第１７０掘：６０億対４００万 (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 170: 6 Billion vs. 4 Million**
**Side: Jessica**
The day to face the Zilba Empire army has finally arrived.
Thanks to the Princess, the various legions didn't return, but as luck would have it, the Magic Sword-wielding sisters have set their sights on us. Under normal circumstances, the demi-humans shouldn't stand a chance...
"Steve, go ahead and offer them a chance to surrender."
"Eh? Isn't that pointless?"
"Giving them the option first is important. It shows we’re being merciful, and it makes them think that if they listen to us after losing, they might survive."
"Ah, I see. It’s a pain if they turn into desperate soldiers."
"Oh, no, if it comes to that, I’ll just wipe them out. But that would increase our own casualties, so you have permission to use the goblin squad’s firearms. Just treat the ones who are still alive after the battle."
"Are we taking out the Magic Sword-wielding sisters, too?"
"Leave that to your discretion, Steve. If you handle it right, the sisters will be manageable."
"Yes, yes. It’s always me who gets the troublesome tasks."
At the base camp, Yuki, the supreme commander of Weed, and Steve, the general in charge of this operation, are chatting idly about how to capture them. They haven't even considered the possibility of losing.
A force difference of roughly 5,000 against 1,000—by the standards of war, defeat is a foregone conclusion. Moreover, the enemy has two Magic Sword users. It is said that a single Magic Sword user is equivalent to a force of 10,000. With two of them, the enemy army is effectively 25,000 strong.
In comparison, our side can barely be called an army; the main force consists of about 800 demi-human volunteers. While they possess greater physical capabilities and magical aptitude than humans, it is rare for one to take down ten or twenty opponents alone. Their equipment is a hodgepodge of personal belongings and weapons confiscated from us, with almost no standardization. Against a regular army in formation, they would be trampled.
However, this ragtag group is not actually the main force. The remaining 200 are the core of this human-demi-human mixed unit, possessing strength that makes even Magic Sword users look like nothing. These are the people who analyzed unprecedented magic swords, neutralized the Princess’s own magic sword, and crushed our army of 2,500 with just 150 soldiers. Not a single one of those 2,500 could escape. Being captured by a mere 150 was, under normal circumstances, impossible.
"Well, the general outline isn't much different from the Princess's previous battle. I hope there's a dramatic change."
"I don't. If they pull a clever move, it’ll just cause us confusion."
"It’ll only be confusion... though the demi-humans might die, they’re basically acting separately anyway."
"That’s true. It’s already planned for them to head out intentionally; it’s practically a suicide mission, but for some reason, they’re full of motivation."
"It’s because they see the enemy’s numbers and think they can win, isn't it?"
"It’s incredibly annoying. Thanks to that, they’re likely to ignore the plan to intercept them here."
"That’s out of the question. This place—this four-kilometer square plain—is the only reason this has meaning."
"Because it’s packed with traps that make it impossible to escape, right?"
Yes, this empty plain is under the dominion of Yuki, the Dungeon Master, who can use his skills to alter the terrain at will. In other words, for the Zilba Empire army to fight within this four-kilometer square is to guarantee their own defeat.
"Still, was it really okay to 'buy up' this region? Won't it have some effect on the continent?"
"It’s a military interception. I don't want them to escape. I had to buy it up during the Princess's incident, but there haven't been any changes so far. I’ve stopped the flow of magical power from the dungeon, and while terrain modification and trap-making consume mana, I'm just using the manipulation function. It’s negligible compared to me just existing on this continent."
"Then wouldn't it be easier to just buy it all up at once?"
"That’s an opinion, but this only works because it’s a plain. You understand what I mean by 'no changes so far,' right?"
"Ah, you mean because it's a plain, it’s easy to see and notice any changes?"
"Exactly. If I put an area under my control and suddenly dragons started spawning in the forests or mountains... 'oops,' that wouldn't be good, right?"
"That would be a major disaster. So, you're sticking to what you can keep an eye on?"
"That’s it. If future research allows me to expand my controlled territory, it would be convenient in many ways. But for now, I can't move recklessly."
The invisible disaster of mana depletion is plaguing this continent. While the decline in demi-human birth rates and the decrease in human mages have made it apparent, no one suspects there is a specific cause. That is why Yuki doesn't necessarily need to be so careful with this continent. Yet, he has a temperament that makes him handle even the most trivial matters with extreme caution.
Steve mentioned a "dragon disaster," but even those dragons would be hunted down by a single member of Weed’s army. Yuki says he doesn't want to break the current environment, as he never knows what kind of action might lead to unforeseen consequences—like the butterfly effect.
"Well, the enemy has arrived, so our chat is over."
"Then, I leave it to you."
"You got it."
Before us, the enemy army is lined up in a dignified formation. At the front, the generals—the Magic Sword users Olive and Mist—are riding toward us on horseback. Perhaps they intend to deliver a formal challenge.
"Steve, let's hear what they have to say. It might be an interesting story."
"What kind of interesting story could there be?"
"...Like how they left their green peppers on the plate yesterday."
"No, we aren't children. Does the General hate green peppers?"
"I did when I was a kid."
"...Both of you, be quiet. They’re about to announce something."
To be able to talk about food preferences at a time like this—they have nerves of steel. Meanwhile, Mauve, Tori, and even Aslin aren't just ignoring the exchange; they’re yawning, dozing off, or chatting happily... I’m the only one taking this seriously. Why am I, the prisoner, the most earnest one here? (By the way, I’m using one of Yuki’s tools to disguise myself, as it would be bad if the enemy found out I was a captive.)
"Listen!! You demi-humans and mercenaries who defy the Zilba Empire!!"
Olive, the Magic Sword user of flame, raises her beautiful voice, and everyone listens.
"I am not like Marly, whom you repelled! Know that this time, you will not return alive!"
As she says this, the army behind her lets out a war cry. The voices of 5,000 people overlap, echoing even to us. The demi-humans begin to realize the difference in numbers, and the heat that was about to run wild cools down. Clever. They intend to crush our morale with a war of words.
"We swear victory upon these magic swords! And we carry the future of the 4 million people of the Zilba Empire!! There is not a single reason you could possibly win!!"
Then, her younger sister, Mist, steps forward to continue.
"If you surrender now, we will show mercy. There is no way to avoid crossing swords! Mercenaries, prepare yourselves—surrender will only be accepted after you have taken our attack!"
With this, the demi-humans' morale drops even further. They clearly intend to show us the difference in power through a skirmish, making us easier to absorb later.
"What is it!! If you have a surrender declaration, speak it quickly!! We cannot show mercy once the battle begins!"
Olive raises her voice as if to say this is the final warning. Now, what will Yuki and the others do?
"Steve, change of plans. I’m going out."
"Got it. ...Wait, what!?"
"Permission to use all armaments granted. I’ll give the signal just before the clash; surround them from all four sides at once. We’ll crush that army by ourselves."
"Wait, what on earth is going on!?"
"No, I just felt like going on a rampage. I’m going to go talk to them. Ria, Jessica, come with me."
"Yes."
"Eh!?"
"Mauve and the others, proceed as planned with the demi-humans. Tori and the others, start rampaging as soon as the battle begins. Aslin and the others, block the only escape route here."
"Leave it to us."
"Understood."
"I’ll do my best, Big Brother!"
I couldn't hide my surprise at Yuki’s actions. His stance has always been to stay behind the scenes. But this is the exact opposite. What is he thinking?
"Are you the leader of the mercenary group?"
Olive, unaware of my confusion, speaks to Yuki as he approaches.
"Yeah. I have something I want to say."
"Is it a surrender?"