第１３８３堀：予想外の結果 (Part1)
Chapter 1383: An Unexpected Result
Side: Deryu
I believe it was the eastern town... ah, yes, Suacania.
We had deployed about a kilometer or so past it, but for some reason, Lilishe-sama was shadowboxing and flashing a smile in my direction.
"Now, now, please don't make me the source of your violence, will you? I did teach you, but still."
I called out to her to stop her from getting too carried away. I had taught her because she mentioned wanting to land a blow on Faide-sama. In truth, I’d heard that Faide-sama had been suffering from wrist pain, so I had simply taught her proper combat techniques.
And, well, perhaps it’s a testament to her talent—or perhaps to the sheer intensity of her grudge—but she had improved at an astonishing speed. If she were to turn that against a person, they would surely die. I had argued with her, asking if she intended to ruin the negotiations, but...
"Oh, don't worry~. I don't intend to throw the first punch. It all depends on how the opponent moves~."
As she said this, she turned her gaze toward the town, where we could see an army sluggishly emerging from the gates.
"They’re armed. Can they not see our flags?"
To avoid being mistaken for enemies, we had, of course, raised the flags of Suurus and the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
"That’s just it~. They’ve never seen our vehicles up close before, so they’re probably just being cautious~. Plus, they likely think they can just threaten us into leaving."
"Well, our numbers are overwhelmingly smaller. Five hundred at most, I’d say."
Even so, we had nearly a hundred vehicles, including combat-ready ones. Given the enemy's equipment, the possibility of us losing in terms of raw combat power was virtually zero. Our troops were deployed, but they were kept in a state where they could board the vehicles at a moment's notice. There was no reason to engage in a head-on fight against an opponent who outnumbered us. The plan was to keep our distance and end it with gunfire.
Still, I had heard the Royal Guards were practicing with firearms, but this was their first real-world deployment. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety, but Steve’s unit was also with the vehicles. Above all, the enemy’s reach was limited to bows and spears. One must never be careless, but I didn't believe the Royal Guards, who had trained for this sort of thing until they were sick of it, would lose. Provided it didn't devolve into a chaotic melee, that is.
"Any ambushes?"
"None, ma'am. I’ve checked with the drones, and there’s nothing. No heat signatures, no magical resonance."
"And what about the possibility of a dungeon~?"
"The advance unit has already turned it into a dungeon. There are no high-level opponents. At most, there’s a general around level 67."
"Hmm. Well, that’s about average. Or perhaps even a bit inferior?"
"This area has been peaceful, so the only way to level up is by hunting monsters, I suppose~."
No wars meant low levels, then. It’s hard to say how to feel about that. Why, then, did they try to take the town?
"Were you able to confirm any ulterior motives?"
"Information is a bit scarce. There’s always been talk of friction regarding the ownership of the eastern town, but about fifty years ago, Litea intervened, and it was officially recognized as Suurus territory. It’s been quiet since then. If they moved physically, Litea would have moved, after all."
"Hmm. That matches what I heard in Suurus. Is there really a reason to be so obsessed with that town?"
"If they get the land—or rather, the town—the tax revenue increases, after all."
"Money? That seems counterproductive if a war breaks out."
"I’m sure it’s a matter of face, too~. They saw a situation where they could finally take a town they’ve been squabbling over for ages."
"Well, that’s likely part of it."
People are such slaves to their own pride. It’s the ones caught in the middle who suffer for it.
"For now, there aren't any strange objects inside the town, are there?"
"Nothing like that found. No explosives or poisons. Oh, wait—I don't know if it’s a pharmacy or not, but there is a place where chemicals are stored. However, they don't seem to be set up as traps."
"That area requires close surveillance."
"We’re already on it."
In other words, they were tracking those movements as well. Yuki has them well-trained; perhaps there was no need for me to chime in at all.
"The problem is~ whether the residents of Suacania are safe~. The prior reports said it didn't look like they were being harmed, but now that it’s a dungeon, you have the details, right~?"
"According to the data, there are no injuries. The command center is at the lord’s mansion. Supplies are also being gathered near the mansion, so it seems they are at least requisitioning goods from the townspeople."
If one were to listen to their pretense of "protecting the town from the Great Outbreak," it might seem like a natural course of action, but...
"Can you confirm the supplies they brought?"
"Oh, I can. It’s mostly arms and armor, though. Even then, it wouldn't last them thirty days. The amount of food they have suggests they were counting on the town’s own supplies from the start."
"So, they were planning to loot it from the beginning. Or perhaps they think they’re just collecting taxes."
To them, they were likely just following orders from above and "protecting" the town, but from Suurus’s perspective, they were nothing more than invaders. Moreover, their deployment was slow, and just as they had finally managed to get into formation...
Our envoy headed toward them.
Usually, we should have sent one sooner, but since the enemy had begun deploying their army, I was worried about whether they could handle themselves if they approached while we were still in a state of preparation. That said, these kinds of envoys run the risk of having their heads cut off.
"I wonder if they’ll return safely."
"Usually, beheading an envoy is a declaration of war, so unless they’re truly desperate, they won’t do it~."
"I certainly hope so."
We were effectively already at war, but internal Suurus affairs were the only reason things were playing out this way. They were likely using the excuse of "protecting the town" to justify their effective control, knowing full well the situation. And now, they would likely try to persuade or threaten the Suurus delegation—who had come to protest—into leaving. The difference in numbers was simply too great, after all. They probably assumed it wouldn't come to a fight.
"Oh, looks like they’re back."
As I wondered how Agil could see the view from over there, I realized she was standing on top of a vehicle. From that vantage point, she could certainly see well.
"At any rate, they’ve returned safely. Let’s hear what they have to say."
When Jessica said this, everyone nodded and moved to the area where Princess Hasnia and the others were gathered. The Suurus delegation didn't look particularly pleased.
"How did it go~?"
I was wondering how to phrase the question, but Lilishe-sama asked without hesitation. Truly, she is a goddess.
"Priestess Lilishe."
Princess Hasnia reacted to the voice, looking troubled as she glanced at the envoy before nodding.
"The Kinauf Kingdom says they will not withdraw from the eastern town of Suacania. They intend to continue their 'defense' of the area."