Earth With Dungeon: Saving the World With an Economic Boom

Chapter 188. Aftermath

Minamoto Fuuka somehow supports her faltering body and endures. Unbelievable. It’s only been a day and a half since they arrived. I feel sick.

At the safe building, Fuuka and the others were attending a meeting with the Yuki family. The outside scenery is covered in orange hues, soon to turn into darkness. Ultimately, busy with the restoration of the collapsed city, the discussion was postponed until the next evening.

Officials from both sides are present. Except Fuuka and the eldest daughter of the Yuki family. It’s clear from their presence, despite having no official positions, that there’s a distortion in the power structure. The military officers are not present. After all, this is just a discussion.

The Yuki family, which seemed friendly upon arrival, now feels like they’re glaring at us. I deeply regret the unexpected turn of events. Father should have come here. Or perhaps, my brother. Let’s pray that Father goes bald.

They shamelessly replied that both of them were in danger, and skillfully persuaded Fuuka to head to Shishino City. Damn it, Father. I vow to inflate the rental fee for the next envoy from Amano Sakimori several times over.

“Now, Minamoto Fuuka-sama, representative of the inner city, do you not think it’s necessary to discuss the recent events?”

The eldest daughter of the Yuki family initiates with a tired expression. There’s no longer a smile. She must be tired beyond measure. With the father absent, the fact that the eldest daughter speaks first confirms that she has seized power, as Fuuka answers.

“Well, it was a tragedy. May I ask why this happened?”

With an insinuation that it might be our fault, she smiles back warmly. I was sure my attitude would surely annoy them. But perhaps that’s exactly why. Seeing my calm demeanor, the Yuki family’s eldest daughter switches to a gentle smile.

“I don’t know… I would like to say, that it seems the World Tree was the issue. I’ve always voiced my concerns about its danger. A plant never seen or heard of before. I was against using such suspicious things. However, the Nitta family strongly advocated for the absolute safety of their technology and its role as the savior of Shishino City.”

Towards the end, Yuki’s eldest daughter touches her cheek with a sad expression. The Nitta family is supposed to be number two. Upon prior investigation, they were involved in quite suspicious activities. If they’re number two, it’s only natural they’d try to replace the top position, but…

The World Tree… that ridiculously huge tree monster. It seems the Knights of Fools defeated it, and now they’re considering how to remove it. It doesn’t seem like we’ll be short on firewood this winter.

For now, it’s necessary to show that it’s not the responsibility of the inner city. If they blame the inner city, they’ll surely demand compensation. If it’s not a plot instigated by the inner city, then if it comes to that, Fuuka’s position will be over.

After taking a deep breath, I look at the Yuki family’s eldest daughter.

“According to our information, there was a malfunction of the spirit machine, correct?”

Fuuka also saw the weapon called the Spring Spirit during the battle. It was easily defeated, so it was ridiculous to wonder why it was created. Not only that but after it was defeated, the roots of the World Tree came to collect what seemed to be its core, causing a great deal of trouble.

“I’ve heard that it started malfunctioning when trying to suppress the ‘Tetsuga’ organization. My subordinates confirmed this while shopping in the city. They said that the Spring Spirit began malfunctioning when it seemed like it was about to be defeated by that group.”

The enemy monsters looked almost identical to the Spring Spirit. There’s no way they’re unrelated. Although the facts are different, I subtly manipulated the story based on the information I heard from Rikyu. It seems that the World Tree went berserk after defeating a large number of Spring Spirits, but I’ll keep quiet about Rikyu defeating them.

The Yuki family’s eldest daughter furrows her brow, troubled, and places her hand on her cheek. Elegant and gentle, with long straight black hair and a good figure, exuding a gentle aura, she doesn’t seem like the military leader of this base. Yukihime Yuuki Hijiri begins to speak after a breath.

“So, did the people from the inner city witness the Spring Spirit going berserk?”

“Spring Spirits appeared in large numbers around us immediately. From that, there’s no mistaking what happened.”

With a sigh, Saint Hijiri, with her gentle appearance, nods as if she’s resigned and then changes her expression to one of determination.

“It seems the Nitta family’s claims were indeed mistaken. It’s regrettable, but I intend to bring the Nitta family to a court-martial. The scientists who incited the Nitta family as well.”

“That’s not all. As a military base, we also bear responsibility for what happened. The Nitta family’s rampage was the problem. I’ll take responsibility and resign as a Major General. I want to change this city into a normal one based on democracy, like other districts. Since there’s also the restoration work to be done, for now, to prevent confusion from intervention from other cities, I intend to treat it as a special zone.”

As Saint Yuuki’s father interjects and says unbelievable things, Fuuka internally clicks her tongue.

Not only is he progressing the discussion as if the Nitta family’s rampage was acknowledged when it wasn’t, but they’re also resigning themselves. And talking about democracy and treating it as a special zone, makes no sense. It’s too advantageous for the Yuki family.

Saint holds absolute popularity in this base. Surely, if it were turned into a democracy, she would win the top position, and then, without a doubt, establish a dictatorship afterward.

“In terms of restoration work, don’t you need our support? You’re not just going to take materials from us and declare it a special zone, right?”

“I believe in the power of the people of this city. Besides, we have reserves here, so it’s okay.”

With hands clasped in front of her chest, Saint closes her eyes as if praying. Oh, Saint’s entourage nods as if moved.

It’s like a scene from a new religious organization. I’m not good with these kinds of things, and I find it unsettling. Saint’s hands emit white light, so Fuuka takes countermeasures.

[Fatigue Recovery]

[Spirit Summoning]

[Magic Dispel]

With the power of mana spirits, Fuuka cancels out the white light and politely declines while smiling.

“I’m sorry, but healing magic is not needed.”

“I apologize. I thought everyone might be tired, so I accidentally used it.”

Saint smiles disappointingly and nods with a slight grin, seemingly disappointed, directing angry glares in Fuuka’s direction. It seems to imply wasting Saint’s concern.

Healing magic. It’s a magic I’ve only seen from Saint. Popular in games, it’s rare in reality.

Occasionally, practitioners appear. But they either disappear soon or die, leaving no trace.

The drawbacks are terrifying. It’s not that the power of the skill is cursed. It’s the manifestation of that power that drives people mad. Most people seek healing magic. Among them, the most sought-after are those in power. After all, with it by their side, they have no fear of poison or illness, so they vie for it at all costs, often leading to fights, and usually, those who possess healing magic end up dead.

It’s similar to the blessed goblet my mother had. Everyone, driven by desire, eventually crushes it.

Therefore, the surviving Saint is extremely rare. It was fortunate that she was born into a powerful family, and she judged her own position to be extremely dangerous, so she created an environment to protect herself.

By frequently providing healing magic to soldiers free of charge and enchanting those around her with her gentle smile like a saint, she became the leader of Shishino City.

Even now, her entourage blindly believes and worships her, and it’s one of the reasons why the third-class citizens don’t have much dissatisfaction. Amid their difficult lives, many would roll over and worship her if they received food and healing magic, saying, “Please try a little harder, and your land will expand too.”

If healed by healing magic and told so, there will surely be those who believe.

And perhaps, amidst their efforts to bring the situation under control, some may be charmed after receiving the healing magic, feeling relieved from exhaustion.

Although it has functioned as a military base and wielded dictatorship, it’s a discussion within the military’s enclosure. One cannot afford to be careless with a woman who now demands it to be a special zone. After all, despite treating the third-class citizens like slaves, she is revered and considered honorable.

As our gazes intertwine, sparks fly. Fuuka opens her mouth to change the subject. Talking about reconstruction and special zones is too much.

Later, there will be formal discussions with superiors who are much higher ranking than me. Originally, it was meant to imply, “The eldest daughter of the Minamoto family will pay a courtesy visit,” so there was no ill will.

It’s utterly pointless now. If I casually agree here and say let’s help with the reconstruction, it will undoubtedly be a heavy burden on the inner city. Since Shishino City exists as a Japanese military base, reconstruction support must be provided for free, and the inner city cannot avoid it.

It will probably become a special zone. In exchange, reconstruction materials will likely be traded for money. If it becomes a city led by a new religious organization led by Saint, it may become a special zone and turn into a religious state.

“For now, I’ll convey the wishes of Shishino City. But can you explain about that flying battleship?”

It’s one of the things I want to know. I haven’t heard of such technology. It looked shabby from the outside, though.

“…That was something that existed in the space that appeared underground in the past. I knew it was a research ship, but it was dilapidated, and I didn’t expect it to move.”

With suspicion, I gaze at Saint, who sighs as if tired. She must have noticed that gaze. Saint smiles lightly and unexpectedly says something.

“There was a crystal there that served as the origin of the World Tree. It had instructions on how to use it, and in the past, Shishino City used it, but it didn’t seem very effective. There’s also a device in the research area that can change the crystals, and we’ve recently started to consider whether we can use it.”

“Recently?”

“Yes. We obtained spring and winter flowers from the Core Store. Flowers full of mana crystallized due to the World Tree, and when we put those crystals into a device labeled as a spirit machine manufacturing device, they finally turned into crystals that could be used for spirit machines, what we call mana crystals. We obtained those and manufactured the spirit machines.”

With a sad expression, Saint bows her head.

“We have some of the scientists who analyzed that connection under arrest, and we plan to interrogate them later. They’re probably connected to the crew of the ship. Many researchers and soldiers of the Nitta family have not been seen, so they must have escaped on the ship.”

“Indeed, they probably caused a commotion when we visited, seized the opportunity, and took over the ship. Many ships and underground facilities have been discovered in the world in the past. It’s possible that they flew the ship to recover something.”

I see, Fuuka thinks, resting her chin in her hand and contemplating. There’s a strong scent of conspiracy. The researchers must have decided to find something we don’t know about and escape.

“Let’s put out a wanted notice for those researchers.”

It might be dangerous to leave them at large.

Feeling a sense of impending doom, Fuuka exhales tiredly.