第４３７堀：裏方の様子と魔女の狙い (Part1)
### Chapter 437: Behind the Scenes and the Witch’s Aim
**Side: Yuki**
"Confirmation received: the escort target has arrived at the Magic Kingdom. There are no unusual movements at present. We will continue to proceed as planned."
"Understood."
Along with that transmission, an image appeared before me, capturing Taizo-san and the others passing through the gate.
"Doesn't seem to be any trouble, does it? I actually thought they might try to obstruct us," Deryu remarked, crunching loudly on a rice cracker.
It was true. Since we had asked the old man in Roschur for help, they knew we were coming to the Magic Kingdom. I had anticipated that, regardless of any interference on the road, they might tighten security at the gates and delay our entry, but that hadn't happened.
In fact, listening to the reports coming through the *Call*, they seemed to be handling things quite properly. They had even booked an inn for them; it was the standard treatment for an envoy.
"What could they be thinking?"
"It is strange, isn't it? After doing all those things behind the scenes, why are they acting so docile on the surface?"
Ratz and Rurua tilted their heads, unable to grasp the meaning behind this response.
I didn't really get it either. They had provoked Roschur, so why accept an official visit from us, Weed, via Roschur so normally? If they wanted to refuse us, it would have been easier to just do it from the start.
We only wanted the pretext of having attempted to send an envoy, but since they accepted, we had no choice but to go through with it. I had intended to tell the leaders of the three major nations that we were forced to go in secretly because our request to enter openly and boldly had been rejected—but that excuse had been rendered moot.
"It is only a guess, but perhaps they consider it some sort of achievement by Faide-sama?"
"...Hmm. That makes sense. If that's the case, this response is understandable. They probably intended to accept a surrender recommendation from the start."
Ah, is that it? They let us in so easily because they thought we were coming to surrender? If that’s the case, it’s a wonder this country still exists at all with that kind of "flower-field" mentality. Dealing with them logically was going to be exhausting.
"...Well, we'll find out their true intentions once we meet and talk. In the meantime, we have other preparations to attend to."
I summoned Steve.
*“Yes, yes. The escort team is already in position. We can move whenever you give the word.”*
"For now, I want to hear your report, Steve. How is it? Any sign that they’ve noticed your infiltration?"
*“Nah, nothing so far. Doesn’t feel like they’re letting us roam free, either. I think the magic concealment and stealth are functioning perfectly.”*
"I see. Then proceed with the information gathering as planned."
*“Understood. Team S is moving to gather intel now.”*
For now, there were no issues... though, things proceeding exactly as planned was also something to be wary of.
"By the way, Yuki. How are the preparations for the other locations coming along?"
"Oh, that’s right. You mentioned you were preparing to move on the other two countries as well, didn't you?" Deryu and Ratz asked, as if just remembering.
"Yeah, that’s moving along steadily, too. The next place we need to be vigilant is the Sword Kingdom, where Nogosh—who is working with Nonoa, as Faide told us—is located. We have the right people handling the preparations there."
"...The right people?"
"Ah, you mean Shera and Taiki-san, right?"
Kaya tilted her head, but Tori guessed correctly.
"Exactly as Tori says. The Sword Kingdom falls under Gartz’s jurisdiction and has deep ties to Ranks, where Taiki-kun is. Also, since Mauve is from the Sword Kingdom, we’re centering our efforts around that group so they can move at any time. Kirika and her team are there, too. We’re short on hands, so we’re spreading them thin."
"I see."
"Is that how it is?"
To be more specific, since Taiki-kun is a Dungeon Master, it’s easy to imagine that if the enemy launches an offensive, the nearby countries will suffer damage. That’s why Taiki-kun is also reinforcing the defenses of Ranks. I can’t exactly tell him how to run his national defense, so he has to take the lead on that. He’s also working with Shera to coordinate with other countries, so he’s incredibly busy.
Mauve is currently on his way back to the Sword Kingdom, having discovered his roots there through some project or other. Naturally, his partners Raiya and Curse are with him. With Kirika there as an emergency contact, we shouldn't be too late to respond.
"As for the Beast God, it didn't come up in the talk with Faide, but we can't say for sure there's no connection. Rurua and Alstaire are working as a pair to prepare for that. In terms of military strength, Litea has the least. Since they worship Lilishe as their god, there’s a judgment that they’ll be the last ones we’d need to pick a fight with."
"...Hmm. The logic holds."
"Indeed. For now, the fact that they’ve contacted Lilishe-sama suggests they don't want to clash with us directly, so that seems like a reasonable assessment."
The Beast God’s country is so conservative and introverted that they have almost no connection to Weed. Therefore, we have no choice but to leave the negotiations and information gathering to Litea.
While we were discussing the progress, another report came in from Steve.
*“Scheduled update. It’s been about an hour since we entered the royal capital. There doesn't appear to be any surveillance on the escort target. No movement at the castle where Nonoa is presumed to be, and they still don't seem to have noticed us.”*
"Understood. What about the dungeon entrance?"
*“Haven't found it yet. I don't feel the flow of magic unique to a dungeon, so just like the Boss did, I suspect they’ve turned the castle itself into a dungeon and are dispersing the magical flow to hide it.”*
Ah, back when we conquered the Demon King’s castle, we turned the entire structure—vents and all—into a dungeon so the enemy wouldn't notice the change in magical flow. They’re imitating that method... or perhaps they didn't know about us and figured it out themselves. They might not be as stupid as I thought.
*“If you give the order, I can try to explore the castle, but what do you want to do? There’s a risk of being discovered, of course.”*
"...Proceed as planned. Keep it to reconnaissance; don't probe too deeply."
*“Understood. We’ll infiltrate with the selected members as planned.”*
If our prior infiltration is discovered, there’s a possibility that Taizo-san’s negotiations could be compromised, but this is also for the sake of safety. If they notice Steve’s team, we can predict that mastering their dungeon will be quite difficult, allowing us to prioritize an escape. If they don't notice, it means mastering the dungeon will be easier.
It’s like clearing the path—testing the stone bridge before crossing it. There’s a possibility we’re being let go on purpose, but if we get caught by that, it just means they possess that level of technology, and joining their ranks wouldn't be an issue. Though, we would need to ensure our own safety.
*“We’re infiltrating now. As planned, I’ll keep the Call connected to the audio source, so please record it.”*
"Understood. Starting recording."
Normally, we would have to be careful about the flow of magic revealing the *Call*, but since the goal is to gauge the enemy's strength, we are letting it flow intentionally. If they notice, we can just retreat; there’s no evidence linking them to us. It’s a way to poke the hornet’s nest and see how they react.
It might cause some issues for Taizo-san’s negotiations, but his life comes first. If they suspect us during the negotiations, they’ll clearly tighten their security, which would be easy to read and actually help ensure Taizo-san’s safety. Unlike with Noble, we don't have the safety of a Doppelganger here. Taizo-san is flesh and blood, and his life must be protected at all costs. Otherwise, Hifie might defect, and we don't want to lose Taizo-san either.
*“Crunch...”*
That sound came through the *Call*. A tense moment.
They had likely landed from the castle wall onto a patch of grass within the castle grounds.