side:ルルア
諸国会議のお話が終わってまずは目先の危機からのお話になりました。
「さて、予定通りだけど。勇者様の件を早急に詰めないと、ガルツにもウィードにも良くないわ」
その言葉で皆一斉に頷く。
「ついでに、このいざこざのせいでデリーユが魔王なのはともかく、四天王(笑)がいるのもばれてしまった。これで、確実に魔王が何らかの手を打ってくるでしょう。情報は防ぎようがないからね。あの馬鹿姫が大きな声で吠えて回ったから」
そうです。
あのランクスの馬鹿姫は帰り際に「このウィードは魔王と四天王に占拠されている!!」などとほざいていきました。
無論、デリーユを指さして吠えていたのですが、デリーユは今や街ではしっかりした地位と人気を誇っています。
シェーラがそう言うとセラリアは頭を抱えます。
「この噂を払拭するには私達が魔王討伐に加わるしかないでしょう」
「......下手に支援に徹しても、禍根が残るか」
「はい、あの糞馬鹿姫のせいですが、これで私達が出兵を惜しめば、冗談が誠になるでしょう」
「ランクスがつぶれるとしてもかしら?」
「ランクスの王族派を完全に一人残らず捕らえて始末できるなら、なんとかなると思いますが」
「それは無理ね。判別の仕様がないわ」
まったく厄介な事をしてくれましたね。
「まあ、終わったことは言っても仕方がない。デリーユはともかく、ザーギスとレーイアを生かしてたのが問題だよな。俺の責任だ。処罰は後で決めるとして、魔王の情報を手に入れる必要があるわけだ」
「何で貴方を処罰しないといけないのよ!!」
「そうです!! 反対です!!」
セラリア、シェーラを筆頭にお嫁さんが声を上げて反対する。
「落ち着け。これがこのままだったらだよ」
「どうするの?」
「まあ、勇者、タイキ君の方は動きはあらかたわかってるし、コールでいつでも連絡がつく。それに合わせて、迎撃を形だけでも取ればいい」
「いえ、殲滅するわよ」
「......国力を見せつける意味もあるから止めはしないけどな。で、問題は魔王と繋がっている噂だ。これで確実に魔王が何らかの手を打ってくると思う」
「魔王がウィードと手を組んでいるって宣言をされるだけでも痛手だが、正直どんな手で来るか読めない」
「そうよね。って、凄い事言ったわね。魔王がウィードと手を組んでいるって言われると大打撃じゃない。それだけできっと何か国かは交易が停止するわ」
「そうですね。お兄さんは相変わらず、一番やられると嫌な手を思いつきますね」
皆が感心しています。
本当に旦那様は考えている事が一つ上というか、別方向に向いていると思います。
確かに、魔王がウィードと手を組んでいると高らかに宣言されれば、確実に何か国かは交易が停止し、住人が不安がり、国力が低下しますね。
「だからだ。まずは情報収集が大事だ。いままで忙しくてほっといたけどあいつらに説明してもらおう。入っていいぞ」
そして、旦那様がドアに視線を向けます。
「コール、ザーギス!! レーイア!!」
『おお、ユキマスターどうかしたかね? 無線機だが、これは魔力を電気に変換してやるよりも、もう術式を作ってやった方が......』
「それはいいから、さっさと庁舎会議室にこい!! 問題は聞いてるだろう!!」
『おお、忘れてたすまない。そっちにいくよ』
「で、レーイアそっちはどうした」
『牛の出産が始まったんだよ!! そこ引っ張れ!! そーれ!!』
「あ、そうですか。それが終わったら会議室に来てくれ」
『ああ、分かった!! ほらもう少しだ!!』
そう言って旦那様がコールを切る。
「......レーイアが遅れたのは不問にしましょう」
「お仕事しっかりしてますし」
セラリアがそう言うと皆が頷く。
あれだけ、鬼気迫った会話はなかなかないですから。
因みにレーイアというのは、ナールジアさんの里を襲った自称四天王の一人、炎を使った魔族の人です。
現在は本人の希望で、農業を任せています。
レーイアさんは農村の出だそうで、ここでの農業でかなり役に立っています。
「はっはっはすまない。代表の方々。開発課ザーギスただいまとうちゃ...ぶべっ!?」
今、セラリアのカップ投擲で倒れたのが、自称四天王の一人、ナールジアさんの里を壊滅させたダンゴムシ改を作り上げた自称天才、ザーギス。
ここに来てからは、旦那様が珍しいモノを見せるので、それに食いついて、それをウィードで量産できないか日々研究、開発に携わっています。
DPだけでウィードが成り立ってしまわないように、自力で商品を作れるようにと旦那様がザーギスにその足がかりをやらせているのです。
「な、なんでこんな仕打ちなんだ!? レーイアだってきてないじゃないか!!」
「レーイアは牛の出産で不可抗力。ザーギスあんたは只の怠慢。わかるわね?」
「も、申し訳ございませんでした」
すかさず頭を下げるザーギス。
因みに力関係は、嫁>>>越えられない壁>四天王、となっていて一対一でしっかり物理的にも完勝できるように鍛えてありますので、問題ありません。
特に、セラリアにはザーギスは頭が上がらないようで、あとはお金関係を握るエリスとラッツにはことさら腰が低い。
「さて、ここに呼ばれた理由は分かってるわね?」
「ああ、ユキマスターが言ってた通り、魔族の話だろう?」
「お言葉ですが、魔族や魔王と言っても話は多岐にわたります。どの情報が必要か選別してくれない事には、何を話していいかわかりませんね」
ザーギスは両手を上げてやれやれとしている。
魔族とは人族を滅ぼし世界を手中に収めんとする邪悪な生き物として各国で昔から伝えられている。
「ま、私としては、魔王なんぞよりもユキマスターの下の方が研究費は潤沢だし、扱いも相応だし、飯は美味いし、文句なぞないし、喜んで情報を提供はしますが」
ザーギスの素直で協力的な態度にセラリアが訝しげに質問をする。
「ああ、そこからか。ユキマスターの扱いが普通だったから気にならなかったがまずはそこからですね。説明しても?」
「構わないわ」
そして一息入れて、ザーギスは喋り出す。
「まず、セラリア殿の言っていること自体が違います。我々魔族は己の生存の為に侵略者である人族達と戦っているのです」
会議に出ている、3か国も驚いている。
当然だ、魔族が何を言うかと思えば、争いは生存の為、侵略者から己を守る為だというのですから。
「......ユキマスターは驚いていませんね」
「そりゃ、ある程度予測してたからな」
「いいぞ、簡単に言うが、魔族は元人族達だろ?」
ユキさんの回答で会議室が沈黙に覆われます。
「突然変異?」
「セラリア殿は聞いたことがないのですか? 町か村かは知らんが突然魔族が出現したと報告があるのを」
「それが違う。私の研究結果ですが、一定の年齢で一定の魔力値を超えると、種族が魔族と変わると私は見ています」
「ちょっと待ちなさい。ザーギスが言ってる事が本当なら......」
「その通り、年端もいかない子供を化け物として追いやり、殺し、そして家族をも皆殺しにしてきた。それが魔族の成り立ちだ。大方初めて魔王になった御仁は、今までの恨みを仲間と一緒に各国にぶつけたのだろう。魔力値が一定以上と言う事は、魔力を使う技能もそれなりについてくる。子供にはいささか過ぎた能力だ。それが成長すれば、一騎当千の兵になるだろうから、生き延びた子供はね......私は生まれも育ちもラストだから、その気持ちは上手くわからないが、きっと想像を絶するんじゃないだろうか」
セラリアが絶句しています。
「まあ、別に貴方達が憎いかといえば、私は違いますがね。元は大昔の話だ、そんな大昔のことを引きずってはいませんが、結局それで追い立てられている。まったく、作物もろくに育たない、山の上に大人しく引きこもると13代前の魔王がいって人族との共存を望んだのに、そこに訳の分からない討伐軍をおくるわ、農村は襲うわ、畑は荒らすわ、我々は必死に自分の住む土地を守っていただけです」
「セラリア、ここ数百年の4大国の領土は?」
ですがセラリアは顔を上げることなく、質問に答えます。
「今まで魔王の住む所を解放するといって、何度も大征伐が行われているわ。ユキの予想通り、魔王の住処と言われる地区を切り取って、4大国は領土を拡大しているわ」
「なぜ和平を、とは聞けないわね」
セラリアがそう言ってザーギスを見ると何か困った様子で肩を竦めます。
「考えの通りですよ。私達が和平など言っても結局無視されるか、そのまま殺されるだけです。今代魔王は和平派で必死に頑張ってたみたいですが、私から言えばもうどうしようもないですね。其方はこっちを絶対悪だと決めつけているし、こっちは生きていくために土地を確保しなくてはいけない。交渉ができないのであれば奪うしかないし、そっちは倒さなければいけない相手だ、これはもう一つの流れですよ」
自然な事だといって私達を非難することすらしないザーギス。
「ロシュール、ガルツ、リテアはどう思う?」
「私の方もです。魔族は処分した後、魔石が残るだけで、遺体は残りませんから」
王たちも、報告のみと魔石という証拠品だけで、判断していたようで、まさか、子供を手にかけていたとは思っていなかったようです。
私が聖女だった時もそうでした。
「リテアもそれでかまいません。それが事実であれば、私達はとんでもない間違いをしてたのですから」
各国の王は旦那様の建前捕縛を受け入れてくれたようです。
「ほう、あっさり信じますね。てっきり戯言と言って無視されるかと思ってたのですが」
「ザーギスはそこら辺は頭が回らないみたいだな」
「いや、研究一筋なもので」
「ザーギスの言う通り、魔族が只の突然変異で和平が可能であるとしたら、これ以上戦う必要もなくなるわけだ。国防に割くお金も少なくなるし、色々都合がいいんだよ。今まではお互い生存権をかけた戦いだったから引くに引けなかったが、事情が分かればやりようはあるだろう」
「なるほど、そういう事ですか。ですが上手くいきますかね?」
「そうですね。ああ、なるほど、昔、勇者が魔王を追い詰めて、殺さなかったという変な話はこの地点を夢見てたんですかね?」
ザーギスがその昔話を言って私も思い出しました。
なぜ勇者様は追い詰めた魔王にとどめを刺さなかったのか、そんな疑問があったのです。
色々な説があります。
そして、一番くだらないとされている説。
「いつか、共存できる日を願って。お互い頑張りましょう」
勇者様は優しく、魔族にも手を差し伸べたというお話。
最後の話はあやふやですが、その勇者様は今でも名前が残っています。
異世界からの勇者 トウヤ・ヤシロ
旦那様と同じ記録上初の異世界からの来訪者。
Side : Lulu
The matter concerning the meetings between countries has ended. Now, things centered around the immediate crisis--Rankus' Hero.
(Yuki)[As expected. If we don't do something about Rankus' Hero, then both Galtz and Weed are in trouble.] 
Everyone reluctantly understood what that meant.
(Yuki)[Incidentally, not only was Delille revealed to be a Demon King, but the Big Four(lol)1)Author said Xiao  which is Lol/Ahah were also exposed. That said, the second Demon King will very likely take action soon and it'll be impossible to prevent information from leaking. 2)Anth : Labiris mind control, help here please. / Tensky: Labiris only had the power to read the minds of people who trust her, not control / Cre; What Tensky said / Chill: what's wrong with "traditional" methods?That foolish Princess recklessly spread that information everywhere she could too.] 
Right.
Rankus' Princess said:[Weed is under the control of the Demon King and Big Four!3)Anth: Imagine the face of the other DK knowing another DK stole his big four lol. / Cre: Except that was Yuki who tamed them and that Delille actually came after them...lolz!] and returned home like that was all she came to do.
She also tried to publicly denounce Delille as well, but Delille herself enjoyed much support and popularity in the city. Weed's citizens only scowled in disdain at the foolish Princess' words.
Added Shera, while Seraria was somewhat vexed.
(Seraria)[In order to dispel such rumors, we would likely have to lend our support in subjugating the second Demon King. ] 
(Shera)[...If we don't handle things properly, wouldn't that only cause more problems though?] 
(Seraria)[Yes, it would. Despite knowing that d.a.m.ned Princess' true nature, if we mishandle how we respond, then her 'lies' will easily become the 'truth'.] 
(Shera)[And if should Rankus collapse?] 
(Seraria)[If we deal with Rankus' Royalist Faction, then we could probably manage somehow.] 
(Shera)[Impossible. There's just not enough information to effectively identify them.] 
It really was a very troublesome situation.
(Yuki)[Either way, we can't rush things. Delille notwithstanding--thoughtlessly holding onto Zergis and Raia5)Raia re-ia is the big breasted of the big four was definitely my mistake. It's my responsibility to atone for and fix. Don't worry, I'll find a way to gather information and deal with the second Demon King.] 
(Seraria)[Why would would you try to shoulder all the burden alone my Dear!!] 
(Shera)[Yes!! You mustn't push yourself so hard!!] 
Seraria and Shera loudly voiced their opposition.
(Yuki)[Calm down. It's okay--It's what I want. ] 
(Seraria)[What do you intend to do then?] 
(Yuki)[Look, we can get in touch with Taiki--I mean Rankus' Hero--using Call. That way, we'll know their movements ahead of time, be able to respond to them instantly and easily win against them.] 
(Seraria)[Not just win, we will annihilate them.] 
(Yuki)[...Since it's vital we show off our nation's strength, I won't stop you. The real problem is the second Demon King and what they plan to do.] 
(Yuki)[Just people hearing that Weed is connected to a Demon King is in itself a major problem for us and I don't know what sort of hands will be played in the future because of that...] 
(Ellis)[Yes, and even more terrible is that just the rumors of Weed being under the Demon King's control would be enough for some countries to call off trade with us.] 
(Lutz)[It really is unpleasant, but onii-san's always thinking ahead about the worst case scenarios, huh...] 
Everyone was very impressed.
Indeed, danna-sama always thoroughly thinks things through, always looking ahead from every angle he can.
Certainly, if it was declared that Weed and the Demon King joined forces or were otherwise connected somehow, it would be a major blow to us. Trade would cease, the people would become uneasy, and our national power and reputation would take heavy losses as a result. For the citizens' sake, we could not allow such this situation to escalate into full scale war.
(Yuki)[That's why it's imperative we gather information as quickly as possible. Well, I know know this is a bit sudden, and that they've been rather busy, but let's have 'them' explain--You can come in now.] 
Danna-sama was looking towards the door, but.. No one came in.
(Yuki)[Call: Zergis!! Raia!!] 
(Zergis){Yes, Master Yuki--6)He said master in katakanaWhat is the matter? ...Hmm, it is not a transceiver and yet it converts magic power into electricity somehow--using this as a base to make a formula, and applying this method then.....} 
(Yuki)[Listen! Get over to the Government building--Now!! I know that you're already aware of the situation aren't you!?] 
(Zergis){Oh, my apologies, I forgot. I will head over there right away. } 
(Yuki)[So, what's wrong Raia?] 
(Raia){The birth of the cattle has begun!! --Pull it there!! Oh, my!!} 
(Yuki)[Oh, really. Then just come see us when it's taken care of. ] 
(Raia){Understood!! --Here it is!!} 
Finished, danna-sama ended the Call.
(Seraria)[...Let's just overlook Raia's late attendance for now. ] 
(Shera)[She really is working hard.] 
Seraria and the others nodded, praising Raia.
The conversation grew black, and no one said a word.
As a reminder--Raia was also one of the Big Four, a demon who specialized in fire magic, and was present for the attack on Naruja-san's village. Incidentally, her chest was bigger than mine, yet her figure was balanced overall due to her height. Also-as requested from the person herself--she was now entrusted with overseeing our agricultural lands.
I was surprised at first, but she diligently saw to her tasks. Properly overseeing the fields, tending the crops, and seeing to the livestock.
She and Kaya seemed to be fairly good friends as well, often talking together about what crops to cultivate next or other related things.
(Zergis)[Hahaha! Excuse my late entrance. Representatives of Weed. Zergis from R&D has now arrived...~~~Bubeh!?] 
Before he even finished speaking, Seraria threw her cup and struck Zergis-self proclaimed member of the Big Four, responsible for leading the attack with the revised pill bugs on Naruja-san's village-and sent him collapsing to the ground.
Since coming to Weed, danna-sama showed Zergis a certain something, which sparked his creative curiosity and in turn, led him to work in ma.s.s producing many of Weed's daily necessities. He was also heavily involved with Weed's R&D efforts. Actually, one of the products selected for trade with Galtz--the magical electric light, among other things--were developed by Zergis.
With that in mind, danna-sama was having Zergis manufacture things, rather than solely relying on DP.
(Zergis)[Wh-why did you do that!? Raia isn't here yet either!!] 
(Seraria)[That is unavoidable, as Raia is still tending to the cattle. On the other hand Zergis. You were simply negligent. You understand that, right!?] 
(Zergis)[...My sincerest apologies. ] 
Zargis slowly lowered his head deeply.
By the way, here was how the power relations.h.i.+ps between us looked. The wives >>>> A wall that cannot be scaled > The Big Four. Let alone just physical strength, it was pointless to even try comparing them even in a one on one match--Especially with Seraria.
Zergis himself was particularly humble before her and Ellis, as they controlled the funds he needed as well.
(Seraria)[Now, can you tell us why you have been called?] 
(Zergis)[As Master Yuki said, this concerns matters regarding Demons and the Demon King, yes?] 
(Zergis)[If I may interject--Stories concerning the Demon King and Demons themselves run rather far and wide8)it means that there's no simple story that tell everything in it's true form. As for what information would be useful to you, that I do not know and will likely require a great deal of them to sift through.] 
Replying as such, Zergis raised both his hands apologetically. He had a point though... Just what sort of questions should we ask?
After all, stories that demons were vile and evil creatures that sought only to attack humans and conquer the world were numerous and have been pa.s.sed down generation after generation throughout the continent.
(Zergis)[Well, as far as I am concerned, Master Yuki is much more worthy of my service than the Demon King. After all, my treatment has been good, the food is delicious, and research funds abundant. I have no problem providing you whatever information I have.] 
Seraria asked, wis.h.i.+ng to understand why it was that Zergis was being so cooperative.
(Zergis)[Oh, that. At first Master Yuki's treatment was rather indifferent and I wasn't all that interested...so may I explain from there?] 
(Seraria)[I don't mind. ] 
Zergis began explaining.
(Zergis)[First of all, what Seraria said is fundamentally wrong and different from the truth. We are simply fighting to survive. Against invaders to our lands--Against humans.] 
Galtz, Ritea and Roch.e.l.le--who joined in the meeting as well--were also visibly surprised.
To hear Demons talk of fighting for their own survival, when you thought of yourselves as the victims of invasion... Such confusion and shock was only natural.
(Zergis)[...... Master Yuki doesn't seem too surprised though.] 
(Yuki)[Well, I had a hunch.] 
(Yuki)[It's simple really. Demons are former humans right?] 
The entire room went deathly silent with Yuki's words. After all... To hear that demons were once human was....
(Seraria)[Mutation, you say?] 
(Zergis)[Has Seraria-dono never heard? That in small towns, villages... or anywhere else really--that Demons would just suddenly appear out of nowhere?] 
(Zergis)[That is incorrect. According to my own research--when someone exceeds a certain age along with a certain amount of magical power, they will suddenly transform into a Demon.] 
(Seraria)[Wait a minute. If what Zergis says is true then..... ] 
(Zergis)[Yes. And as a result, many children were gathered and killed to prevent their transformation into Demons and spare their families from being killed on suspicion. That is the origin of the Demon Tribe. The person who became the first Demon King , along with his comrades, probably felt great hatred towards the other countries because of this. Also, as I mentioned. Along with the increase in magical power, comes greater apt.i.tude for it as well and should they survive, they would naturally grow into excellent soldiers and weapons... However, since I was born and raised in Last, I don't quite understand it myself.] 
Seraria was speechless.
(Zergis)[Well. I am not the same as those who cling to their hates and grudges, nor do I want to drag this sad story on any longer than needed, but I feel the urge to share the truth of it.... Seriously, we had decent a amount of crops, the 13th Demon King ruled gently from the throne and earnestly longed for coexistence with the humans. But one day, our farmlands were suddenly attacked--our fields razed... and we had to desperately fight back to protect our home.] 
(Yuki)[Seraria, what territories did the 4 Great Nations annex over the past several centuries?] 
Danna-sama asked Seraria, who answered without looking at him.
(Seraria)[...A great number of campaigns have been raised under the banner of 'liberating' conquered lands from the grasp of the Demon King. And just as my Dear has guessed, the 4 Great nations have continuously attacked and annexed territories that were part of the Demon King's territories.] 
(Seraria)[Why couldn't you try to ask for peace?] 
When Seraria asked Zergis, he simply shrugged his shoulders, somewhat troubled.
(Zergis)[Keep this in mind. Whenever we tried to pursue peace--our messengers were either ignored, or killed. The current Demon King is desperately trying to find a peaceful solution, but that seems rather pointless now if you ask me. Also, with the other side seeing us only as an 'absolute evil' to be destroyed and our need to defend ourselves--the only option left open to us is war.] 
Zergis said this as if it was a natural fact, he wasn't even trying to blame us... Which in itself was very sad.
(Yuki)[Roch.e.l.le, Galtz, Ritea. What do you think?] 
(Alshtail)[It's the same for me. When you kill a Demon, the only thing that remains is their magic stone, nothing else.] 
The three heads of state seemed to be the same. They only knew what was in the reports given to them and had no clue that the ones being disposed of were in fact children.
It was the same for me during my time as a Holy Woman. In fact, I could only recall seeing three such cases myself.
(Alshtail)[Ritea consents as well. In this case, these grave sins soley rest with us.] 
The three leaders seemed to approve of danna-sama's proposals.
(Zergis)[Ho. I am surprised you would believe me so readily. Truthfully, I was wondering whether or not you would at all.] 
(Seraria)[Zergis seems a bit muddle headed then. ] 
(Zergis)[No, my strength lies in research.] 
(Yuki)[Right, if what Zergis said is true, that Demons are simply the result of a mutation, then peace should be possible and there wouldn't be a need to fight any longer. This in turn would reduce the need to spend on national defense. Until now, this conflict has been a battle for survival by both sides, so no one was able to just back out and not fight. However, if we can bring the truth to light and make everyone understand, then we just may have a way out of this.] 
(King Roch.e.l.le)[Indeed, that is an option. But is it even possible?] 
(Zergis)[Let's see... Ah, of course! Are you familiar with the old tale of the Hero who dreamt of slaying the Demon King, only to ultimately spare him?] 
When Zergis brought this up, I suddenly recalled the story myself.
However, one point remained unsolved even to this day... Why did the Hero, who after finally being able to corner the Demon King, choose not to kill him.
Of course, there were various theories about this, such as the Hero having sustained a great injury, or that the nations supporting him had declined too much and lost the means to keep up the campaign against the Demon King, among others.
And... there was also one other theory that remained. One that was ultimately deemed worthless.
[Someday I wish that we can finally coexist. Let's do our best to see that day come true.] 
It was the story of the kind Hero-sama who lent his aid to the Demons.
The details concerning this tale were lost, yet that Hero's name still remained even today.
The Hero summoned from another world--Touya Yas.h.i.+ro.
...According to the records, he was said to have come from the same world as danna-sama...
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