第７３２堀：ステンバーイ ステンバーイ (Part1)
**Chapter 732: Standby, Standby**
**Side: Steve**
Static crackled over the radio, followed by a voice.
『...Signal is clear. How are things on your end?』
"Everything’s perfectly peaceful over here, sir."
『Same here, no issues so far. Continue to maintain a high alert.』
"Understood, sir."
I gave my reply, and the transmission with the Boss ended.
"It really is perfectly peaceful, isn't it?" I muttered while staring at the monitors.
On the screens, I could see the deployment of our units, the locations of all the VIPs, and the regular check-ins from every squad were coming in without a hitch. There wasn't a single suspicious movement to be found. It was the very picture of peace.
"I hope it stays like this until the end."
"Agreed."
The one agreeing with me was Surakichi-san. Since this conference was being held on the continent of Ifu, we couldn't use Mino-chan or John, as they were officially deployed as the Third Army representing our nation. Instead, the two of us were handling security for the Holy Sword unveiling ceremony.
"No jamming on the radio, and no need to worry about eavesdropping. This is an easy job. Well, not that we can let our guard down, of course," Surakichi-san added.
"Exactly. Training with the Boss is way harder than this. But yeah, I’m staying sharp."
When you're up against the Boss, it starts with information warfare. And I’m not talking about just asking around; it starts with intercepting mana transmissions and radio waves. You can’t even send a careless message; everything has to be brief and encrypted.
But the most annoying part is the communication interference. He uses ECM-style tactics to cut off all information. If your info gets cut, you have to assume your unit has already been wiped out. It’s a nightmare to deal with.
"So, what about the girl in question? Light, was it?"
"No change. Currently, she’s surrounded by Big Sis Jessica, Agil-san, General Prism, General Marly, and Adjutant Hivia, so there’s no need to worry. When we first made contact, I was worried she might show some animosity toward the people from Zilba, but there’s been none of that. She’s been perfectly peaceful—cooperative, even. Big Sis Jessica reported that it’s been a huge help. How about on your end, Surakichi-san?"
I was in charge of the bodyguards, while Surakichi-san was handling the monitoring of the VIPs.
"No issues with the kings under surveillance. Every last one of them is focused on hammering out the details for future intercontinental exchange. Business as usual. As for the Church lot, who were considered the most dangerous... surprisingly, they haven't made a move."
"No movement? Don't they want to seize initiative from the Enaria Royal Family?"
"It’s an interesting situation. As we suspected before, the Church's upper management is actually well-connected with the royals—or rather, they understand each other. The ones acting out are the low-level members who don't understand that connection."
"Ah, so the Church brass is actually keeping their subordinates in check?"
"Exactly. Even if the grunts want to go rogue, they can't act openly if their superiors don't support them. If they moved now, they’d just be branded as traitors. It wouldn't bode well for their future."
"Wait, wouldn't that make them *more* desperate to move?" I asked. "If they don't act now, they won't get any results. This is their best chance to win over the kings of other nations."
"Not necessarily. This whole problem stems from a lack of trust in the Enaria Royal Family. That distrust comes from the family's repeated blunders. That’s why they’re questioning the abilities of the Holy Sword user, Light Revive—they're using her to shake the Royal Family's foundations."
"Oh, so if the Royal Family manages to recover through this, the Church is fine with that too?"
"That seems to be their outlook. Otherwise, there’s no reason not to cause a scene. If they’re aiming to improve their standing, causing a ruckus now would be a dead end. If the unveiling goes well, it just maintains the status quo."
"I see. So it really comes down to their anxiety about whether they can keep making a living."
"Peace hasn't fully set in yet. And from the perspective of the Sia Church, the Hifi Holy Kingdom is a business rival. They probably just wanted some guarantees from the state."
"So it's about money in the end? Well, money makes the world go 'round, I guess."
"Indeed. Losing one's livelihood is a matter of life and death. If the higher-ups can't solve it, people feel they have to take matters into their own hands."
"They’re certainly resilient. So, that means we’re basically stuck in front of these monitors, then?"
"Well, our presence here is proof that peace is being maintained. Or would you rather be running around out there?"
"I’ll pass on that, thanks."
"Me too. Let’s just consider this an easy day at the office."
And so, we settled in to relax in the command room. By the way, the actual monitor watching was being handled by our subordinates; our job was to handle the paperwork. Normally, this is what we’d do after finishing field work, facing a mountain of documents that would make anyone depressed. Doing it now felt like a breeze.
*Rustle, thud... Rustle, scratch, scratch...*
For a while, the only sounds were the shuffling and organizing of papers... until...
"General Steve. We have a problem."
"General Surakichi, a report."
""What is it?"" we asked simultaneously.
Reports came in for both of us at the exact same time.
"King Roday has left his lodgings without any guards. He appears to have slipped away, as per his usual habit."
"We are reporting that King Roday, who was under surveillance, has escaped his room."
""What are your orders?"" the monitor operators asked in unison.
"Surakichi-san. You’re in charge of VIP surveillance, right?"
"The city security is handled by the Goblins, isn't it? My unit is only supposed to move in case of an emergency."
""...""
A powerful wave of shared will radiated between us: neither of us wanted to leave this comfortable spot. This was a battle of endurance—the first one to move loses!
"Stop playing around and give us orders already."
"Ah, hello? Lord Yuki? Yes, my two superiors are currently..."
"Right! It would reflect poorly on us if we secured him ourselves. First, report this to the Roday guards and limit ourselves to just tracking him!" I blurted out.
"My unit will move to support Steve’s team. Maintain strict vigilance for any hostile reactions!" Surakichi-san added.
""Understood.""
Crap. The real enemies were these skeletons working the monitors. Since a Lich was serving as Mino-chan’s advisor, these skeletons had become far too serious and lacked any sense of charm.
"Can you predict where the target is heading?"
"Yes. He is heading in the same direction as previous instances. He is likely going to Lord Kiyu’s food stall."
""Ah...""
That old man really loves that place.
"Any other movement in the vicinity?"
"No, nothing particular. The kings of the other nations are currently in meetings and have not moved. Aside from the guards, there is no sign of anyone pursuing King Roday."
So there were no issues on Surakichi-san’s side of the surveillance either.
"Should I contact Kiyu?"
"Yeah. That would be best."
I opened a line to Kiyu, who was currently running a ramen stall.
『Steve? What’s the matter?』
"King Roday is at it again."
『Ah, again? He really is dedicated.』
The fact that the word "again" explained everything showed just how often King Roday had been slipping away.
"I’ve notified the Roday guards, so they should be coming to pick him up soon."
『Understood. I’ll just serve him some ramen like usual, then.』