Chapter 73
I heard about last night’s incident from Dos.
Furthermore, through thought and memory transmission, I was shown the event itself that happened yesterday.
『So… Tres has…』
I was surprised, but at the same time, I also thought, ‘I should’ve known.’ Tres had been oddly avoiding going to towns and villages recently.
Adding up to that, the party of adventurers she recognized showing up to our dungeon.
It seemed like various pent-up emotions had exploded.
「…………What should we do?」
The one asking is Dos.
By the way, currently present are me, Dos, Elibel, Berg, and Pururu, five of us.。
Ann is out in the Eld Desert, and Una is in the Holy Kingdom of Harshalud to the north, so they won’t be back for a while. They each have their tasks to carry out.
The problematic Tres is asleep in her room.
Of course, one of Elibel’s wraiths is hiding nearby her to keep watch. If something happens, it’ll notify us immediately.
『Uhm………』
Frankly… what should I do?
Even though it ended in an attempt, her action ignored the dungeon’s intention.
But on the other hand, I can’t deny that at the root of it is the thought of “wanting to protect the dungeon.”
「……Earth, just to make it clear, punishing Tres is out of the question, understand?」
The one who spoke was Elibel.
「This incident is your blunder for not being able to predict Tres’ actions.」
Pointing sharply at me, Elibel said.
「For a subordinate, ‘keeping humans alive’ for the dungeon and ‘killing humans’ are both valid. Especially for those who have a clear ‘will’ and ‘heart.’ If there are a hundred people, there are a hundred ways of thinking. Be aware of that. I also told Ann, not everyone here should be your yes-man. Everyone has different ways of receiving and thinking.」
Crossing her left and right bone fingers, Elibel spoke.
『You’re right…』
I guess somewhere in my heart, I probably thought that everything would somehow work out, that everyone would act properly.
That’s why I failed to notice the worries Tres had been holding.
And it led to her runaway behavior this time.
Thanks to Dos, it ended in an attempt, but if Tres had gone ahead and killed the adventurers, I wouldn’t know what could have happened.
To our dungeon, and to Tres herself.
「Oh, you’re surprisingly obedient……」
Elibel was taken aback by my response.
「………Well, it’s not right to just blame you. We also have a responsibility. We were always together and yet no one noticed her inner thoughts.」
「Puru……」
Pururu also seems to have fewer bubbles inside than usual.
It must’ve been a shock.
Among us, Pururu was probably the closest to Tres.
…It’s not lovely anymore.
「――――May I speak?」
Then, the giant who had been silent until now.
Berg spoke up.
「As for the matter of Tres, could you leave it to me?」
Everyone’s eyes widened at this unexpected proposal.
『Eh?』
「………!?」
「Puru…?」
「Wait! You’re not joking, right, Berg!? You’re ruining the chance to legally harass Tres in her heartbroken state–Ghoaa!!!」
Before Elibel finished speaking, Dos whacked her on the head with all his might.
Ah, her face is buried deep into the ground.
Nice.
「Among us, I was the only one present at the scene that triggered Tres’ hatred for humans. At least, I know more about what she’s dealing with than anyone else here. Can you leave it to me?」
―――Was it the time when Senju committed suicide…
Indeed, only Berg and Gonzo the rhino-shaped homunculus were with Tres then.
I also heard from Berg after that incident was settled.
By the way, Gonzo is now in the middle layer of the dungeon’s forest area with Mon, the chief monkey.
『Are you sure?』
「There’s no certainty in this. But well, I’ll do what I can.」
『………I understand.』
Probably, even if I talk to Tres now, it wouldn’t reach her heart.
There must be the sadness and resentment of having Senju killed for her.
But surely, what I feel and what Tres feels are different.
To me, the emotions I feel for Senju are more like the sensation of losing an item or weapon I had an attachment to.
I may be accused of being cold, but for me, Senju is nothing more than one of the golems I created.
But probably, like Una, Dos, and Ann, Tres probably thought of Senju as one of her family.
I never thought about that.
『I’m sorry. I’ll leave it to you, Berg.』
I honestly bowed to Berg.
In such situations, all I can do is ask for help and lower my head.
「…………Please.」
Dos also lowered his head.
He’s probably worried about Tres as well, being the older brother.
「I accept the responsibility.」
Berg nodded seriously.
With Berg taking care of this incident, we decided to adjourn the meeting.
Also, we left Elibel buried as is.
She’d better not even think about harassing Tres!
『…………Sigh.』
My steps are heavy as I wander through the deep layers.
After our discussion ended, I had no particular desire to do anything, so I was just strolling around the deep layers.
And then―――I realized that I had arrived in front of Tres’ room.
Everyone under me has their own private room.
I told Berg to handle it, but still…
『………I don’t think anything will change if I talk to her……』
From the room, I can only sense Tres’ magical power.
It seems Berg has already left the room.
「………Dad?」
I heard Tres’ voice from the other side of the door.
Well, it’s quite close.
She would definitely notice.
『Yeah. Can I come in?』
「……………Sure.」
After a moment, I got permission from Tres.
I opened the door, managed to squeeze through the narrow entrance, and entered the room.
Yeah. A regular door is not easy to enter with a dragon body.
Tres was sitting on a bed made from forest plants.
Oh, it seems nice.
It looks fluffy and comfortable…but, this is not the time to think about such things.
Anyway, I sit in front of the bed.
Tres does not try to look at me, keeping her gaze down.
An awkward silence continues.
I wonder what Berg said?
「…………Earlier, Uncle Berg came over,」
Tres started to talk, her gaze still downcast.
「He talked about playing with Senju, happy things, and various other stories.」
『Yeah.』
「Then, in the end, he said, ‘Don’t keep it to yourself. Isn’t that what family are here for?’」
Dos also told me the same thing, Tres added.
「Dad……」
『What is it?』
「I have a request.」
Saying that, Tres pulled a broken magic stone from her pocket.
What is this…?
「It’s Senju’s ‘Magic Core’. I’ve been holding onto it since that time.」
The rust-colored magic core is cracked and broken.
However, it no longer holds a shred of magical power; it’s just a stone.
………No, but this is―――?
「Dad. I want you to make me a new weapon with this. A strong weapon that will never lose.」
It was then that Tres raised her face.
Her expression was filled with determination.
It wasn’t the face of someone burdened with something.
Despite her youth, her gaze was serious.
『……When you say ‘never lose’, do you mean against humans?』
「There’s that too. But…I absolutely don’t want to lose. Not to humans… and not to ‘myself’ either. I have to try twice as hard, for Senju’s sake. I won’t keep it all to myself, I’ll protect the dungeon and our family, with everyone, with you, Dad.」
The face of Tres who said that, looked somewhat relieved.
I wonder if something changed during her conversation with Berg?
「So, Dad, please. Please make a weapon for me with this magic stone.」
Using unfamiliar polite language, Tres bowed to me.
Sigh, I’m in a tight spot.
I didn’t need to meddle after all.
I looked at the broken magic core.
The answer is clear.
『Understood.』
I took the broken magic core from Tres.
『I’ll handle it. I’ll definitely create the best piece I’ve ever made.』
It will be a masterpiece, using Elibel’s knowledge and materials.
For Tres’ sake, Elibel wouldn’t refuse to provide her materials and knowledge.
「――――Really?!」
With that, Tres smiled.
Then, as if timed perfectly, that voice was heard.
「Purupuru!」
「Ah, Pururu!」
There was Pururu, by the door.
Pururu must have been worried about Tres too.
She hopped skillfully and jumped into Tres’ chest.
「Purupururu!」
「Yes…yes. You’re right, Pururu. I’m sorry. I said that family’s are everything to me, but all I did was trouble them.」
「Pupupuu! Puupuu!」
「Yes…yes. I understand, Pururu.」
Tres held Pururu tightly in her arms.
Yeah.
Even though I don’t understand what she’s saying, I’m sure Pururu is saying something nice.
You shouldn’t question what she’s saying.
It’s all about the atmosphere.
「Puupupupuu!」
「Yes, thank you, Pururu. From now on, I’ll rely on you a lot. And in return, I want you to rely on me too.」
「Puu!」
Seeing Tres feeling better, Pururu also seemed happy.
After all, Tres should be like this.
Lovely.
It’s healing.
Even so, I wonder how Berg managed to change Tres’ mood like this?
I’ll ask him later.
「………And then, Dad.」
『Hm? What is it?』
「I have one more request… um, can we sleep together tonight? Pururu too.」
With her cheeks slightly red, Tres asked hesitantly.
Oh, is that all?
『Ah, sure. Let’s sleep together after a long time, the three of us.』
「Puu!」
「Yay!」
This was the first time we slept together since the new dungeon was established.
That day, the three of us slept soundly.
And, several days later―――
『Tres, it’s ready.』
I hand over the finished weapon to Tres.
「Wow……」
It’s Vajra, a type of weapon Senju had, crafted as a motif.
The weapon is specially designed for long-range fighter Tres, and it helps raise her magical power and assists with her spell.
Elibel helped immensely, and it’s a confident work full of gimmicks.
In terms of performance, it should far exceed the degraded Sacred Sword Leviathan, that I had given her before.
Tres hugged it tightly.
「Thank you, Dad!」
With a bright smile like a blooming flower, Tres laughed.
『…………Huh?』
Suddenly――――was it my imagination?
The moment Tres took the Vajra, it seemed as if I saw Senju behind her.
The golem that should be broken and gone.
Seemed to be gently watching over Tres.
When I squinted my eyes, I couldn’t see him anymore.
But, even though his face was the same expressionless mask as always, it somehow looked like he was smiling.
―――――Do your best.
Meanwhile―――
Elibel「I wonder how Berg managed to convince Tres…―Huh!? Did he perhaps physically convince Tres directly!? That’s indecent! It’s like an erotic manga, Guhaa!!」
Dos「………Maybe we should cool our heads a bit?」
Elibel「……No, no way, to think he could break through my magic barrier… his skills have improved…Gak」
Dos「………The evil has been defeated.」