第４８３堀：誤算と定番開始 (Part2)
"Well, since you mentioned 'if we manage to survive,' I suppose you're still half-doubting our capabilities."
"Anyway, for now, let's wake up the princess sleeping over there."
"……*Sigh*."
The princess we brought along was being quite noisy, so I’d gagged her and tossed her onto a futon, where she promptly fell into a deep sleep. Judging by Kagura’s sigh, I imagine she’s been a handful for quite some time.
"Alright. We know we can use magic and skills, and while I’m worried about being flesh-and-blood, it’s time to get to work."
"……What are you planning to do?"
"For starters, I’m going to use Kagura and the princess as shields to occupy this city."
"Huh?"
"Or would you prefer I just paint the town red with everyone who tries to attack us?"
"……Fine. If that’s what it takes to keep us alive, then so be it."
"Exactly. Gotta stay positive. The ones heading out will be me, Cleena, and Samantha. As for Milly and the children’s..."
"No!! I’ll be the one to protect Big Brother!!"
"Firia is coming too!!"
Aslin and Firia were the ones to shout that. Spurred on by them, Vilia, Hiiro, and Dressa chimed in as well.
"Then I’m going too!! I’ll protect Big Brother even if it costs me my life!!"
"Big Brother! I’m going too!!"
"I’m coming along as well!!"
I had intended to tell them to stay put, fearing it might turn into a bloody mess, but then Labyris and Shera spoke up.
"I see. You should take all five of them. Though, truthfully, I should be the one going..."
"I don't necessarily disagree with Yuki-san going, but if he is to act as the representative of Weed and Her Majesty the Queen, it has to be Yuki-san. Anything else would complicate future developments. Honestly, given how rapidly this situation has escalated, it’s clear that Yuki-san handling this directly is more reliable than me or Labyris stepping in. Cleena-san and Samantha-san realize that too, which is why they aren't stopping him, right?"
"If Yuki is going out there, my job is simply to protect him. I understand that this is a situation where Yuki needs to be on the front lines."
"Indeed. If Yuki-sama doesn't show his face here, they’ll look down on us. He is our greatest combat force, and his intellect and tactical prowess are unmatched. Normally, I would never permit this, but these are emergency circumstances. If we hold back our strength and fail, it will truly cost everyone their lives. This is the surest path."
Hmm. Everyone seems to have grown up. I thought I’d need to explain or persuade them about me going out in the flesh, but it seems I was underestimating them.
"However, in all seriousness, we absolutely cannot afford to lose Yuki-san. While I am worried about Aslin and the others being flesh-and-blood, now that we’ve confirmed the situation to a certain extent, worrying like that is just overprotectiveness. They have their designated protection, and in this city, they are practically invincible. Labyris and I will protect Milly-san and the others; it’s time to repay the debt of gratitude we owe to Yuki-san."
" " "Yes!!" " "
...Hearing such sound logic and seeing their determination, I’m at a loss for words. In this harsh world, their level of resolve is just different. Thinking of it in the same way as Earth’s Japan was my mistake to begin with.
"……Yuki. Do you really intend to use such small children as shields?"
"……They’re the ones who are eager to do it, though."
"……That’s not something a hero would do."
"I never intended to be a hero from the start. Besides, what about you lot who summoned us here without permission?"
"……I’m sorry. Truly, I am sorry."
Oh? I expected her to push back, but she was more honest than I thought. Well, perhaps that attitude comes from seeing us mow down so many soldiers on the way to the lord’s mansion...
"……What... are those children?"
"Well, how should I put this..."
Yeah. How exactly do you explain this? It’s only natural to ask that when you see small children casually sending adults flying. But saying "they just trained a bit" doesn't feel like much of an explanation. Should I just blame it on Narjia-san’s equipment?
"Don't get in our way!!"
"Move aside!!"
"Is that all you've got!!"
"I will protect Big Brother."
"Get out of the way!!"
"Hmm. Everyone is strong. Well-trained. As an older sister, I’m proud. Right, Samantha?"
"……Indeed. They have truly become strong."
Only Samantha looked at the soldiers being sent flying with eyes of pity.
"……But I don’t understand. Why go out of your way to be hostile toward us? Even with that much power, if you can’t secure supplies, you’ll just starve, won't you? Shouldn't you be cooperating with us?"
"Ah, well, I’ve got a few things in mind regarding that."
To put it simply, it’s for DP collection. Besides, if we were to act as Kagura’s allies, we’d have to limit the dungeon’s abilities. That would put us in danger, so that’s a no-go.
Q: Then why not just explain your abilities and fight together?
A: Who would believe such a tall tale?
Besides, in a situation where you don't even know if the other party is a friend or foe, cooperating is out of the question. You’d just end up getting stabbed in the back. I don't know how they’d treat us after the battle, and there’s a possibility I’d lose the chance to collect DP from the captured soldiers, so that’s rejected too.
In that case, the only option is to openly place this city under Weed’s occupation. That solves the DP issue, and there’s no need to cooperate with people who might be enemies. It’s a bit risky, but every strategy has the same level of danger, so it’s not worth considering. It’s clear they’re picking a fight, and there’s no problem with accepting it. It’s exactly the start of an inter-state war caused by the summoning I was worried about.
"Well, I’d prefer to avoid a bloodbath, though."
"……That’s impossible, isn't it? And that woman standing in front of the mansion gate is the lord, Catherine Bide."
I see, a female lord. She’s glaring at us, but we’ve got our own troubles to deal with.
"Who are you people!! Release the Princess and Kamishiro-sama and surrender immediately!! Do you have any idea what kind of situation this is?!"
She’s young, though. Late twenties at most.
"Otherwise..."
As she said that, Catherine-san turned the surrounding soldiers toward us...
"Big Brother, we’ve suppressed them!!"
"We did it!!"
"Don't just goof around, tie them up. Hiiro, you too."
"Ehh, Hiiro is bad at tying knots with rope."
"You learned it in class, didn't you? For tying up bandits and such..."
"……Samantha, do you know how?"
"……No. I am not familiar with such things..."
They were suppressed and captured in no time. I realized that Cleena and Samantha need to study these things too.
"……Princess, Kamishiro-sama. What on earth is..."
"I think... they are heroes."
"……Honestly, I can't even begin to gauge them."
Unfortunately, we don't have the time to explain things slowly like we did with Agil and the others. Well, it’s a common occurrence. What’s happening right in front of your eyes is the truth.
Yes. When you go to a foreign country, make sure to check the exchange rates, okay? But I’ve already found a way to earn money locally, so it’s fine. After all, we have plenty of "bait"... or rather, prisoners!!