第２３４掘：ルール違反共の行動 (Part1)
side: Mino-chan
I'm currently walking along the road to Enaria.
It would be easy if I used a car, but that would leave the Enarian who came to guide me behind. Plus, showing them my car would definitely lead to more trouble, so I'm taking it easy and walking.
"I'm sorry for this mishap..."
Hein-san, riding a horse beside me, apologizes.
We're heading to Enaria ahead of the others, and Hein-san, whom we discussed matters with during the previous negotiations, is our guide.
Well, who else would come, really?
"There's no need to worry about it. It's just that I didn't have a horse I could ride. Besides, it's faster to run."
I say this to reassure Hein-san.
This trip to Enaria is a secret from Zilba, so we need to act as stealthily as possible. That's why there weren't many troops to greet us.
Honestly, with my appearance, I don't know how much stealth is possible.
Still, it's good training for us.
We came to the new continent, but we monster units are basically confined indoors.
Only Steve and John, that is, the goblins and orcs, can go outside without issue. The rest of us are rare on this continent, and I'm a legendary monster.
If we used wyverns as transportation, it would cause utter chaos.
So, since arriving on the new continent, the members who had been waiting deep within the dungeon have been selected by a large-scale rock-paper-scissors match, and 100 of them are accompanying me.
Ah, those who didn't have hands for rock-paper-scissors were given rock-paper-scissors cards.
It's like, one person stands on a stage and plays rock-paper-scissors until the number of participants is reduced to a certain extent.
"I'm glad you say that. However, is the other matter alright?"
"Ah, everyone knows how to handle monsters. So, unless they face extreme danger, we'll ignore them."
"That's a great help. ...Um, besides General Minotaurus, if there are monsters they've never seen before, the populace will be alarmed, so we apologize that it's officially being presented as if we captured them."
"You don't need to apologize so many times. My subordinates understand that. We have no reason to frighten people who are living peacefully. Well, if they attack, we'll deal with them accordingly, won't we?"
"Yes, we don't mind that. Those fools who defied the King's orders deserve punishment."
Even so, I don't have any subordinates who would be attacked. Everyone is level 120 or higher, and they could all completely defeat someone like General Aigil, whom we've already handed over, if they were a magic sword user.
The only complaint I have, including myself, is that we can't openly equip firearms.
Everyone is hiding their firearms in their item boxes.
It can't be helped given the civilization of this continent, but I still feel uneasy with just axes and swords.
As monsters who have experienced your world, I'd like to do something cool like the boss in Biohazard, holding gatling guns in both hands that match my physique, instead of these old swords and magic.
Ah, when I get back, I should ask Narjia to make me a black leather coat, and sunglasses too.
Speaking of which, I haven't played 6 yet.
After this mission is over, I'll play games.
"By the way, how is General Aigil? Was her condition alright?"
Thinking about various things, I remembered. We took General Aigil prisoner in exchange for supplies, but there was also the concern that she might make excuses and attack us.
As far as I know, General Aigil was healthy until we handed her over.
No, she was too healthy.
Well, since I left everything to Steve, there wasn't any particular damage.
"Yes, there were no problems. However, for some reason, she refused to leave the dungeon, which was troublesome."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, General Aigil has a researcher's side to her. She insisted on thoroughly investigating General Minotaurus and the dungeon, and threw a tantrum."
"Ah, now that you mention it, she did ask a lot of questions."
I casually acknowledge her words.
Just as you said, she's quite a peculiar genius in Enaria too.
Prioritizing her if anything happens was probably the right call.
But I think Hein-san, who is negotiating with us, is also an invaluable person.
Should I consult with you and make him the second priority?
"For now, General Aigil is quite fond of your side. If you can conclude a treaty with Enaria, she might be the first to go as part of an exchange."
"You're getting ahead of yourself. But that would be good, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, for that purpose, we will absolutely escort you to the Enarian royal capital."
"I appreciate your help on the journey."
And then, we looked at each other...
"Hahahaha..."
We both burst out laughing.
We're both going through a lot, aren't we?
side: Yuki
Dinner is over, and it's almost time for bed. The last regular communication of the day has arrived.
"…So, there are no particular problems."
"I see. Well, if Aigil comes for an exchange, that's welcome in its own way, so just reply that there are no particular problems."
From what Mino-chan told me about his conversation with Hein-san today, it feels like we're both struggling.
It seems that no matter the era, old or new, the struggles remain the same.
"Ah, and about that. If there are any problems, I'd like to protect General Hein after General Aigil. Is that alright?"
"Hmm? Ah, sure. Someone like Hein-san is worth earning favor with. In fact, I'd like to draw him to our side if possible, as his seasoned knowledge would be valuable."
"That's impossible. From what Hein-san said, he's like a best friend to the Enarian Holy King. There's no way such a person would betray his homeland."
"So, conversely, that means he'll work desperately for his country?"
"...As always, you're plotting something."
"How dare you call it plotting. It's called diplomacy."
"It's not diplomacy. They don't even know that the country pulling the strings behind the scenes is a country called Weed."
"It's diplomacy. Negotiations like these don't just end with our own countries or organizations. Other countries will react in various ways to this negotiation, and the very fact that we negotiated can be a card against other countries and organizations. If you don't look at the bigger picture, a country or organization can't survive. Well, I won't deny that I'm working behind the scenes."