第１３９９堀：調査も簡単には行かない (Part2)
"Not yet. For now, any attempt at an investigation hinges entirely on the envoys sent to those two nations."
Indeed, it isn't as simple as repelling the enemy and immediately moving to an investigation. There is no guarantee they won't come swinging again. While our allies have pledged to commit troops should we launch an offensive against those two nations, that requires preparation. Personally, I just hope the envoys can successfully negotiate with them...
"Do you really think they'll agree to talk?"
Milly seems skeptical. I share her sentiment. The Irinau Kingdom is one thing, but the Kinauf Kingdom explicitly declared war on us. It’s clear they are itching for a fight, and whether they’ll be receptive to dialogue is highly questionable. Still, we have the precedent of Princess Hasnia and Lilishe, who were sent as envoys and returned safely...
"At the very least, I hope they succeed in delivering the message. If the envoys come back as nothing more than severed heads, we’re headed straight for total war."
"Exactly. But can we really afford to leave the ruined western town and the suspected dungeon site unattended?"
"It’s not exactly unattended. I have Steve’s forces monitoring the perimeter, and we’re providing overhead support with drones and familiars. Things will deteriorate, sure, but there’s no risk of looters or scavengers."
"Even so, we can't just wait around for the investigation forever, can we?"
"True. For now, it’s a matter of waiting for word from Suurus. Once the envoys arrive safely, I believe we can move forward with the investigation. In the meantime, we need to prepare for the arrival of the allied forces."
"The envoys reaching the two nations... that will take about a week, won't it?"
The look on Milly’s face says it all: that’s far too long. To put her at ease, I pull up the next image on the display.
"That’s assuming there are no interruptions. Still, as you pointed out, the delay is problematic, and we have to consider the fate of any survivors. So, I’ve already dispatched Steve’s unit to the area after the Great Outbreak was quelled. Very discreetly, of course."
The screen shows footage of goblins operating within the western town.
"And the survivors?"
"None, I’m afraid. Or rather, there are no bodies left. They were either devoured or repurposed as material for the undead."
"Does that apply to the dead in the graveyard as well?"
"That was left untouched. They were likely too decomposed or reduced to bone, so perhaps they were deemed unusable... Regardless, we are on high alert regarding the misuse of corpses, given the precedents we saw in Haiden with Sota-san, Enor-san, and Arju."
"It is certainly possible they could pose as survivors to infiltrate our ranks. Though, their ultimate objective remains unclear."
"That’s a puzzle we won't solve without intelligence from the Dark Guild or a Dungeon Master. Oh, and there was no dungeon in the western town. Nor along the path leading to it."
Milly narrows her eyes, having grasped the implication of my words.
"In other words, there wasn't one at the initial point of emergence, either. Given the scale, it’s nearly impossible for ten thousand of them to appear out of thin air without leaving footprints or signs of transit. Which means..."
"It means the enemy released a Great Outbreak-level force and then dismantled the dungeon. Though, I suppose the possibility of large-scale teleportation magic remains."
"I find the latter unlikely. If they possessed magic of that magnitude, they could deploy massive armies anywhere at will, and retreat would be just as effortless."
Whether retreat is truly effortless is debatable, but it is a fact that deploying a massive army via teleportation is far simpler than using a dungeon. That said, even if they could drop an army anywhere and seize an enemy stronghold, it wouldn't necessarily force the opponent to submit. It’s an alluring method of transport, but it’s actually ill-suited for occupation. It hasn't been widely recognized yet, and no one would accept defeat through such a tactic.
Well, there’s no point in explaining all that to Milly.
"Anyway, what about Kate from the Adventurer’s Guild? Let me know if you’re going to accept her. We need to make the necessary arrangements."
"Understood. Since she’ll be using a Gate, I expect she’ll arrive in Weed quite quickly."
"Still, coming to Weed when she’s supposed to be heading from Litea to Suurus... it makes the 'investigation' aspect pretty transparent, doesn't it?"
"It does. Though she has the pretext of deepening ties with the investigation team."
I just hope no trouble arises. Things only resolve as cleanly as they do in dramas. In reality, it’s usually just a long, steady accumulation of tedious work.