第１０３１堀：大山脈攻略決定 (Part2)
In fact, we are pushing forward toward the enemy.
"That's right. You haven't managed to get your hands on the enemy's intelligence, Yuki, but you are definitely achieving results and providing momentum for the Zurable Empire. You’re just a bit of a worrier, so you can't simply accept a good outcome when you see one, can you?"
"I just don't feel settled unless I have a firm grasp on the enemy's movements."
"I understand how you feel, but it’s good experience to have times like these. Of course, it would be wonderful to have all the information gathered, preparations complete, and be able to fight at full strength, but such a battlefield rarely exists in reality. Yuki, you know that better than anyone, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do. That’s why I always assumed the worst and hoped to take the best possible countermeasures. Ah, but before I knew it, it had become second nature to grasp every single move the opponent made."
Man, habit is a scary thing.
It had become the norm.
"That’s why, sometimes, it’s necessary to fight with only the light you have in your hand. And in order to increase that light..."
"I need to survey the Great Mountain Range, right?"
"Exactly. You just need to clear the problems in front of you one by one. If you do that, you can steadily secure the safety of your surroundings. So, what about the journal of that guy, Gaeen, which sparked this search? I’ve only heard the summary, but what was it actually like?"
"It wasn't so much a journal as it was a diary. It covered everything from his birth to how he became a Dungeon Master, and how bored he was. Man, he was quite the diligent writer; there were about ten volumes of it."
"Ten volumes!? Doesn't that make it hard to believe it’s just a fake?"
"Well, I thought the possibility was low, but I needed confirmation. So, I had the wives look into stories of famous people using documents collected by Schans and records from the Adventurer Guild."
"And that’s how you found the record of Gaeen."
"Right. Carefully documented as a famous adventurer. The Adventurer Guild's records end with the entry that Gaeen headed toward the Great Mountain Range. So, all that’s left is to figure out which route he took to enter the mountains..."
"Meaning it’s possible to investigate. Anyway, getting off track—will you give me permission for the survey? If I get the go-ahead, I’ll head out as soon as the information is gathered."
Well, it always comes down to this.
But, since the wives and Comet will be heading out as Doppelgangers, it should be fine.
Hmm, considering the previous trip to the Dragon Mountain, I can't really say no.
"Understood. Get your preparations ready. Also, after the initial survey, I’ll likely need you to monitor the movements of the monsters in the Great Mountain Range as well."
"I understand. It wouldn't be good if they came pouring into the Zurable region or Kagura’s country, after all."
As I gave Agil the permission and started writing the authorization documents...
"We’ve received a report! The place Gaeen headed toward!"
"Eh!? Really, Tori?"
"...Where? Ah, from Jessica."
What timing.
My wives are truly excellent.
"The data has arrived here too. Let's see..."
"What does it say? Oh, this is a town at the foot of the Great Mountain Range. Hmm, it seems they built a fortress there long ago to repel monsters coming from the mountains. And now, the lord of this place is settled thanks to support from the Zurable Empire. Oh, and the Adventurer Guild is cooperating to protect this place, too."
"They say there are many powerful monsters near the Great Mountain Range. Emperor Yupia and Schans mentioned that they had countries adjacent to the range join their side on the condition that the Zurable Empire provides support."
"Well, that’s a common story. Submitting to a great power in exchange for defense. Position-wise, it’s right in the middle. From this route, you could also reach the summit where the Hydra Cleena investigated lives. If that’s the case, it’s doubtful there would be any evidence left even if he died."
"That’s true. Most people who try to cross the Great Mountain Range either get attacked by monsters and become food, or get buried in the heavy snow near the summit and freeze to death. You can't really go searching for them, and either way, I don't think you'd find anything."
Even on Earth, many of those who went missing while climbing Everest still haven't been recovered and remain in the mountains.
Well, it’s not that they are left there on purpose; it’s just that they can't be recovered.
"Make sure you bring proper cold-weather gear. I don't think the presence of monsters prevents the use of magic, but if you underestimate a snowy mountain, you’ll die. It would be quite something if the first death among the Doppelgangers was a freezing death because they didn't bring cold-weather gear."
"Haha. I’d like to avoid that. I’ll make sure to prepare."
Well then, the rear is settled with this.
Now, in the remaining two months or so, let's see how much I can solidify the surroundings.
The dispatched unit will be a technical team centered around Agil.
Now, what is waiting in the Great Mountain Range?