第４８８堀：話が通じる敵 (Part1)
Chapter 488: An Enemy Who Can Reason
Side: Shera
After my meeting with Catherine-dono, while I was taking a short break, the "Flower Garden Princess" and the kidnapper of Kagura woke up and seem to be in discussions with Catherine-dono.
I would love to hear the details, but I’ll leave that to Yuki-san and Labyris.
I have my own work to attend to, after all.
"Everyone, are you ready? We are about to visit the people of the Findar Empire. This is a precursor to the formal visit scheduled for two days from now. They are likely in a state of confusion, so they will probably attack us. When that happens, don't hesitate to blow them away."
"Yes!"
Aslin, Firia, and Hiiro respond with high spirits.
"Leave it to me. I will be of use to my brother."
"…I think it’ll be hard to avoid killing them, though."
As expected, Vilia is filled with a heart of service toward Yuki-san, which is wonderful.
On the other hand, Dressa seems anxious about the "don't kill" order.
However, that cannot be helped.
"Hmm. If they think they’re going to be killed, they’ll come at us with desperate ferocity. We must show them that there is room for negotiation by keeping them alive."
"Indeed. Though, there is a limit to that, of course."
"Yes. In that case, I assume they will retreat, so you may turn the place into a sea of blood. I have already received permission from Yuki-san."
It’s a confirmation of whether the DP collection upon killing will be standard or 5,000 times the usual.
Honestly, as far as I’m concerned, I think it would be better to just "pop" everyone who isn't necessary, convert them into DP, and use that to build a gate to summon Weed’s forces…
…Sigh, it seems I’m getting heated as well.
I should be refraining from such thoughts that create enemies all around me. The Empire didn't necessarily want to be hostile toward us; they were only targeting the Haiden Kingdom.
But, putting myself aside, seeing Milly-san and the others who are pregnant, the children, and Yuki-san—the hope of the world—dragged into such dangerous situations makes me incredibly angry.
Even if there are 100,000 people, only a handful of officers are pulling the strings.
The rest are likely a small number of commissioned officers, a few regular soldiers, and a majority of conscripts.
And yet, I’ve reached the mindset that it’s acceptable to slaughter them.
I must calm down. Such cruelty is not something Yuki-san likes.
"Shera-chan, are you okay?"
"…Aslin. Yes. I am fine. It might be difficult, but I’m counting on you for protection."
"Yeah. Leave it to me."
…I understand well why Yuki-san doesn't want Aslin to do anything blood-stained.
It doesn't suit a kind girl like Aslin to whip up a storm of blood.
That’s right. For that very reason, I must conclude these negotiations without shedding blood.
With our current members, Yuki-san is the best at negotiations, I am second, Samantha-san is third, and Labyris is fourth. Excluding Yuki-san, I am effectively the lead who must handle the diplomatic work.
In the New Continent, I couldn't be of much use because of my status as a demi-human, so here, I will use my unique position as a Priestess of the Spirits to be of great service to Yuki-san!!
"Everyone. We are going to teleport to the Imperial Army's stationing point now. Are you ready?"
When I ask, everyone nods.
Then, we teleport all at once.
We emerge into a dimly lit, small room.
Thanks to the Imperial soldiers over the last few hours, our DP shortage has improved, so we at least have lights on.
…Though the cave just looks like it’s glowing.
Originally, it seems they wanted an open dungeon with a sky, but it ended up like this due to the DP shortage.
"Beyond this hidden passage is where the Imperial forces are stationed. Everyone, please deploy Narjia-san’s equipment."
I immediately take my equipment from my item box.
My clothes are already Narjia-style, so it’s mainly my weapons.
…Honestly, they are such super-weapons that I was worried about using them, but in this situation, I am grateful.
In my case, I’m dual-wielding short swords… which have so many enchantments that it’s silly to even explain them.
While I was thinking that, it seems everyone has finished deploying their equipment.
"Now, I will open this hidden door. There are no enemies on the monitor beyond the door, but there is a possibility they are hiding, so please be extremely careful."
*Clack.*
The sound echoes as the door opens.
Well, it looks more like a wall opening.
The moment it does, Cleena-san and Samantha-san deploy magic barriers in the shape of the doorway so that even if there are enemies, they cannot get close.
"Samantha, push the barrier about three meters beyond the door."
"Understood."
By doing this, even if enemies are lying in wait near the door, they will be pushed back and unable to attack.
The fact that Yuki-san came up with the idea of using magic barriers to push people back is something to be expected of him.
"Hmm. There are no signs of attacks being made against the barrier."
"Indeed. As the monitor showed, there are no enemies. Just in case, Firia, Hiiro, please take the vanguard with your shields."
"Understood!"
"Leave it to me!"
For some reason, these two prefer using tower shields, but I’m grateful they have shields large enough to cover their bodies right now, so I can leave it to them with peace of mind.
"There are no enemies."
"None here!"
The words of the two who stepped beyond the door confirm that visual inspection is complete.
We then proceed toward the Imperial Army’s stationing area.
Oh? There were scouts wandering around earlier, so what happened to them?
I was hoping to catch a scout and have them relay a message.
Well, if they aren't here, it can't be helped.
We continue toward what appears to be the main camp.
"Hey, stop right there!!"
"Who goes there!! Where did you come from!! Wait, women and children? Or rather, a Priestess-sama!?"
When we get near the main camp, soldiers are wandering about. When they see us, they hurriedly try to verify our identities, but they seem confused by our appearance.
They seem surprised by my rabbit ears.
"We are from Weed, which has occupied Baide. We have come as envoys, so please announce our arrival."
"Weed? Not Haiden?"
"Yes. It is definitely Weed."
"…I don't really understand, but if the Priestess-sama says so, then it must be. Hey, it would be rude to keep them waiting here. Guide them to the guest tent."
"Yes. Please, this way."
The discipline seems firmer than I thought.
They have a better impression than Haiden.
The guest tent is reasonably luxurious and intended for proper hospitality; it doesn't seem like we are being looked down upon for now.
Just as I was thinking that, about ten soldiers in fine armor entered, followed by a young general and an old general, both wearing even more magnificent armor.