第３４９堀：発信機、逆探、そう言うのは基本 (Part1)
### Chapter 349: Transmitters and Reverse Tracking are Basics
**Side: Comet**
I’m glad I went along with Yuki-kun’s "everything is a dummy" strategy.
If it had just been me, I probably would have stopped at creating a dummy Holy Sword. I never imagined they would actually go for the Dungeon Core.
While it’s an older model, this Dungeon Core is properly equipped with defensive functions. Well, I didn't include an "attack the intruder" function—since the King and the Chancellor need to be able to use the facility—but I did make it so it couldn't be moved easily. I was complacent in that regard, but I never thought they’d make off with it so effortlessly.
How did they bypass my defensive measures?
Honestly, I’m more curious about the methods they used than I am shocked by the theft. Think about it: they bypassed the defenses I built—even if they are old—using a line of reasoning and a perspective completely different from my own. I’m impressed, not angry.
Ah, wait—no, it’s inexcusable that they’re causing trouble for everyone in White Forest. Absolutely inexcusable! Yes, this is an essential investigation to learn the enemy’s knowledge and techniques so I can implement countermeasures to prevent this from happening again. It is absolutely *not* because I’m excited to learn new things or because I find this thrilling. It is a necessary action for the future!
*"Alright, no pursuers. Those idiots served their purpose as decoys, I suppose. But with that level of incompetence, they won't last long. We should leave this beast-smelling place as soon as possible."*
Sound reached us through the screen we were peering into. The man was holding the Dungeon Core. He had stolen it by taking advantage of the earlier chaos. Unlike the "idiots" from before, however, he was wearing official White Forest armor. It seems he had prepared thoroughly, executing a three-pronged operation that used the South Gate and the Holy Sword as decoys.
"Th-this is...?"
The King was stunned, staring at the screen floating before his eyes. Well, everyone except us would be surprised. Even I hadn't thought of using an aerial projection monitor; back in my day, I used mirrors. Honestly, the way Yuki-kun and his people use nothing but light to create a weightless monitor in mid-air—their way of thinking is just off the charts.
"As you can see, this is how we monitor the range of the dungeonization. I mentioned it last night, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did mention it, but I never imagined you would be monitoring with something so magnificent..."
The Chancellor stared at the screen. Yes, that’s a normal reaction. To be honest, the technological level of Yuki-kun and Taizo-san’s world is just too advanced. If a fool with no common sense were to accidentally connect this world to theirs semi-permanently, we would be swallowed up in an instant. If we were arrogant enough to pick a fight, thinking they couldn't possibly have technology superior to ours, it wouldn't just be "dangerous"—we’d be annihilated by their super-weapons in a heartbeat.
That’s why, in the future, we’ll need to strictly regulate summoning magic. But that’s a topic for another time.
For now, Yuki-kun, having foreseen this, has asked Luna-san to ensure no more outsiders come here. Well, since Luna-san isn't exactly known for doing her job properly, we still need to come up with our own countermeasures as soon as possible.
As I was thinking about this, the man with the core didn't head toward the South Gate where the commotion was happening; he walked calmly toward the East Gate.
*"Kept you waiting."*
*"Do you have the item?"*
*"I have it, just as planned."*
*"Well done. A unit with Magic Swords is approaching the South Gate. We’ll have to take a long detour, but that’s fine, right? No pursuers?"*
*"It’s fine. Everything is on schedule. But what about the guards at this gate? Did you kill them?"*
Oh? It seems the soldiers at the East Gate have been completely replaced. They’re very well-prepared. Too bad for them, though—Ratz-kun and Riel-kun have already wiped out the reinforcements at the South Gate.
*"No. I didn't kill them. I tied them all up, rolled them aside, and left a note, making it look like the work of Roday."*
*"Haha! So you’re pinning the whole incident on the Roday envoys who are currently visiting?"*
*"Exactly. They won't believe it immediately, but the process of detention and interrogation will buy us time. If we can get them to tear each other apart, that would be the best-case scenario."*
*"Good. Let’s get moving. Our Great King is waiting for this."*
*"Indeed. The path of our nation’s hegemony begins now."*
With that, they exited through the East Gate and moved out of the monitor’s high-resolution range, turning into a blinking dot on the general map. They were likely on horseback. Their speed increased significantly as they headed south, taking a wide detour.
"The Great King? It really is the Kingdom of Ex!! I will arrange for pursuers immediately. Those insolent fools..."
"Now, now, calm down. More importantly, don't you think there will be trouble if you don't send soldiers to the East Gate to explain to the incapacitated guards that this wasn't the work of Roday?"
"As you say, Comet-sama. But the pursuers..."
"Hm? You can leave them be. I want to see how far they go."
"How far, you say?"
"They mentioned a 'Great King,' but we don't know if they’re actually heading to the Kingdom of Ex. However, it’s certain they are acting under someone’s orders. Since we can track our target like this, we might be able to easily confirm the enemy’s true base of operations. We could send pursuers, but it would be a problem if they actually caught them."
"I-I see. As expected of Comet-sama."
"Not really. This Dungeon Core was created based on Yuki-kun’s ideas, and he provided it to us for this very purpose."
"Yuki-sama’s?"
"That’s right. To solve the problem of mana depletion, Yuki-kun built a city inside his dungeon and has people living there."
"Inside a dungeon!? But that is remarkably rational. Why didn't we think of that until now?"
"It’s understandable. Originally, they were dens for monsters, not places for people to live. Yuki-kun’s way of thinking is just special. My dungeon used to be one that excluded outsiders, too. In his dungeon, they use the Dungeon Core to make life easier for the people, just like here—but they’re even more open about it. They intentionally let people know about the existence of the Dungeon Core, leaving it in a state where it’s easy to steal."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Of course, most of them are dummies, just like this one. Well, I did set it up so that if you take the fountain core, that whole area stops functioning. In that sense, the importance of the Dungeon Core has permeated the general public."
"So the entire citizenry acts as guardians of the core. A reform of consciousness—what an idea. And even if it’s stolen, they have spares, so they can recover immediately."
"Exactly. But if you just let them keep it, they’ll keep trying, so it’s meaningless unless you cut it off at the root. That’s why the Dungeon Core itself is equipped with a function to signal its location, just like this one."
"So, you intentionally let the culprit carry it back to the heart of their base, and then you crush them."