第６９掘：地雷は踏み抜くもの (Part1)
**Dungeon Floor 69: Landmines Are Meant to be Stepped On**
I’ve received numerous comments on the 4th floor of the pitfall series, "A Late-Night Snack Staple." I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for those comments.
***
**Landmines Are Meant to be Stepped On**
**Side: Yuki**
Honestly, I’ve really done it now.
What do I mean?
The tragic scene unfolding right before my eyes.
Yes, what lies before me is nothing but a mountain of corpses.
Most of them are either torn limb from limb or have had their heads completely vanish.
And the most pitiful ones... well, there’s nothing left of them at all.
"Hey, Yuki."
"What is it?"
"Make them stop."
"Are you asking me to go die?"
"No, I’m saying that if anyone else goes, there won't even be a body left to recover. Besides, aren't you the one who caused this?!"
"No, no, if you want to talk about the cause, that would be the enemy, right?"
As I was having this exchange with Mauve...
"Waaaaaah!!!"
"GOAAAAAAA!!!!"
At the sound of Aslin’s crying, my subordinate monsters’ stats surged, and they began devouring the enemy without leaving a single scrap behind.
It’s getting terrifying.
"Don't... make a fool of my brother!!!"
*Bam!!*
Driven by rage, Firia swung her combat hammer, shattering the enemy’s head along with their helmet.
It’s gruesome.
"…Don't think you'll get to die easily."
*Swish, swish!!*
Labyris handled the sword she’d received previously with exquisite precision, intentionally carving the enemy up without hitting any vital spots.
Is she a demon?
"I’m begging you, stop it."
"…Yeah, yeah."
Well, I suppose I should put an end to it before they decide to charge all the way into the enemy’s main headquarters.
Good grief, I really botched the initial response.
As I thought that, I recalled how this battle started.
"Well, the enemy’s left flank is approaching. It looks like our center and left flank intend to meet them head-on. Are you serious? With this difference in numbers, they aren't playing defense; they’re trying to grind them down in a direct clash. Honestly, that Seraria..."
After receiving Seraria’s transmission, I had been holding my head in my hands.
Even if our combat power is overwhelming, why go out of your way to take such risks and challenge them head-on?
I understand she wants to leave them speechless, but this will inevitably lead to casualties on our side.
Seraria’s unit is fine, I suppose. As soldiers, they wouldn't forget how to coordinate, so they won't go charging off alone.
The problem is Eris and the others. I just hope no one goes rushing in and gets surrounded.
...I suppose everything is a learning experience, but perhaps I should have let Eris and the others gain more experience as commanders.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to charge in like the center and left flanks? I don't really care either way."
"No, for now, I’m going to try offering a surrender."
"…Are you trying to mock them? They’d never think they could lose with these numbers."
"Well, it’s partly to see how they react, but if we stall for time, the center and left will crush their opponents. Once they see that, they’ll realize our true strength. There’s no need to throw our entire army into a collision. We have Aslin and Firia here, after all."
"I see. If we’re going to be looked down upon, so be it."
"Exactly. Let’s see... Mauve, Raiya, and I will go to offer the surrender. Labyris, Curse, I’m sorry, but I’m counting on you to look after Aslin and Firia."
"Got it."
"Understood."
And so, the three of us approached the enemy’s left flank.
"I want to speak with your commander!!" I shouted.
"What is it? If it’s a surrender, I’ll accept it. I have nothing else to say to you," a man appeared from within the enemy ranks, wearing unnecessarily gaudy armor.
What a waste of decoration.
"It is regarding the surrender. We cannot simply surrender right this moment. I apologize, but we intend to surrender once our army’s center and left flanks have been annihilated. Until then, could we maintain a standoff?"
"We could just crush you right here and now, you know?"
"If that is what you choose, then so be it. We will respond in kind. As you can see, we have Goblins, Slimes, and Orcs, but one of them is a Blood Minotaur. I hope you are prepared for the resulting casualties."
"…I see. You are saying that if we wait, we can avoid engaging the Blood Minotaur."
Well, in a sense, that’s true.
Though Mino-chan is only mid-tier strength among us.
After all, Aslin’s bodyguard is Surakichi-san the Slime.
Firia’s bodyguard is Steve the Goblin.
Since that time, both have trained extensively and are now Level 105.
Aslin and Firia, thanks to everyone’s overprotectiveness, are well over Level 150.
Eris and the others are around Level 110 on average, and the subordinate monsters average about 80. Thanks to that, the volunteers are lower, averaging about 40.
In contrast, the enemy’s main force is around Level 25, with the highest being just over 50.
Their equipment is standard soldier-issue.
Our equipment is enchanted gear from the Fairy race, distributed to everyone.
Narjia-san was delighted, saying, "This is perfect for testing the performance of the alloy armor."
Well, she has the ability to finish a sword like the one Labyris carries in just a single day. Equipping 120 people would be easy in two weeks.
So, his assumption that there won't be casualties is not wrong.
His assessment of the overall combat power, however, is dead wrong.
Oh, and we made the gear look shabby so people wouldn't realize it was Fairy-made.
There’s no reason to go around declaring, "We’re wearing custom-made equipment!"
Narjia-san was a bit dissatisfied with that. "I understand the reasoning, but... surely we could have made some with proper decorations for ceremonies?" She really wanted to make some magnificent armor.
I guess that’s what you call a craftsman’s pride.
Anyway, the opponent is deep in thought.
One more push?
"I want your answer!! Are we going to fight, or will we maintain this standoff!!"
"…Very well. I shall accept your proposal. However, it wouldn't be interesting if people thought we did nothing. I want to engage in a war of words here."
"Are you saying you were trying to persuade us?"
"Exactly. That way, our merit will be recognized. It is far more favorable for me to have 'persuaded' you than for the others to settle the battle and have you surrender to them."
Well, I suppose that makes sense.
They don't think for a second that they could lose.
After all, it’s a match of 1,000 against 100.
The enemy’s total force is about 5,000.
Ours is about 350.
Normally, it wouldn't even be a contest. Normally.
"However, this is unexpected. Are you Yuki?"
"I am. And?"
"No, it’s just that your younger brother is a warrior of unstoppable ferocity, yet you, the older brother, do nothing but wait for the battle to be decided before surrendering. How pathetic. Though, in a way, I suppose it’s fortunate you talked your brother into it. If you had sent that monster to this battlefield, it would have been a decent fight. To think you sent him to guard Alstaire instead."
The opponent laughed, looking at me as if I had done something incredibly foolish.
"Did you think negotiating would go well if you protected Alstaire? Too bad. Once this dungeon is conquered, she’ll be dragged down immediately. To think she’d yield to Seraria’s threats. She should have just pinned the responsibility on the Demon Lord. What a foolish thing to do, connecting this dungeon to the Cathedral..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You don't know? As I thought, your brother is a master, but you are a fool!! It’s simple. If we attack and take the dungeon, no information will leak out!! Normally we would have to go on an expedition, but you were kind enough to connect it for us!!"
"Do you not think we have already contacted Roschur?"
"Impossible!! If word had reached them, why would Seraria come out herself!! It would be standard to send an envoy to make the connection. And this battle against us with such a small force? It must be an arbitrary decision. That battle-crazed princess must have been blinded by the prospect of glory if she succeeded."
Whoa, impressive. It actually makes sense.
I see, the opposition used that as their justification to march on us.
Well, we didn't contact them because of how we’re handling Rurua.
And the small force is... because we judged this to be enough.
Not that we couldn't have brought more, though.
The number of residents has increased recently, so we’re swimming in DP.
Honestly, I could summon 1,000 Blood Minotaurs if I wanted to.
If I lowered the rank, I could easily summon 10,000 Goblins or Slimes.
Well, I won't do that because it’s a waste.
If I summoned that many, I’d have to find jobs for the survivors in our residential areas or small dungeons.
"However, you truly are a fool. You only hire a few adventurers. Your rear guard consists of Goblins, Slimes, and a few Orcs, with only one Blood Minotaur. It’s a wonder you even thought to challenge us with such forces."
The opponent laughed again as he scrutinized our strength.
Then, his eyes settled on one point.
"And to top it off, you even brought a young child to a battlefield like this. Well, she looks cute enough. I bet she’d taste delicious if eaten."
...Ugh, is he a lolicon?
As I muttered that to myself, I felt a strange presence from behind and turned around...
My subordinate monsters were covered in a red aura?
"…You."
"…Brother."
Hmm, Aslin and Firia are saying something?
"My brother...!!"
"Brother...!!"
Me? What about me?