第７０掘：後始末 (Part2)
As Yuki-san said, keeping this within our borders is just a spark for future trouble.
"However, Seraria-sama has proposed a solution. She argues that if we ignore the opposition simply because they are a minority, it will only leave behind unnecessary problems. Thus, she has invited those who are dissatisfied to attack our dungeon."
"What!?"
"She said that if they can defeat Seraria-sama, they are free to use the dungeon as they please. While I personally do not care for conflict, if they were somehow able to suppress the dungeon, it would be an incredible achievement."
"I see. So, Alstaire-sama, you are permitting them to attack?"
"If that is what it takes to eliminate their dissatisfaction. I believe you can now see that Seraria-sama truly desires to trade."
This was the strategy Yuki-san and Seraria-sama had devised: intentionally encouraging the opposition to swell in numbers, gathering all the troublemakers in one place to be annihilated. The fact that the dungeon defense force led by Seraria-sama was small was merely to make the opposition believe they stood a chance.
And now, before my very eyes, the battle that would demonstrate the true power of the dungeon had begun.
I was with a group of about a hundred observers, separate from the opposition. Most of the upper echelons were present to witness the outcome, including the ringleader who had pushed for the opposition's military action.
"Well then, Alstaire-sama. Our army will surely capture Seraria soon. When that happens, it will be proof of your incompetence. You will be stepping down from your position as Saintess. We have no need for a little girl who cannot even handle a simple negotiation. Hahahaha!!"
The representative of the opposition bellowed, denouncing me. But two hours later, that composure had vanished. After all, the army he had been so proud of had been completely wiped out.
"N-no way..."
He stood there, stunned, staring at the dungeon defense force led by Seraria-sama as they approached.
"Impossible!?"
In just two hours, only about a hundred people had managed to flee back to our observation party. They were in such a state of panic that they were beyond coherent speech. It was to be expected; the disparity in strength was so vast that they were nothing more than beasts being hunted.
However, this was a necessary sacrifice for the sake of a peaceful future.
"Now, have you understood our strength?"
Seraria-sama and her forces walked toward us. Most of them were drenched in crimson, stained by the spray of battle. Seeing that sight, everyone except for me and Kiyu gasped.
"Yes. We accept Seraria-sama's demands and will proceed with the trade..."
"S-shut up!! This must be some kind of trap!! Yes, that has to be it!! Otherwise, there is no way five thousand men could lose to fewer than four hundred!!"
The representative of the opposition cut me off, ranting hysterically.
"Look at them! They’re nothing but little girls!! There’s no way such women and children could have defeated our army!! I’ll cut them down right here and now!!"
Perhaps he had lost his mind; he drew his sword and lunged at Seraria-sama. It happened so quickly that I couldn't stop him... but.
"A-gah?"
A sound escaped him, and then, along with his armor, he was cleaved in two and collapsed to the ground. Standing there, expressionless, was Seraria-sama, who had drawn a strange blade before anyone could even blink.
"Alstaire. I’ll treat this little incident as part of the battle. He was one of the opposition, right?"
"Y-yes!!"
"Then hurry up and move forward with the refugee relief policy. We’ll begin our side of the agreement in one week as scheduled. Don't be late."
With that, Seraria-sama returned her sword to its sheath and led her army away.
"There are no objections regarding the trade with the Roschur dungeon, are there?"
When I asked the upper echelons, who were still standing there in a daze, they finally snapped back to reality and nodded their heads vigorously, shaking with fear.
Later, as a result of the meeting, it was decided—entirely on their own—that all the assets owned by the opposition's representative would be transferred to Seraria-sama as an apology. It seemed they were truly terrified of her.
...The paperwork is going to be a nightmare. My workload has increased, and my head is throbbing.
It seems Alstaire is suffering from a stress-induced stomachache.