第１９０掘：各隊の反応 (Part2)
Ria followed me, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Well, I’ve gotten used to it by now, but she really is always by my side.
You’d think she’d want some time to herself occasionally, but even on her days off, she’s usually with Seraria or someone else; that’s about the only time Ria is ever truly alone.
I suppose the concept of valuing one's private life is still a far cry from the sensibilities of Earth’s Japan, so it’s a lost cause.
While pondering that, I turned my attention to the invasion force.
"How’s the preparation coming along?"
"Oh, Yuki-san. We’re all good over here."
"Indeed. We have all our tools packed securely in our bags."
"I’ve loaded everything into the Marauder, too. I’ve got some in my item box as well, so we’re covered in case of an emergency."
Riel twitched her cat ears, Tori wagged her tail, and Kaya pointed her fox ears straight toward me as they approached.
Looks like the wives are ready to go.
"What about Labyris and the others?"
"Ah, they went to the shop to buy some snacks to bring along."
"…I see."
I almost blurted out, "Is this a field trip?!" but I held my tongue. Expeditions get tedious without small luxuries, so it’s standard procedure.
The issue is her physique. Labyris has a chest that is disproportionately large for her frame.
"Steve, how are the goblin troops being sent over?"
"Yo. No problem there. Britt is going."
"Him? That’s rare."
"Well, we’re spreading out quite a bit this time. He was pretty reluctant, but he had no choice."
"I bet."
Britt is one of the goblins I summoned in the early days, just like Steve, and he serves as a vice-captain.
However, he’s incredibly lazy, so he avoids high-ranking duties and prefers to take it easy.
He can handle any task perfectly well, but he makes it his life’s mission to stay out of the spotlight.
In a way, he’s just like me.
Since he’s managed to get through this without ever being dragged into training with Seraria, I know he’s better at navigating life than Steve.
"By the way, why is Zargis tied up over there?"
Indeed, Zargis was lying next to Steve, wrapped up like a mummy.
"…Ah, Yuki. It’s simple. According to Zargis…"
As Curse, who is also on the investigation team, started to explain:
"I am a desk worker!! The idea of me going somewhere else to do field work is preposterous!!"
"No, I’m pretty sure it’s desk work on the other side, too. It’s research, after all."
"That’s not the point!! I know that even if they call it an 'investigation team,' I’ll end up being forced to help with Steve’s training drills!!"
"That’s not wrong."
"See!? Then I’d rather stay in the dungeon and do my research in peace!! I can only imagine how my work will stall in a place with inferior civilization!!"
He has a point; even if we bring the equipment, it’s not a place he’s used to, and the lack of immediate supplies would be a headache.
"But that’s just how research goes. Give it up. You might even find some interesting documents."
"…*Sigh*, resistance is futile, it seems. I shall pray that those interesting documents actually exist."
He let his head hang, still wrapped in his bindings.
Part of the reason is that you’re practically a shut-in, and I want to get you outside as much as possible.
Regardless, the investigation team seems to have its issues, but they’re ready to go.
Hmm? That sentence structure felt a bit off, but it’s technically correct, so I’ll let it slide.
"Oh, if it isn't Yuki. Checking on things?"
As I stared at the mummy-fied Zargis, Mauve approached, leading Raiya, John, and the others.
"Yeah, that’s right. Looks like you guys are all packed and ready to depart?"
"Yeah. As you know, we’re on dungeon defense duty. We can resupply whenever, so we’re ready to deploy at a moment’s notice."
"Everything seems to be in order?"
"Nothing major. If I had to ask for one thing, it’d be a bit more booze."
"Booze? I’m pretty sure that was included in the supplies."
"No, Yuki, not that kind. I’m talking about the luxury stuff."
Raiya said that, and it clicked.
"Sake?"
"Yeah, but it’s expensive. With what we have on hand, we could only stock up on a hundred bottles."
"Isn't that plenty? You can resupply whenever you want; just buy more when you get back to Weed and get your next paycheck."
"Well, Yuki’s right, but Mauve has this bad habit of treating his subordinates and juniors to drinks. He burns through at least three bottles a day."
"At least three a day? That’s too much. Take this opportunity to cut back a little."
"Ugh, you’re saying the same thing as Raiya. Fine, fine. I’ll just pray that the booze the demi-humans make is actually good."
"I think the odds of that are pretty low."
"Don't say that."
It looks like the planned personnel will be able to move out without any major delays.
Now then, as for us in the invasion group… I doubt everything will go off without a hitch.
"…Yuki-san, come to think of it, what happened to the treatment of the Olive and Mist sisters?"
"Ah, I forgot."
They were still set to be "not yet returned."
I’ll have to go call them from the mansion where they’re hiding.
And what kind of results will the tanks Yuki is bringing in leave behind!?
Is there an enemy capable of neutralizing the tanks Yuki speaks of!!
The M1A1 has a range of about three kilometers.
And its effective range is even further…