第１５６掘：村の決断と対策 (Part1)
**Dig 156: The Village’s Decision and Countermeasures**
**Side: Yuki**
We are currently gathered at the Elder’s house. It seems the village has reached a decision.
Well, regardless of which way they chose, our only option is to defend this place. After all, it’s our connection to Weed; we can’t afford to let it go. Honestly, it would have been best if the villagers had decided to abandon this place and flee elsewhere. That would have allowed us to renovate this base as we pleased. Since any information leaks would be contained within our own ranks, the security would be far tighter than the modern definition—though perhaps that’s a stretch, it would at least be reasonably secure.
"My apologies for the wait. It ended up taking a full day."
"Not at all. Deciding whether to relocate the village or stay is a momentous task, so I think you were actually quite quick."
"Perhaps. In peaceful times, that would be true, but with the drums of war drawing near, we cannot afford to hold long meetings. Ideally, we should be the ones constructing the defensive walls you are currently building. I am grateful."
Right. I’ve had the goblin unit led by Steve handling the defense-related construction, but in truth, the villagers should have been the ones doing it from the start. There is no guarantee that the enemy’s reinforcements or follow-up forces won't arrive soon. Therefore, whether we are defending the village or preparing to flee, we need the capability to buy time.
Simply running away is amateurish. By making the village difficult to infiltrate, we can buy time to escape or solidify our defenses. Well, it depends on the situation. If we lose the time to escape, then all our efforts would be for naught. Everything is about balance, isn't it?
"So, what is everyone’s answer?"
I scan the room, looking at the faces of those who participated in the meeting.
"Hmm, let me get straight to the conclusion. We have decided to defend this village."
Ugh, what a hassle. To think I’ll have to find a way to get along with these people from now on... Does every little thing I want to build in the village require negotiations? Why does everything have to lean toward such a troublesome direction?
"However, the meeting concluded that your cooperation is absolutely indispensable to protect this village."
Well, obviously. If they told us they didn't need us, I’d just retreat to Weed until the village was wiped out. That would be a perfectly valid reason to leave.
"I see. However, we have our own objectives. We cannot simply adjust to your convenience."
I have to make this clear. We helped this village out of... well, Riel and the others might have been moved by justice or indignation, but that wasn't our primary goal. We have no reason to be bound here. In fact, I have no intention of becoming a member of this village.
"I understand. It is a request for protection, after all. As long as you don't make unreasonable demands—like telling us to abandon the village or hand over our women—we promise to follow your policies. You have to protect the ruins, don't you? We promise to guard them responsibly while you are away."
Actually, I’ll be leaving a defensive unit behind anyway. That’s far more reliable than the Elder’s promise. But I suppose this is their way of negotiating to ensure we don't impose anything too unreasonable on them. Even though the power balance has been tilted entirely in our favor from the start.
On one side, a village. On the other, us—a small nation called Weed, operated by utilizing dungeon skills, possessing the power to sway great nations with a silver tongue, and with individual strength that is off the charts. They might think they are protecting the village as their own, but by seeking our protection, they are effectively under Weed’s dominion.
The question is, when should we tell them we are the heavyweights of Weed? The villagers, including the Elder, likely see us as nothing more than travelers. Even though I brought about 50 goblins, they didn't seem particularly surprised. They probably assumed we captured them to sell for cash, as goblins seem to fetch a decent price around here. They might have wondered if we were some important figures traveling incognito, but since the people of this New Continent seem to be human supremacists, they probably couldn't fathom that we—who are always with Riel and the others—could be anyone of high status.
"If we can get that kind of cooperation, we’d appreciate it. There’s no point in us getting in each other’s way. For now, I’d like to finalize the details of the village defense plan we have the goblins working on. Could you tell me the size of the village?"
"Ah, come to think of it, you’ve captured quite a few goblins. They look to be wearing fine equipment. I thought they’d sell for a high price, but are you mercenaries or something?"
Ah, so that’s the angle. I see—in a land of warring states, being a mercenary is a lucrative business, and goblins, being replaceable soldiers, are perfect for war.
"No, well... it’s something like that."
"For mercenaries, you aren't keeping any women for them. If you don't increase your numbers, they’ll eventually run out, won't they?"
"That isn't the policy we follow."
"I see. So even as mercenaries, you hold to such principles. I’ve heard rumors on the wind that there are mercenary bands who, like you, bring goblins along, capture women in war, and use them as breeding tools for their goblins."
Yeah, tactically speaking, that’s correct if you can't replenish your manpower. Morally, it’s another story. Besides, these goblins, led by Steve, are all over level 100; individually, they possess performance that exceeds the early-stage Blood Minotaur, Mino-chan. So, worrying about replenishment is a waste of time.
Oh, and I haven't given them modern weapons. I’ve gone out of my way to equip them with swords and armor. They’re custom-made by Narjia-san, the fairies, and the dwarves, so their performance is in a different league.
By the way, the goblins don't fight with outdated tactics like forming lines and charging. I’ve taught them extensively that doing so would just make them targets for gunfire and artillery. So, these 50—the people of Weed count these goblins as people, not as mere beasts—will fight a thorough guerrilla war if they have to face a large enemy force. If they were to charge head-on like idiots, they would just be sacrificial decoys.