第６掘：作戦終了 お話をしましょうか
Dig 6: Operation Complete – Shall We Talk?
Operation Complete – Shall We Talk?
Where did the grand backstory from last time go? Meta-commentary? Don't mind it.
Let me ask you this: if your lives were on the line, would you stop fighting, swayed by your opponent's grand, tear-jerking, movie-like tale?
Why am I talking so lightly? It's simple.
"G-Squad, two platoons, transport the targets to the prisoner-of-war facility. The rest, transition to Alert Level 2 and resume normal duties."
All targets were successfully neutralized and apprehended. A complete victory with no casualties on our side.
Huh? What happened to the initial level difference? Let's take this as a lesson that nothing is 100% certain.
Well, this is a post-battle report, but I'll tell you about the combat situation just now.
It took approximately three minutes to neutralize the targets.
It was as easy as pouring hot water and waiting.
Although we were initially confused when the three primary targets handed over the two secondary targets to us, the operation proceeded smoothly thereafter.
Let me explain the overview of the first interception point, Point Alpha.
It's right in the middle of a crossroads located in the center of the first floor.
At that point, one platoon of G-Squad acted as a decoy, moving in front of the enemy's advance to draw their attention. At this moment, the inexplicable actions of the targets caused a slight delay in the operation's start.
In a way, it might have helped us; the decoy unit successfully secured the two secondary targets.
We successfully trapped the three primary targets in a crossfire at the crossroads. Well, there were no firearms, though.
The three targets found themselves surrounded from all directions at the crossroads.
Huh? What kind of military operation is this? Isn't this fantasy? No, no, letting obedient monsters roam freely and intercepting them like in some light novel is far too inefficient.
Anyway, it seems the primary targets finally realized the situation they were in once they fell into this trap.
"Hey, this is..."
"...For goblins... Curse, can you handle it?"
"Leave it to me, give me 20 seconds."
No, no, it's already over. Three platoons of G-Squad surrounded them from both sides and the front, and one platoon of S-Squad blocked their rear.
But it couldn't end there. Do you remember when I mentioned creating a secret passage specifically for slimes?
And so, slimes assaulted from the ceiling, sticking to the mage's face and interrupting their incantation. They remained stuck, aiming for suffocation.
"What?!"
"Damn it, Curse, don't move!"
The remaining two couldn't possibly go to aid the mage. Slimes also stuck to the faces of the other two.
This operation was a topic discussed on a bulletin board.
Thread: Modernizing Slime Group Combat Tactics, Part 2
110 Name: Anonymous
I know I'm not reading the room, but I'll be serious.
Wouldn't it be good to block the opponent's breathing holes?
Like, assault from above, and for humans, this would probably be an easy win, right?
To ensure success, you'd need a diversion to keep the opponent from looking up at the ceiling, though.
111 Name: Anonymous
Well, if you think about it seriously, that's the most efficient way.
Most creatures have their breathing organs and vision in the same area, so that would completely shut them down.
...Hmm, if a Demon Lord can be defeated by suffocation, can we win?
112 Name: Anonymous
No, no, they wouldn't die like that, surely.
After all, it's a Demon Lord. They'd probably just blow the slimes away with some magical power and that would be it.
Same for heroes, right? With some heroic skill...
113 Name: Anonymous
I understand what you're trying to say, but it would be a letdown if it actually happened.
Whether they blow them away or not.
Oh, a question came up: there are slimes with cores, right? In that case, what's the safest thing to do?
114 Name: Anonymous
In that case, you could use most of the body to block the respiratory organs, and then move the core to a different location, like pulling a cord.
The opponent would probably be too busy trying to remove it.
That's the kind of conversation that happened. Bulletin boards are scary. And I really understood that slimes depend on how you use them.
And the result:
"Gagging...!!"
"!!!"
"Choking...!!"
The primary targets were easily silenced. Therefore, these three were reclassified as secondary targets. We successfully disarmed and captured them.
Everyone, once you start managing a dungeon, let's make good use of slimes.
"This... is?"
"Elju-sama..."
The two remaining women apparently didn't understand what was happening.
Now, while we wait for the prisoners to arrive, we need to address the issues from this operation.
The operation was too perfect, but if we assume this will always be the case, the panic when an operation fails will be severe.
It was "my turn" the whole time!
It's a situation where I messed up in a different sense. I can't intentionally botch an operation, so I'll need to thoroughly explain this to my subordinates.
As I pondered various things while looking at the map, the prisoners were transferred to the detention facility, and each platoon returned to their normal duties.
Incidentally, they are being housed separately by gender. The two women have severe physical damage, so I've instructed their transfer to the infirmary.
Since I'm still the only one who can use healing magic, it's quite troublesome.
"I hope these results can raise the dungeon's overall level."
Muttering that, I first headed to the infirmary.
On the third floor, apart from my own room, I've established numerous facilities that I deem necessary for dungeon operation.
(Though, compared to modern Japan, it's just rooms.)
Ultimately, since I haven't been able to earn much DP, this infirmary only has simple beds.
As for the detention facility, it's at the level of wooden beds covered with straw.
(I guess I just have to be patient... after all, it's only been about nine days.)
I want to prepare sleeping quarters for my subordinates, but they've created their own living spaces on the second floor.
While thinking about various things, I arrived in front of the target room.
*Knock, knock, knock, knock*
I gave a simple knock. No matter if it's another world, I have no intention of bending my pride or customs.
No, actually, I'll be breaking *your* conventions.
No voice replied, but when I entered, two women were staring at me.
"…What exactly is happening?"
"…Elju-sama… please step back."
Anyone who thinks this is a positive reception must be incredibly naive, but we won't make progress without talking.
"Right, for now, would you mind listening to what I have to say?"
Well, time to do my best.