' data to someone who knows the inner workings and joined us yesterday."

All eyes turned to Derieu.

"Hold on a second!!" Derieu-san shouted. "I spent all day today wearing those ridiculous frilly clothes as a clerk and scrubbing the baths with a deck brush! If you exploit me any further, I'll start questioning your humanity!"

"If you're handling the DP calculations, I won't give you any more 'strange' duties," Yuki countered. "It's a field where I can't afford errors."

"O-Oh!? I can focus solely on that and do no other work?"

"Yes. But if you mess up, you're going back to the other departments."

"Leave it to me! High-level arithmetic is a rare skill! I am the perfect fit!"

...I feel like Derieu-san just stepped into a trap she shouldn't have.

* * *

After everyone finished their reports, we drank tea.

"Still, To think that girl is the Saintess Elju... and I hear even the Saint of Rithea was here. I am a Demon King, and this place is ruled by the Dungeon Master of calamity... quite a strange gathering."

Derieu-san muttered while sipping her tea.

"Yes~ It's more absurd than a fairy tale. Life is never boring when Onii-san is around. I never imagined I'd become acquainted with a Demon King."

"I never thought I'd find people I could talk to normally after they found out who I was."

"This really is a strange twist of fate..."

When I said that, everyone quietly drank their tea.

"No, this isn't a fateful encounter at all. This situation is a logical outcome."

Yuki-san ruins the mood instantly.

"What are you saying, Yuki? This is clearly fate."

"Sigh... Derieu, don't tell me you think you returned to the right path because of my lecture?"

"Yes. Speaking with you and meeting Aslin, Filia, and those children made me reconsider many things. This must be fate."

"That's just your misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?"

"Where's the guarantee that I'm right?"

"But you explained everything, Yuki."

"Exactly. I only explained my thoughts. I never said I was right and you were wrong."

"...True, you didn't deny my actions... but I feel like I was thoroughly lectured."

"If you felt it was a lecture, that just means you already think you were wrong. I only stated my perspective."

...Indeed.

Yuki-san never forced his beliefs on me either.

"I never said something as easy as 'You are wrong, follow me and you'll be fine.' You, Elju, Rurua—everyone here chose to be here. If I had to call it anything, it was persuasion."

Yuki-san looked at each of us.

"I don't remember lecturing anyone. I just bowed my head and asked you to be my allies. If anyone thinks you were 'wrong' or that you 'failed at doing the right thing,' they have a very narrow view. They're ignoring the possibility that I might fail in the future. I'm just working hard to make sure that doesn't happen."

"What? Are you saying everything I've done until now wasn't a mistake?"

Derieu-san stared at Yuki-san in shock.

I feel the same way. I thought I would live the rest of my life atoning for my sins.

How can he say that the sins I need to atone for weren't mistakes?

"Of course they weren't mistakes. That was your answer. You swung your fists, and while innocent people may have died, others were saved because of it. Besides, 'right or wrong' isn't for us to decide. It's something future historians will judge arbitrarily. What matters is whether you can stand by the answer you gave with confidence until the end. In that regard, I won't say you were wrong."

Yuki-san glared at me and Derieu-san.

"Seriously, if my words were enough to make you waver and change your minds, then at the very least stay true to the answer you gave. Don't apologize. If you're going to apologize, use that energy for the next time. Living with your head bowed forever is a waste of your talents and a nuisance to everyone else. If you don't stand tall, the people who died for the sake of your 'answers' will never be redeemed. Elju, especially you—the people around you had that kind of resolve."

"Eh?"

"First, Seraria. She's not stupid. Yet, in battle, she never wavered in her way of being. She snapped at me constantly because she chose to live that way for the sake of the people she had to cut down. She decided to carry those lives to the very end. It's clumsy, but I can't criticize it."

"Chii-anesama..."

"Next, Aria. Her resolve as the next Queen is significant. Publicly acknowledging your 'death' isn't something just anyone can do. And finally, your father. He chose the citizens over you. He declared that to me and shook hands with Rurua—whom he should hate—because he believed it would save the most people. Your entire family has swallowed both the pure and the corrupt. They accepted it and used it."

Only now did I understand why Chii-anesama, Aria-anesama, and Father had smiled bitterly whenever I said I want to do something.

Everything produces results, just like how moving makes you hungry. The fact that I saved people also means there were people I couldn't save. I chose the places with more casualties, which meant abandoning the places with fewer. In simple terms, it was just a matter of scale, but I had been turning my back on the answer I myself had given.

While saying I would save people, the moment Yuki-san explained things, I couldn't feel confident that I was right... No, that what I was doing was right. My own actions and answers kept spinning around in my head.

How dishonest. How selfish.

I was just hanging my head and saying my answer had been wrong. To the lives that were lost because of my answer, I had heartlessly declared, "Your deaths were a mistake."

If I continued like this, I would keep committing blasphemy against those who died.

"Well, if the current Derieu and Elju have found some kind of answer here, then everything up until now had meaning. Though I don't think your core 'answers' have changed at all."

"...Yes. In the end, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to heal people. That is my answer, isn't it?"

Yuki-san gave me a wry smile.

Ah, it seems I'm still being spoiled. I should have just said it clearly.

"I swear I will continue to exist for the sake of the people until the very end!!"

"If that's fine with you, Elju, then it's fine. Though so far, the results are still in the negative."

"...That's mean."

Even so, unlike before, I could smile back at him.

This must be what Aria-anesama and the others meant by "staying true to yourself."

"Fumu, so that's how it is. Then I too shall not think that my fists until now were wrong. After all, I was able to meet all of you."

"That's a fitting answer for you, Derieu."

Yuki-san and Derieu-san look at each other and laugh.

"Now then, the reason I explained all that—let's get to the main topic."

"Eh?"

"I wouldn't explain all this for no reason. You get it now, right? Having an answer, having resolve—those things alone aren't nearly enough for the troublesome matters coming up."

"What do you mean?"

"This recent conflict—everyone thinks it happened because Elju became the Saint, but the real question is why they did it."

"Wasn't it to stabilize the internal situation of the Holy Nation of Rithea?"

"Haha, thank you for that cute answer. Deliberately making the princess of an allied country into a target to stabilize the country? That's not exactly a brilliant move. It could easily lead to war. If that was the goal, they could have just invited Elju to the Rithea Holy Country, given her some nominal position, and wrapped things up neatly."

"Wait a minute!? The way you say that makes it sound like..."

"Exactly. This conflict was a plan to take complete control of the Rithea. It's pretty straightforward, right? By making Elju the enemy, they could clearly expose the factions that wouldn't obey them. They leaked information to their close ally Rurua, deliberately sent her alone to Roshure, and had her killed at the right moment. That silenced all the opposing factions at once. What a simple and easy-to-understand takeover plan."

"For what purpose!? For power, like Loire!?"

"No. The work-to-reward ratio for power is terrible. If you're smart, you just use power to skim money for yourself. Even Loire only tried to overthrow Roshure because he had Rithea's backing. Doing this without support... the success rate and the effort don't add up."

"Then why!? ...Could it be, about the answers earlier?"

Yuki-san's mouth curled into a dark grin.

"Yeah. There are people like that. People who ignore simple cost-benefit calculations, fully accept all the people who died in this conflict and all the people who will die in the conflicts to come, and still choose to carry out their own answer and resolve to the end. People who believe their answer is ultimately right and will lead to the future."

What Yuki-san described was a path dyed bright red with blood. Such an answer was... insane.

"Whether it's someone broken like me or just a plain fanatic, someone who starts something this big isn't doing it for fun or simple greed."

The room went silent.

"That's why—Eris."

"Yes!? W-What is it?"

"Starting tomorrow, I'm going to go wild on the other side with Rurua. So, leave my workload to Derieu."

The air froze.

Ah, that's right... This is the kind of person he is.

"WHAT!? WAIT A MINUTE!! YOU JUST SAID I ONLY HAD ONE JOB NOW—!!"

Good luck with your work tomorrow, Derieu-san.