第１６３掘：交渉と勝負 (Part1)
**Chapter 163: Negotiations and a Duel**
**Side: Yuki**
Well, it seems Marly—the Wind Princess Knight, or just "Princess" as far as I’m concerned—has finally regained the energy to speak. She was trying to pounce on me just a moment ago, so I wonder where that fear she was supposedly feeling went?
"Ria, let her go. For now, I don't think the Princess is going to attack us here."
"Understood. Though, I don't believe she has the strength to do so even if she wanted to."
"Nngghh..."
The Princess sat back down, looking frustrated.
"Anyway, I'm glad you aren't injured."
"What do you intend to do with us?"
"Getting straight to the point? I heard you were trembling in fear just a while ago."
"That was because I was dealing primarily with the demi-humans. Personally, I don't hold prejudices, but as a whole, humans have discriminated against them endlessly. It wouldn't be strange if I were killed in retaliation."
"Ah, that kind of fear."
It’s true; Mauve and his group went back to the dungeon with Steve and the others, saying they didn't want to deal with women. Since the goblins were the ones who actually caused the damage, they only helped with transporting the wounded, leaving Tori and the others to look after the Princess and her soldiers. I suppose it’s no wonder she was terrified.
"Well, if that’s the case, we can talk normally now, right?"
"Indeed. There is no issue."
"Good. As for how to handle you lot, since our mercenary group defeated you single-handedly, the authority over the captured supplies and prisoners lies entirely with me."
Not that I really need any of it. Normally, people would be clamoring for money, food, or women if they were living by this continent’s standards. But we can procure whatever we want through the dungeon, and my subordinates are paid well and are... satisfied.
Besides, the currency of this continent is useless in Weed. The only place the goblins can shop is Weed itself. As for the women, there’s no risk of them being assaulted. The goblins’ catchphrase is, "I’d rather just take it easy than do anything like that." As the Guild Master and Zargis have mentioned, unlike wild goblins, having a safe living sphere seems to suppress their reproductive instincts.
"Then, you do not intend to hand us over to the demi-humans?"
"That’s the tricky part. We’re currently having a bit of a disagreement with the demi-humans."
"What do you mean? I thought you were hired by them."
"Hired? 'Threatened' would be more accurate. The demi-humans drove back the Zilba Empire this time, and they intend to use that momentum to gather the demi-humans scattered across the lands."
"What did you say?"
"And the Zilba Empire soldiers that came before you? It was actually us who dealt with them."
"In other words, you let those soldiers escape on purpose to secure your position?"
"Exactly."
"I see. I thought it was strange. Even my army was either captured or wiped out, so why were the soldiers of that idiot noble able to flee?"
"Ah, there’s a misunderstanding there. We captured them, but we didn't kill them. They’re all alive. We inflicted heavy injuries so they wouldn't cause trouble or run away, though."
That was the extent of the power gap.
"...So, to you, we were nothing more than playthings."
"Let’s put that aside. We’re talking about your treatment now. Do you understand our position?"
"Yes. You couldn't just walk away from the demi-humans. Does that mean if I report to the Zilba Empire that you are not our enemies, you will release us?"
"No, are you actually an idiot? The Zilba Empire’s top military force—including you, Princess, and your direct command—has been annihilated. Do you really think the Emperor, or whoever is in charge, will just leave a mercenary group that pulled this off alone?"
"Tch... so you aren't idiots either."
"My, you’re quite composed for someone being tested. Should I kill one of you right here?"
"What!?"
"Look, I know you can't afford to grovel given your position. We hold the initiative. I don't mind looking for a compromise, but stop with the attitude of testing us. From our perspective, wiping you out for real would be perfectly fine."
"...That will lead to war with the Zilba Empire."
"Only if there’s someone left to report it. Why are you talking about war when you’re about to be wiped out? The soldiers who fled before will likely gloss over the details due to their own interests. Besides, if they do attack, we’ll just wipe them out too. We’ll beat them so badly they won't even think of attacking us again."
"You think you can win?"
"Don't say that when you just lost 150 against 2,500."
"That may be true, but the Empire has over 300,000 troops. If even ten percent of them come, you won't have a way to defend against that, will you?"
"We do."
It’s not like we don't. If things get really bad, we’ll just bring out the parade of modern weaponry. She doesn't seem to realize what kind of force she’d be up against if she fought Weed’s military. If we’re talking numbers, we could easily summon 10,000 monsters around level 100. At that point, it’s not even a contest. Add us—the strongest force—to the mix, and the only way they could defeat us is if they possessed technology equal to ours. With their current swords and magic, they’re lightyears away.
"Well, I don't exactly want to start a war. If you keep quiet about us, I’ll let you go."
"What exactly do I need to keep quiet about?"
"Let’s see... everything about our mercenary group? No, that’ll come out eventually. Hmm, there’s no point in a total information blackout. Even if word gets out and they mobilize the army, it’ll take two or three months, right?"
"That is a given. But others who wield magic swords like me will come. They may be inferior to me individually, but if they coordinate, they could surpass even me."
"Oh? I didn't know there were other magic swords."
Well, I suspected it. But why limit it to swords? They seem so cumbersome to use.
"It will be an army of over ten thousand, including those magic sword users. You think you can defeat that?"
"Ah, yeah. Probably easily."
"What did you say!!"
Ah, my true feelings slipped out. Magic swords aren't a threat. Steve handled one easily; there’s no way my wives or I would have trouble. Besides, it’s meaningless in another way.
"I was defeated without being able to use the power of my magic sword, but it won't be like that next time. The other magic sword users know I was defeated. They will come at you with full force from the start! Do not underestimate us!!"
"No, you’re the ones underestimating us... Right, I’ve decided on the release conditions."
I thought of an interesting condition. In the end, whether I kill the Princess or let her go, the enemy will eventually come to this village. But killing her would only please the demi-humans, and since their response to us has been so sloppy, it’s a waste of time. Just letting her go means she’ll report back to the Zilba Empire and return. While that might make things easier if the villagers decide to flee, if it’s discovered that we let her go, our relationship with the demi-humans will sour. We need to find the cause of the mana depletion in this new continent, so causing friction here is not ideal. If the depletion is related to the demi-humans, that would be a disaster.
Keeping them as prisoners forever is also a waste of labor and supplies, and the enemy will come regardless.
"What is it? What must I do to be released?"
"I want you to face me in a duel while wielding your magic sword. If you win, I’ll release you unconditionally. If you lose, I’ll take Jessica. I think I’ll take her as our prisoner."
"Huh? That’s an extraordinary condition, but what is the point of it? And as for Jessica... if she’s your preference, couldn't you just take her right now?"
"Sigh, I have my wives, so I’m full up on other women. It’s just that she seems useful for administrative work and such. Jessica."
"Ah, Jessica’s administrative skills are incredible. I rely on her."
"Then there’s no problem. If you don't want Jessica taken, you’d better win against me."
"No, that’s not it!! I’m asking what the point is for you guys!!"