第５５２堀：ハイデン殴り込み作戦会議 (Part2)
"Princess Carrie. While it is true that the interrogation has not gone as planned, another operation is already in motion."
"Another operation?"
"The target is a career soldier, after all. Getting him to talk is quite difficult. That is why we have intentionally allowed him to escape so that we may track him."
"You let someone capable of flight escape? How do you intend to pursue him... Ah, that is where you and your people come in, Yuki-sama?"
"Exactly. The goblin squad under my command is already tracking Clay. They should arrive in Haiden by tomorrow, and we will secure the evidence there."
"Goblins? Ah, I see. If Weed is a place where spirit priestesses reside as a matter of course, then it is no wonder that goblins are present as well."
Goblins and orcs are seen as rare races in this region rather than monsters, so I suppose that makes sense. I’m grateful she accepted that so easily, saving me the trouble of explaining.
Setting that aside, I chimed in with an addition.
"At the same time, we will secure a base in the Haiden royal capital and temporarily install a gate, so we should be able to move troops immediately."
"So, the preparations are already complete."
"Rather than wasting energy on an interrogation, it is better to prepare for the infiltration of Haiden starting tomorrow."
"Conversely, once we have the evidence in hand, the interrogation might go much more smoothly," the Duke added.
"I see. So it all depends on that information. But what if we don't get detailed information from Clay, who is currently being tracked?"
"In that case, we should use the goblin squad already ahead of us to conduct a survey of the Haiden royal capital. We will move in only once the information is gathered. The enemy has ordered attacks against us; if they know Princess Carrie and Duke Kamishiro are in the capital, they might attack, but if they go into hiding, we cannot track them."
"...So, our involvement is truly the final resort, the final stage?"
Princess Carrie said this with a look of frustration. Well, she is eager to take revenge with her own hands, after all.
However, whether they attack or go into hiding, victory is all but guaranteed the moment Steve and John step into the Haiden royal capital. While it looks like a joint operation with the parties involved—Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia—the real core of the plan is the occupation of the Haiden capital using the Dungeon Core.
There is a possibility of an opposing Dungeon Master being present, but that is extremely unlikely. Luna has kept the DP consumption rate at twice the normal amount instead of 5,000 times, though it could jump back at any moment, and the Dungeon Core has been modified specifically for summoning. If there is a Dungeon Master, that is useful information, and in that case, I will simply pour in the authorized DP and suppress them quickly.
It is a completely hostile act, but since they are meddling in Haiden, where I cannot afford to have things disrupted, it is unavoidable. They threw the first punch, so we are in the clear. It’s self-defense.
I think about these things, but I doubt the enemy's ringleader will show their face so easily. A secret organization pulling off such a large-scale operation wouldn't base their headquarters in the very country causing all this commotion, would they?
Well, that’s fine. For now, I need to support Princess Carrie so she doesn't go rogue on her own.
"I understand your feelings, but this is not a 'final resort.' We are considering the worst-case scenarios, but if things go as planned, the moment Princess Carrie makes her move will be the beginning of the end for those operating in the shadows of Haiden. Once we have prepared this much, gathered the evidence, and taken action, the masterminds—the Wisdom Assembly and the remnants of the Lira Kingdom—will have no excuses left. At that time, Princess Carrie will be able to move without worrying about the surroundings, backed by a righteous cause."
"...Is it highly likely that things will go that way? What do you think, Duke Kamishiro?"
"Hmm. First of all, now that the threats against the Princess and myself have been thwarted, the enemy is already in a difficult position. Moreover, they do not yet know of that failure. Clay, having been allowed to escape, will try to report this somehow. If left alone, they will only be tightening the noose around their own necks. I believe the probability of success is extremely high. Though, one must never be complacent."
Duke Kamishiro stated the current situation with calm detachment. Clay might be disposed of, but since Steve and his team are tracking him, we can simply follow whoever does the deed.
"Is there a possibility that our actions are already known?"
"If that were the case, we would be attacked the moment we arrived at the capital. But in that event, it would be easy to intercept them with the help of Yuki-sama’s forces. And if the enemy takes such action, it would actually make it easier for us to move. An attack on a Princess who has returned safely is inexcusable. We could hunt them down thoroughly. I cannot say for certain there are no experts better than Yuki-sama’s subordinates, but if such powerful individuals existed, Haiden would have already been occupied."
"Indeed. Understood. I would like to proceed with that policy."
And so, the strategy meeting for the raid on Haiden progressed.
Now then, I wonder what will come out of this mess. I just hope no more extra work gets added to my plate. That was my wish.
Information gathering.
The star of the next chapter is Steve, for the first time in a while!!
He is everyone’s (corporate slave warrior) hero!!
Look forward to it.