第５００堀：合流と働き者たち (Part1)
**Chapter 500: Rejoining and the Hard Workers**
**Side: Steve – Weed Affiliate, Monster Army General, Captain of the Handy Goblin Squad**
*Sigh.*
The world really doesn’t give a guy a break, does it?
Just until recently, it was all noise about the Great Oni and the War God. Once that settled, it was straight into defensive duties for intercontinental exchange. Even if I have the title of "General," I’m just middle management. I’m nothing more than a pawn used by the higher-ups—the nation.
And as for this current commotion...
"Now, as I’m sure you are all aware, our leader, Yuki, and his party have been kidnapped via summoning and are currently isolated. Fortunately, we were able to establish contact immediately, and the gate is scheduled to open today. The Goblin Squad’s primary mission is the transport of supplies. We will be carrying them in two ways: inside Item Boxes and via direct transport through the gate. In the newly discovered continent, DP consumption is five thousand times higher than normal, making local production extremely inefficient. We are also verifying whether there are any troubles. We aren't just splitting the supplies; we are doubling them and using two different methods to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."
As Zargis is explaining, the Boss and the others were kidnapped by a summoning.
At first, it was absolute chaos. The ladies even started shouting about going to war!
Well, we didn't know where the enemy was, so there wasn't much we could do.
Rurua-neesan even went as far as to suggest producing airplanes to search from the sky.
I mean, sure, unlike the Wyvern Squad, they aren't living creatures, so they don't need rest, and their cruising range is incomparable. But if there’s a giant monster up there, we’d be helpless. And like I said, we don't even know where the enemy is. Flying over a vast continent trying to find people smaller than beans is impossible.
If Taizo-san hadn't stopped her, we’d probably be in the middle of fighter jet training right now.
"Furthermore, the location where they were summoned is almost entirely devoid of monsters. Over there, Goblins and Orcs are considered a type of demi-human, and we don't know how other monsters will be treated. Therefore, the Goblin Squad will be going in first, partly to confirm how monsters from other continents are perceived. Naturally, I don't want you dying needlessly, so if you feel anything is amiss, immediately deploy the magic-sealing stealth and air tanks you use for infiltration."
And so, we are the "Handy Goblins" as always.
I get it—we’re the only ones who can move right now.
The Orc Squad, led by John, is busy supporting Mino-chan on the New Continent, and it would take too much time for them to join up here. Surakichi-san nearly died on the New Continent, so it’s only natural that he prioritizes verification first.
That leaves us.
I, Steve, have been granted the title of Honorary Military Advisor in the Zilba Empire, but... well, it’s an emergency, so I came back in a hurry. Even in Zilba, I’m still the Boss’s subordinate.
*Ah, long live middle management! May all bosses be cursed!*
I feel like screaming that, but I suppose it can't be helped this time.
What are the odds of getting summoned from the same world right after we just finished stopping an intrusion from another world?
Thanks to that, everything here is in total disarray. The Boss really was born under a star of trouble, wasn't he?
Personally, I’ve always had the image that if it were just the Boss alone, he’d be perfectly fine even if he were blown away to some random place. But this time, Princess Aslin is involved, too, so the Monster Army was riled up, and keeping them under control was a real headache.
Staying calm during a crisis is definitely something we need to work on for the future.
Still, you could say it only went this far because the Boss had lectured us enough. At worst, Weed could have gone completely out of control.
"...And that concludes the explanation. General Steve, I leave the rest to you."
I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize Zargis had finished.
"Alright! I think you’ve all heard the explanation. We have two main missions: transporting supplies and confirming our adaptability as monsters to that continent. I know you all understand this, but don't you dare think our goal is a retaliatory attack against Faide or Haiden. If you cause trouble for the locals, I will execute you myself. Well, I doubt you have the energy for that after five and a half days of being on high alert, but give me one more day—just one more day of hard work. Once our supply transport and safety are confirmed, we’ll be swapping out with the Orc Squad. Work hard so you can sleep soundly later!"
"Ooh!"
"Finish your preparations by 1200, eat, and stand by at the gate deployment site! Begin the operation!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Goblins immediately began their tasks. Weed is supported by your diligence. If I could give you all a vacation, I would.
"Now then, Steve. Please report to the ladies."
"Eh... why me? Why don't you do it, Zargis?"
"...I cannot accompany you to the site. Even Beastmen are considered rare there. If we, who are closer to high-density magical organisms, go to that continent, we might end up dead on arrival. Therefore, you, the one going, should be the one to report."
"...Tell me the truth."
"...I don't want to get close to the ladies while they’re on the warpath. I value my life, too."
"So my life is expendable?"
"That is not what I said. You have a longer history with them than I do, so your probability of survival is significantly higher. No, that’s not it either. You don't actually think you’re going to be killed, do you?"
"I know I’m not *that* crazy."
"Well, as you can see, I specialize in research. For matters involving such raw emotions, you, the General who excels at winning hearts and minds, are the most suitable candidate."
"You were one of the Four Heavenly Kings under the former Demon Lord, weren't you?"
"That is a story of the past. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting with Taizo-san regarding the interference of the transfer formation..."
With that, Zargis scurried away. *Tch, he ran off.*
"Haa... Britt."
"Leave this side to me. You handle the other side."
My vice-captain, Britt, was busy handling the supply transport as if he were incredibly occupied.
"...Damn it. Fine, I'll go."
The sight of my subordinates saluting behind me felt incredibly irritating.
I knew I wasn't in any real danger of dying, but I hate that atmosphere. You know, that "nothing you say will matter" vibe? Being told to speak in that environment is basically a suicide mission, right? Like walking through a minefield?
"So? Why are you all so beat up?"
I steeled my resolve and went to see the ladies, only to be greeted by them looking completely ragged.
"Ahaha, Steve-san. This is the medal of honor for the historic victory I just scored against my senior."
"Senior? You mean Kirue-neesan? I’m surprised you won, Sasari-san."
Since Sasari-san isn't one of the Boss’s wives, I use "san." Still, it’s impressive that someone as inexperienced as Sasari-san could beat Kirue-neesan.
"So, why the state you're in?"
"Um, just a little bit of training. Ahaha..."
...They aren't going to go on a rampage the moment they get over there, are they? Do I need to add "suppressing the ladies" to the Goblin Squad’s job description? I feel like I’m going to die.
They say your own kin are your greatest enemies, and they weren't kidding.
"Don't worry, Steve. I just let off a little steam. I won't go berserk over there. I just teamed up with Sasari here and taught the slightly-out-of-control Ria and Kirue a lesson."
"So a Hero vs. Demon Lord battle happened when I wasn't looking?"
"Indeed. Their movements were becoming monotonous due to their anger, so I just gave them a sharp correction! So, don't worry, they won't cause trouble for you or your squad."
"Well, that’s a relief."
Why is it? Even though the Hero was defeated, I feel strangely at ease. Is this the wisdom of age from Deryu-neesan, who is a 'loli-baba'?
*Clench. Creak...*
"Steve. I am the same age as Yuki. Understood?"