chapter04 · 111-ep111

Episode 108: Sharifa Nefertiti, Age Thirty-Four

"Until next time, then, desu wa! Take care, desu no."

"You too! Message me when you get home, ja!"

After returning from Kasai Dungeon and ending the stream with an "Otsukarin desu wa~."

Having exchanged goodbyes with Karin, Sharie was making her way home through the dim streets after sunset.

"Haaah. Today truly, truly was fun, ja."

Humming as she walked along a deserted street, Sharie murmured as if savoring the experience.

"Not only did she rampage as much as—nay, even more than—me, but to think she would manage to cook meat from the lower layers onward so thoroughly. With how outrageous she is, it seems I can have all sorts of fun with Karin from now on, not merely conquering dungeons. Fufufu, I truly am glad I forced through all those difficulties to come to this country, ja."

Still in high spirits, Sharie once again wore a smile appropriate for her apparent age.

But then her light steps suddenly halted.

She stood in a backstreet so devoid of traffic it was hard to believe this was Tokyo on a weekend.

Sharie called into its darkness.

"How long do you plan to keep watching me?"

At that perfectly natural, unguarded voice, the darkness of night stirred faintly.

"I do feel somewhat guilty for causing such a commotion, you know. Truly, ja yo? That is why I parted with Karin early and deliberately chose a road away from prying eyes. If you have something to say, come out already. I must speak with the Japanese government for the sake of what comes next regardless."

"..."

The one who emerged from around the corner at that invitation was an icy girl dressed in unobtrusive casual clothes that allowed easy movement.

Mafuyu Sasaki.

Naturally, she was not alone. Several presences were hidden nearby.

Aware of them, Sharie glanced around, then appraised the sharp-eyed Mafuyu and curled her lips upward.

"Hahaha. You lot are Public Security or something similar, I presume. There appear to be multiple adults above level 2000 among you, and yet you put a child at the forefront?"

"I'm the best person here when it comes to fighting humans."

"For an extremely short time, yes?"

"..."

So she can see through me when I'm fully ready for battle after all, Mafuyu thought, replying to the question with silence.

"I see. Were it not for the lingering effects of that injury, you possessed the makings to eventually reach country-toppling rank yourself. This land may be called a dungeon developing nation, yet it has maintained at least a measure of peace for many long years. As I thought, America is not its only protection—it has hidden a respectable amount of fighting power behind the scenes as well. What a shrewd nation."

Sharie chuckled, then continued.

"And what is your name? Judging by that injury, you are no longer active, are you? Yet you stepped before me instead of leaving it to the others. It does not appear that your ability against humans is the sole reason."

When Sharie questioned the strangely intimidating Mafuyu again, Mafuyu lowered her voice slightly.

"I'm Mafuyu Sasaki, Karin Yamada's 'best friend.'"

"Best friend...? Ahh! You're the Best friend-chan Karin mentioned so often!"

Sharie's eyes widened at Mafuyu's strange emphasis on the words "best friend."

Then she immediately broke into a teasing grin.

"Fufu, I see, I see. I wondered why you were placing such peculiar pressure on me, but that explains it. You are jealous because a newcomer like me suddenly grew so close with Karin, aren't you? Mph-hmm."

"Not at all? I'm not a kindergartener, so something like that doesn't bother me in the slightest, okay?"

Mafuyu cut off the smug queen's words a little too quickly.

But she immediately realized she was being teased, cleared her throat, and continued.

"More importantly, forget jealousy... You couldn't possibly expect me to sit around carelessly when someone like you approaches my friend."

Slightly changing the subject, Mafuyu broached the main issue with Sharie.

"Just what were you thinking, making yourself so conspicuous? African Unification Dungeon Queen... no, effective ruler of the African Federation, Her Majesty Sharifa Nefertiti?"

"What, you lot have already guessed, have you not?"

The frantic contact from the African Federation had confirmed that Sharie was the Dungeon Queen herself, but she answered Mafuyu's words without the slightest concern over hearing her true name.

"I came here to become friends with Karin, ja yo. Personally, with nothing to do with diplomacy. Do I look as though I have any other motive?"

"...No, I suppose not. It's absurd, but far too many of your bizarre actions make no sense unless that's the answer."

At Sharie's answer and expression of Isn't that obvious? Mafuyu muttered with a sigh.

Incredible though it was, judging by the bothersome queen's behavior to date and the way she had conquered the deep layers, she really did appear to have used a foreign criminal organization to obtain fake identification and entered Japan illegally for that reason alone. And apparently not as Africa's ruler, but as a private individual who wanted to become friends with Karin.

That was the consensus Public Security and the upper echelons of government had inferred from the moment they permitted Karin and Sharie's dungeon conquest, albeit with their hands half forced.

If she meant harm, she had any number of other options. There was no possible benefit to taking the risk of showing her face and exposing part of her fighting power to the entire world. The Dungeon Queen was an eccentric who made little effort to hide her country-toppling strength in order to protect the immense, newly unified nation from foreign enemies, but even so, there was no reason for her to appear on a stream with over ten million concurrent viewers except to prove that she bore Karin no ill will.

Most of all, Karin herself acknowledged Sharie as a genuine friend.

Karin was an airhead, but she was not dull—she could never have obtained such strength otherwise. Rather, her exquisitely honed detection skills and animal-like instincts made her remarkably perceptive. The fact that she had treated the queen with extreme friendliness even before being won over with food suggested the queen bore no malice.

Even so, the other party was a monster who had unified a continent within a few years, as well as the absolute ruler of a massive nation comparable to India or China.

Between that position and her exceptional fighting power, they could hardly say, "Oh, is that all? Then please carry on being friends," and ignore her. Thus Public Security and an operational unit under the Cabinet's direct command had come to speak to her in person, with Karin's best friend Mafuyu at their head.

Sharie understood that much too, and continued as if preempting Mafuyu's group—or perhaps laying her heart bare.

"Still, this is contact between Karin and me. Regardless of my feelings, it is only natural that you remain wary. But you may put your minds at ease. I dislike speaking so calculatingly after establishing a precious friendship, but... the mere fact that one enjoys cordial relations with a superweapon like Karin Yamada offers benefits on a national scale. For better or worse, I rule a nation. I will commit no folly that would endanger my bond with Karin by trying to harm or exploit her, and thereby bring harm upon Africa after it finally escaped its wars. You Japanese, who have gained considerable benefit from this uproar, should understand that logic quite well, no?"

Sharie spoke not with the eyes of an innocent child running around at play, but those of a ruler who had taken command of a continent at a young age.

"The entire world suddenly learned that Japan, once called a dungeon developing nation, possesses such an extraordinary force. Every country remains quiet for now out of fear of Karin's power, but resentment and vigilance must be swelling considerably beneath the surface. Yet if this creates a powerful connection with the African Federation I govern, it will serve as an extraordinarily firm deterrent in the long term. The situation will become safer in many senses. And in those circumstances, you would hardly treat us carelessly, would you? If I tell you my reasons for cherishing Karin are similar, will that not put your minds at ease?"

"..."

At Queen Sharifa's shrewd argument, Mafuyu and the other intelligence agents all fell silent.

In truth, a de facto alliance with the African Federation could hardly have been more welcome to the Japanese government, and the African side had no reason to deliberately worsen its relationship with Karin.

If the Dungeon Queen were simply a being who used her overwhelming country-toppling power to force through every selfish whim, they would have needed to maintain the highest possible level of vigilance... But her affection for Karin already appeared genuine, and if she also understood the mutual benefits involved and how to conduct herself as a head of state, the administrative side could probably extend at least provisional trust.

Granted, she did whatever she pleased as a transcendent being, including illegal entry and confronting Karin in person... but she had subtly steered Karin away from the pit, and at minimum possessed more common sense than Karin.

Now that Karin had attracted such conspicuous attention, having a comparatively sensible abnormal fighting force on Karin's level stand with them benefited every quarter, including Karin's own safety. If Mafuyu set aside her personal feeling that they had become awfully close in just one day... she had little choice but to accept the Dungeon Queen's presence.

"Still, this incident has produced some adverse effects too."

When Mafuyu harbored those mildly complicated emotions, Sharie looked a little apologetic.

"Playing with Karin was far, far more fun than I ever expected, you see. Even I am surprised how thoroughly I forgot everything else and enjoyed myself... Or rather, the increase in the meat's magical effects from Karin's cooking was far too unexpected. In short, I showed a little too much of my strength before the camera."

The queen scratched her cheek.

"Overwhelming military power is peace itself. If Karin and I have joined forces, then as I said, it will unquestionably serve as the greatest deterrent imaginable. But now that we have displayed even such synergy between our unique skills, some factions may decide they cannot ignore us and make a desperate move. ...Well, attackers of that sort have presumably come from time to time regardless of me, like that ignorant retaliation squad I crushed... but if any come now, a thorough example must be made at the start. Therefore, if requested, I shall take responsibility and help clear them away. With all my power, so that Karin need not be troubled."

"Help...? Are you saying you still plan to remain in Japan? Even though you rule your nation through overwhelming military power?"

Mafuyu frowned at Sharie's words.

She implicitly urged her to return home for the country's safety, but—

"It is fine, it is fine. I destroyed nearly all the domestic malcontents as a way of passing the time. If any fools grow bold and move in my absence, it will make for excellent flushing-out. I plan to return regularly regardless, and when I do, I shall clean them up using the information my retainers have compiled. Having met one such as Karin Yamada, I cannot possibly consider going home at once! ...Besides, if I went home now, my retainers would be extremely angry with me..."

For an instant, Sharie muttered in a voice fitting her apparent age.

But she immediately recovered her usual bearing.

"And so, I want you to issue me an official fake identity and permission to remain in Japan, ja! Naturally, I do not ask it for free! Along with concluding a mutual import-export treaty for dungeon materials, I shall grant Japan priority exports of the rare metals, oil, natural gas, and other natural resources sleeping beneath the African continent!"

As Sharie spoke, she handed Mafuyu her false identification as a fourteen-year-old second-generation naturalized citizen, asking her to "make this official." At that generous declaration, the operational unit directly under the government could be felt catching its breath.

"Is that really acceptable? Using your nation's resources however you please for personal business?"

"Though nearly ten years have passed since unification, the African Federation is still a nation taking its first baby steps, with many scars of war remaining. We are still feeling our way through where and how to sell the abundant resources that can finally be mined without fear of war. Proper expertise in those matters was blown away during the warring era, and my retainers are having quite a difficult time. On that point, Japan would not enrich Africa's hypothetical enemies, and with Karin and me connected like this, you would not try to take advantage of us either. Well, setting aside payment for my identification, I did need to apologize for causing this uproar. It seems a well-timed trade, does it not?"

Then a voice came from the darkness in response to the queen's proposal. "The Prime Minister would very much like to accept that offer as proof of stronger relations with Africa." The unit under the Cabinet's direct command was in real-time contact with the Prime Minister.

"Wahaha. I thought him a leader capable of flexibility; I am glad he acts quickly. Good. We shall leave the details to my retainers who excel at such matters and to this country's bureaucrats, and arrange a formal summit in the near future."

And with that provisional decision from the Prime Minister, the discussions with the African Unification Dungeon Queen were nearly concluded. Through Karin, a de facto Japan-Africa alliance was formed, and the Dungeon Queen's stay in Japan was approved.

"...Haaah."

Well, of course it ended this way, Mafuyu thought, sighing faintly at yet another strange woman appearing around Karin. Then, as if remembering something, she thought, Ah, right, I need to warn her about this.

"By the way, Your Majesty Sharifa. Regarding Dungeon Alive, or rather... if you intend to continue seeing Karin..."

"...Ahh, yes. That."

At Mafuyu's somewhat hesitant phrasing, Sharifa murmured in understanding.

"I could tell from her videos, but she genuinely believes that explorers as strong as the ones in that masterpiece are everywhere. ...Well, it is more entertaining that way, and Karin will grow stronger still. You may rest easy—I have no intention of carelessly telling her the truth either."

"Thank you for your consideration. And I have just one last question."

Mafuyu thanked the Dungeon Queen, who had apparently checked Dungeon Alive thoroughly to keep her story straight with Karin, then continued.

"You handed me this identification saying you wanted your fake identity as a fourteen-year-old made official... but you don't seriously intend to keep claiming you're fourteen, do you? You're turning twenty-seven this year, correct? I hear the people from the African Federation contacted by our senior officials were a little disturbed too."

"Urgh!?"

The queen, who had barely broken her easygoing, fearless demeanor at all until now, faltered at Mafuyu's exasperated stare.

Then, looking extremely flustered, she cried—

"I-I had no choice! This was the only forged identity those retaliation fools possessed that looked anything like me, and there just happened to be a rookie event that would let me legally meet Karin...! I assumed even Karin would figure it out along the way, only for that girl to rejoice like a child over finally meeting a strong peer! I cannot tell her I'm twenty-seven now!"

And then the queen looked utterly at a loss.

"Ngh...! I am beginning to understand why you cannot tell Karin that no Dungeon Alive-like champions exist...! I am sure there is also the governmental convenience of having Karin believe many are stronger than her... but even setting that aside, I do not wish to disappoint her. Mafuyu Sasaki, even without your warning, I cannot easily tell Karin the truth...!"

Unable to crush the dream of Karin, who had rejoiced like a child, Sharie's stay in Japan was thus decided—along with the mortifying age setting from which she could no longer back down, as though it were the price of the commotion she had caused.

Meanwhile—

"...There is one more thing. I cannot say this with certainty, but... I hear dungeon terrorists, whose activities were supposed to have faded worldwide, and indeed suspicious movements in that great dungeon power, have recently begun growing active."

As though trying to cover the awkwardness of the Dungeon Queen (age twenty-seven) continuing to call herself fourteen, she said—

"It does not appear that anything will happen immediately... but perhaps the bond between Karin and me being forged by that insane abyssal stream was a greater stroke of fortune than we realize."

Like the instincts of one who had lived amid war since she could remember, she left the preparing-to-withdraw Mafuyu and the others with that murmur.

※

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Why did it turn out like THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!?"

The Inukai Industries office tower, the core of the Inukai Group, one of Japan's largest conglomerates.

In its presidential office, the room's owner Yoko Inukai raised a scream-like roar.

Displayed on her tablet's badly cracked screen was Karin Yamada's stream: footage of her proclaiming "a friendship where we'll help each other in times of need," then demonstrating how she and the Dungeon Queen enhanced each other's abilities.

It was the worst footage imaginable, indicating an extremely high probability that the grand plan for Inukai's homeland to become ruler of this world would be shattered.

The situation had gone far past what escapism and opinion superchats from her Inu to Wa Kaseyo account could address. Breathing hard, Yoko Inukai tore at her hair.

"Hey, has the President been all right lately...?"

"She barely shows her face today either—in fact, I haven't seen her smile at all recently... The business shouldn't be having any problems..."

"At this rate, she ought to change her name from Yoko Inukai to Yoko Stomach Ulcer."

"Are you trying to get fired?"

"Quit it and get back to work, all of you. You acting skittish like this is why the subcontractors are starting to get uppity. Hurry up and kick their asses into shortening those deadlines."

Thanks to soundproofing and the like, the employees had no way of knowing how violently she was carrying on inside the presidential office. Even so, anxious voices rose around the workplace over their president's recent strange behavior.

But the voices of ordinary employees who knew nothing of the grand plan—unlike the management executives and a portion of the research staff—were trivial beside the emergency directly before her.

"Sharifa Nefertiti...! Karin Yamada...!"

At the two monsters steadily obliterating the plan that had proceeded with perfect smoothness—no, at Karin Yamada, the root of everything—Yoko Inukai directed bloodshot eyes filled with murderous intent.

At this point, there was no more room for half measures.

If she could do something about Karin Yamada, the monster from Africa should have no reason to help Japan either.

Even if Sharie remained true to her word, there was absolutely no way she could cover everything alone.

In that case—

"I have to do something about Karin Yamada at the absolute highest priority, no matter what it takes...! Before she draws any more monsters into Japan or grows any stronger...!"

Otherwise, far from obtaining the finest future position, even her current station would be blown away.

For the sake of her own future and her homeland's prosperity, Yoko Inukai desperately racked her brains for a way to eliminate the single greatest obstacle to the plan.

――――――――――――――――

Quite a while ago, someone guessed the surname "Nefertiti" in a supportive comment, and it made the author's heart jump.

The title makes the Queen seven years older, but, well, it's a stock phrase, so she'll simply have to accept it, desu wa. As for Kagerou-sama, who has continued to be left unattended, next time is finally his turn!