第４掘：作戦を開始する 我らは誇り高きツワモノ也

第４掘：作戦を開始する 我らは誇り高きツワモノ也

**Floor 4: Operation Commencement. We Are the Proud Warriors.**

It took approximately seven days for the Goblins and Slimes to achieve explosive growth. During that time, small beasts, large beasts, and several Goblins that appeared to be of the same kin invaded the dungeon, all of which were successfully annihilated.

The seven-day yield was 332 DP.

I used this to repair dungeon defects to facilitate movement, add traps where necessary, and recruit new Goblins and Slimes to prepare for the next wave of enemies.

Two days later, "humans" finally triggered the scout Slime’s detection.

I have gathered the main units in the strategy room established on the third floor to explain the situation.

"We have confirmed the intrusion of five enemies within our dungeon’s detection range. I will provide further details once the targets enter the dungeon, but here is the preliminary information: Two vanguard-type warriors—a swordsman and a spearman. Two rear-guard magic users who appear to be support for their allies, and one thief—a scout—on the opposing side."

The Goblins and Slimes listen to the information without any particular reaction.

You guys are just too reliable.

"The gender breakdown is two men in the vanguard, one man in the rear, and two women. My impression is that this is a stable party composition. The vanguard draws and holds the enemy, the rear attacks from a distance, and the thief uses their speed for scouting and general combat support."

It’s the standard composition for games; it’s solid, which means…

"Prepare yourselves, assuming the enemy is appropriately skilled. G-Squad, equip Type-3 gear and intercept in three platoons. Assign two platoons to my personal guard. S-Squad, equip Type-2 gear and support G-Squad from the rear with two platoons. The remaining three platoons will wait along the enemy’s advance route; if the interception units fail to hold them, your objective is to finish them off with a surprise attack."

G-Squad is, as you’d expect, the Goblin squad. S-Squad is, as you’ve likely guessed, the Slime squad.

"The interception point is the rear of the first floor. Now, I will state the operational objectives: 'Primary Objective: Annihilation of the enemy.' 'Secondary Objective: Securing prisoners.' Regarding the second objective, I will provide instructions as we go. Keep it in mind, but you are free to prioritize the first objective. The expected arrival time is 14:30. Be in position by 14:00."

The secondary objective of taking prisoners is to gain external information. This will likely be fundamental to how I run the dungeon in the future. However, I judge that obtaining prisoners this time will likely be difficult.

Regardless, I can’t make a proper assessment until the enemy enters the dungeon, which is within my appraisal range.

All personnel have completed their deployment and transitioned to standby.

At 14:20, the operational targets entered the dungeon. Their advance speed is faster than I anticipated. As expected, they are a veteran party.

I begin the appraisal.

**Name:** Mauve

**Race:** Human

**Status:** Commoner

**Gender:** Male

**Occupation:** Swordsman

**Age:** 32

**Record:** Former Hero

**Crimes:** Looting, Murder, Sexual Assault, etc.

**Lv:** 44

**HP:** 2530 | **MP:** 210

**STR:** 740 + 260 (Silver Longsword)

**DEF:** 340 + 380 (Iron Full Plate Mail)

**INT:** 110 | **AGI:** 240 - 70 (Armor Weight) | **LUK:** 55

**Skills:** Unique Skill: Hero of the Ruined Town Lv3 (Stats increase based on hatred; Hero is a skill obtained by being called such by multiple others), Swordplay Lv3, Armor Proficiency Lv2, Shield Lv2, Tenacity Lv2, Vitality Lv1, Intuition Lv1, Horsemanship Lv2.

**Name:** Raiya

**Race:** Human

**Status:** Commoner

**Gender:** Male

**Occupation:** Swordsman

**Age:** 34

**Record:** Former Hero

**Crimes:** Looting, Murder, Sexual Assault, etc.

**Lv:** 42

**HP:** 1930 | **MP:** 320

**STR:** 540 + 430 (Raiya’s Spear)

**DEF:** 210 + 120 (Dark Tiger Leather Armor)

**INT:** 160 | **AGI:** 350 | **LUK:** 70

**Skills:** Unique Skill: Hero of the Ruined Town Lv2, Spearplay Lv3, Armor Proficiency Lv2, Tenacity Lv2, Vitality Lv2, Intuition Lv1, Horsemanship Lv2, Concentration Lv2, Foresight Lv1.

**Name:** Curse

**Race:** Human

**Status:** Former Noble

**Gender:** Male

**Occupation:** Mage

**Age:** 28

**Record:** Former Excellent Ruler

**Crimes:** Looting, Murder, Sexual Assault, etc.

**Lv:** 32

**HP:** 720 | **MP:** 2293

**STR:** 230 + 110 (Memento Staff)

**DEF:** 130 + 50 (Memento Robe)

**INT:** 720 | **AGI:** 110 | **LUK:** 35

**Skills:** Unique Skill: Ruler’s Qualities Lv2 (Comprehensive boost for ruling), Magic Talent, Staff Mastery Lv3, Shield Lv1, Tenacity Lv2, Vitality Lv1, Horsemanship Lv3, Fire Magic Lv2, Wind Magic Lv2, Recovery Magic Lv1, Shortened Chant Lv2.

I’ve peeked at the men’s stats… the information has already been sent to the G and S squads. They average around level 40. They are plenty strong from our perspective, but considering the growth rate per level, aren't my monsters superior?

Or does their growth slow down, or did my monsters gain a massive boost from changing species? It’s hard to judge right now.

Also, "Hero of the Ruined Town" and "Former Excellent Ruler." They seem to have quite the grand past. Well, let’s judge after looking at the women.

**Name:** Elju

**Race:** Human

**Status:** Slave, Former 3rd Princess of Roschur

**Gender:** Female

**Occupation:** Excellent Healing Saintess

**Age:** 18

**Record:** Former Saintess, 2nd in line to the Roschur throne

**Condition:** Sustained minor injuries, physical malaise due to lack of treatment, mild illness

**Lv:** 6

**HP:** 19/90 | **MP:** 4020

**STR:** 12 | **DEF:** 21 | **INT:** 210 | **AGI:** 64 | **LUK:** 82

**Skills:** Unique Skill: Ruler’s Qualities Lv4, Excellent Magic Talent (Massive boost to MP and INT), Healing Saintess (Greatly increases recovery and support magic effects), Roschur-style Swordplay Lv2, Roschur-style Staff Mastery Lv2, Shield Lv1, Arithmetic Lv2, Royal Presence Lv2, Horsemanship Lv3, Fire Magic Lv1, Recovery Magic Lv3, Support Magic Lv2, Chantless.

Whoa!? This is definitely going to be a headache!! She’s royalty from some country, isn't she? Yes, she is… this is a flag…

What about the last one?

**Name:** Oriel

**Race:** Rabbit Beastman

**Status:** Slave, Former Maid and Aide to the 3rd Princess of Roschur

**Gender:** Female

**Occupation:** Guardian

**Age:** 21

**Condition:** Sustained minor injuries, physical malaise due to lack of treatment, mild illness, 3 fractures, semi-conscious

**Lv:** 54

**HP:** 32/1205 | **MP:** 780

**STR:** 610 - 570 (Due to fractures)

**DEF:** 520 - 480

**INT:** 130 | **AGI:** 420 - 410 | **LUK:** 62

**Skills:** Unique Skill: Shield of Protection Lv2, Devoted Loyalty (Stats increase when with a specific person), Roschur-style Swordplay Lv3, Roschur-style Shield Mastery Lv3, Arithmetic Lv2, Service Lv2, Horsemanship Lv2, Wind Magic Lv1, Recovery Magic Lv1, Shortened Chant Lv1.

…So she was a maid. Well, the women don't have criminal records listed. I haven't heard their side of the story, but it’s clear the two slaves are being treated poorly.

I can definitely designate a secondary objective now.

"All units, listen to the operation orders. The information is as you see. The three men are the obstacles. The two women are effectively helpless given their condition. Therefore, designate the two women as the secondary objective; one platoon of G-Squad will execute the capture. The remaining units are to identify the men as the primary objective. Do not hold back—crush them with everything you have. Only if they happen to survive are you to transition to the secondary objective."

"No changes to the operation. Point Alpha is the first interception, Point Beta the second, and Point Theta is the final interception line on the first floor."

As I relayed this, the G and S squads on the map began moving toward the first interception point.

The enemy markers are slowly progressing through the dungeon, and monitoring the two women, their condition is not good.

They are carrying both "heroine flags" and "trouble flags," but for me, having royalty and their guard in a situation where they don't know the political landscape is convenient. I can justify it under the name of "protection." It’s worth accepting the troublesome flags to bring them to our side.

The enemy was about to reach Point Alpha…

"Operation commencement. We are the proud warriors. I look forward to your valiant efforts."

Now then, let’s see how well you can fight against superior opponents.