Side: Yuki
"Alright, we're heading to Gartz now. I'm counting on you all to handle things while we're away."
I turned around to address everyone staying behind to manage the dungeon.
"Yes, leave it to us."
Eris replied with a firm nod.
This time, our group consists of me, Seraria, Rurua, Sheila, Killue, Ratz, Kaya, and Narjia. Eris will be leading the team filling in the gaps while we're gone.
Fortunately, our subordinates have grown quite a bit lately, and the workload has decreased, so I judged it would be fine. If something urgent happens, I'm using a Doppelganger anyway—they can just shake me awake.
"Derieu. If any trouble breaks out, you're our strongest fighter. Protect everyone."
"Umu, leave it to me. You can go with peace of mind."
Derieu seems to have settled in completely and is working hard—though she's still not great at assisting with my specific paperwork.
"Rock-san, whatever you do, please don't cause trouble for Yuki-san over there." (Milly)
"I know, I know. If I treat the Princesses' husband the way I usually do over there, my head's gonna roll."
Rock-san is coming along representing the Guild.
We're on good terms—we often eat at the tavern after work and swap stories—but as he said, if we acted that casual in public over in Gartz, it would be a disaster. We couldn't exactly drag the Grandmaster along on this trip, so Guild Master Rock is stepping in. The Grandmaster is scheduled to come once the Gate is opened, though.
By the way, while the Grandmaster returned to Rithea after the adventurer screening the other day, he basically lives here now. He claims "it's just more convenient." He's a pretty impressive old man to just up and leave his long-time home like that.
"Kaya, take care of everyone, okay?"
"Protect them for me too!"
"...Honestly, I don't think they need it."
Tori and Riel encourage Kaya.
Kaya is technically coming along as an escort.
Usually, for people of our status, a group this small would be unthinkable, but well, we're using fake bodies with high levels... so it's fine.
"Sheila-chan, be careful, okay?"
"Killue-anesama, you too."
"...Both of you, come back safely."
"We will. Please don't worry."
"Filia-sama, thank you for your concern. Labyris-sama, please... make sure these two don't cry while I'm gone."
"...If you're that worried, you know you could just stay behind."
"...No, I cannot leave Sheila-sama's side."
Killue has been totally won over by Aslin and Filia and dotes on them constantly.
Still, to the point of getting stuck on her words... those two little ones are not to be underestimated.
"Well, I'm heading out too... Coville, I'm leaving things here to you." (Narjia)
"Ehh? Why is it always me lately? Boo..."
"You're being paid well enough for it, aren't you? Or would you prefer a pay cut?"
"Absolutely not! I will approach my work with the utmost sincerity!"
This side is as usual.
Narjia-san is coming as the representative of the Fairy Clan to testify that there are no problems with the dungeon. She has the most persuasive power, especially since her race is completely independent.
"Ratz, don't overdo it, okay?"
"I should be saying that to you, Eris. My subordinates in the administration building can handle the accounting, but the Commerce Guild can be a pain. If there's a serious problem, call me immediately."
"I know."
Ratz is coming as the representative for dungeon goods and logistics.
I've assembled this specific lineup because I intend to wrap this up in one fell swoop. Constant back-and-forth is a hassle; I want to get at least the minimum—permission to build a dungeon connected by a Gate—during this single negotiation. Officially, if possible. If not, I'll just build it secretly.
"Chii-anesama, Rurua-sama, I pray you achieve your goals safely..."
"Leave it to us. Elju, you make sure to work hard too."
"Elju-sama, please take care of the hospital while I'm away."
Seraria and Rurua exchanged words with Elju.
The two of them are coming along to testify that Roshure and Rithea are involved with this dungeon. Both are former high-ranking figures who have met the Gartz royalty, so their presence is a huge help.
* * *
"...I'm bored."
"Want to join in from the back?"
I respond to Seraria while driving.
We're currently on the move.
Since there are many of us, and Ratz and Kaya had previously said they wanted to drive, they practiced properly, and we're moving in two Marauders. By the way, in my car are Seraria, Rurua, Sheila, and Killue. In Ratz and Kaya's car are Narjia, Rock, and Qual.
Ah, Qual came along because Seraria is officially heading to another country, even though she's in a "fake body". She's like her personal guard, so it's helpful in a way. But isn't it pointless for her to be in a different carriage from Seraria? When I asked, she replied, "Guarding Yuki-sama's wives is part of my duty, so I'm fine with it."
"Cards, huh... what are you guys playing?"
Seraria says that and calls out to the people in the back seat.
"Right now... yes, it's nine. It's Doubt."
"...Then ten."
"Doubt, Sheila-sama."
"Mu!?"
From the conversation, it seems Sheila was doubted and got caught perfectly.
"How do you always know, Killue?"
"Sheila-sama, you become strangely calm when you tell a lie. You get 'cool-headed,' so to speak."
"T-That's unfair!"
"Well, I suppose you could say I know because it's me... but we are heading to negotiate with your brothers and your father, the King of Gartz. This card game is perfect practice, so let's do our best. Reading your opponent's gestures and expressions to guess their hand—this is a skill you need right now, Sheila-sama."
"I-I won't lose again!"
"That's the spirit."
"Well, I mean, it's just cards..."
Rurua mutters awkwardly, but the two of them seem fired up and are taking it very seriously.
"Joining that looks like it would be suffocating."
Seraria muttered.
"Yeah."
"Are Ratz and Kaya keeping up?"
"Hmm, look in the side mirror. The other car is properly following behind."
"Ah, this one? This vehicle really is convenient."
"And... Call Ratz."
『Yes, yes, Onii-san, did you need something?』
"Just checking if everything's okay over there."
『We're about to die of boredom. It looks like the people in the back are playing cards, though.』
"Over there too, huh?"
『Oya? Same over there?』
We killed time by chatting like that.
"Hey, Ratz, is Kaya the one driving right now?" (Seraria)
『...No, Ratz is driving.』
"Ara? You're quite skillful to take a Call while driving."
『Well, it's not that difficult. I just had to press the talk button while keeping my eyes on the road.』
"Isn't there anything fun? I'm starting to get bored."
『Hmm, true. Even as fast as this car is, it'll still take three days, right?』
"Indeed, a single day is impossible."
『If we don't find some way to keep ourselves entertained continuously, maybe it'd be better to just leave it to the doppelganger and relax in the dungeon.』
"I'd rather avoid that. It's a rare trip after all."
『...I agree.』 (Kaya)
Even so, it was hard to find ways to pass the time. Was there anything convenient?
"Ah, nothing comes to mind, but by the way, what kind of country is Gartz?"
Learning about Gartz's characteristics wouldn't hurt, and it's a perfect topic for conversation.
"Gartz, huh..."
『Ah—I've never actually been to the capital of Gartz, so I can't really say...』
『I've heard the wheat is delicious.』
『Ah, I've heard that too. Apparently, they have a unique cultivation method, and it only grows in Gartz...』
"Now that you mention it, wheat was always a staple item in Gartz's trade exports. It makes excellent bread... well..."
『It doesn't compare to the dungeon's fluffy bread, though.』
"Hmm, then couldn't we just buy the wheat and refine it properly here?"
『Oh, that's a good idea. That fluffiness is just from refining it in a machine, and Narjia has already researched the machine so we can build it ourselves. Mass production should be possible too.』
"If that gives us a unique flavor, it would be a top-tier trade item, wouldn't it?"
『True. I'll make a note of it during our break.』
While having conversations like that, the two nearly indestructible vehicles (for this era) continued down the road.
