第１０２８堀：大事なのは結果にたどり着く方法と決断 (Part2)
"That's true. The only stroke of luck we have is that the dungeon conquest is going well. We should make the most of that."
Indeed, the initial plan had assumed we would only be able to capture three dungeons during the three months it would take for the Zurable army to organize and march.
Well, that number was based on the expectation of enemy resistance, but since we’ve been able to secure them with virtually no opposition, I decided it would be better to keep increasing our number of dungeons.
"It's not like we're arbitrarily setting up dungeons within Zurable territory. We’re just taking over existing ones."
"And then we make them function as defensive installations. Yes, I suppose that’s fine. Though, it does raise the question of how much extra budget that will require."
"You might think that’s the problem, but the dungeon cores we’ve secured are accumulating DP every day, so we can use that. Those places were magnificent piggy banks."
"I see. So the DP can be covered by the conquered dungeons."
"Exactly. Well, if we only secure dungeons with little foot traffic, our budget will eventually run dry, but we want to conduct extensive information gathering, and securing a budget is essential for that. Which means our next targets should be..."
"Larger-scale dungeons, then. If we do that, there’s a possibility we might run into a real challenge eventually."
"Exactly. Since we’re stirring up the enemy’s territory, they’ll naturally start moving too. So, we won’t put too much effort into tracking down Gaeen."
I reached my conclusion there.
While Comet’s reasoning had merit, we couldn't afford to divert too many resources into chasing a single person.
Taking the path that directly supports our allied forces is the best move in this situation.
"Not putting much effort into it, huh... So, who are you going to send there? I thought you said the Great Mountain Range was dangerous?"
"At most, a small squad. I’ll contact Steve and have him select the personnel. Fortunately, people don't go near there anyway. If I send someone like Mino-chan or Surakichi-san, they should be able to manage."
"If the condition is a small group with decent capability, that’s the only option. Steve and John’s group are busy with the dungeon conquest on the Highn Empire side. Well, if they happen to find something in the Great Mountain Range, consider it a stroke of luck."
"True. Let’s treat it as a field survey of the monsters in the Great Mountain Range while we’re at it. I’ve heard there are powerful monsters there, but we haven’t actually confirmed it ourselves."
I had said we wouldn't put much effort into the Great Mountain Range, but I still gave it a secondary purpose.
The possibility of monsters coming from the Great Mountain Range wasn't zero.
It would be a nuisance if monsters wandered out of the mountains and attacked the Zurable Great Empire without us knowing.
"Oh, that reminds me—speaking of taking control of dungeons, you warned them about that, so the Zurable Great Empire sent out a dungeon investigation unit, didn't they?"
"Now that you mention it, I did say that."
"Why don't you check what their current understanding of dungeons is? And the status of their conquest. You never know, they might have already cleared one."
"Is there really such a convenient possibility? Even the dungeon Kirue secured was on the 63rd floor. It hasn't even been a week since the dungeon attack began. There’s no way a total novice could clear a dungeon in that amount of time, right?"
If dungeons were that easy to clear, someone local would have done it ages ago.
"Still, they are soldiers, aren't they? Even if they are beginners at dungeon diving, they should have plenty of combat experience. Plus, they're used to group tactics. I’d think they’re better than your average adventurer party, wouldn't you?"
"Well, I suppose there’s some value in just hearing the progress report."
"Exactly. Information is important. You’re always saying that yourself. So, go ahead and ask Emperor Yupia for the details."
"Understood."
And so, I set off to issue orders for the dungeon conquest, select members for the Great Mountain Range search, and ask Emperor Yupia for an update on their progress.
"Wait a minute... didn't my workload just increase?"
"Just do your best. We’re handling all the work for Weed on this end, after all."
"Yes, I'll do my best."
When put that way, I have no choice but to do my best.
...I really need to think seriously about recruiting more personnel.
Everything has its limits.
Countries, organizations—they’re all the same.
Weed hasn't had that problem until now, but this time, we are completely understaffed.
How we compensate for that and find the answer—that’s just what life is all about.