第４５９堀：集まる情報とメンバー集結 (Part1)
**Chapter 459: Gathering Intelligence and Assembling the Team**
**Side: Yuki**
“……And so, I have discovered a castle at approximately [distance] from our location.”
That report arrived from Kirika.
“What could this mean?”
“I’m not sure. Could it be a decoy?”
Ratz and Eris, who were listening to the report alongside me, tilted their heads in confusion.
Indeed, as Ratz suggested, if the setup is this grand, the possibility of it being a decoy cannot be ruled out. Luring the enemy here and using a collapse or similar trap to finish them off in one fell swoop is a valid tactic.
“I understand Ratz’s point, but isn’t that spending a bit too much money on a decoy?”
“True. Given their DP situation, if they had enough to spare for a decoy like this, wouldn’t they have been able to prepare a much better army of monsters?”
Deryu and Seraria agreed that while Ratz had a point, it seemed unlikely given the economic reality. I’m of the same opinion.
“Hmm. Personally, I agree with Steve’s assessment.”
“Nn. I think so too. Steve’s opinion is the most logical. Since they don’t know how to create separate dungeons, they were forced to extend tunnels from their main base. The gates were likely used to shorten travel time.”
Samantha and Cleena were also backing Steve’s theory.
……Hmm, I think Steve’s deduction is likely correct, but if we aren’t careful, we could be wiped out in one go.
“For now, let’s investigate further. Kirika, if Steve’s theory is correct, there should be a dungeon tunnel extending toward the Ranks area. They might have removed it, but given that Nogosh and Bicks are currently heading that way, it’s highly probable that it still exists. Before searching the castle, I want you to prioritize scouting that tunnel.”
“Understood.”
Since they came here with such confidence, it’s more natural to assume they are planning a surprise attack using the dungeon, just as Seraria said. We should be able to find it.
However, the approximate location is on the outskirts of the Sword Kingdom, closer to Ranks. Why would they set up their main base in such a place? It’s half-baked in more ways than one.
Is it less like they teamed up with a Dungeon Master and more like they tricked one and seized control?
……Ah, I almost forgot.
“Hey, Deryu.”
“What is it?”
“Any reports from your younger brother, Reye? I left that area to you.”
I had completely forgotten, but we had discovered that Deryu’s younger brother was also surviving as a Dungeon Master in Gartz. We established a cooperative relationship, but since he was a standard Dungeon Master who preferred staying holed up, he rarely gathered any information. Recently, while we were away in the New Continent, I’ve had him using the dungeon town to gather intelligence on other dungeons. I asked because I wondered if he had any information regarding this incident.
“I wish I had some information for you, but it’s completely peaceful over there. Nothing that would benefit us. If there’s anything, it’s news regarding Rumel.”
“Ah, the Hero-related stuff?”
“Yes. They are forming a faction separate from us, but it seems the man who summoned those tanks and such has individual abilities that the Heroes are following. Perhaps they aren’t handling him well, but things aren’t going smoothly for them. Well, the Heroes and that man seem to have taken a ship to a new frontier anyway.”
They’ve got their own troubles, huh. Since they don’t have the ability to form a base like I do, they’re probably fleeing to the front lines just to avoid getting caught up in weird conspiracies.
It’s ironic that the front lines are safer, though. It just goes to show that the enemy within your own ranks is more troublesome—you can’t take action until you have solid proof.
Actually, Reye is proving quite useful. It’s a relief to be able to track the movements of our fellow countrymen. There’s no discrepancy between his information and the reports from Elju and Liliana, so it’s almost certainly accurate.
Ah, Seraria’s sister, the Saintess Elju, and the Queen of Last, Liliana, are currently in the Kingdom of Last, struggling with mediation and diplomatic relations with other countries. Well, both of them know about the gates, so they seem to return here often to relax.
“It’s not information I can use right now, but it’s definitely helpful. It seems we don’t have to worry about being stabbed in the back.”
“Indeed. There’s no difference between Reye’s information and Elju’s. They won’t suddenly declare war and attack us. In that sense, this business with Bicks and Nogosh is a sort of internal conflict.”
“……On the surface, we’re only asking for the handover of Bicks, after all.”
“Yes. That’s the only saving grace. If Rumel were behind this as well, we’d be in real trouble.”
“True. That was a possibility, so in that sense, we’re lucky.”
Seraria agreed. If Rumel had joined the fray, it would have turned into a muddy, chaotic mess. Honestly, I’m grateful.
It’s fortunate that Bicks was obsessed with his revenge against Ranks and didn’t ask for help from other major powers. Well, it’s not like Rumel would have necessarily accepted a request for help anyway. In that sense, it’s natural to rely on a nearby god who knows about the existence of Dungeon Masters.
……But how did Bicks recognize Nogosh and Nonoa as gods? Was it through a former Dungeon Master?
As I was thinking about this, a report arrived from Steve.
“This is Steve. Just as predicted, I’ve discovered a tunnel extending toward the Ranks area.”
It was there, after all.
“What should we do? Shall we proceed? Or should we search for other tunnels?”
“……First, advance through that tunnel. Check for enemy forces and see where the exit leads.”
““Understood.””
I want them to search the castle, but splitting our forces recklessly isn’t a good idea. Since it’s potentially the enemy’s main stronghold, it wouldn’t be strange to find dangerous enemies or traps. It’s better to coordinate our movements.
The tunnel Steve and his team advanced through was the same as the previous one—guarded by armor golems and utilizing gates to shorten the distance; nothing particularly unusual.
“Exit confirmed. We are going outside to verify our location.”
Steve and his team stepped out and found that they were using a natural cave in the forest as a secret dungeon entrance.
“There are a large number of monster footprints in the dirt. Could these be from the monsters that attacked Ranks the other day?”
“I think so. Follow them. That should lead you to Ranks’ territory. We can verify it from our side.”
“Understood.”
Based on the footage they sent, I believe it’s the same dungeon entrance we discovered, but there’s a possibility it’s different. After the Ranks attack, we traced the monster invasion route and found a dungeon entrance, but it had been left untouched. After all, it was in another country’s territory, and we couldn’t monitor it too closely for fear of it being a dummy. And yet…
“……We’ve confirmed two reactions on our end. Judging by the direction they appeared from, it seems to be the same entrance the monsters used to invade Ranks.”
I feel like all our hard work was for nothing. Well, at least the area is confirmed safe, so that’s fine.
“You two, head back and check the dungeon for any other tunnels. There might be an escape route.”
““Understood.””
There’s a possibility of other entrances in the vicinity, but for those two, checking the dungeon takes priority. As for the Ranks side, I can have John send a unit to check for other entrances.
Fortunately, we can secure the areas we need to while the enemy is off-guard, and we’ll be ready to welcome them with plenty of room to spare when the day comes.