第２６２掘：前略ではなく、全略。 全カット (Part3)
"Yes. Please leave it to me."
With that cheerful greeting, she immediately leaned in close to my ear.
"Now then, how are the preparations on your end? I heard from Labyris-sama that there’s an ambush waiting for us?"
"No problem. We’re fully prepared. I’ll have all the ambushers captured and dragged before Popuri-san."
"Thank you very much."
"The only issue is that there are two individuals currently missing."
"Yes, I’ve heard about that. According to reports, they’ve split off to act independently."
"Exactly. If those two attempt to attack another country, we’ll definitely be playing catch-up. That’s why I’m asking you to gather information on the countries we can’t reach in time."
"…Understood. However, is it really alright for Labyris-sama, a Dungeon Master, to go herself?"
Popuri asked, looking worriedly at Labyris, who was chatting with Aslin and the others.
Ah, come to think of it, there are no Doppelgangers on this new continent. I don’t know if there were any in the past, though.
"That’s fine. That body of Labyris is a monster called a Doppelganger; the real one is in a safe location."
"W-wait, you could use a Doppelganger like that!?"
She didn't know how to use them? Well, at this level of civilization, information isn't exactly prioritized. I suppose the previous owners never thought to use them as decoys or body doubles.
"It seems so. Or rather, we thought that was their intended use. Confusing the enemy is only effective for the first few times, right? In that case, it’s better to incorporate them as scouts. Transferring consciousness or controlling their actions is much like using a familiar."
"I-I see. That certainly makes sense."
Popuri nodded repeatedly, looking impressed. Come to think of it, what was written in the letter I gave Eoid-kun? I should probably ask about that and prepare a response to whatever is in there.
"By the way, what exactly is written in the letter to Duke Huge?"
"Ah, that’s just to vaguely inform him about the matter of the Holy Sword Users. I wrote that the monsters have become active. Aside from that, it’s my explanation to ensure the engagement between Yuki-dono and Samantha goes smoothly. Since there’s also the matter of Zilba and Enaria, if I put in a recommendation, Duke Huge shouldn't have any reason to refuse."
"What is Duke Huge’s personality like?"
"Let’s see. He was a student of mine back in the day, and his magical prowess is among the best in Roday. However, he isn't arrogant and puts a lot of effort into his studies. He’s basically the male version of the current Samantha. I don’t think he’s a bad person."
"So, the rest depends on me, then."
"Yes. But I think it will be fine."
"I hope so."
I’ve never heard of an event where asking for someone’s daughter goes off without a hitch. Honestly, talking to Samantha’s father is going to be even tougher than dealing with the Holy Sword Users...
While thinking about that, we finished discussing countermeasures with Eris and Popuri, and we departed from the Academy as planned.
"Aslin. Do you have any idea how long it will take to arrive?"
"Hmm, let me see. Wai-chan said it would take about five hours."
We were chatting idly inside the basket hanging from Wai-chan’s neck. Oh, and for the record, her master, Amanda, was riding on its neck as the jockey. Eoid was tagging along behind. Well, I doubt he’d trigger a "lucky lecher" moment that would get him thrown into the sky.
"So, Yuki, how do you intend to cook those ambushing Holy Sword Users?"
Labyris brought up the topic of the ambush, which everyone was likely curious about. Naturally, the conversation went quiet, and all eyes turned to me.
"You don't know the exact location of the ambush, do you? In that case, don't we have no choice but to wait for them to make the first move?"
"That’s right. That’s the Master’s strategy, and it’s not like we can search the whole area anyway."
"We have no choice but to crush them when we encounter them."
Deryu and Rurua summarized my original plan. I could pinpoint their location to some extent through Nina’s vision, but we were traveling on a Wyvern, so our movements were obvious to the enemy. Well, I intended to use that to lure them out, but...
"Come to think of it, Brother. You mentioned a 'separate unit' and told Aslin’s monsters something."
"Now that you mention it, you did say that. Yuki-san, what do you mean by a separate unit?"
Filia and Shera remembered and brought up the subject. Yes, the separate unit. Since I could determine their distance and location through Nina’s vision, I decided to mobilize a separate unit—not us.
...I sent Kuro-chan and the others.
"I thought that if things went well, we could finish it off without us having to lift a finger. Kuro-chan and the others are monsters, so they’re good at moving through forests, right?"
" " "Ahhh." " "
Everyone except Samantha was convinced.
"Eh? Um, who is Kuro-chan?"
"Ah, Samantha, you know that Aslin is a Tamer, right?"
"Oh, yes. I’ve heard from Amanda that Aslin-sama is a talented Tamer."
"Well, she’s definitely talented. By the way, when you and the others met the Wyvern the other day, there was a huge Black Wolf, right?"
"Yes. To think a monster of that caliber was in the forest... Wait, could it be!?"
"Exactly. That one is called Kuro-chan, Aslin’s pet. It came out that time to protect everyone from the Wyvern. It would have been troublesome if Tori and the others had gotten serious."
"...I-I see. So, that Kuro-chan went ahead."
"Exactly. We wouldn't be fazed even if we were ambushed, but I don't like being on the receiving end of a surprise attack, so I prepared a separate unit on the ground."
The opponents think we’re coming from the sky, so it’ll be a great surprise attack. Taking advantage of an opening is only natural, right?
"I’ve given them binding tools and magic-sealing items, so even if they find them and a battle breaks out, the magical dispersion will be minimal. Well, that’s if they find them. We shouldn't let our guard down. Cleena, Samantha, never leave the side of me, Ria, or Jessica."
"Mm, got it."
"Yes."
"If a battle starts, we’ll protect Cleena and Samantha. Deryu and Rurua, I’m counting on you to lead the counterattack."
"Indeed. Leave it to me."
"I’ll handle the rear support."
I was about to go around and confirm this with everyone, but...
"Ah."
Aslin made a sound, and everyone’s eyes turned to her.
"What’s wrong, Aslin? Did you get a message from Kuro-chan and the others?"
Since Kuro-chan and the others were under Aslin’s direct command, communication went through her.
"Yeah. Um, they said they caught all of the Holy Sword User sisters—there were five of them, right?"
" " "..." " "
Ah, right, Kuro-chan is a canine type. If they follow the scent, finding them is a given. And their level is overwhelmingly higher, plus they’re fighting in their preferred environment—the forest. ...Well, I suppose it’s natural they’d be caught, but it still feels a bit off.
"What should we do, Brother?"
"A-ah. For now, tell them to wait in the forest near Duke Huge’s city. We’ll get off the Wyvern there."
"That’s right. Even if we notify them, it’ll be a huge commotion if a Wyvern flies all the way to the city, so we were told to land in the outskirts. Samantha, is there a forest nearby?"
"Yes. There’s a perfect forest nearby. Let’s have them wait there."
Eris got the location of the nearby forest from Samantha, and Aslin guided the monsters to that spot.
"...Phew. Still, that was anticlimactic. I know Kuro-chan and the others did a great job, but it’s a bit of a letdown."
"Indeed. But still, how did Kuro-chan and the others manage to stay hidden with that massive size?"
"Hm? It’s fine, Rurua-onee-chan. I scolded them before for causing trouble by getting too big at the Academy, saying 'No getting big!!', so they’re staying small."
At Aslin’s words, everyone except Labyris, Filia, and Shera stared in disbelief.
In other words, the Holy Sword Users were wiped out by Kuro-chan and the others in puppy mode? It’s like saying you thought you were fighting Goblins A, B, and C, only to be wiped out in a single strike...
Well, just because they got smaller doesn't mean their performance dropped. Their weight-based moves might be less effective, but their speed increases. Is it like a certain wolf-fang fist technique? No, that’s a losing move, isn't it? Hmm, but it worked in the beginning, right?
Well, whatever. At least it looks like we can have a relaxing flight.
"The weather is nice today, too."
"Yes. I never imagined the view from above the clouds would be this magnificent."
"Mm, I’m surprised too."
I’m glad the two newcomers are enjoying it. Ah, should I take a nap?
[Omitted]
See, easy, right? Oh, I’ll provide the results report properly! Also, sorry, but I want to do a swimsuit scene, so I’ll throw in a pitfall somewhere.
Well then, look forward to the next chapter: "Please give me your daughter!!"