第２１７掘：動き出す者 (Part2)
"Yes, the Zilba meeting—that's a strategy meeting for what's to come, right?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to that meeting, too."
At Seraria’s problematic declaration, every wife in the banquet hall froze.
Well, of course they did. It had only been a week since she gave birth; everyone was worried about her health, and the thought of leaving behind a daughter whose neck hadn't even steadied yet was...
"Ah, I'm going too!"
"That’s true. I’ve been pregnant and haven't been able to see how Yuki-san is doing. We’ll take care of the children, so Seraria, Rurua, please look after Yuki-san."
Following Rurua’s declaration to tag along, Eris, who was due to give birth soon, chimed in.
"I see!! I’ll go help Yuki as soon as I’ve given birth too!"
"Hmm, I can go later. Everyone else wants to be with Onii-sama, so I’ll just relax with my child. I don't think Onii-sama is going to make a mistake at this point anyway."
"I also trust in my husband’s safety, so I think I’ll stay behind to look after the children."
Deryu was in the "going" camp, while Ratz and Kirue were staying behind...
"No, don't you think you should be a bit more restrained?"
"Eh? I’ve been restrained enough already, I’m dying to move my body!"
"I also want to exercise for the first time in a while, but don't worry, it’s not like I’m abandoning Sumire or Sakura."
"That’s right. There’s no way we’d abandon our precious daughters. It’s what you call the effective use of a Doppel."
"Yes, if we use the Doppels, we can return to the children’s side immediately."
Ah, well, they’ve already given birth, and since the children aren't physically attached to them anymore, I suppose I don't have to worry about the impact on their bodies as much.
"I’m just doing paperwork all the time, so I want to move around for a change."
Milly must have a lot pent up, too, since she’s been leaving the management of Weed entirely to others.
"Conveniently, reinforcements from Enaria are coming, aren't they? I think it’ll be good exercise for us."
"I suppose I should be focusing on my recovery, but I’d like to fight with a staff again after all this time."
"Oh, then would you like to jump in with me?"
"That sounds lovely."
The two new mothers were chatting about such dangerous things with bright, cheerful smiles.
Seriously, women who just gave birth shouldn't be talking about such violent matters.
"Even if you say that, I don't know if it’ll actually turn into a fight. We might prioritize searching for the main force, and even if it does come to a fight, the Princess will be the one out there buying time first."
That’s right. No matter how fired up Seraria and Rurua are, the people around us are working to ensure it *doesn't* turn into a battle. It’s not like we’re going to step out into the open and wipe out a massive army.
"True. When you say 'battle,' you mean a large-scale engagement, right? But if it’s a small-scale skirmish, since it’s a large army, that’s bound to happen, isn't it?"
"Well, I’m sure there will be minor fights, like crushing scouts and such..."
"Then, maybe we’ll go for a leisurely stroll and get attacked."
"Indeed. That would be self-defense."
"...What’s with this intention to go and bump into them? Besides, we have the dungeon expanded underground, so we have a clear view for ten kilometers in every direction. It’s not like we’d just 'happen' to encounter them on a walk..."
"Are you suggesting we create an unnatural situation where our soldiers sent out for reconnaissance fail to make contact with the enemy, even though they’re nearby?"
"Ah, no, I mean, maybe the Goblins could..."
"Was it Horst? From what I hear, he’s quite capable, so he’ll probably scout on his own, encounter the enemy, and lose his life in the process."
"And with the Goblins, too..."
"Oh my, if the Lord is sending out his precious soldiers, wouldn't it be strange if we didn't send out our own corresponding forces? The Goblins are recognized for what they are here, but over there, they’re like pets. They’ll surely think: 'The mercenary commander thinks our lives are worth the same as a Goblin’s.'"
This wife of mine really wants to fight.
"Alright, alright. I get it. I’ll send the Goblins and you lot out so it looks like we’re doing our jobs properly, okay?"
"That’s all we wanted to hear. That way, even though there are few of us, we won't cause anxiety among our allies, and it will look like we’re handling our duties properly."
So, my own family is going to start moving on their own?
Usually, in these situations, the enemy uses some clever scheme, a fierce general, or a new weapon to make us struggle—that’s the standard trope, isn't it?
*Sigh.* I pray the enemy doesn't get completely wiped out.
I found myself thinking about the reinforcements of the enemy I had yet to see.
Wait, is my thinking wrong?
Well, the family is starting to move.
It’s not wrong, because I’m the one giving them nicknames!!
(Author's note: As for the reason for the slow updates, Earth Defense Force 4.1 came out in April, and a zombie survival game called Dying Light was released, and I had a backlog of novels I wanted to read. I was delaying updates to gather ideas. My inspiration comes from playing games or reading other novels and thinking, "Wouldn't it be fun if things went in a completely unexpected direction here?" In other words, reading games and novels is necessary for me... [omitted]. I’ll be working on the 4-koma comics bit by bit, so please wait patiently. Well then, next time might be "Wiped Out Before I Knew It"!!)