第８６０堀：激闘の果てに (Part1)
The 860th Excavation: At the End of a Fierce Battle
Side: Yuki
"Master. A report has arrived from Shira-chan and the others."
"Ah, thank you."
I immediately began to read through the documents handed to me by Kirika.
It had only been a day since the discussion with Shira-chan, and they had already found something.
As I was impressed by the efficiency of Shira-chan's unit, I read on until I came across the name of a certain ship.
"...The one that sank was a transport ship from the Gussudo Kingdom?"
"Yes. It seems to have sunk on its way back after unloading its cargo from a magic stone transaction. Most of the other sunken ships found within the Blue Hole are military vessels, with a few that appear to be fishing boats. They are likely gathered by the ocean currents."
For now, the transport ship from the Gussudo Kingdom, which is suspected of carrying Magic Gear, is what we should focus on.
The Gussudo Kingdom.
It is a country that imports the magic stones used by the Sea Siphon Kingdom as magazines for their magic guns.
So, that ship was carrying Magic Gear.
"Is it too far-fetched to assume that someone with Magic Gear just happened to be on that ship?"
"What do you think? Even though it's a transport ship, you can board it if you pay. However, it is a fact that the appearance of monsters in that sea area has greatly reduced the national power of the Sea Siphon Kingdom and inflicted immense damage on its navy..."
*BOOM!!*
While Kirika was speaking, a loud explosion sounded, and sand kicked up, showering down on us...
*Whoosh.*
"Honestly. Can't they fight a little more elegantly? Master and my sisters will get dirty."
Without a hint of panic, Kirika used wind magic to blow away the rising sand and dust.
And in Kirika's line of sight, Kagura and the others were fighting desperately against Shira-chan.
"No, Kirika-san. Given their massive size, it can't be helped, can it? Also, could you please include my name, just in case?"
"My apologies, Taiki-sama. My priority instinctively shifted. However, it is only natural to consider the presence of observers."
"They don't seem to have that much leeway, do they? Right, Yuki-san?"
"Well, it's Kagura's first opponent in combat, after all. But more importantly, the problem is that they're stiffening up because they believe they have no chance of winning."
I put down the documents for a moment and watched Kagura's combat training...
"Hoh. As expected of Yuki-dono's subordinates. They can even block this attack."
"Gasp... Gasp..."
They seemed to have no energy left to respond to Shira-chan's words, but surprisingly, they were all still standing and fighting.
Their abilities were about the same as Shira-chan's, so while they wouldn't die instantly, I thought their spirits would break easily due to their fear, and they would give up quickly. But they were still holding on.
However, they were barely managing to defend against Shira-chan's attacks and had not yet been able to go on the offensive.
I suppose they were most wary of being dragged into the sea with her tail.
Asurin and the others managed to survive being dragged into the water due to their overwhelming power difference, but Kagura and the others couldn't do the same.
They all knew that if they were dragged into the sea, it would be the end.
"But if you only defend, you won't have much time left, will you? Will you end without even attacking?"
Shira-chan, perhaps dissatisfied with the lack of resistance compared to Asurin and the others, was goading them on.
"Yuki-san. Is that kind of training okay?"
"I think it's fine. It feels like neither side can back down. While it looks like Shira-chan has an overwhelming advantage, if you look closely, Shira-chan hasn't landed a single effective blow yet. She hasn't been able to drag them into the sea, which should be her advantage. Considering that, perhaps Kagura and the others are the ones winning."
"Ah, I see."
"Furthermore, Shira-chan is still wary of whether Kagura-sama and the others have similar powerful finishing moves after receiving that one blow from Asurin-sama earlier, and the inability to unleash a full-powered attack is also the cause of this stalemate. Both of them are simply cowards. I wish they would finish this quickly so Master can concentrate on his work."
"..."
Kirika seemed quite irritated.
After all, she was beaten to the punch by Shira-chan in the search for Magic Gear, and then she was entrusted with the negotiation with Shira-chan in the Blue Hole and achieved results.
Seeing Shira-chan basking in the praise of Asurin and the others due to her continuous success, Kirika was likely jealous.
However, what Kirika said was not wrong.
It was a fact that this would continue indefinitely.
This was supposed to be a short combat training session, not a long-term one.
It was meant for both sides to learn something...
"Hey! Kagura and Shira-chan. If you're just going to keep glaring at each other, it's meaningless, so stop for today! Or, at least one of you should make a decisive move! I also received a report from Shira-chan, and I want to prioritize that."
The moment I called out...
"I'm going!"
"Roger!"
"Come on!"
They stopped glaring and both lunged forward.
"Huh? Did I pull the trigger?"
"Indeed. Well, it would be problematic if they kept glaring at each other forever, so isn't it fine?"
"Now, rather than watching the outcome of such pathetic fights, please read the report as soon as possible and give your opinion. We need to consider how to convey this to the Sea Siphon Kingdom."
"No, Kirika. Let's watch it first. It's not a stalemate anymore, they've started moving."
I couldn't help but smile wryly at Kirika's reaction and said so. Taiki-kun seemed to agree...
"Kirika-san. They are doing their best even now. If you watch and give them advice, and they become stronger, won't Yuki-san be happy? Right?"
"Ah, Kirika has her own perspective. I think her opinions, different from mine and Taiki-kun's, will be beneficial for Kagura and the others."
"...If Master says so, then I have no choice. Indeed, if they remain as they are, they will only hold Master and the others back. I shall also offer my strict opinions."
...Hmm, I think I've gained Kirika's cooperation, but it sounds quite harsh.
Well, it could also be interpreted that they were too lenient before, so maybe it's fine?
And so, with Kirika promising to provide proper guidance, we continued to watch the battle between Kagura and Shira-chan...
"Guh... I yield."
"We did it!!"
In the end, Shira-chan lost.
Kagura and the others who defeated her were cheering in unison.
Even Princess Stasia.
Shira-chan's defeat was because she completely emerged from the sea and was washed ashore.
The moment I told them to decide it, they both charged at each other, but Shira-chan inadvertently slipped on the ice wall that Kagura and the others had deployed, and ended up being washed ashore.
She continued to resist for a while longer with snake-like movements, but as expected, Shira-chan was not accustomed to fighting on land, and she became like a carp on a cutting board before Kagura's all-out assault.
"Alright, both of you, good work. That's all for today. Rest and we'll have a debriefing tomorrow."
"...Yes. I'm really tired."
"Yuki-sensei. Please give us a reward later."
"Ah, I certainly want one too."
"...Since you made us go through such a ordeal, I want something."
"I'll go be healed by my sister."