第７７６堀：マジック・ギア・スティーブ２ ＋ジョン (Part2)
"Understood. We will continue our movement."
"Acknowledged. Good luck."
The simple exchange ended as quickly as it began.
The commanders were likely at headquarters, monitoring the situation. After all, there was a possibility that an army equipped with firearms had begun moving on the New Continent. Well, we weren't even certain if they were actually firearms yet.
I had considered setting up a Gate to send in our own troops, but reconnaissance had to come first. I didn't want to establish new bases lightly; they required personnel and expenses to maintain. And if we were just going to dismantle them immediately, it would be a waste of DP. Thanks to Luna, our DP consumption was capped at double the usual rate, but given the troubles we’d faced so far, our policy was to avoid unnecessary spending. Thus, using a Gate to deploy our forces for a direct confrontation was a last resort.
Thinking this over, we continued to push through the grasslands...
"This is Team S. We've arrived at the designated coordinates. Fortunately, we aren't in a position where the targets can spot us."
"Team J here, same. The grass is taller than expected, which is a big help. Aerial Recon, what's the situation?"
"No major changes. We've moved in closer to observe, but most of the soldiers seem to be resting inside their tents, so we haven't been able to confirm the types of weaponry. However, the flags are definitely those of the Sea-Sypho Kingdom—the dragon and the ship."
Well, it’s night, so that’s to be expected. Still, the group that appeared at the border was undoubtedly from the Sea-Sypho Kingdom.
"What about the Margrave in charge of the border? Are they safe?"
"Yes, they are. There have been no attacks on the manor or the town. For now, we can rest easy."
"Hmm. Well, at least the worst-case scenario has been avoided."
"True. Aerial Recon, take photos of the unharmed manor and town, then transmit the data to headquarters. While you're at it, ask for our next orders. Should we stand by, or move in to investigate?"
"Acknowledged."
Now, to kill time until we get an answer, we might as well chat.
"But if that's the case, did they really just come for reconstruction support?"
"Who knows. We don't have any direct ties with the Sea-Sypho Kingdom yet, so it's hard to say... But looking at the current situation, they don't seem to have any hostile intent. It's only 10,000 troops. That might sound like a lot, but without supply lines, that's not enough to seize Haiden's territory."
"You're right."
Kagura and the higher-ups in Haiden were just rattled because an army of 10,000 had appeared near their border. If you thought about it calmly, 10,000 soldiers couldn't accomplish much on their own. Well, between the battle at Baide against Findall and the rampage of the Haire Sect led by Aqueno in the royal capital, their domestic power had waned, so it was understandable that they were sensitive to the Sea-Sypho Kingdom's movements.
"If you think about it normally, it's that 'ally with the distant, attack the near' strategy."
"That meant attacking neighbors and befriending those far away, right?"
"Exactly. It's a diplomatic term. Besides, even if Haiden's national power has dropped, they're still a country with strength comparable to the great powers of this continent. It would be reckless to challenge them. The distance from their home country is just too great."
"What if they persuaded the surrounding countries to solve the supply and distance issues?"
"It's not impossible, but if that were the case, would they need to send an army under the guise of reconstruction support? And 10,000 of them at that? It only makes people more suspicious. Well, I suppose a diversion is a possibility, too."
"A diversion, huh? Then what's the purpose... but if we start guessing, there's no end to it."
"It's not our place to decide. For better or worse, we're just soldiers."
As Steve finished speaking, a message came through from headquarters.
"This is Headquarters. Team S and Team J, investigate the interior of the Sea-Sypho Kingdom's reconstruction army as much as possible. Avoid engagement and confirm the presence of the reported firearms."
"Acknowledged."
"Understood."
"We expect results from Team S and Team J."
As expected, I thought. It was exactly as I’d feared.
"No rest for the wicked, huh?"
"Looks like it. Aerial Recon, how many sentries are out?"
And so, we began to prepare for our infiltration.
"Are you going to say 'Colonel' again?"
"No, I don't need that."
"What's that? It looks like something I've seen in DMM games..."
"That's the *Winning Dungeon DMM* game."
"You know about it!?"
"Yeah. It's the game based on the original *Narou* novel that started pre-registration on November 20th."
"Huh—wait, that's our story, isn't it? Do we have any screen time in it?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know!?"
Like that, I had no idea if Steve and the others would appear. But if they did, they’d definitely be SSRs.