Side: Yuki
"Come to think of it, it's Obon. Around this time of year."
Indeed, the calendar in this world follows a twelve-month cycle, just like Earth. And right now, it's mid-August. Well, they don't call it "August" here; they call it Alqueu, which apparently means "The Month of Scorching Days".
I told my wives, "Why not just use numbers? It's already divided into twelve."
Seraria, Eris, Ratz, Rurua, Sheila, and the civil officials took to it surprisingly well. "Now that you mention it, that's true. It's much easier to write. I wonder why we didn't do that before?"
So, we've been spreading the numerical month system throughout the dungeon, and it's being accepted without much fuss. I guess everyone just found the old names a hassle.
As I was pondering this, a pair of arms wrapped around my neck, and someone gave me a tight squeeze.
"What's 'Obon'?"
Seraria has been very aggressive with the skinship lately. I don't mind, but since I'm eating watermelon, I'm worried about staining her clothes.
Right now, we're all relaxing on the veranda of the inn, munching on watermelon.
Apparently, watermelon didn't exist on this continent. Everyone was put off by the red interior at first, but once they took a bite, they started devouring it... Maybe I should try feeding them tempura next?
"Hmm, the details are a pain to explain... Basically, it's a day to pay respects to the dead."
"You mean visiting graves?"
"Yeah."
"That's strange. You should be able to visit whenever you like."
"Where I come from, it's the time when the spirits of the deceased are said to return. So, the custom is to go to the grave to welcome them, bring them back home to enjoy drinks and stories with the family, and then take them back to the grave to send them off at the end. Well, these days, people mostly only visit graves during this time, and it's one of the few times the whole family gathers, so that's a big part of it too."
"Heh~ Is it different from ghosts or zombies?"
Whoa there. In a sense, it might be the same, but Japanese spirits don't return physically.
"There aren't monsters where I'm from, so there are no ghosts... well, I can't say that for sure. Ghost stories are popular this time of year, too."
"Yuurei?"
Ah—so "ghosts" and "spirits" aren't understood the same way here.
Maybe it's just my perception. Ghosts here are monsters, while spirits are something else entirely, so the words didn't quite translate properly.
"Uh... they're like ghosts, but... invincible?"
"Invincible?"
Well, you can't touch them, they move freely, and they can teleport. At least, that's what the TV specials back home showed.
"You can defeat a ghost, right?"
"Of course. One good swing of a sword."
Right. The ghosts in this world are vulnerable to physical attacks. More precisely, you can touch them by coating your weapon in mana. That's why magic warriors like Seraria—a Valkyrie—can subjugate them easily. Conversely, warriors who can't use magic find it hard to coat their weapons, so they hate dealing with them. Think of it like a game: if you don't have an enchanted weapon, you're not doing any damage.
"Nii-sama, let's go visit their graves then!"
"Yes! Let's go clean the graves properly."
Filia and Aslin, who were sitting on my lap, chimed in after listening to us.
"By 'theirs,' do you mean the weasel and the tanuki?"
"—! Cough, cough!"
"Are you okay, Derieu? Here, have some water."
"S-Sorry. Labyris..."
At Seraria's words, the person who actually killed those two animals started choking on her watermelon. I guess it's a sore subject for her.
"True. Let's make it clean and welcome them properly."
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
I placed my finished watermelon rind on a plate and looked around.
"So, we're going on a grave visit. What's everyone else doing?"
"Hmm, my work has hit a lull, so I'm fine to go," Seraria said.
"Me too."
"I'm okay!"
"Riel, you still have paperwork left, don't you?"
"Ehhh, there's only a little bit left! It's fine! I'll finish it later!!"
* * *
And so, we all arrived at the graveyard.
"So this is where the mother and father of these little ones rest."
"Yes."
"That's right."
Sheila, Aslin, and Filia were gazing at the graves, surrounded by a crowd of small animals.
Sheila wasn't here when Derieu first arrived, so she doesn't know the full story, but she's close with Aslin and Filia, so she has a general idea.
The cleaning was already done; now it was just time to pay our respects.
Rurua and Elju went to the children who had passed; Riel and Tori went to the monsters who fell in the previous battle. Everyone moved at their own pace.
In this dungeon's communal cemetery, it doesn't matter if you're a monster or an animal. If you are family—whether you are a precious person, a pet, or a monster—you are mourned in the same place. In the first place, this cemetery started with Aslin and Filia's animals. The residents of the dungeon are well aware of this.
"Derieu, you okay?"
"...Yeah."
The person who probably wanted to be here least of all was Derieu, who had killed those animals.
"I wonder... is it really right for someone like me to visit? That's what I'm thinking..."
"Kyuu—Kyu-kyu!"
As Derieu showed her hesitation, the children of the parents sleeping in the grave approached her feet.
"What is it, you lot?"
'Kyuu! Kyu!'
They started nipping at Derieu's boots, trying to pull her toward the grave.
"Derieu-oneechan, they're saying they want to pay their respects with you."
"Yes, yes!"
"Is it... truly alright?"
'Kyuuu!!'
Pushed by the little animals, Derieu knelt before the grave and quietly offered a prayer for their souls.
"I wish Derieu-sama could be a little more forgiving toward herself," Sheila whispered.
"It's not that easy. It's one thing if it were an enemy soldier, but she killed such cute creatures. Well, it's probably more than just that. She's likely remembering everything she's done up until now."
Sheila and Seraria watched Derieu, who showed no sign of standing up.
"Dear, please take care of Derieu."
"Indeed. I am worried about her in that state. Please look after her."
"Eh? Why me?"
"Ara? How insensitive."
"Exactly. You're the only one who can go to her now, Yuki-sama. Please, give her plenty of love."
With that, the two of them scurried away from the cemetery.
The others saw the state Derieu was in, shot me a glance, and followed suit.
...Good grief, my wives are far too understanding.
"Onii-chan."
"Nii-sama."
"Yuki."
Even the kids were giving me eyes that said "hurry up and go."
Geez, what am I supposed to say to her in this atmosphere? I can't exactly walk up and crack a joke.
How about saying "Hi, I'm Anpanman!"?
Yeah, no way that would work.
"Derieu."
I finally managed to speak.
Personally, I think it's fine to leave her alone until she's satisfied, but since everyone else insisted...
"Sniff... what is it?"
Derieu answered without looking back.
Ah, yep. She's definitely crying.
I have no choice. I have to be a bit forceful here, or she won't face me.
"Wah!?"
I grabbed her shoulders, turned her around, and pulled her face into my chest.
"It's impossible to tell you not to worry about it. But... I don't want to see you making a face like that."
Yeah, I can't pull off cool lines smoothly. My skin is crawling just saying it.
"...Could you not make that a little more dignified?"
"Sorry."
"...Sigh."
Derieu rubbed her face against my chest, taking a deep breath... I probably smell like sweat since we've been cleaning graves in the summer heat.
"Umu. I feel better now, having caught your scent, Yuki."
"Alright, let's head home then."
I picked her up in a bridal carry. Come to think of it, I hadn't done this for Derieu yet.
"Wait, Yuki!?"
"Alright, it's a race to see who gets back first!"
"Okay~!!"
"I'm jealous... but I guess it can't be helped."
And so, we hurried back home.
'Kyuuuu~!'
The sound of little cries echoed softly through the cemetery behind us.
