第２１５掘：周りの動き (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 215: Movements in the Surroundings**
Apologies for the delay in updates.
Here is the latest chapter.
Please enjoy.
***
### The Grand Council
**Side: Yuki**
"Boss, Boss, Mist-san and the others are calling for you."
"Sigh... I want to become a NEET."
"I have no idea what that means."
"It’s a wonderful profession where you don't have to work, and you don't get looked down upon by children..."
"No, that’s just not working. Anyway, as I’ve said multiple times, Mist-san is calling for you."
"...Fine, I suppose I’ll go work."
*Ugh, I want to finish this job quickly and go see my daughters.*
Still, I can’t exactly talk to Mist and the others with that kind of attitude. I need to switch gears.
"So, how were things with Mist and Horst?"
"Well, they were stunned when they saw the collapse site. It seems they’ve given up on the pursuit. Currently, they’ve deployed a small number of troops to monitor the area and are waiting in the rear for you to wake up, Boss."
"I see. As expected, they didn’t do anything reckless like continuing the pursuit. Well, Mist would make that kind of judgment. If it were Mist’s older sister and the Wind Princess, they might have charged in."
"Those two are waiting at the fortress, after all. So, what do you actually intend to do from here on out?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the Enaria army inside the dungeon. We can’t just leave things as they are, both publicly and behind the scenes."
We’re discussing important matters while walking, but there’s nothing to worry about if we’re overheard. Because they wouldn't understand it anyway. Ria and Jessica are guarding my sides firmly, and in reality, no one is eavesdropping.
"I’ve been thinking about various things, but for now, let’s talk with Mist and the others to organize the situation. If I know how Mist and Horst want to move, I might be able to steer things in a convenient direction."
There’s no need to rush for an answer right now. The Enaria army inside the dungeon can be "cooked" whenever I want. First, it’s important to hear the opinions of my nominal superiors.
"Come to think of it, we’re just hired mercenaries, aren't we?"
"Yup. A nearly unknown mercenary group on this continent."
"And yet, this mercenary group has more fighting power than an entire nation."
"It’s absurd, but it’s the truth," Jessica said, rubbing her temples and exhaling.
Ria said it happily, while Jessica looked pained. She’s right. In terms of pure combat power, as far as I know, we are at the top—including the Weed continent and this New Continent. But that doesn't solve everything. My goal has been consistent from the start: to find the cause of the world’s mana depletion and stop it. Whether this world is shaped like a planet or held up by a giant turtle, I don’t know, and my goal isn't to make every race living on this land bow down to me and become a king.
"Oh, you’ve woken up! Are you feeling alright?"
As we entered the meeting tent, Horst stood up from his chair to welcome us. It seems Horst has also brought his troops, but it feels like he’s completely sided with Zilba. From Horst’s perspective, he probably wants to say we’re under the mercenary group’s umbrella, but because of various complications, he’s acting as if he’s on the Zilba side.
"You’re awake. We were waiting. We wanted to hear your opinions, Yuki-san."
Mist said this while spreading a map on the table. We gathered around the map, as we also wanted to know what they were thinking.
"Following your report, Yuki-san, we gathered troops here, but the Enaria army has already retreated into the ruins, leaving only a small number of guards at the entrance. Since there’s no way to pursue them, we were just discussing returning to our respective towns, leaving only a few sentries behind and considering the possibility that the Enaria army might emerge from a different location."
Hmm, I don’t think they’re wrong. If I were in the same situation, I’d do the same. If I were to add something...
"If I may add, wouldn't it be better to look for where the Enaria army might come out? It doesn't have to be a large force; a small group is fine. Just finding the exits to the ruins would suffice."
"Hmm. That is true. Once we secure the defense of the towns, we should indeed search for the exits of the ruins. If we discover them first, we can catch them off guard and inflict significant damage on the enemy."
"Indeed, the large army cannot utilize its full strength in the confined space of a ruin entrance. As soon as we finish setting up our defenses, let’s dispatch search parties immediately."
Horst and Mist discussed and decided on the priority areas for troop deployment. Quick decisions. Aren't these two actually quite impressive? It’s amazing that some of the search locations they chose actually contain exits to the ruins.
"So, Mist, how do you intend to report this to your superiors?"
Right, the handling of this situation is fine for now. But the problem is how to report it. If reported poorly, they might launch an invasion of the Enaria capital. If that happens, we’ll have to intervene and stop it. Because if we don't, it looks like we’d be forced to be the vanguard and take the first spear. For now, I want to hear how Mist and the others plan to move.
"...I have no choice but to report the truth. That said, I’ve already reported the fall of two towns and one fortress, so reinforcements should arrive in about a month. This will solve the problems regarding defense. However, I cannot judge how the upper echelons will take the stagnation of the roughly 100,000-strong Enaria army due to this collapse. Ultimately, there are only two choices: focus on defense or go on the offensive."
As Mist said, in the end, there are only two choices: defend or attack. Since we can't abandon the land we’ve seized, we’ll likely strengthen the defenses, but the Enaria army, which can be considered missing, is a source of anxiety. The question is whether to take time to be cautious of this Enaria army, or to see this as a chance and rush into the Enaria Holy Nation capital.
"However, they likely don't have the time or troops to spare for us, so it will probably remain status quo."
"Why is that?"
"We, the Zilba Empire, are not only at war with Enaria. Even though the Enaria army sent a large force, it’s not their entire military, is it?"
"...That’s true. 100,000 is probably about one-sixth of their total. Hmm... even if the supply units that fled bring reinforcements, they will likely prioritize rescuing their generals first."
"Exactly. They wouldn't start a war with us while leaving a Magic Sword User—a dual-wielding one at that—unattended."
"We’ve also leaked the information that there are three Magic Sword Users here. I don't think there’s anyone among their reinforcements who can fight on equal footing with a Magic Sword User."
I see. They’re dealing with other places, so they can't spare any more strength. And just because the capital falls doesn't mean the Enaria Holy Nation will be destroyed. The higher-ups understand the risk of increasing their workload.
"We will also receive reinforcements, but they are for defense, so our strength won't increase explosively. It will be difficult to launch an offensive from our side to drive them back."
"Hmm, so it will be a defensive battle. This collapse has become very important in terms of buying time."
"Yes. Originally, Horst-dono’s town would have been under a major offensive, so let’s consider this a good thing for us."
Horst is agreeing with Mist, but he’s looking at us with a slightly disappointed face. That’s probably because he wanted to see the power of the barbed wire.
"Before the enemy reinforcements arrive, we must further strengthen our defenses and gather as much information as possible on the Enaria army that entered the ruins. That is what we must do now. I will explain the situation and future plans to the fortress ladies and Marly-sama myself. Yuki-san, Horst-dono, please return to your towns and, as we discussed, strengthen defenses and search for the exits to the ruins."
After deciding on the general policy and finalizing the details, we decided to disband, leaving a small number of ruin surveillance units on-site. Mist and Horst were busy giving withdrawal orders to the soldiers they brought, so we held our own meeting while watching the scene from inside the car.
"For now, I suppose we can breathe a sigh of relief?"
Shera said, her rabbit ears twitching on my lap.
"Since it seems they’ll be focusing on defense as discussed. Though, personally, I think the Zilba Empire will do something."
Jessica, a local, answered Shera’s words.
"Why is that?"