第３８６堀：一人ではなくみんなで (Part1)
### Chapter 386: Not Alone, But Together
**Side: Eris**
Everyone is silent.
The cause of this is the document delivered via call, detailing the upcoming schedule.
"..."
Seeing that formidable lineup, we are all left speechless.
Naturally, we’ve sent Popuri-san, Lara-san, Amanda, and Eoid to a separate room with some vague excuse, as they cannot be privy to this information.
Finally, the silence is broken by Samantha, who hasn't known my husband, Yuki-san, for as long as the rest of us.
"…Is this not the absolute elite of what Yuki-sama can mobilize?"
Indeed, these are among the very best members Yuki-san has at his disposal.
Steve, John, Surakichi-san, and Kiyu—these top four possess combat capabilities that far exceed our own.
No, perhaps in a standard match, it might be a decent fight, but on an actual battlefield, I am certain we would lose ten times out of ten.
It is the difference between those who specialize in surviving and killing, and who can execute those tasks while utilizing modern weaponry.
It’s not that we are incapable of using firearms, but I only excel with sniper rifles and similar guns; I cannot handle explosives or heavy weaponry.
These members, under their standing as soldiers in Weed, have undergone nothing but that kind of training. The foundation is entirely different.
"…I think Mino-chan is the only one missing."
Cleena mentions the name of one more person, but Mino-chan, who stands four or five meters tall, is not suited for infiltration missions. Besides, he is currently acting as a mediator with Enaria, so he cannot be summoned.
In reality, this means Yuki-san is mobilizing every force he can, including Narjia-san and Covil. He clearly intends to crush the opposition completely.
"…Ah. So that’s it."
Among us, who are trembling at the lineup, only one person offers a word of understanding.
It is Taiki-san, a friend of Yuki-san.
"What is it? Do you understand the reason Yuki chose this lineup?"
Before I can ask, Deryu poses the question to Taiki-san.
"No, it’s simple. Look, the document clearly states that mobilizing these members is to ensure the situation is settled smoothly, doesn't it?"
"Wait, wait. Any one of these guys could easily topple the capital of a country in this world. You’re throwing almost the entire full-member roster at them—do you really think it will end so peacefully?"
"That is exactly the point, or perhaps the true intent. I don't know how Yuki-san wants things to turn out, but this is the greatest possible show of sincerity toward Popuri-san, Lara-san, and Hifie-san, isn't it?"
"Ah, I see. That is indeed what it is."
"…I’m convinced. These are the most capable, strongest, and best forces Yuki can mobilize. Since we are his precious wives, he can’t let us do something so dangerous, and… honestly, I’ve never done infiltration, so I’d just be a hindrance. This way, even if the worst happens, he can say he gave it his all."
Is that what it is?
Certainly, as Deryu says, if we ignore the collateral damage to the general public, even one of Steve’s group could set explosives and blow the royal castle to smithereens; it wouldn't even be a battle.
This zombie incident is the worst-case scenario for Popuri-san and Hifie-san, who operate on the principle of protecting the people.
However, stopping it is nearly impossible.
If they manage to build a relationship, they might be told a little, but that would mean Noble is engaging in a war to annex other countries, which would ultimately lead to much bloodshed.
On the other hand, if they learn that fact and argue against it, they would be driven out of Ex, and in the process, the general public would suffer.
In the worst case, realizing Popuri-san and the others’ desire not to see people hurt, Noble might force their submission by having zombies attack their own citizens.
In such a dire situation, the difference in response capability with or without this full roster would be like heaven and earth.
And this is the ultimate proof that he was acting with the wishes of Popuri-san and Hifie-san in mind.
To put it bluntly, it is also an excuse for if things go wrong.
Since they are not people who fail to grasp the magnitude of this lineup, they would likely be able to accept that it was unavoidable.
Conversely, if he hadn't deployed this full roster, there is a possibility they might think he was holding back.
At worst, the two of them might defect.
Well, they likely wouldn't, given that they know the difference in strength, but we don't want to harbor any internal anxiety.
"I see. It makes sense. But is it really okay to pour this much combat power over here?"
"Well, I can't say for sure. If we talk about 'what ifs,' there’s no end to it. I think Yuki-san just decided that pouring resources here was the top priority. Besides, I don't think Weed, Yuki-san's main base, is going to fall. If that place were to be in trouble, we might as well surrender immediately."
"…You say the same things as Yuki."
"Unfortunately, neither Yuki-san nor I can afford to overestimate our own strength. Based on our experiences, we observe to see if things stay within our predictions, confirm that our expectations aren't wrong, and then move. If we don't do that, we get hit with a painful backlash."
This is the shrewdness of Yuki-san and Taiki-san.
To put it nicely, they are cautious. To put it harshly, they are cowardly.
Well, even if Weed were to fall by some mistake, there is absolutely no way we would just hand over Yuki-san.
I will never accept a result where I just hand over my husband and call it a day. We would fight to the bitter end.
…Ah, I wonder if Noble feels the same way?
"…I see. If it were me, I couldn't accept such an outcome. So, even if we corner Noble, there is a possibility he will unleash the zombies on the city, is that it?"
Deryu voiced my feelings and thoughts exactly.
In Hifie-san's case, he hadn't prepared such malicious measures, and the dungeon he owned had already fallen into our hands before the duel.
But with Noble, it is different.
Even if we seize the dungeon, the zombies are already prepared as pawns.
He might think to cause chaos in the city as a desperate struggle and then flee.
No, I think that possibility is extremely high.
Even I, if asked to choose between Yuki-san or Weed…
"You've felt it now, so you understand, right? That it would be bad if we didn't pour our combat power here."
"…Indeed. I only hope that the Principal and Hifie-sama can persuade Emperor Noble."
"…That is almost impossible. The other side is inviting them with the intention of bringing them into the fold. Their perception of the power balance is reversed. We are the ones being asked to listen to their wishes. They might grant us minor requests, but…"
"Hmm. It’s difficult. …If only we could somehow gather Noble's zombies somewhere and go 'boom,' but he wouldn't do something as stupid as gathering them all, and I can't think of a reason to make him gather a group of zombies."
…Oh, I must not.
I was being swept away by dark thoughts.
We work hard every day to ensure that doesn't happen, so today's discussion is part of that.
Let's think calmly. The biggest problem is how to suppress the zombies.
As Deryu says, it would be ideal if we could gather the majority of the zombies and dispose of them, but I realize that is quite impossible.
…No, is it truly impossible?
"…'Grant us minor requests.' …'The other side wants to bring us into the fold'?"
I organize in my head what Cleena said earlier.
Something… something seems to connect with what Deryu said.
But I cannot tell the two of them about the zombie matter.