第１３５８堀：現地到着 (Part1)
Chapter 1358: Arrival at the Site
Arrival at the Site
Side: Surakichi-san
We have arrived safely at the enemy’s projected invasion route.
The trucks, mortars, and tank units have deployed, standing ready to engage at a moment’s notice.
"So, what’s the enemy's current position?"
"They’re about 20 kilometers out from our location right now."
"Cutting it close, aren't we? At their current pace, that gives us three, maybe four hours at most."
"It’s strange, isn't it? Monsters walking at the same speed as humans."
"No, it’s probably because they’re monsters; their individual physical capabilities vary, so they’ve likely set a conservative pace."
Covering 20 kilometers in three to four hours translates to a maximum speed of about 7 kilometers per hour.
A human’s walking speed is roughly 4 to 5 kilometers per hour, so they’re moving just a bit faster than that.
That said, they aren't traveling on flat, paved roads, and creatures like goblins have smaller frames, which would naturally slow them down.
More importantly...
"They’re hauling supplies, too."
"Foraging in the field is a real pain, isn't it?"
Exactly. It seems the reason they raided the western town was to secure supplies.
They aren't just taking food and water; they’re seizing weapons as well, acting like a proper army of this era.
This means there is, in fact, a commander of some sort directing the pillaging.
It’s something to be wary of, but...
"In terms of threat assessment, it actually makes things easier."
"True. If they’re busy hauling supplies, it means they don’t have much leeway. Besides, most of the people in the western town managed to flee."
"Didn't get enough DP, then? Or are they turning the western town into a dungeon?"
"Who knows?"
"So that remains unclear."
"We can’t exactly send someone to scout the site, and dropping a dungeon core there might just be a waste."
The risk is indeed too high.
Still, looking at the current situation, their behavior doesn't suggest they’ve converted the area into DP.
"By the way, you mentioned Lilishe-sama provided intelligence on the Suurus Principality. What kind of information are we talking about?"
"Ah, you mean the meeting notes. Since Weed has almost no connection to the Suurus Principality, we had no idea where their landmines were buried. That was the gist of it. Also, since her daughter once traveled through that country and stayed there for a while, she provided info on whether or not there were any dungeons present."
"I see... wait, how many years ago was that? That woman has lived for quite a while, hasn't she? Is that information even reliable?"
"The reliability is solid because she was actually there. What we really needed to determine was whether any new dungeons had been established since then."
"Ah, I get it. If Lilishe-sama, who was actually on that land, doesn't know of any, then we can safely assume any dungeon there is a new one."
I see. In that sense, Lilishe-sama’s testimony is a vital source of intelligence.
As we were discussing this, a subordinate approached.
"All units are in position. There are no threatening enemies within a 10-kilometer radius. Only isolated monsters like goblins and wolves are present."
"Report acknowledged. Alright, we’re deploying the fortress as planned. Notify everyone: deployment in five minutes."
"Yes, sir!"
It seems the interception posture is set; all that remains is to deploy the fortress.
Even so, this is the part that makes me the most nervous.
"Will the core actually take?"
"Well, there’s only one way to find out."
Steve checks his watch and prepares the core.
If the core doesn't integrate into the ground smoothly, it means this land is already owned by an unknown Dungeon Master.
If that’s the case, fighting here would be a disaster.
We’d have to contact the Boss, dump a massive amount of DP to seize it, or find a different, unaffected location.
Well, given that they are currently fighting in a town and the monsters are moving across the land, it’s safe to assume the land hasn't been claimed yet, but as Steve said, you never know until you try.
It’s possible they have some sort of trap set to trigger only when a large army approaches.
By the way, we are all equipped with anti-magic gear, so we won't show up on any radar that reacts to magic power.
In other words, we are invisible to the enemy Dungeon Master.
The Boss’s decision to send exactly 100 people was influenced by this, too.
I recall Zargis saying that if you gather more than 100 people, the magical output becomes impossible to mask.
That guy is brilliant. Though, for us, it’s hard to grasp beyond a "vague sense of level," we just have to trust that’s how it works.
As I was thinking about this, the clock ticked toward the five-minute mark.
"Counting down: 10, 9, 8, 7..."
I started the countdown, and my subordinates tightened their expressions, scanning the surroundings.
We’ve never been ambushed during this phase before, but that doesn't mean it won't happen now.
Never let your guard down.
Still, we weren't assaulted this time either.
"3, 2, 1... 0."
"Deploy."
At my zero count, Steve drops the core onto the ground.
Now, what happens?
Steve and I fix our eyes on the core, watching it fall.
*Thump...*
The core hits the ground and, without bouncing, sinks into the earth as if it were water.
The first phase is a success.
Now, all that’s left is to see if the "Dig-Dig-Woof-Woof" system can initialize. Steve immediately activates it, and I can see the interface screen pop up.
"Moving to the second phase."
"Understood. All units, move to the second phase. I repeat, move to the second phase."
Following Steve’s command, the subordinates relay the orders to their respective units.
The second phase is the deployment of the fortress.
I contact the Boss at headquarters.
"Suurus advance team. First phase successful. Moving to the second phase."
"Understood. Continue the operation."
"Copy."
While I was responding, the fortress began to rise from the ground with a low, rumbling *goro-goro* sound.
I’ve seen buildings constructed by dungeons many times, but since it emerges as if growing from the earth, it feels like it’s being supplied directly from the core buried deep underground.
Meanwhile, the deployed units maintain their vigilance.
Reports come in one after another from the units stationed outside the corners of the Goryokaku-style fortress.
"Point 1, no abnormalities."
"Point 2, no abnormalities."
"Point 3, no abnormalities."
"..."
Reports arrive from all key locations.
Everything is clear; no enemy presence detected.
And as the fortress reaches completion...
"Moving to the third phase."
"Understood, moving to the third phase. I repeat, moving to the third phase."