第５５３堀：マジック・ギア・スティーブ 前編 (Part1)
Chapter 553: Magic Gear Steve (Part 1)
Side: Steve, Call Sign: Steel 1
The world was already cloaked in darkness, and I navigated the forest relying on the light of the stars. There was no artificial illumination; I simply sprinted through the natural gloom.
*Beep! Beep!*
In the midst of this, a jarring sound pierced the air, and I accepted the transmission.
"This is Command. Steel 1, do you read?"
"Steel 1 here. Signal is clear."
"Good. Report your current status."
"The deer we let slip is returning to the herd as planned. Its trajectory remains the Kingdom of Haiden. At this rate, it should arrive at the capital in about thirty minutes."
In the sky directly before my eyes, a single figure was flying. That was our target for this operation.
"Understood. Continue the mission. The Fang squad is already monitoring the main roads. Don't worry about your rear; Steel 1, lead your squad and infiltrate."
"Just to confirm, there are no changes to the mission priorities? Any alternative plans from the strategy meeting? Did our advance team's proposal get accepted without issue?"
"No changes to mission priorities. The Steel squad's actions have been approved by the upper brass during this strategy meeting. In other words, your movements are now an official operation sanctioned by the leadership."
"That’s a relief. It’s a pain having to hide our presence even from our own allies."
"Indeed. A clear policy has been established. With that said, I’m going to brief the entire squad on the background of this operation. I need you to open the line—will you be spotted by the target?"
"Not a chance. The target is in the sky, and we’re in the dark forest. We’re well outside their visual range, and I’ve got stealth active, so it’s not a problem."
"Understood. Proceed."
With that, I immediately signaled the entire squad to open the line, and the overview of the operation was relayed from the command room.
"Steel squad and Fang squad members, I will reiterate the overview from the beginning. As you are aware, our nation has been dragged into a troublesome situation, forcing us to intervene in a war between other countries—a dangerous undertaking. However, even while addressing the issues, a new problem surfaced: the existence of a secret organization inciting this war. This is the group the target you are currently tracking belongs to—the so-called 'Assembly of Wisdom,' or the remnants of the Rila Kingdom. While the exact reasons remain unclear, this organization is operating in the shadows within Haiden, pushing for war with Findar. To stabilize this conflict, we must drive them out of Haiden. To do that, definitive information and evidence are essential. The upper brass is waiting for your intelligence gathering; once received, they will enter negotiations with the core of Haiden. Your work is the crucial foothold."
I see. So, the higher-ups plan to use our intel and evidence to clean up Haiden in a clean and righteous manner. Well, if we resorted to brute force and bloodshed, there’s a risk of taking out more than just the primary culprits, and a decline in national power would be inevitable.
"Regarding the specific operation details: first, track the target, confirm contact with the organization, and continue the surveillance. Locate what appears to be their base and collect information and evidence. The situation will evolve based on what you find. Remember, this is an infiltration mission; act accordingly."
So, don't shed unnecessary blood. Well, if we took out innocent people, we’d definitely be criticized for being reckless. Usually, this would be an impossible demand, but unfortunately for our enemies, it’s something we’re capable of.
"Furthermore, this disturbance involves monsters that shouldn't be in this region. We know that the means to summon and control them involves modified Dungeon Cores—magic tools that cannot be produced with the technology of this land. Be prepared for unexpected dangers. For this reason, we cannot speak openly about the summoning tools. Henceforth, Dungeon Cores and monster-summoning devices will be referred to as 'Magic Gear.' Their recovery is the top priority. Treat the enemy as equivalent to a Dungeon Master. However, fortunately—if you can call it that—the Fang squad, which infiltrated ahead of you, has confirmed no dungeon presence in the Haiden capital. Since a dungeon could have been deployed, the possibility of a Dungeon Master being present is extremely low."
Phew. It doesn't look like it’ll be a suicidal infiltration mission.
"Numerous Magic Gears have already been detected throughout the Haiden capital via their call functions. They are mostly concentrated in the noble district, but first, wait for the target you are tracking to make contact. I’ve spoken at length, but your efforts are essential to paving the way for peace. Good luck."
The briefing ended. There wasn't anything particularly surprising for me.
"Hah. But why am I the one leading the infiltration squad?"
"Well, we're Goblins, aren't we? We're small, our gear is compact, and our overall cost is low. We’re perfect for infiltration."
"I know that without you telling me. Still, it’s a pain being handed such troublesome work."
"Well, that just means the Boss trusts you."
"Trust, huh? That may be true, but... oh, Haiden is coming into view. Keep the chatter down. I’m contacting the Fang squad. This is Steel 1. Fang 1, do you read?"
"Fang 1 here. Signal clear. No noise detected."
"The target will arrive at the Haiden capital soon. Bearing 84. Can you confirm?"
"...Confirmed. It has entered the call-detection range. We will take over the target tracking from here. Rendezvous with us."
"Copy that."
And so, we were to join up with the Fang squad. The sun had set, the road was deserted, and only darkness stretched out, with the distant lights of Haiden visible in the distance. In the middle of this, a faint light flickered repeatedly from the forest beside the road.
"Guiding you. Come this way."
Following the guidance, we moved into the forest to find a camouflaged dungeon entrance. At a glance, it looked like nothing more than a rock, so there was no risk of a civilian accidentally wandering in. Inside, it was a standard defensive base dungeon, with long, narrow corridors leading to a main base deep within.
When I arrived at the conference room, the captain of the Fang squad—the vegetarian—was there.
"You're here. Want a cucumber?"
"I don't want it. Seriously, don't be munching on cucumbers when you're out in the field."
Exchanging our usual banter, I took a seat. My subordinates were used to it and ignored the vegetable-obsessed captain, sitting down normally.
"So, you've been tracking them, right?"
"Of course. Look, the target is currently moving toward the East Gate of Haiden."
"Huh? They’re going to enter through the gate?"
The target displayed on the conference room monitor was indeed heading toward the East Gate of the Haiden capital.
"Assassinating a Duke isn't exactly an official affair. And since the operation failed, they can't exactly return through the sky, can they?"
"Ah, I see."
"Anyway, we’ve attached a listening device to the target now that they’ve hit the ground, so there’s almost no need to follow them directly. At least, as long as they’re inside the Haiden capital."
"So, is our job done for now?"
"As if. Like the Boss said, we’re here to gather intel and evidence. We need to search the homes of those the target makes contact with, and then recover the Magic Gears located in the capital."
"Right. I figured as much. What do you think about the concealment?"
"Concealment? You mean the ones hiding behind barriers?"
"Yeah. The 'Assembly of Wisdom,' was it? They’re smart enough to use modified Dungeon Cores. Have you been able to locate where those things are gathered?"