第１３６２堀：不透明な今 (Part1)
Chapter 1362: The Opaque Present
Side: Yuki
The screen displays nothing but the scattered remains of monsters.
Even the lucky few that survived the third wave of attacks were utterly pulverized by the concentrated barrage.
Well, in truth, I did manage to secure a few specimens for sampling, but that aside, the current situation is...
"Operation complete. We are transitioning to standard defensive posture, remaining vigilant for any remaining enemy presence."
The report comes in from the fortress operator.
Without any major issues, the threat that had been assaulting the Principality of Suls has been eliminated.
While the possibility of reinforcements arriving is not zero, there is no doubt that the immediate threat has been definitively neutralized.
And the various nations watching this unfold...
"Hmm. I knew the intelligence reports, but to see it... 'incredible' is the only word."
"Indeed. The very nature of warfare has changed. Simply gathering numbers is no longer enough."
"So this is the power of the weaponry possessed by Weed. Sigh, I am truly glad they are allies rather than enemies. Thanks to them, the Principality of Suls has been saved."
The words from the King of Roschur and the King of Gartz could be interpreted as an expression of wariness toward Weed, but after Alstaire’s comment, everyone nodded, and that wariness seemed to dissipate somewhat.
Given that level of firepower, it is only natural for a nation to be cautious.
Nevertheless, thanks to the foundations we have built thus far, we are managing to get by for the time being.
If we had no credibility, they would surely be plotting all sorts of schemes right now.
And we would undoubtedly be mired in one troublesome war after another.
"Then, can we consider this Great Stampede to be, for the time being, contained?"
The question comes from Eupia.
Since this is her first Great Stampede, it is only natural that she cannot make that judgment herself.
"It is too early to call it contained. We need to observe the passage of time. Furthermore, we must find the origin point of where this Great Stampede began. If they are coming out of a dungeon..."
"Then it won't end until that place is crushed. Well, that goes without saying. But, we can say the immediate crisis has been averted, can we not?"
"That's true. The emergency has been handled. Assuming no other armies have emerged elsewhere, that is."
I reply with a hint of ambiguity, causing Alstaire to look at me with a startled expression as she asks, "Eh? What do you mean by that?"
"There is a non-zero possibility that detachment units are heading toward the northern town, the western town, and the royal capital. You aren't in contact with them, are you?"
"Th-that couldn't possibly..."
As Alstaire turns pale, the Grand Master laughs and says...
"Yuki-dono, there is no need to frighten her so. When I contacted them before joining this meeting, the safety of the northern and western towns of the Principality of Suls, as well as the royal capital, had been confirmed. I have arranged for the Adventurer's Guild to send word if anything happens, so I believe it is safe to judge that there is no issue. After the report of the Great Stampede, each town dispatched reconnaissance units to their respective areas, you see."
He says this to put her at ease.
However, only the Grand Master’s Adventurer's Guild knows that.
We do not have exchanges with the Principality of Suls, making it impossible to gather information evenly.
That is why I told Alstaire to remain vigilant rather than saying things to reassure her.
"Th-that is a relief. However, what Yuki-dono says is also reasonable. We only know that an army of 10,000 suddenly appeared; it would not be strange if they appeared elsewhere. We must also confirm this with Litea. I will send a messenger to verify immediately."
Seeing Alstaire realize my point and immediately devise a countermeasure, I am reminded that she is, indeed, the leader of a nation.
No, if someone told me everything was solved, I would actually feel more uneasy.
"Indeed. An army of that scale appeared. To think that was the end of it would be too optimistic."
"True. Military action always has an objective. Perhaps the enemy is currently negotiating with the royal capital of the Principality of Suls."
"..."
At the words of Queen Emerald of Sea-Scypho, everyone falls silent.
They all thought the same thing: *That is entirely possible.*
And the Queen, reading the atmosphere...
"Alstaire-dono, do you not have a messenger in the Principality of Suls? Or perhaps a diplomat?"
"We do, but due to the current chaos, we are unable to make contact. Normally, one would assume they are preparing their defenses, but..."
"Come to think of it, what has become of the messenger who was sent to deliver the response about sending reinforcements to the Principality of Suls?"
"They do not have the mobility that Weed possesses. They are using swift horses, but they are likely still in transit. I received word that they arrived at the northern town, but it is a long distance to the royal capital, so it will still take time. Once they arrive, word should come from the Litea embassy in Suls, but..."
"The fact that there is no word means we should assume they haven't arrived yet?"
"Yes."
So, because the Principality of Suls is not part of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, even getting a single piece of information is a struggle.
It is clear that being "information-poor" is a fatal flaw.
Though, we are information-poor ourselves.
It is impossible to gather information evenly in all directions, but using an army as a decoy to raid a capital is a classic assault tactic.
If you cut off the head, there is no one left to make decisions.
It is a standard procedure, or rather, a method one must be wary of above all else.
I had overlooked such an obvious strategy myself, distracted by the fact that the enemies came from a dungeon and that it was a Great Stampede.
Still, I cannot stand here in a daze.
"Alstaire. I’ll send people from the fortress to the royal capital as well, is that alright?"
"Ah, yes. Since we have a Gate, traveling by vehicle would be... well, it's a delicate situation, but since we don't know if the messenger arrived safely, it would be better to go. I would like to send a messenger from Litea, but it takes time to summon the right person..."
Well, I can't just send someone who knows nothing.
It takes time just to select someone who understands the circumstances of Litea and the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, and who grasps the current situation.
Hmm, since that can't be helped, should I have Steve and the others go ahead and secure a Gate?
If push comes to shove, we could just barge in and handle it ourselves.
The biggest problem would be the situation resolving itself in a way we don't want.
As I am thinking this...
"Haaai. Since you all seem to be in trouble, I don't mind going to Suls~"
With a voice that sounded like her head was in the clouds, Lilishe raised her hand and stood up.
"..."
The leaders of the various nations participating in this meeting all know Lilishe’s true identity.