第１０３９堀：大山脈捜索の本当の意味 (Part1)
**Chapter 1039: The True Meaning of Searching the Great Mountain Range**
**Side: Schow**
"The snowy mountains are incredibly cold."
"How noisy. I don't need your repetitive, simple-minded comments every single time."
Such was the sharp and merciless response from my master, the beloved Emperor of Eupia.
Even though I am currently venturing into this frigid Great Mountain Range under the Emperor’s direct decree, what cold treatment this is.
"That cannot be helped. As this is a report on military affairs, it is only natural to begin with the weather conditions."
"You can save such formalities for the written report. Besides, you’re just saying it’s cold, aren't you? So, is that all for your report? Any results from today’s search?"
"Yes. I would like to say 'unfortunately,' but this time, it is even worse than that."
"Worse?"
"Yes. We were blessed with good weather for the past five days, but today, there is a fierce blizzard. It is an environment where human activity is simply impossible."
"Hmm, a fierce blizzard, you say..."
Ah, this is no good. The Emperor of Eupia doesn't grasp the slightest bit of the "worst-case combo" that is a blizzard in the snowy mountains.
"Later, the footage recorded by Aslin and the others will be delivered via Deryu, so please check it. It is a world of zero visibility and sub-zero temperatures. Not only myself, but even Aslin and the others could lose their footing and become stranded. Milly has given us strict orders that on days like this, we are not to step outside under any circumstances—not even a single step."
"Hmm. To think Milly would go that far. Indeed, that topic did come up when we were considering the invasion route through the snowy mountains."
"Yes. It was discussed when we decided on the invasion route to the Forma Kingdom. Certainly, in an environment like this, people would easily freeze to death. Even just preparing cold-weather gear would cost an astronomical sum. I am keenly realizing that abandoning that route was truly the correct decision. And I am simply astonished by the depth of insight held by both generals."
Even I had thought that the snowy mountains would be no problem as long as one was properly prepared.
However, experiencing it firsthand, it is not a matter of "preparation." I had thought that having a few tents for every few soldiers would suffice, but in this, they would freeze to death in the blink of an eye.
"Hmm. So the northernmost route is truly a land difficult to invade. In that case, was there no need for vigilance?"
"No. On the contrary, guard troops are absolutely necessary. That route is a vulnerability precisely because of that. If an army could pass through there safely, they would undoubtedly be an elite force, and they would not be thinking of turning back. They would have no choice but to push forward. Naturally, they wouldn't expect to be able to cross the snowy mountains safely a second time to retreat."
"...In other words, a suicide squad."
"Yes. If an enemy were to advance through there, intercepting them would not be easy. That is why we must be even more vigilant."
"I understand well. We shall strengthen our vigilance further. But tell me, why are we talking about the northernmost route instead of the snowy mountains right in front of you?"
"That cannot be helped. After all, there is an outrageous blizzard outside."
As I said this, I strained my eyes, trying to catch even a glimpse of the outside through the window attached to the container.
If it were clear, one could see a beautiful snowy landscape, but now...
*Whoooooosh...*
Just white.
Truly, just pure white.
And when night falls, it will simply turn to black.
Moreover, even light is meaningless.
The snow covers everything in this world, and light has no purpose at all.
I feel that there is no one who could step out of this container into the outside world and survive.
"Still, to find nothing at all... This is a problem that precedes investigating the true nature of this thing called 'Gaehen'."
"Yes. To begin with, the legend of the great adventurer Gaehen is from the distant past. It is likely impossible to find even the slightest trace. Above all, the time frame is too short. It is already quite fortunate that we found the town Gaehen stopped at before challenging the Great Mountain Range."
"That is true. For us, the investigation of the monsters in the Great Mountain Range might be of greater value."
"Yes. In this matter, that information is likely more valuable to our country."
For Yuki and his companions, tracking the source of the calamity known as the Dungeon Master might be the priority. However, for us, the threat of the monsters we can actually see before our eyes is of a higher danger level.
No, Yuki is being that cautious, so perhaps we simply don't have a proper grasp of this unrealistic existence—the Dungeon Master who manipulates monsters and causes disasters—which we only know of as information.
Just as we only knew the meaning of these snowy mountains as mere words.
But that is precisely why we must first deal with the problems we can understand.
"Indeed. Yuki and his companions will deal with and protect us from things beyond our understanding. It cannot be helped that we rely on them for that, but humans have no choice but to steadily do what they can."
"Yes. If it were just us, we would never have touched the Great Mountain Range, and we would have completely overlooked the threat of the dungeons."
"That is so. Since Yuki and his companions arrived, the obstacles hindering our army's advance are being steadily removed. We have sent monitors to all the dungeons scattered throughout the Forma Kingdom. We should be able to react immediately if anything happens. As for Vol, with the magic gems and Magic Gear gifted by the Haire Church, our army is greater than it ever was in the past. It would be strange to lose after being supported this much. Other fronts are also being watched by Mirabelle and other smaller units. Even if we are breached, we will be able to respond in time."
"Yes. Yuki-sama seems to be overly sensitive, even loathing the smallest of sacrifices... but we never thought we could achieve results without shedding our own blood."
That’s right, we are in a "war."
I don't harbor any naive thoughts that I can remain safe myself.
After all, I have a past where half of my own body was burned.
"Indeed. It is certainly good if there are no sacrifices. However, if you fear sacrifice, you lose everything. Well, even Yuki-sama would likely not hesitate to make such a decision when the time comes."
"Indeed. Otherwise, he would not have thought to challenge the Second Front Army led by General Vol, knowing the absolute difference in numbers, even with that aircraft carrier."
Yuki-sama would not hesitate to use tactics that force sacrifices on those around him if it came down to it.
That is precisely why he is trustworthy.
He is by no means soft. He is always steadily assessing the situation.
If something happens, he will surely take action and keep the damage to a minimum.
"From the start, their capabilities are far superior to our country's. If even they were to fail, we would never succeed. If so, we should leave our backs to them and push forward to achieve our own goals. That is why Yuki-sama has set the stage as much as possible."
"Then, Your Majesty."
"Yes. In any case, I never expected to be able to track a person from the distant past from the start. However, it would be better to have Aslin and the others continue the search and investigation in those snowy mountains. With monsters that can not only defeat wyverns but destroy an entire country in their service, they should be able to deal with the monsters of the Great Mountain Range easily."
"Ahaha. I was truly surprised by that. However, I did not think Your Majesty knew."
"I am Aslin's best friend, am I not? There is no way I wouldn't know about the Ten Demon Beasts."
The Ten Demon Beasts.