第３８４堀：集う化け物たち (Part1)
**Chapter 384: The Monsters Gather**
**Side: John**
Man, at first, I wasn't thrilled about hearing I’d be sent on an expedition. But since coming here, I’ve been able to leave the troublesome stuff to Mino-chan, and since the Boss is the one recommending it, I’ve been able to dedicate myself to my true calling: growing crops inside the dungeon.
Of course, I still train. It would be a disaster if I couldn't protect the fields or my comrades when the time comes. I don't cut corners there. But since this farming is treated as part of my official duties, it’s a respectable job. It’s something like "soldier-farmers," or what they call a *Tondenhei* (militia). It’s a method devised by some great person from the past—a way to maintain a standing army while simultaneously boosting food production.
Well, we don't actually need to eat, and we’re already swimming in DP thanks to Weed, so we don't strictly need the food. But the Boss encourages this kind of self-sufficiency and independent production, so he’s given us the green light. Man, it’s great having a Boss who understands.
If I have one complaint, it’s that I wanted permission to increase the cucumber cultivation area. Apparently, supply is outstripping demand, and they can't consume that many cucumbers. Honestly, there are too many people who don't understand the true value of a cucumber. I suggested making cucumbers the staple food to improve their awareness, but I got scolded and told it would start a war.
...Yeah. The world is a complicated place.
Anyway, I’ll think about that later. Right now, since Mino-chan is acting as our representative to Enaria, we’re using that pipeline to funnel the crops we grow here into Enaria. We could just manifest them with DP, but since inspectors will be coming here, we decided to actually grow them. Since I’m the one among the monsters most well-versed in farming, I’m leading the charge and engaging in agricultural work every day.
It’s true that soldiers who only train and never do any real work just look like a waste of tax money. Contributing to people's daily lives through farm work isn't a bad gig.
"Still, Captain. We haven't received any deployment orders since that time, have we?"
My subordinate, who was pulling weeds next to me, said that.
"Yeah. Even back then, it was only the elite Flying Dragon Squad. Peace is a good thing."
"I mean, when we get deployed, it usually means a large-scale battle."
"True. The Boss and the others seem busy, but as long as we’re here tilling the fields, it means things are still peaceful."
Hifie and Comet, who had been involved in that mess, are already in the Boss’s camp. I felt awkward about it since I was the one who cut off their arms, but our next meeting happened right in the middle of a "punishment game," so... I suppose the Boss made me a helper back then with that in mind. There was no time for us to harbor mutual hatred anyway. I just learned very clearly that the Boss is a terrifying individual.
"You're right. It is peaceful. The tomatoes and cucumbers will be ready soon. Time for a salad party, maybe?"
"Indeed. We must verify the quality during the harvest; it’s a necessary task."
That’s right. It’s necessary for quality control, and it absolutely does not stem from our own desire to eat the vegetables. It is strictly a business matter—a part of our job.
"Wait, isn't that General Steve?"
"Hm? Steve?"
I looked back, and sure enough, Steve was walking toward us.
"Yo. Still at it with the fields, huh?"
"It’s part of the job. The stuff we grow gets shipped out and reaches the dinner table, so it’s better than soldiers who just train all day."
"Are you casually taking a jab at us?"
"Who knows? If that’s how it sounded, maybe you’ve got a guilty conscience?"
"Whatever. I’ve got business, so lend me your ear."
"Hm?"
"Something troublesome has happened."
He skipped his usual greeting and had that look on his face. That meant it was serious.
"I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes, sir!"
I left the fields and headed back toward Weed.
"So, you came all the way here instead of just using a call. What happened?"
"It’s not like something is going to happen this very second. If it were a real emergency, I would’ve called you. This is just me clearing my head, too."
"Clearing your head? Was it that bad? How’s the other dungeon?"
For him to come all the way here just to clear his head, he must have seen something truly unpleasant.
"Overall... well, it’s below average. No matter how you flip it, they can’t surpass the military strength the Boss has assembled."
"That’s a relief. But judging by your tone, you saw something that wasn't good for your mental health."
"Exactly. Here, this is why I needed to clear my head."
He slid a piece of paper in front of me. I took it and read through it.
"...Seriously? Is this for real?"
"It’s real. Even the Boss had to ask twice."
"I bet. So it’s not *Metal G—*, but *Bioh—*?"
They’re harvesting magic stones from monsters inside the dungeon and using the remains to produce undead. That’s what the document said. Complete with neat, splatter-filled photos.
"So, the capital of Ex is now ready for a zombie party at any time. What a pain."
"Exactly. Thanks to that, we have to keep a lid on this."
"You really do find the most troublesome things, don't you?"
"Thanks for the same reaction as the Boss!"
*Sigh.* This is the kind of thing I wish I didn't know. It’s not a fatal blow to us, but since our policy is to ensure no harm comes to the general public, it’s a headache in a different sense. In the worst-case scenario, if our intentions are exposed, they could turn the entire Ex region into a biohazard zone and attack the civilians as a form of retaliation against us. Though, that would just lead to a total annihilation war.
"Maybe it would have been better if you’d found a high-powered bomb instead."
"...Yeah, I guess. If it were a bomb, we’d just have to neutralize that. But this... *sigh*, there are at least ten thousand of them, if not more. And they aren't all stored in one place, either."
"Of course not. They’ve been attacking Mauve and the others like it’s an experiment, so they’ve probably already deployed them or moved them around."
The more I heard, the more troublesome it sounded.
"So, you brought this to me because..."
"Exactly. Help me out. My current forces aren't enough. I can't move the garrison troops from Weed, so I have to borrow from your side."
"...Did you get permission from the Boss?"
"Of course. The Boss is currently explaining the information restrictions to the ladies."
"Ah, I see. You figured it wouldn't be good to let Popuri or Hifie know."
"Both of them are in sensitive positions. I can't rule out the possibility that they might try to poke at Noble recklessly. Better they don't know."
"Only what’s necessary, when it’s necessary, huh?"
"Exactly. If they catch wind of it before we can do something, it’s over."
"Ignorance is bliss, I suppose. If they know, they’ll react one way or another."
"So, the only ones who can move in secret are us monster units and the Boss and the ladies who aren't currently infiltrating the capital of Ex."
"...The Boss is one thing, but the ladies are definitely a no-go."
"Right? They’re serious, for better or worse. They’d get angry about the undead, saying things like 'how dare they desecrate the dead...'"
"As pawns, there’s no more convenient soldier than that. If they can think for themselves, the range of operations expands. Well, I get how they feel, though."
"But if we take them to the scene, it’ll turn into a sea of flames and a full-scale suppression battle in no time."
Seeing it in a document and seeing it on the ground are two completely different things.