Chapter 134
As for the employees of the Pigeon Company, as I expected, the main people needing protection were the beastkin employees who had been left behind here because they supposedly wouldn’t be able to cross the border, along with their families.
The employees who remained in this country apparently sensed some kind of unsettling atmosphere from a little before this war broke out, and were exchanging letters with the company president.
Now that she mentions it, Golda didn’t seem to have been moving its army as secretly as the Principality had. They had soldiers deployed at the border, and it seems they even set traps.
And in the middle of that correspondence, the war began, and was settled in a blitz. It seems there are also trained birds used for sending messages, as well as “specialists” who can secretly sneak across borders to deliver letters…so-called underworld couriers.
“If the Golda Adventurer Guild officially issued evacuation permissions for residents…that means Lendia is already thinking about accepting refugees…” (Shizuma)
“Refugees… People who escaped, right? Yeah, there must be a lot of them.” (Melt)
This time, Melt and I were riding horses, running alongside the lead carriage. This was my first time riding a horse, however, whether it was experience from Seimu or from another character, I didn’t know…but I could do it easily. Melt was behind me, holding onto my waist, which made me a little embarrassed.
Lent was riding inside the carriage with the other refugees. Well, of course. From the outside she’s just a child.
“But even if they set up a refugee camp somewhere, I don’t think the living conditions will be that harsh. At least…it seems the climate is already changing.” (Shizuma)
“Ah, I see. Then everyone will be able to eat, right?” (Melt) I don’t know the exact national policy, but… Lendia’s territory is already being transformed into fertile land by the power of the Dungeon Core.
“The Queen might make some announcement soon. There will definitely be nobles and residents who feel uneasy about an increasing number of refugees. But they have the perfect material to dispel that unrest.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, the Core, right?” (Melt)
“Shh.” (Shizuma)
I don’t think they’ll be asking me, as Seimu, for any more requests for the time being. But I suppose the announcement about the Core will involve me in some way. Some of the Thirteen Knights already know that I, as Seimu, brought the Core from the Scorched Ravine after all.
“Well, we’ll just have to see.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah. For now let’s focus on escorting everyone safely to Lindblum.” (Melt)
And so, our escort mission, which doubled as our return trip to Lindblum, began.
—————–
After several days of traveling, I realized that public order in the former Golda territory hadn’t worsened much. The sudden fall of the capital must have crushed soldier morale. And since the remaining national army surrendered, there probably weren’t any deserters turning into bandits. Besides, with so many Lendia soldiers pouring in, becoming a bandit would practically be suicide.
The only combat we encountered during the journey was driving off monsters who had been watching us during camping…nothing significant.
Soon enough, Lendia will probably send more troops and begin reconstruction. Thinking about how quickly the scars of war will be healed, I reaffirm that my forcing the war to end quickly hadn’t been in vain.
“From here on is Lendia territory. The road was already safe, but now you can truly relax.” (Shizuma)
Passing through the border gate, already half-collapsed, I announced loudly enough for the whole caravan, and the refugees all showed relieved smiles. It left an impression on me.
This time, I was the leader of the escort. Currently, no adventurer of higher rank than me remains in Golda. A few young adventurers were accompanying us, but they’ll probably immigrate to Lendia as well, just like I once did.
I looked again at the faces of the evacuees. Everyone except the adventurers was a beastkin. In other words, they were people who, while not as restricted as Melt, had lived for years with limitations, unable to leave the country.
Those who worked for the Pigeon Company were probably treated better, but their families who stayed behind must have lived with a sense of oppression.
“Everyone looks happy. I think this continent will change.” (Melt)
“Yeah…I wonder if it’s just this continent that has these problems.” (Shizuma)
“Hm… You won’t know unless you go see.” (Melt)
“Right… After challenging the dungeons on this continent, maybe I should look toward the neighboring continent.” (Shizuma)
Other continents should also have natural dungeons. I didn’t investigate deeply yet, but this country used to export pieces of artificial Dungeon Cores as a resource…meaning their use, effects, and demand were well-known.
So it wouldn’t be strange if they knew about natural Cores too.
I heard that this continent, Dusterfil, is one of the smaller continents in the world.
Which means there may still be many more dungeons.
“When we get back to Lindblum, let’s look for a request that takes us to Izbel.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah, it’s perfect. We get work and travel at the same time! I’ll show you around Izbel when we get there!” (Melt)
After entering Lendia’s territory, we relaxed a little and continued the remaining journey. I worried a little about where the refugees would live, but since they’re people tied to the Pigeon Company, the president has probably arranged everything.
…That person really is thorough. Getting his people out immediately after the war ended… He must have other motives.
And so, the rest of the escort went smoothly, and we safely arrived in Lindblum.
—————–
“Good work. This time, your reward will come not only from the Pigeon Company, but also from the Lendia royal family. There will likely be more requests of this kind from the royal family, since we’ll continue to accept refugees.”
At the General Guild’s Adventurer counter, they told us that while submitting our mission completion report. Looks like the nation intends to accept refugees on a large scale.
“And also… I have a message for Seimu-sama from Kokuri-sama. She’d like to meet and talk privately with you. If you have a convenient day, please let me know.”
“Oh, tomorrow is fine. I plan to stay here and rest for a while.” (Shizuma)
A message from Kokuri-san, huh. It’s probably state related… I wonder what it is.
—————–
On the way home, I noticed Melt looking uncharacteristically serious. She was glancing around the whole time while moving from the middle layer to the upper layer toward the south gate.
“Melt, is something wrong?” (Shizuma)
“Hmm… hey, on the way up we passed through the middle layer…the Adventurers’ Den, right?” (Melt)
“Yeah. Did you want to stop by somewhere?” (Shizuma)
“No, that’s not it. It just felt… dead. Like the atmosphere was off. Something weird.” (Melt)
“Huh?”
Seriously? I didn’t notice anything. But now that she mentions it, there did seem to be fewer adventurers than usual. It’s already February, long after the New Year Festival… If that were the reason, then…yeah, too few.
“Hmm… I wonder if something happened?” (Melt)
“Hamstey Inn is in that area too. If something’s going on, I’d like to help.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah.” (Melt)
“We’re meeting Kokuri-san tomorrow anyway, so we can ask her then.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah, Kokuri-chan definitely knows something. She’s really knowledgeable.” (Melt)
Still calling her with “-chan.” Well, she seems okay with it.
—————–
“Hah! Home is the best! I’m hooome! …Welcome baaack!” (Melt)
“Melt…what are you doing?” (Shizuma)
Melt immediately started acting strangely when we returned home. She was playing both roles of greeting herself…she must’ve really missed this house.
“Lent-chan, come here. I’ll show you around inside.” (Melt)
Lent ran to her quietly, maybe because I was still in Seimu’s appearance. Melt began showing her the layout…the bathroom, toilet, everything.
On the trip, Lent seemed capable of doing necessary biological things on her own. That means keeping her summoned might not be a problem…but the issue is how other people see her.
Honestly, taking her on trips isn’t impossible, but she has no self-defense functions…the risk of her being taken hostage or kidnapped is high.
In that case, leaving her at home is possible, but the optics are bad. At some point, I need to end the summoning. The tests are already complete.
…Though Melt will probably oppose it.
“Seimu! We’re missing a pillow! Do we have another one?” (Melt)
Oh, she’s already taken Lent upstairs to the bedroom. It’s a bit early for bedtime, but fine…I’ll get the bedding.
I opened the newly unlocked Housing Menu and chose a pillow to take out.
“Oh… it used to be treated as a small item in the game, but now it’s a real pillow.” (Shizuma)
Soft and slightly sinking to the touch; a memory foam pillow. I never liked them, but they were pretty popular.
For the record, I’m firmly in the buckwheat husk pillow camp. No microbeads! Natural materials!
“Hey, I brought the pillow.” (Shizuma)
I headed to the bedroom and saw Lent lying face-down on the bed, bouncing up and down.
…Huh? She looks like a freshly caught fish. Are you sure you have no will? No personality? You look like an ordinary playful child.
“Melt, what’s she doing?” (Shizuma)
“She likes the bed! Cute, right?” (Melt)
“…Kinda scary.” (Shizuma)
Face still expressionless, she turned toward me while bouncing face-down. This is turning into a horror movie.
“Here’s the pillow.” (Shizuma)
“Thanks! I’ll give this to Lent-chan —wait what’s this!? It’s so soft! Like an animal’s belly!” (Melt)
“If Lent doesn’t like it, you can use it.” (Shizuma)
“I’ll trade mine for it! I want to try using it!” (Melt)
“Haha… Okay, here, have another one.” (Shizuma)
“Yay!” (Melt)
After dinner and baths, we relaxed in our home after a long journey…
Melt’s room was noisy for a while. She must’ve been excited about the pillow.
—————–
The next morning. Lent suddenly started cleaning up dishes on her own while we were eating breakfast. I really want to confirm whether this is emerging will or just autonomous behavior. I should end the summoning and check.
“Lent-chan’s so cute. I wonder what she’s really like.” (Melt)
“Pretty energetic, a little cheeky, but honest.” (Shizuma)
“Huh, you know?” (Melt)
“Actually, sometimes while I’m asleep, I can talk with everyone who’s inside my soul.” (Shizuma)
“Whaaat, lucky!” (Melt)
I get the feeling Melt would panic if she ever saw Still in my mind world. Someone knocked on the door as I thought that.
‘Is Seimu home? You said today was fine, so it’s Kokuri.’
“Oh. Melt, can you take Lent to the next room?” (Shizuma)
“Okay.” (Melt)
So instead of me going there, she came here…That means my importance in this country must have risen significantly.
“Coming.” (Shizuma)
When I opened the door, Kokuri-san was standing there in her white coat, looking a bit tired. She had faint dark circles under her eyes… A beautiful woman with a slightly yandere vibe.
“Kokuri, please rest inside. You look tired.” (Shizuma)
“Then I’ll take you up on that.” (Kokuri)
I poured coffee for her. Most places in this city serve tea, but I already confirmed in Seira that coffee exists. Of course, I stocked up.
“This smell… Coffee. Rare. I thought only researchers bought it.” (Kokuri)
“Researchers drink it when staying up late, right?” (Shizuma)
“Fufu, judging from that, you drank it for the same reason?” (Kokuri)
She smiled softly.
I brewed the coffee carefully. Back in Japan, I was pretty particular about coffee. Gamer shut-ins often get weirdly into coffee…probably.
“Here, Kokuri.” (Shizuma)
“Thanks, Seimu. Mmm…it smells good. You’re good at this.” (Kokuri)
We warmed up and took a moment. Then Kokuri-san began.
“So you went to Golda. Thank you for escorting the refugees. We’ve already begun forming a caravan with knights and adventurers to go there. Having your escort as a precedent helps calm the next groups.” (Kokuri)
“No need to thank us, we just wanted transportation.” (Shizuma)
“Fufu, I see. I won’t ask what exactly you did there. Actually, today I came about something else… Something I’d like your personal advice on. Sorry about that.” (Kokuri)
“Something personal?” (Shizuma)
Kokuri hesitated.
“We’ve relied on you and your brigade so much. Honestly, the country doesn’t want to burden you more. But…” (Kokuri)
“It’s fine. I’ll listen to anything.” (Shizuma)
“…You really are a kind, good man.” (Kokuri)
“You’re making me blush.” (Shizuma)
Alright, let’s brace myself. Kokuri’s topics are always important.
“Actually…we’re planning to announce the Dungeon Core to the public soon. And…the Queen wants to speak in detail with your superior…the representative of your Brigade. Even if we try to keep you from standing out, we can’t make an official announcement without the main contributor present. It wouldn’t look right.” (Kokuri)
“Ah… So that’s what this is.” (Shizuma)
So the time has come.
Yeah. If they announce the Core, they can’t avoid presenting at least part of the people involved…or it’ll raise suspicions.
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