第１８０掘：ジルバ帝国の落日 殴り込みの章
**Dungeon Excavation 180: The Sunset of the Zilba Empire – The Storming Chapter**
**Side: Kaya**
My mood today is a bit complicated.
I’ve come to the royal capital of the Zilba Empire with Yuki, his wives, and Steve as an extra, but I can’t help but compare everything to Weed.
The royal capital is certainly bustling with people.
But that’s all there is to it.
There are many street stalls, but they’re just obstacles to traffic, and look—theft is happening right in front of us.
On top of that, the quality of the goods doesn’t hold a candle to Weed’s.
Well, Yuki always says, "It’s a mistake to compare," and I suppose he’s right.
If you wander even slightly into the back alleys, the unpleasant stench of excrement drifts through the air.
It really is too different from Weed.
Actually, there are no toilets here...
Ugh, are we supposed to just let it flow wherever we are while we’re in this capital? I’d at least like to use some toilet paper.
"Hey, was this really okay, Yuki? We didn’t need those two to guide us through the castle, did we?"
As I was thinking about that, Labyris pointed out that we had parted ways with those sisters.
Come to think of it, wasn't the goal to meet the person governing the Zilba Empire?
I was just so preoccupied with how low the civilization level of the Zilba Empire is and how I was going to survive the day.
"I suppose so. Though I think hiring a separate guide would be a hassle, wouldn't it?"
"It’ll be fine. Knowing Yuki-san, he must have a plan."
Ria and Riel said as much.
As Ria said, hiring someone else to guide us is a pain, and as Riel said, there’s no way Yuki hasn’t thought this through.
"...So, what are we going to do?"
I asked Yuki.
If we’re lucky, we can finish this quickly and return to a life with delicious food and toilets.
"What are we doing? Besides, I’m a demi-human, and I’m being looked at with disgust even here, so we’re standing out quite a bit, aren't we?"
Just as Steve said, half of us are demi-humans.
And I am one of them; being stared at with strange or contemptuous eyes doesn't put me in a good mood.
Well, it seems there aren't any idiots foolish enough to lay a hand on us yet.
"True. Putting Steve aside, it’s a bit much for the wives to be looked at like that. And since a guide—a soldier—has just arrived..."
As Yuki said that, a soldier pushed through the crowd toward us.
"Move! I heard there’s an idiot walking around here with demi-humans without collars. Where are they?!"
Huh?
What is this guy saying to Yuki and us?
Should I burn him?
"Well, it wouldn't be good if it got out that those sisters are cooperating with us. Even if it does come out, it’s better if it happens after we’ve taken full control, right?"
"Ah, that’s true."
Yuki and Tori said, holding back.
Phew, that was close.
"Fufu... Yuki, you really do think of interesting things."
Labyris smiled.
As expected, he has a plan.
"Well then, let’s head to the royal castle and fulfill our audience with the King."
"You! Are you listening to me?! It is forbidden to walk around the royal capital with uncollared demi-humans!"
The soldier, being ignored, flew into a rage, drew his sword, and approached us, but...
"Oh, hey there, soldier. We have business at the royal castle. Could you guide us?"
"You!! Taking demi-humans along is out of the question! It is an insult to the King! I shall cut you down right here!"
It seems his goal was to cut us down from the start.
But he never got the chance to swing his sword at Yuki.
"So, Yuki-san, what should we do with this soldier?"
Ria had deflected the sword and pinned him to the ground.
With her bare hands, of course. Ria has gotten strong.
If she had used that Hero’s sword, he would have been sliced in two, so it couldn't be helped.
"Let’s leave him as is. Even if I said 'guide to the castle,' we just need to go to that castle we can see. It’s easy enough to find."
Indeed, a guide is just for getting in smoothly; it’s not like we don’t know where the castle is.
"Yuki-san, how are we going to get into the royal castle? Won't a lot of soldiers come after us because of this?"
Riel tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"That’s the goal. We don't have any status or anything, so there's no way we could meet them properly. So, by showing our strength while heading to the castle, we’ll be able to meet them."
"Ah, I see."
"Plus, by storming the castle, I can threaten them not to attack the dungeon. That should make them a bit more docile regarding demi-humans, too."
I see, he really has thought of everything.
"So, I’ll be having you all do most of the fighting. Is that alright?"
Yuki scanned all of us.
Naturally, there were no objections, so everyone nodded.
"Good. I’ll be playing a support role, fighting as little as possible."
"It’s fine. I’ll protect you, Yuki-san."
Ria said, summoning her Hero’s set and raising her shield.
"Also, let’s see... Make sure you don't get carried away and end up alone. Aslin, Firia, are you two okay?"
"Yes!"
"Oh? You’re not going to tell me that?"
"Um, what about me..."
Labyris and Shera said, looking dissatisfied.
Since the four of them are always together, they probably felt left out.
"You two are reliable. You’re the big sisters, do your best."
"Understood."
"If you put it that way, I suppose I have no choice."
Yeah, both of them are good big sisters to Aslin and Firia.
We’re too busy to spend much time with them, but those two are always together.
"Well then, it looks like a group has arrived. Let’s head to the royal castle while knocking them down."
As Yuki said that, many soldiers began to surround us.
But they were woefully underpowered; they couldn't stop us.
"W-waaaah!?"
"Why!?"
"C-call for reinforcements!!"
"Damn it, they won't hit!"
"E-even the children!?"
In the end, we smashed through the castle gate and arrived at the throne room without any issues.
"...There’s no one here."
"Indeed."
"...Um, Yuki-san. The King isn't always sitting on the throne, you know."
When Shera said that, everyone nodded in agreement.
"Ah, that makes sense."
A short while later, an old man wearing expensive-looking, inconvenient, and stiff clothing, and a woman in a gorgeous military uniform carrying what looked like a magic sword, entered the room.