第１０２１堀：ダンジョン調査 易 (Part2)
"Otherwise, we'd end up in a situation where half the squad can't eat when a raid happens. People can survive without breaks, but they can't survive without food, you know."
...Hm? Are monsters considered people? Well, let's just say goblins are demi-humans. Besides, the Boss isn't some kind of heartless demon who'd make us work without breaks no matter what.
Hm? Wait a second... when was the last time I took a day off?
『What's wrong? Trouble?』
"No, it's nothing. I just suddenly wondered when I last took a break."
『A break, huh? According to Steve's schedule, wasn't your day off just two days ago?』
"Huh? Oh, was it?"
『Well, you're military personnel, so even if you take a break, all you can really do is lounge around inside Weed. Besides, didn't you go out and have a good time with Alfin on your last day off?』
"Ah... now that you mention it, that did... happen. We went to that infinite hell of a shop that opened up, the one that serves delicious cakes..."
Mountain after mountain of "sugar" brought out one after another. Sweets were supposed to be precious, high-class luxuries in this world... yet for me, they have become one of the instruments of hellish torture. It’s a strange phenomenon.
"That's right. I was planning on going for a health checkup on my next day off."
『...I see. I hope your blood sugar isn't up. Well, even if you do get something like diabetes, I'll make sure to cure you properly with Extra Heal and Elixirs, so don't worry about the illness and just go ahead and keep Alfin company to your heart's content.』
"Why would you say that!? That stuff is torture! Sweets are torture!"
『No, usually sweets are considered a reward, you know.』
"There's a limit to everything, you know!"
『I understand that, but since you're living together, you should really teach and guide her properly. Same goes for your fellow Holy Sword users.』
"Impossible. That's just impossible. We've tried to stop her over and over again... but we couldn't... Whenever she gets teary-eyed, we just..."
『Geez. That's because you guys spoil her too much. You need to tell her clearly when something is a no-go.』
...That's true, of course. But now that she's even opened a shop selling those sweets, it's become even harder to say no.
While we were talking about how there was no problem greater than this one, in a sense:
"Captain, break time is over."
"Oh, is that so? Then, the scheduled squad will immediately infiltrate the dungeon, secure the core, and begin the experiment to seize control of the dungeon."
"Understood!"
The moment I gave the order, the squad members moved with crisp efficiency. The dungeon infiltration team, having finished their preparations without a hitch, gave me a sharp salute.
"I expect you all to complete your mission."
"Yes, sir!"
And right on schedule, the squad members infiltrated the dungeon.
『So, how do you think it'll go?』
"Like I said before, I'm hoping for nothing to happen."
I really want to avoid life-or-death shootouts in a place like this. Now, all that's left is to wait for the report that the dungeon has been seized without incident, but...
『This is the infiltration team, do you copy?』
"I hear you. Is there trouble?"
『No. We've deployed the dungeon core. We have successfully seized control of this dungeon.』
"Well done. Then, as planned, keep the ownership as is, and send over the dungeon's floor data and the terrain data under its control."
『Understood.』
I looked over the data that was sent over with the reply. We have a policy of checking everything thoroughly, because there's always the possibility of deceptive information—a method used to make us think we've seized the dungeon when we haven't. There's also the trick of intentionally handing it over to let us drop our guard, only to snatch it back later. Well, it usually costs too much DP to be worth it, but if the opponent is someone like the Boss, he’d do it gladly.
『How is it?』
"Doesn't look like deception. It accurately shows the positions of Kirika's intelligence agents, which only the Boss and I should know."
My subordinates don't know the positions of Kirika's agents, so it would be impossible for them to fake it.
『So that means you've successfully seized it.』
"Looks like it. Still, even if we succeeded..."
『Oh, the real work starts now. Organize a survey team and investigate the inside of the dungeon.』
"Understood. Phase one complete. Moving to phase two."
And thus, we have taken the first step toward investigating the enemy. A dungeon existing on the side of the Hein Empire. What on earth will come out of it?
The dungeon investigation begins.
Now then, what kind of information will come to light?
What is the enemy thinking?
Will Steve and the others be able to properly guide Alfin!