061-080 · 067-ch60

Chapter 60: Getting to the Heart of the Matter

"So many of them?"

Selene let out a surprised voice as she looked around the basement.

Since I'd always wanted to show this to someone someday, her surprised reaction genuinely made me happy.

"Pretty impressive collection, right? There's a huge city called Magnolia about four days from here. I grabbed these from what looked like their library."

No, really.

After all, there are basically no humans in this world, and buildings without protective magic like Selene's city have been left to deteriorate.

It's not like anyone would get mad at me for taking stuff left there.

Well, I did get scolded once, actually.

"Magnolia... I'm fairly certain that was the name of the capital of the Azul Kingdom, which traded with my country."

"The royal capital, huh? No wonder it was so big."

There was a ridiculously huge castle-like structure in the center too. Maybe that was the royal palace or something, which would explain why it was so well-maintained.

Though I haven't touched it yet since I sensed dungeon vibes coming from it.

"Anyway, this is how I've been displaying everything I've brought back so far. So for this trip, I just need to build more shelves and arrange the new books. Though honestly, it's not quite that simple."

"It's not simple? Is it difficult to build the shelves, or...?"

Selene tilted her head questioningly as she looked up at me, apparently puzzled by my words.

The Wind People seem like an elf-like race based on their long ears and such, but I wonder if all of them are good-looking.

Anyway, back on topic.

"Nah, it's because I need to keep some of it hidden from my stream viewers. Basically, expanding the cabin on the surface is looking like a necessity."

"Um, I don't quite understand, but are you hiding these kinds of things from the people above? Is there some reason you can't show them?"

At Selene's words, I scratched my head and gave her a "well, that's a long story" kind of answer.

"Yeah, I guess so. If I had to say what I'm trying to hide, it's that there's information that would cause problems if the surface people found out. And to keep that hidden, I have to make sure they don't see all sorts of things."

This is one thing I've really been careful about.

Information that could cause sudden, massive chaos if revealed.

That's why I've been encouraging people to come to this world while simultaneously keeping crucial information hidden from them.

It's a dilemma, isn't it?

I want them to expand here, but the information they'd gain from expanding might cause chaos on the surface.

But that's my honest, unvarnished opinion.

"I see... I suppose it would be better if I didn't ask about this 'thing you want to hide.'"

"No, not at all? As long as I don't say it in front of the stream, I don't mind telling you, Selene."

Sensing something in my serious tone, Selene had tried to hold back.

What I'm afraid of is the information reaching the masses on the surface and causing widespread chaos. Telling just one person like Selene, who's right here with me, isn't a problem at all.

Besides, it's unlikely she'd try to spread it to the surface, and even if she tried, I could easily stop her.

"Are you sure!?"

Selene's composure flew out the window, her surprise evident.

Personally, I like both sides of her—the regal queenly demeanor she usually puts on, and the genuine young woman underneath when she lets her guard down. So I'm fine with whichever face she shows me.

Somehow, despite having been a ruler, she gives off this vibe of being warmly supported by those around her.

I'm not mocking her—I genuinely feel that way.

"There are a huge number of people on the surface, after all. If chaos broke out, it would be catastrophic. That's why I want to keep it hidden. But you're on this side, Selene, and you're just one person. There's no problem with you knowing, and even if you panicked, I could just leave you be."

"John-san, you say such kind things but also such merciless things sometimes."

"Well, if you want comfort, I can comfort you."

"I don't think anyone would nod honestly after being told that."

Well, she's got a point.

I wouldn't find it easy to ask for encouragement from someone who talks like that either.

"So then, could you tell me what it is you want to keep hidden?"

Selene asked me again.

"Got it. Well then, let's head back to the surface for a bit."

And so, having just returned to the base and immediately abandoning any attempt at organizing, Selene and I decided to have a somewhat serious discussion.

By the way, Selene didn't almost fall down the hole this time.

"Alright then. About what I'm hiding—I suppose I should let you in on it, future accomplice Selene-san."

"Huh? Um, is it really that serious?"

We sat facing each other across a table in the living area.

Selene tensed up a bit at my words, but I wish she wouldn't be so on guard.

It's just a matter of one or two worlds being destroyed or not, that's all.

"To be serious, Selene, you're actually involved in this matter too."

"I am?"

"However."

Ignoring Selene's question for a moment, I stared straight into her eyes.

"What you're about to hear could hurt you deeply depending on how you take it. So I'm asking you right here and now—choose whether to hear me out, or to leave it be."

At my uncharacteristically serious—not cereal, but serious—words, Selene straightened her posture and looked directly at me.

"I understand this isn't something to be taken lightly. However, I'll be spending my days with you from now on. I would feel pathetic as someone by your side if I couldn't even share one of your secrets. So please, tell me. The secret you've been aching to unburden yourself of this whole time."

At Selene's words, I found myself covering my mouth.

I hadn't thought I was showing it on my face.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Even I, who haven't known you long, could tell. That's how obvious it was. Your expression showed that even as you said you didn't want anyone to know, that you wanted to keep it hidden—you also wanted someone to know, that you couldn't bear carrying it alone."

"What kind of expression is that..."

At Selene's words, I found myself slumping face-down onto the table before me.

I'd thought I was being my usual carefree self when talking to her.

Maybe the sheer weight of the secret had made some part of me find it exhausting to carry alone.

And Selene had seen through that.

Well, but that's probably only because she's here with me, seeing me up close.

I don't think I'd make such an obvious blunder that the viewers watching through the stream would notice.

"Well, if you're going to put it that way, I guess I'll be honest with you."

"Please do."

Prompted by Selene, I began to speak.

"Well, even though I call it a secret, the content itself is simple. It's just that there's a ton of circumstantial evidence that would let people guess at it, so I've been struggling to keep all of that from showing."

"And what is this secret?"

Asked with a hint of impatience, I chose my words carefully before continuing.

"Hey, Selene. What would you think if I told you that humans disappeared because of the dungeons?"

Well, if I'm going to talk about it, starting with the accelerator floored is the easiest way to broach this subject.