第２００掘：相手の動向 (Part1)
**Dungeon 200: The Opponent’s Movements**
**Side: Yuki**
"Hahaha, that is truly incredible."
"Indeed. I was surprised to hear that a mercenary was the representative at first, but now it all makes sense."
After finishing the meal in the room we were guided to, we spent some time sharing our personal histories before the actual meeting. It was necessary; if we didn't clarify our positions, it would likely lead to various problems later. My wife had reacted to the word "mercenary" at the entrance, so I decided to explain exactly how we ended up in this situation without holding anything back.
It was, after all, just the story of how we rampaged through the Imperial Capital of the Zilba Empire.
"You believe us quite easily. I did vouch for them, but usually, people would just dismiss it as a joke..."
Jessica, who had been following up by telling Horst and the others that our story was true, seemed a bit deflated by how easily they accepted it.
"Indeed. Under normal circumstances, that reaction would be expected," Horst agreed, nodding at Jessica’s comment.
"Then why did you believe us?"
"It is simple, really. The Magic Sword User Mist-dono entrusted this place to you, Yuki-dono, and you yourself went out of your way to declare yourself a mercenary. When you combine those facts with the story you just told, it becomes impossible to dismiss as a mere joke."
"The Magic Sword User Mist-sama, and a mercenary declaration that everyone would assume is a joke. With all those pieces in place, one cannot simply call it a lie," Horst’s wife added.
Jessica seemed to find the answer in their words and opened her mouth.
"So, it’s the opposite, then?"
"Precisely. Normally, there would be no reason to tell such a lie or joke. It would only invite hostility and cause problems for your future endeavors in this city. However, your explanation earlier made it all clear. If you truly did beat the Magic Sword Users to a pulp and cornered the Zilba Empire and its King, then this treatment is only natural. In fact, this arrangement is expected. A mercenary unit stronger than Mist-dono—no, stronger than all three Magic Sword Users combined. This must be an event far beyond the expectations of the Holy Kingdom of Enaria."
"That is certainly true. When we were defeated without being able to do a thing, we had no idea what was even happening..."
"I imagine so. But with this, we can truly, from the bottom of our hearts, submit to the Zilba Empire."
At those words, Jessica glared sharply at Horst. Well, he was essentially admitting that he was playing both sides.
"Leave it, Jessica. Horst’s judgment isn't wrong. If he’s thinking about the safety of the townspeople, it’s only natural to hedge his bets. We don’t even know if we have a guaranteed win against the Holy Kingdom of Enaria, so why would he throw his full support behind us? Keeping a good face for both sides, gathering information, and preparing to jump to whichever side wins—I think that’s a perfectly reasonable strategy."
"...If you say so, Yuki."
Jessica didn't seem entirely convinced, but she stopped glaring. She wasn't using her intimidation aura, thankfully; since Jessica is high-level, an ordinary person might have fainted on the spot. Her physical intimidation skill is a troublesome thing.
"Horst, I have no intention of complaining about your actions. Don't worry about it. Feel free to send information back to your home country. You never know what might happen, so keep yourself prepared to switch sides at any moment."
"I am grateful for your understanding. However, are you sure? I believe it would be fine to stop feeding information to the Holy Kingdom of Enaria now, would it not?"
"On the contrary, don't stop. If we keep feeding it from our end, we can control the flow of information. If you cut it off now, they’ll just try to get it through other routes, which would be a nuisance."
"I see. So you are intentionally leaking the information."
"It also lets us keep track of their movements. We can't stop them completely anyway, so it's better to do it intentionally, right?"
"Indeed..."
"By the way, you all believed our 'tall tale,' but how do you think the Holy Kingdom of Enaria will receive it if you report it to them?"
"They will never believe it."
"Exactly. If they do believe it, that’s fine too, but it just means they won't be able to make a move against us."
That was the situation. Even if they thought it was the truth, they would have no choice but to send forces our way. On the surface, it would look like they were defeated by the Magic Sword Users; as far as the world is concerned, we haven't done a thing.
"Now then, how do you think the Holy Kingdom of Enaria will move?"
"Let’s see. If this information reaches them by tomorrow, it will take one week to reach the Royal Capital, another week to deliberate, and at the earliest, a reclamation army will arrive here in one month."
"Even though the Holy Sword User lost?"
When I said that, Horst and the others fell silent for some reason.
"What’s wrong? Was there an issue with the Holy Sword User?"
"No, it’s just... regarding that Holy Sword User, we only received word from the Royal Capital that they were a 'Holy Sword User.' We haven't really felt any sense of reality regarding that title."
"It is a fairy tale, after all. At least, to us."
"Wait a second. When did you first hear about the Holy Sword User?"
"That was a few months before you attacked. We thought it was just a tall tale, but since they were defeated so easily in this battle, they must have been a fake."
Hmm. Thanks to Labyris, I probably know the circumstances behind Light’s situation up to this point. Unless that was all a grand delusion, there is no doubt that the existence of the Holy Sword was kept secret until now. But even if it was kept secret, it is still the Holy Sword. It should have been found a long time ago. It’s not like the Holy Sword User appeared the moment the sword was found.
"Hold on. Whether the Holy Sword User is a fake doesn't matter, but when did the Holy Sword itself come into existence?"
"No, that was at the same time as the Holy Sword User. If the sword existed, one would expect rumors of its discovery or the selection of someone who could wield it to have spread, but there was nothing. For the Holy Kingdom, simply advertising to other countries that they possess the Holy Sword should have been valuable... now that you mention it, when exactly was the Holy Sword found?"
Something is off. Is the premise wrong? Did the Holy Sword User find the Holy Sword?
For now, I’ll try asking Light directly, though I don't expect them to talk quietly. As for the Holy Sword User, Light Revive, they are, of course, a prisoner. Mist and the others are keeping the sword in storage and interrogating Light, but the situation isn't looking good. At first, they refused to accept reality, claiming it was all a lie, and as time passed, they just started crying. Currently, they are stubborn and won't talk, convinced that help is coming. Thanks to our intervention, they haven't been subjected to any real torture, but if we weren't here, they’d probably be in the grave by now.
Well, I’ll leave the talk of the Holy Sword for now and move on to other topics.
"The talk of the Holy Sword seems like a dead end for now. Can we move on to other things?"
"That is fine. My apologies for knowing nothing about the Holy Sword."