第４４４堀：勇者と魔物？ (Part2)
I knew Yuki-san said he’d send reinforcements, but I never expected those two to show up.
John and Mino-chan are Yuki-san’s direct subordinates, and their combat prowess is off the charts. Honestly, they’re on par with me. If they start using firearms, I don’t stand a chance.
Despite being classic fantasy monsters, they have the added bonus of being more up-to-date on modern Japanese pop culture than Yuki-san’s own wives. To be honest, I often spend time chatting or gaming with them.
We talk about otaku culture, play competitive games, and so on.
Ah, yeah. This is actually necessary.
I’m certain these four are the reason I’ve mellowed out so much.
When Surakichi-san hit me with a ten-hit combo in a fighting game, I took it as a direct attack and we ended up in a real fight.
Needless to say, I lost. Both in the game and in reality.
I mean, what was I supposed to do? Getting hit by a combo is stressful, right? Who would expect a slime to land a ten-hit, instant-death combo on you?
No, we made up, but I’m never playing fighting games with Surakichi-san again.
Though, games like *Iron* or *Dopon* or *Mario Party* usually end in real fights anyway.
While I was lost in thought, John and Mino-chan emerged from the underground logistics gate section, leading their troops.
"Hey!"
When I called out, they noticed me, handed off command to their subordinates, and walked over.
"Hero King. By order of General Yuki, the John unit is now under your command."
"Same here. By order of the big guy, the Mino-chan unit is under Taiki-kun’s command, ya know."
"Thanks. Let’s head over there immediately. I want to discuss things with you, Ruth, and Airi."
Sadly, there’s no time to lounge around or play games with them.
*Sigh*, that wretched princess. Once I catch her, I’m going to make her endure a hundred spankings before throwing her into forced labor!
Given her arrogant and selfish personality, that kind of treatment will sting far more than a death sentence!
That’s the result of watching Yuki-san’s methods up close!
"…I see. So we wait for the reinforcements from Gartz and then go to confirm the situation?"
"That’s the best way, ya know. If we move recklessly, we know for sure the Dungeon Master will use their power to wipe us out."
"However, Lord John, Lady Mino-chan. With a Dungeon Master’s abilities, does it even matter if we gather a large force? Couldn't they just drop us into a massive pitfall or something?"
Ruth is right; a large army is vulnerable to those kinds of tricks.
Under normal circumstances, that shouldn't be possible, but with a Dungeon Master’s terrain-manipulation abilities, it’s far from impossible.
"That’s why we were sent as reinforcements. Here, Taiki."
John tossed something toward me.
"Whoa there. This is a core, right?"
"That’s right."
"Yup. It’s got enough DP to buy up land the size of the Ranks territory. So..."
"Ah, I see. So the areas where we can’t buy up the land are under the enemy dungeon’s control."
"Exactly. Leaving this alone would cause massive damage, and the budget for DP usage has been cleared, so don't worry about it."
"With this, we’ll know the village’s safety in no time. That princess is going to be doing all sorts of things in Ranks, so we have to be quick. Well, it’s only possible because it’s Taiki-kun’s territory, though."
They really do trust me.
I’m grateful, Yuki-san.
"Oh, and this. Our equipment list."
"Hm? Let’s see..."
I froze as I looked at the documents John handed me.
"Is something wrong, Your Majesty? Let me see... this is..."
Ruth froze as well.
Naturally.
From the start, they were equipped with firearms, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft guns, and even tanks and surface-to-air missile vehicles.
Since Ruth is an acquaintance of mine, she understands the capabilities of modern weaponry, which is why she’s stunned.
Isn't this... a bit of an overkill?
I looked at John with that thought in mind, but he didn't seem bothered at all.
"Look, we might be in a situation where a large army comes from all directions, right? We need to maximize our individual annihilation capabilities."
"Ah, yeah. I suppose you're right."
"Yes, I suppose so..."
What he’s saying is technically correct.
But if we actually use this stuff, the entire region is going to be "nicely plowed" into oblivion...
You wretched princess, don't you dare go off the deep end.
Actually, I’ll catch you before you can even start!
Because if I don't, you’re going to turn the Ranks territory into a live-fire weapons testing ground!!
Well then, the fun time is about to begin!!