side:ローエル   ガルツ第二王女
今、城は大騒ぎだ。
なんと、ロシュールへ嫁へと出したシェーラがこちらに用があって戻ってくるとの事。
しかし、まだ一月も経っていないのにだ。
早馬で届けられた情報は......
「お久しぶりです。お兄様、お姉様、お母様、そしてお父様。私は今元気にやっております。時に、少しご相談したいことがあり、夫と共にそちらを訪ねる予定です。どうか、夫に失礼の無いようお願いいたします」
この手紙だけ。
幾分情報が不足している。
シェーラが嫁いだ相手がロシュールで暗躍する魔王の配下を暴いた者だというのは聞いている。
が、それだけだ、その者がどの様な経緯を持つか、身分は?
その他諸々不明の状況。
会議場で父、ガルツ王がそう息子や娘、重鎮達に尋ねる。
「......普通に考えるのでれば、送り返されてきたが妥当です」
そう答えるのは第4王子で参謀を務める、ヒギル。
実はシェーラを送る案を出したのがこのヒギルだ。
送る者の安全や向こうで無下に扱われないために、わざとシェーラを送り出したのだ。
頭でっかちで勘違いされがちだが、このヒギルはしっかりと家族を大事にすることで身内では有名。
特に一番下のシェーラには、毎月何かしらプレゼントを自分の給料からせっせと贈るくらいだ。
なのに、普段は冷たくしてるから、なんというか不器用な弟だ。
「普通な...。ヒギルは違うと思うのか?」
「はい。まずは、これがロシュール本国の意図ではない可能性が非常に高いです」
「なぜだ?」
私は不思議に思って聞き返す。
だって、シェーラ...他国のお姫様を送り返すという無礼を働くのだ、これは後ろめたい事があってのこと。
これをロシュール本国を介さずに戻せば、その英雄だかなんだか知らないが、今までの名誉を失うどころか、処刑される可能性すらある。
「......ねぇさん少しは考えようよ。いえ、ローエル様にわかりやすく説明いたしましょう。これをロシュール本国の意思で送り返したとすれば、何か隠したい事があると言っているようなものです。これはわかりますね?」
「だから変なんですよ。わざわざこちらに隠し事がありますよーって言っているものです。同盟に亀裂が入っても可笑しくない行為です」
なるほど、確かに私でもそう勘ぐった。
「ロシュール側の対応としてはお粗末すぎます。今まで真っ先に頭を下げ賠償金を支払ってきた経緯を考えると、まずありえないと言えるでしょう」
「ふむ。ヒギルの言う通りじゃな」
「そして、シェーラが嫁いでまだ一カ月とちょっと、この短期間で送り返すなど他国に対しても外聞が非常に悪いです。ですから、これはシェーラの夫かシェーラ自身が望んでこちらに来ている。しかも本国に話を通さずにです」
ふむ、そういわれるとそうかもな。
「あ、普通に夫に自分の国を見せたいのでは?」
私が思い付きでそう言うと、ヒギルや王は目が点になっていた。
「ま、まあ、その可能性もないことはないな......」
「......父上、こうビシッと言ってくださいよ」
「......なにを言うとるか、お前の姉だぞ、今説明してるのはお前だろうに」
「......こういう事でこっちに回さないでくださいよ。大体、ねぇさんの教育をしたのは......」
なにか二人がこそこそ話し合っている。
変な事でも言ったか?
「...こほん。ローエルの言う通りその可能性もある。それなら何も心配は要らない。だが、この会議は何か問題があればどうする? と言った話だ、まずは問題があると前提で考えるべきだろう」
「おお、なるほど。その通りですお兄様。流石ガルツを継ぐ器です」
「......ああ、ありがとう」
少しお疲れの様子だ。
「よし、よくやった」
「......父上、ヒギル、後で書類半分やれよ」
「「そんな!!」」
何を手伝うのを嫌がっているのか私にはわからん。
さっきの兄上のお疲れの様子を見ていなかったのか?
「そうね、実際どんな問題があるかは聞いてみないと分からないけど。区分はつけておいた方がよさそうね」
「区分?」
私に説明を始めたのは第三王女のシャール。
国では主に内政を担当している。
「そうよ、お姉様。即時対応できるようにしておこうって事。たとえば、さっき言ってきたようにシェーラを送り返すのであれば、抗議文を送りつけて、ロシュール王都に調査に向かう方向へ。あとは、シェーラが何かしら情報を掴んで早速戻ってきたか、この場合はシェーラがこの短期間で戻ることを希望したことを考えると、とても重要な情報よ。あの子は馬鹿じゃないわ、それは私達が一番よく知っているでしょう」
「ああ、シェーラはとても賢い子だ」
「最後に......シェーラの夫が馬鹿で、色々こっちに便宜を図ってもらおうとするパターンね。シェーラという王女を娶ったことで気が大きくなって、なんでもできると思い込んで、シェーラに頼みこんで連れてきてもらったか。この場合は即座にシェーラを保護するわ。シェーラが無理やり頷いたと考えると、暴行を受けている可能性もあるわ」
「それは許せないな」
シェーラに暴行するなぞ、もっての外だ。
その場で首を刎ねてやる。
そうやって、方針を考えていると、会議室の扉をこじ開け、慌てた様子で親衛隊が駆け込んでくる。
「何があった?」
兄上は、極めて落ち着いて話を聞こうとする。
素晴らしい、私だったら、声を上げて聞き返していたと思う。
「も、申し上げます。王都入口に、馬を付けていない馬車が二台停泊。その馬車は殆どが鉄でできており、不審極まりないので、調査しようとしたところ、中にはシェーラ様、キルエ様が乗っておられました!!」
「「「は!?」」」
流石に全員が大声を上げた。
「ちょ、ちょっと待ってくれ。このシェーラの手紙が届いたのはいつだ?」
「ねぇさん落ち着いて。確か昨日だよ」
「......早馬できたのよね?」
「ああ、それはこちらで確認した。別に遅い馬でもない。いたって普通の早馬だ」
「......考えたくはないけど、ロシュールには早馬に匹敵する馬車があるということかな」
「そんな馬鹿な!! この前の争乱では普通の馬車だったぞ!!」
「落ち着いて、お姉様。...シェーラとキルエというのは間違いないのね?」
私を宥めてくれたシャールが再度兵士に確認を取る。
「はい、見間違いといいたいですが、私だけではなく、隊長も他の仲間もシェーラ様だと言っていました」
「......それは疑いようがないわね。今その馬車とシェーラ達は?」
「はっ、現在通行の邪魔になるので、外の警備駐屯所へお越しいただいております」
「お兄様、どうしますか?」
シャールがそう兄上に指示を仰ぐと、兄上は少し考えて......
「そうだな、このままでは無礼だ。しかし、得体のしれない馬車の件もある。ローエル、ヒギルが兵を率いて出迎えに行ってくれ。万が一の時は自分の身を優先しろ。いいな?」
「父上、よろしいですか?」
「うむ、もう立派に王の器じゃ。もうかわってよいぞ?」
「いえ、まだまだ私は若輩者です。二人とも気を付けてな」
私とヒギルはその言葉を受けて即座に会議室を飛び出す。
「ヒギル、編成はどうする?」
「そうだね。時間はかけられないから、いま城にいる親衛隊を40人程引き連れていけばいいんじゃないかな? 武装に関しては、魔術が5、弓が5、盾が10、近接が20で」
「近接の武装は指定しないのか?」
「今は少しでも急がないといけないからね。親衛隊なら、自分たちの武器で戦えばそうそう遅れはとらないでしょう」
「それもそうか......」
そう言って私達はシェーラを迎えに出るのであった。
side:ユキ
「はぁ~、なるほど。堅牢とはよく言ったものだ」
俺は目の前にそびえる分厚い城壁を見つめる。
「どうです。すごいでしょう? ドラゴンの攻撃だって耐えられる設計なんです」
シェーラは嬉しそうに説明をしてくれる。
あれから3日、予定通りの行程で無事ガルツ王都についた。
今回はダンジョンの説明や利便性をしっかり伝えなければいけないので、マローダーを途中下車しなくて済んだ分早かった。
「しかし、マローダーで王都に寄ったのは拙かったか?」
「うーん、それはどうでしょう? しっかりこちらの重要性を知ってほしいですし、これは仕方のない事かと」
ラッツはそういって、マローダーを見る。
マローダーを厳重に兵士が取り囲んでおり、俺達がマローダーに近寄れる雰囲気ではない。
「まあ、普通鉄の馬車が馬なしで来ればどこでも同じ反応するわ」
「そうですねー。実際、あの車は物騒ですから」
セラリアとルルアがそうコメントする。
ルルアに対して言いたいが、トロールを轢いたのは人命の為だ。
そう、トロールが悪い。
「も、申し訳ございません!! 今知り合いの兵士に事情を説明してまいりました。今しばらくお待ちください!!」
キルエが心底申し訳なさそうに頭を下げている。
「キルエ、謝らなくていいわよ。寧ろこの対応は兵士として合格よ。得体のしれない物を入れない。評価できるわ」
「そうですね。私達は別に気にしていませんので、大丈夫ですよ」
当然だよな、いくらお偉いさんだとはいえ、こんな得体のしれない物に乗ってりゃ警戒する。
「ユキ様、交渉が終わったら少し付き合ってくださいませんか?」
「ん、どこか行きたいところでも?」
「はい、王城の中で私とお姉様しか知らない綺麗な場所があるんです。是非、見ていただきたくて」
「そうか、それは楽しみだな」
そう言って俺はシェーラの頭を撫でる。
シェーラも嬉しいのか目を細めて、大人しく撫でられる。
すると、地響きが聞こえてきて......
「うおぉぉぉおぉおおお!! シェーラ大丈夫か!! そこの男覚悟しろーーーー!!」
「シェーラ!! お兄ちゃんがやって来たぞ!! 魔術兵、弓兵!! あの男を狙い撃て!! シェーラに手を上げる不届きものだ!!!」
おいおい......
Side : Lowell second princess of Galtz.
Just now the castle entered a state of unease.
Because Shera who has only just been sent to Roch.e.l.le as a bride, is returning.
But, the amount of time that she should have had in Roch.e.l.le doesn't even reach a month.
This information was delivered by fast messenger....
(Lowell)[Long time no see. Onii-sama, onee-sama, okaa-sama1) and otou-sama2). I'm doing fine. Currently, there is something we'd like to consult with you. So we planned a visit together with my husband. Please, I hope that you won't be rude to my husband. ] 
Only this letter.
Somewhat short all kinds of information.
I heard that Shera married the person who unraveled the Demon King's plot in Roch.e.l.le.
But that's all I know about that person, what about his circ.u.mstances, his status, or even where his territory is?
Such a large number of things are unknown. I feel blind.
At the conference hall, my father the King of Galtz, asks his sons, daughters and the ministers.
(Higil)[..... Normally, it'd be reasonable to think that she's being returned to us. ] 
The one who just answered is the fourth prince and staff officer, Higil. 3)
actually, the person who had issued the plan to send Shera was this man, Higil.
It was for a mult.i.tude of reasons, but Shera was chosen to be sent to Roch.e.l.le.
Although he tends to be misunderstood as a blockhead, this Higil is well-known in the family for properly taking care of his own blood's safety.
He pays special attention to Shera, sends her gifts paid with his own wages every month.
Despite such tendencies, he usually looks cold, in a way he's sort of a clumsy little brother.
(Lowell)[Normally... Then what do you think Higil?] 
(Higil)[Yes. First of all, the possibility that this isn't something planned by Roch.e.l.le is reasonably high. ] 
(Lowell)[Why?] 
I ask in return to his strange declaration.
Because Shera... It's beyond rude to return a Princess of another country, but such an event is happening right now.
If they return her without going through Roch.e.l.le, I don't know whether he is a courageous hero, or a true idiot, but far from losing his honor there's even the possibility of being executed.
(Higil)[... Nee-san think for a moment. No, actually I will explain this clearly. If the country Roch.e.l.le was to send her back, it would mean that they have a secret to hide. Can you understand why?] 
(Higil)[That's why it's weird. What bothers me is that they'd have such a ridiculous secret. This would cause the alliance to crack, it really wouldn't be a funny result. ] 
Indeed, I can see that happening.
(Higil)[It's too poor of an answer from Roch.e.l.le. If you think about the circ.u.mstances from their point of view, why on earth would you pay such an amount of money and lower your head as reparations, only to destroy that fragile relations.h.i.+p a month or two later.] 
(Lowell)[Fumu. It is as Higil said. ] 
(Higil)[And then Shera who was sent couldn't have been married and then rejected by her husband due to bad relations, it simply hasn't been long enough for that. There's also the fact that It's very bad for their reputation towards other countries. Also, Shera wrote herself that she wants her husband to come here as well. Moreover, she didn't mention returning to her home country. ] 
Fumu, it mights be best to bet on those circ.u.mstances.
(Lowell)[Ah, perhaps it's normal for them to have the husband visit the bride's parents?] 
As I state my doubts, Higil and the King are surprise
(King Galtz)[We-well, that possibility should never happen.... ] 
(Higil)[...... Father, explain it cleanly. ] 
(King Galtz[...... What are you saying, she is your older sister, the one who should explain this is you. ] 
(Higil)[... Please don't dump this on me. It concerns nee-san's education so... ] 
Somehow, they are both being sneaky.
Did I say something funny?
(Teak4))[... *Cough*. Lowell this is indeed a possibility. If that's the case then this discussion is for nought, she arrives, everyone's happy and it was unneeded to worry about anything. But what would you do if she arrives and there are some sort of complications? With that kind of flow of things, careful countermeasures need to be taken. Careful plans like that need to be planned in advance, which takes time, which in turn means that the plan needs to be thought out by the time she arrives. In other words, you need to think on the premise that there will be a problem. ] 
(Sharl5))[Ooh, I understand. That's right onii-sama. As expected of the crown prince next-in-line to succeed Galtz. ] 
(Lowell)[...... Ah, thank you. ] 
They appear a bit tired from the circ.u.mstances.
(King Galtz)[Yosh, well done. ] 
(Lowell)[... Father, Higil, please complete half of the doc.u.ments later7). ] 
(King Galtz & Higil)[[No way!! ] ] 
From that reaction I don't know if they dislike helping.
Can't you see how tired aniue is?
(Sharl)[Well, actually we do not know if there actually will be any problems. It would be best to cla.s.sify each type of problem there could be. ] 
(Lowell)[A cla.s.sification?] 
It is the third Princess Sharl8) who is going to answer me.
In the country, she is mainly in charge of internal affairs.
(Sharl)[Yes, onee-sama. It enables us to respond immediately. For example, if they want return Shera as we mentioned earlier, we have to send a letter protest of protest towards the Royal Capital of Roch.e.l.le. For this first possibility carefully writing that letter is necessary. So here the preparations are minimal and buying time is easy. Next in case Shera has grabbed some very important information and is quickly coming to report it. In this case, she is only thinking of returning for a short period. Again the according preparations should be made. Shera isn't stupid, we know that best. ] 
(Lowell)[Yes, Shera is a very smart child. ] 
(Sharl)[I suppose the last possibility is...... Shera's husband is stupid, his pattern would make it convenient for a lot of people in many ways. 9)He feels generous towards us for giving him Princess Shera, so thinking that he should do something for us, he asked Shera to bring him to us. In this case I'll protect Shera on the spot. When you think that Shera might have been treated like an object and forced to lower her head, it isn't unthinkable for her to have been raped10). ] 
(Lowell)[That's unforgivable. ] 
An act of rape against Shera, unthinkable.
I will cut his neck on the spot.
Whilst we were discussing our future plans, the door opens and the guards rush in in panic.
(Teak)[What's wrong?] 
Aniue tries to hear their story, he's extremely calm.
Splendid! If it was me I think I would scream at them.
(Guard)[Re-reporting. At the entrance of the Royal Capital, there's two carriages without horses. These carriages are almost entirely made of iron and they are extremely suspicious, so when we started investigating, Shera and Kirue were on board!! ] 
(Royal family)[[[Ah!?] ] ] 
Everyone present loudly raised their voices.
(Lowell)[Wa-wait a moment, please. When was Shera's letter delivered?] 
(Higil)[Nee-san, calm down. I'm sure it was yesterday. ] 
(Lowell)[...... It was sent with a fast horse right?] 
(Higil)[Yes, I confirmed it. The horse wasn't particularly slow. It was an ordinary horse used for messaging. ] 
(Higil)[...... I don't want to think it, but perhaps the carriage from Roch.e.l.le is comparable to a fast racing horse. ] 
(Lowell)[That's ridiculous!! Previously they've always used ordinary carriages!! ] 
(Sharl)[Calm down, onee-sama.... You, there's no doubt saying that they are Kirue and Shera right?] 
Sharl who tried to soothe me wants to confirm with the soldier again.
(Guard)[Yes, I'd love to say that I'm wrong, but not only me, the captain and some of my other colleagues have also seen Shera. ] 
(Teak)[... There's no doubt about it then. What about the carriage and Shera?] 
(Guard)[Hah, they were getting in the way of the traffic, so they are now waiting outside of the guard's station. ] 
(Sharl)[Onii-sama, what should we do?] 
Sharl asks aniue for instructions, aniue thought for a while and ....
(Teak)[Let's see, the only thing that I can think of right now is that they delayed the letter somehow. The thing is by thinking we are effectively waiting, which is being rude. However, there's also the safety of the unknown carriages. Lowell, Higil, lead the soldiers and go to pick them up. In the unlikely event of danger, give priority to yourselves. Do you understand?] 
(Teak)[Father, is this alright?] 
(King Galtz)[Umu, you'll be a wonderful King one day. Can you take over now?] 
(Teak)[No, I'm still young and inexperienced. Both of you should be wary. ] 
Me and Higil act upon his words immediately and jump out of the meeting room.
(Lowell)[Higil, what do you think about the formation?] 
(Higil)[Hmm... We don't have a lot of time. We'll be lucky if we can bring as many as 40 guards from the castle. Regarding the weapons, 5 magicians, 5 bows, 10 s.h.i.+elds, and 10 gap closers should be the limit. ] 
(Lowell)[So we don't know about the opponents weapons then?] 
(Higil)[We must hurry now even if it's only a little faster. If they are elite guards, they can fight with any weapons so let's not dawdle guesstimating about their weapons and which to bring ourselves. ] 
(Lowell)[Is that really better? ...... ] 
After that, we proceeded to pick up Shera.
Side: Yuki
(Yuki)[Haa~, indeed. It was mild saying that it's robust. ] 
I stare at the thick walls that tower above me.
(Shera)[How is it. Isn't it amazing? It's designed to withstand an attack from even a Dragon. ] 
Shera is happy to explain.
Three days after our departure, we safely reached the Royal Capital of Galtz as scheduled.
This time I have to give the explanation regarding the convenience of the Dungeon very carefully, so we moved as quickly as necessary without stopping the Marauder.
(Lutz)[But, isn't it bad to enter the Royal Capital with the Marauder?] 
(Yuki)[What, about that? If we want to show the significance of our wish, one way to do that is to astonish them. This contributes to that so it's unavoidable. I just hope they don't think we have an army of these and get frightened.... ] 
Lutz asks that, as she stares at the marauder.
The soldiers are strictly surrounding the Marauder and keeping us at quite a distance, it is not an atmosphere where we could approach them in any way.
(Seraria)[Well, if an ordinary iron carriage arrives without a horse, the reaction would be the same everywhere.] 
(Lulu)[That's true. In truth, this car is dangerous. ] 
Seraria and Lulu made their comments.
I want to say to Lulu that's it's pretty troll to run over people and take human lives in such a demeaning way.
Yes, bad troll.
(Kirue)[I'm truly sorry!! I will explain the situation to the soldiers now. Please wait for just a moment!! ] 
Kirue lowers her head from the bottom of her heart.
(Shera)[Kirue, you don't have to apologize. The soldiers are extremely on edge, just one slip of the tongue could makes things turn pear-shaped. Anything we say right now will be viewed in a negative light. Let's just wait for them to be ready to talk.]  11)
(Yuki)[I agree. We don't mind them particularly and we have enough time to wait for their patience to come around so it's okay. ] 
Naturally, no matter how much your opponent cooperates, you'd become anxious knowing how many big shots are among the other party. Not to mention the strange atmosphere....
(Shera)[Yuki-sama, would you like to join me for a leisurely stroll after the negotiations are over?] 
(Yuki)[Hmm, is there a place you want to go?] 
(Shera)[Yes, there are beautiful places in the castle that only my sister and I know about. Without fail you must come and see them. ] 
(Yuki)[I see, I'm looking forward to it. ] 
Just like that, I start stroking Shera's head.
Shera closes her eyes in happiness, she's docile to caresses.
Then, I heard an earth-shattering sound....
(Lowell)[UOoooOOOoOOO!! Shera it's alright!! This man here, prepare youRSEEEEELF!! ] 
(Higil)[Shera!! Your onii-chan is coming!! Magic soldiers, archers!! Aim at that man and shoot12)!! To raise your hand against Shera is outrageousness itself!!! ] 
Hoy hoy...
Hisshou Dungeon Unei Houhou
必勝ダンジョン運営方法　相手に合わせる理由がない
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/hisshou-dungeon-unei-houhou/
Adventure Comedy Drama Ecchi Fantasy Harem Mature Psychological Romance Seinen Slice of Life Tragedy
Adapted to Manga Aggressive Characters Aristocracy Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Clever Protagonist Dungeon Master Dungeons Early Romance F*llatio Game Elements Gore Loli Love Interest Falls in Love First Male Protagonist Management Multiple POV Nudity Obsessive Love Overpowered Protagonist Polygamy Pregnancy R-15 Reverse R*pe S*ave Harem S*aves Strategist Strong Love Interests Succubus Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7891ca/
雪だるま