第２７７堀：手段 (Part3)
"Hmm, rather than thinking about what I would do, I suppose we should just list out all the possibilities."
"Alright, let's start by throwing out everything that comes to mind. It’s dangerous to decide what’s 'impossible' among ourselves and discard it. Even if I think something is unlikely, someone else might view it from a different perspective, and keeping it in mind as a potential prediction isn't a mistake."
When I said that, everyone nodded, and Popuri spoke up first.
"Given their personalities, I don't think they'll change their strategy. So, rather than changing it, perhaps the attack on the August Kingdom is just a ruse to deceive us."
"Popuri-sama, but the Holy Sword User did actually come to the Academy..."
"That part is true. That way, we'll believe the final assault on August is real, too."
"...That’s true."
"But if that’s the case, do you know what their true target is?"
I asked, but Popuri just shrugged.
"I’m afraid I have no idea. The only countermeasure is to gather information as meticulously as possible. At best, we can prioritize the area around the Academy."
"True. If they do something around the Academy, that’s the biggest headache. We can reach Zilba, Enaria, and Roday immediately, so those areas shouldn't be a problem... The trouble is if they attack the August Kingdom or the countries of the demi-humans, which have no diplomatic ties with us."
"Indeed. Well, let's exclude August since it's our next destination, but if they take action in the demi-human countries, we won't be able to move."
"In that case, we’ll have to seriously thin out the monsters in the forest, or the magic power will overflow."
Since we’d be completely on the back foot, I really hope they don't target the demi-human countries.
"Anything else?"
As I looked around, Taiki-kun spoke up.
"A long shot, but... more clandestine operations at the Academy."
"A long shot, indeed."
"But if they can manage the monsters here, it would be a perfect source of military strength. I don't know how much leeway the remaining one has to control monsters, but it would also serve as a way to replenish their forces."
"I see. True, if they are low on surplus forces, they need a way to resupply. If we consider that one of the Holy Sword Users who came to the Academy was there for that purpose, it wouldn't be strange for them to come back to replenish their ranks after realizing their failure."
"Well, the fact that there's been no contact already reveals they failed, and since they'll be coming quite cautiously, it might take us a while to discover them."
Now that he mentions it, they might come back to the Academy. Since I’ve kept the dungeon-ification to a minimum, discovery might be delayed... Just because we luckily caught them on radar last time doesn't mean it will go well again.
"We have no choice but to reinforce security there. Maybe send some of Steve’s subordinates into the Monster Forest."
Is there any other likely action...? Riel seems to be deep in thought. She always comes up with good ideas at times like this.
"Riel. Anything?"
"Hmm, if I were them, I might attack you guys again, Yuki-san? I mean, you're the only ones left besides them, right? Since they brought almost all the remaining Holy Sword Users last time, they must view us as a significant threat. So, I’m sure they’ve communicated what happens if they lose. Like, 'If we are defeated, go into hiding'..."
"Stop the attack on August and attack us instead, you mean?"
"Yeah. Look, even if they ignore us and cause trouble elsewhere, we’ll just end up suppressing them, right? Our goal is to prevent various things from happening, but their ultimate goal is the extinction of the people living on this new continent, isn't it? If so, they have to take us out first..."
"We’ll end up clashing regardless. ...True, it’s known in Enaria that Greater Demons of a certain level don't work on us, which is why they sent the Holy Sword Users. Now that they've been defeated, logically, they would either go into hiding or try to take us down."
I realized it as I said it. Ah, that’s an option.
"But, Yuki. I don't think the Holy Sword Users have the strength to win, no matter what they try..." Jessica chimed in.
Hmm, didn't she realize?
"True. The Holy Sword Users alone can't do it. But there is one possibility. Do you see it?"
"...What is it?"
"Summoning monsters using DP."
"Ah!"
Everyone looked surprised. What, did no one else realize?
"...Come to think of it, the captured Holy Sword didn't have much magic power stored in it."
"Yes. With that amount of DP, I think they could only summon a pack of Blood Minotaurs at most. I had assumed they had used it all up in their previous actions."
Right. On this continent, the base magic consumption is 20 times higher. DP costs are also 20 times higher. I once asked Luna how this price was decided, and she told me, "I just set it to decide itself." Even the goddess doesn't seem to know the system behind the DP pricing. How troublesome.
"Wait a minute. If that's the case, doesn't that mean a super-strong monster might ambush us on the way to August?"
"Taiki-kun, bullseye."
If they can't win themselves, they'll just call someone stronger. It's a simple story. It’s incredibly annoying for us, though.
"Bullseye, you say. What are we going to do? Are we going to stop going to August?"
Taiki-kun immediately asked for a countermeasure, but Popuri replied instantly.
"I would prefer you didn't. We’ve already sent a letter saying we’d visit, and there's no guarantee the last one is waiting there. If they are, it’s a perfect chance to capture them. ...Well, it’s not for me to say, as I’m pushing everything onto you, but if they really do ambush you, Yuki-dono, it’s actually convenient for us in a way."
"If we miss this chance, we won't know how the last one will act."
"Exactly. If they aren't waiting for you and are taking other actions, that's one thing. But if they summon some monstrous creature and are waiting, they might get impatient that you aren't coming and start burning down nearby villages and towns as a provocation."
"Ah..."
That would be too awful. It’s inconvenient for us, too.
"...That means we have no choice but to depart as planned. I’m worried about Amanda and Eoid. In the worst case, those two might die."
"That’s possible. For now, why don't we have Kuro-chan and the others scout ahead like last time? If the enemy is too strong, we'll just have to repel them ourselves. We can pull replacements for the wyverns from the dragon squad."
"That's the only way."
As Seraria said, we’ll have the vanguard scout ahead, and if they’re there, we intercept them. That’s all we can do. Amanda and Eoid are flesh and blood, and I’d hate to lose them.
"Haa... I’m starting to feel depressed about tomorrow."
"Well, give it up. In this situation, it would be hopeless for anyone but you, wouldn't it?"
Even if she says that... for me, it just means more work, which is a huge pain. Well, if it’s a monster at a level that could take us out, we’ll retreat immediately. But if it’s one we can handle, we need to prepare accordingly. It can't be helped. As fellow countrymen, I’ll have to ask for their strength.
"...Taiki-kun."
"Yes?"
"...If we assume the hypothetical enemy is at the level of a 'King of Monsters,' what kind of armament do you think is appropriate?"
When I asked, Taiki-kun replied immediately.
"Run."
Yeah. That’s not wrong.
"Rejected. First, we have to launch an attack and see how effective it is."
"Ehh... well, maybe it’s just 'King of Monsters' on the outside, but a hollow shell on the inside."
"That’s the idea."
"Then, we'll need the tank corps, maybe helicopters—no, that's impossible—an infantry company with RPGs, a mortar squad..."
We really have to go with that level of organization, don't we?
"...Hey, are Yuki and Taiki planning to wage war against a massive army? No, wait, that organization is at a level that could literally annihilate a massive army."
Seraria and the members of Weed are staring in wide-eyed surprise at the list of weapons. Sorry, Seraria. Facing giant dragons and monsters with just swords and magic only happens in stories. We use everything we have. Meanwhile, Cleena, Samantha, Popuri, and Lara, who don't know Weed's true military strength, are tilting their heads in confusion.
Yeah. Ignorance is bliss.
Blinded by the work that needs to be done, but knowing it won't end unless I do it, I reluctantly open the call screen and summon Weed’s modern weapons unit. Of course, the person in charge is the unpopular goblin who has shared both joy and sorrow with me for so long.
It’s Steve.
Now, next time, it’s the turn of the most unpopular man among unpopular men!! It’s Steve’s time to shine!!