第１３７掘：残り１日 (Part1)
**Dungeon 137: One Day Remaining**
**One Day Remaining**
**Side: Yuki**
Well, today is a day off.
It’s one day before the assault on the Demon Lord’s Castle.
Today is the final meeting; I need to have a serious talk with my wives.
That said, it’s not like breakfast is going to disappear, so we’ve finished eating and are currently cleaning up.
The number of dishes to wash has really increased, hasn't it?
At first, it was just one person. When Elju and the others arrived, it became six, then it dropped to four, and then it suddenly jumped to fifteen. A lot has happened, but the people living in this inn now are my wives.
Ever since the residents arrived, Mauve and the others moved out, built a house in a corner of the Adventurer District, and spend their days there.
They come over to hang out occasionally, though. They say it’s uncomfortable now that there are so many "big shots" around.
Well, if I weren't one of the people involved, I’d probably avoid this place too.
But, sadly, they are my wives.
Even if we’re facing a Demon Lord, I can’t afford to let even one of them lose their life.
"Alright, everyone, you can keep drinking your tea, but let’s talk about tomorrow."
When I returned to the banquet hall, everyone was waiting, tea in hand.
"I’m going to announce the members for tomorrow’s Demon Lord’s Castle assault."
At those words, a few of them flinched.
"What do you mean? Big Brother, aren't we all going together?"
Aslin tilts her head.
Of course, I can’t gamble on everyone going.
I always need to keep a safety net in place.
"I’m sorry, Aslin. I believe this assault on the Demon Lord’s Castle will involve significant danger. There is a possibility that the assault team could be wiped out. That’s why some of you need to stay behind in Weed to stand by."
"Ehh!?"
"Aslin, calm down. This isn't like the time in Litea."
"But, Milly-nee-chan..."
"You know, girls who don't listen get disliked, right?"
"Eh, but, but... *sob*, *hic*, I know I’m going to be left behind along with Firia-chan... Waaaaah!"
"Th-that’s... Brother, I don't want to. I don't want to goooo!!"
The two of them started crying.
They clung to me, so I had no choice but to hug them and comfort them.
"I’m sure you’ve all heard the information from Liliana. The demon currently calling himself the Demon Lord is Dekira. Before he became the Demon Lord, he was a hardliner and the head of the military faction. And you remember why he was the head of the military faction, right?"
"Yes, aside from his personal martial prowess, it was his ability to control massive numbers of monsters, correct?"
"That’s right. In terms of personal martial prowess, my wives are likely superior. But the biggest problem is that mass control of monsters."
As Eris said, there are two main points of caution regarding the information on Dekira we got from Liliana, and the most important one is...
Yes, this mass control. We don't know the scale of it.
We know he can control monsters of a certain level, but we don't know where the upper limit lies.
And even Liliana doesn't know how or why he can control them.
Because of that, a certain danger has surfaced.
"That means there’s a possibility our subordinates could be stolen, right, Big Brother?"
Ratz provides the answer.
"Exactly. That’s the biggest problem. That’s why this mission is the most dangerous one yet. If our monsters aren't effective during the assault, we’ll have to go in the flesh—meaning, not as Doppels, but as our true selves."
"Yuki-san, why is that? It’s certainly dangerous if monster control is stolen, but Doppels are monsters too. They’re our body doubles and high-level, so wouldn't they be perfect for gauging the enemy's control scale? I don't think we’d be unable to defeat them even if they turned against us..."
Tori asks, looking puzzled.
That’s true, what Tori says makes sense, except for one point.
"I understand what Tori is saying, but do you know what the danger is if a Doppel turns against us?"
"The danger of a Doppel turning against us? I only think it’s because they’re high-level..."
"...Ah, I see what you mean."
"Eh, Milly, you understood? I’m with Tori, I don't really get it."
"...Information, right?"
"Exactly. If, by any chance, a Doppel falls into the enemy's hands and under their control, there is a very high possibility that our skills, movements, and Weed’s secrets will be exposed."
"—!!"
The faces of the members who hadn't realized the fact stiffened.
"That would be too disastrous. We use Doppels so conveniently that we tend to forget, but that danger is certainly real."
"That’s right. I was careless. If the control of a Doppel were to be stolen, our information would leak completely. If that happens, Weed will be driven into a corner."
Seraria realizes her own oversight, and Shera turns pale thinking about the problems that would cause.
"Yes, that’s why for the Demon Lord’s Castle assault, we will attack using monsters up to level 150. If their control is stolen, then we will step in. Keep a close eye on the situation and observe how the control is stolen. We cannot afford to have our Doppels’ control stolen under any circumstances, so we, the highest combat power, are the trump card."
Everyone nods at my words.
"For the reasons I’ve stated, the assault team will be carefully selected, and some will remain in Weed. I need you all to accept this."
"...I understand the reasons. But I will never let you die, Big Brother."
"...Same here."
As Ratz and Kaya say that, the others nod as well.
I don’t want to let any of you die, either.
"So, the Weed stay-behind... or rather, the defense team will be Labyris, Shera, Aslin, Firia, Eris, Ratz, and Riel."
"...I understand. But you must come back."
"...Am I the representative for diplomacy...?"
"I accept."
"It would be easy to say I hate it, but I understand, Big Brother."
"It’s selfish of me to ask 'why me?' Everyone, please take care of Yuki-san."
"Waaaaah!"
Labyris has grasped the situation through her contact with me and is somewhat convinced, but like Aslin and the others, she wanted to come along. But there’s no one who can replace me except Labyris. I leave it to you.
Shera, as you said, if Seraria or Rurua were to die, I would have to rely on you. So, I’m counting on you.
Eris, you answered readily, but blood is seeping from your fist. I’ll have to treat that later.
Ratz, you never let that smile falter. I’m grateful that you take on the unpleasant tasks like that.
Riel, your growth is the most impressive. You ask questions to solve them and continue to hone your training. I leave the security of Weed to you.
Aslin, Firia, I’m sorry. I can’t take you two to a dangerous place right now. You two are our future.
"Next, for the security of the Demon Lord’s Castle basement—that is, securing the retreat route and preventing information leakage—I’m counting on Seraria, Deryu, and Kaya."
"...As the face of Weed, I must minimize the risk of death... is that it?"
"Nugugu... if it comes to securing a retreat route in this situation, I suppose I am the most suitable..."
"...This time, I will surely protect you."
Seraria, that’s part of it, but we also need to make the advancing Allied Forces retreat. If we are wiped out, the current Allied Forces won't stand a chance. Stay calm.
Deryu, you have the most combat experience among us, which is why I’m putting you on defense. I’m counting on you.
Kaya, are you worried about the village? Yeah, I’ll definitely come back, so please protect it.
"Finally, the cleanup of enemies inside the Demon Lord’s Castle and taking the Demon Lord’s head will be Rurua, Ria, Milly, Tori, Liliana, and me."
"The key to recovery, then. Leave it to me."
"I wonder if I can do it. No, I will definitely do it!!"
"I’ll be on trap detection and support."
"I’m the attacker with the sword."
Rurua, that’s right, you’re the best recovery personnel. I leave it to you.
Ria, I’m sorry to put you on the front lines. But I’m counting on you.
Milly, show me the skills you honed while working at the Adventurer’s Guild.
Tori, your sword handling is already better than mine. You have the breakthrough power when it counts. Leave the rear to me, and take down the enemies in front.
"Lastly, Kirue."
"Yes."
"I leave this house to you."
"Even if this body were to perish, I shall protect it. Therefore, Yuki-sama, my ladies, please return safely."
Kirue, I’m happy to hear you say 'welcome back.' It makes me realize there’s someone waiting for me at home.
"Next, since we don't have much time, this is a fairly sloppy strategy. Normally, the basics are to monitor the target location for at least a month, no, two months, to grasp the enemy's movements. Don't forget that."
"...Yeah, I understand what you’re saying, but by the time we’ve monitored them that much, I don't think there’s any room for a turnaround," Seraria replies, her face twitching.
"In fact, we arrived at the Demon Lord’s Castle on the second day. I’m sorry for pushing Ratz, Kaya, and Milly so hard."
"No, no, it’s for Big Brother’s sake."
"...We should ensure safety as much as possible."
"I think what Yuki-san is saying is perfectly natural."
"Now, regarding the information we’ve gathered so far: first, as planned, after stopping one kilometer away, I personally extended the dungeon to the basement of the Demon Lord’s Castle. As a result, there were no anomalies in the Demon Lord’s Castle. It seems the enemy hasn't noticed the anomaly of it becoming a dungeon. Well, I heard from adventurers like Mauve that dungeons have a unique magical flow that can be sensed, so I installed it deep underground, directly beneath them."