落とし穴外伝：敵を倒すための編成 (Part1)
Pitfall Side Story: The Formation to Defeat the Enemy
Happy New Year.
I look forward to working with you again this year.
The Formation to Defeat the Enemy
Side: Taiki
"So, you're telling me a Demon Lord is running wild at the end of the year?"
"Well, it’s the end of the year, isn't it? Seems fitting, don't you think?"
When I asked Yuki-san with a look of disbelief, he replied with an expression that suggested he was just as unwilling to deal with this as I was.
I suppose it’s a play on the year coming to a close, but still...
"That is beyond troublesome."
"Be that as it may, it’s not something we can ignore. Let’s just accept it. We’ve taken on this role, after all."
Taizo-san was the one who spoke up in response to my complaint.
We had been summoned in a hurry to resolve one of Luna’s impossible demands.
Personally, I couldn't care less how many strangers the Demon Lord took out—that just sounded like a failure of their own diplomatic capabilities—but if the damage started reaching our doorstep, we couldn't just look the other way.
"This is quite the predicament. So, what is the specific plan?"
Souta-san was already asking for the strategy.
*Sigh.* I guess there’s no point in me being the only one complaining.
"This request has a side to it involving Luna, so we’ll be getting some support. Specifically, we’re going to send a divine revelation to the high-ranking officials of a nation on the brink of collapse, prompting them to summon us."
"Ah, so you’re orchestrating a deliberate kidnapping."
"That’s the gist of it. Well, since we know we’re going to be 'kidnapped,' and the other side is desperate to survive—even more backed into a corner than Kagura and her people were—there shouldn't be any trouble regarding rights or interests at the start."
"At the start, anyway. After that, it’s all down to our own maneuvering."
"Well, they are human, after all."
We shared a bitter laugh at Yuki-san’s cynical remark.
We’re being summoned because they’re begging for their lives, yet eventually, we’ll be treated like nuisances.
But as Souta-san said, they are only human.
"That said, their national power is less than that of a minor state. The only territory they have left is the castle and its surrounding town. The survivors are just desperately clinging to life, so I doubt they’ll have the luxury of complaining much. I, for one, agree with that assessment."
"That is certainly a dire situation."
They’re one step away from total annihilation; they wouldn't have the capacity to make enemies out of us, too.
"On top of that, we’ll be providing massive support to the survivors. Food supplies in safe areas, and so on. The nation’s dignity will likely crumble."
"Hmm. I understand that, but won't that make the other side resent us?"
"Taizo-san, you’re right that the influential figures and those in power won't like it, but it’s better than being opposed by the entire town in unison. We’ll win the residents over to our side first."
"…Indeed. If someone is worried about their own face in a situation like this, they’d just find something else to complain about once peace returns. If that’s the case, striking first is the best course of action."
"Exactly. We have no intention of causing them harm, and what follows is a battle for the hearts of the people. It’s a matter of business, really."
Yeah, I understand Taizo-san’s concern, but in the end, people like that would find fault even if things were peaceful, so it’s important to strip them of their influence while we can.
As Souta-san said, we have no intention of engaging in armed conflict. If it turns into an economic clash, Ratz-san and her people will handle it thoroughly.
"Well, we can deal with those national-level troubles later. The real problem is conquering the enemy."
"Naturally. A Demon Lord who was once a god, aiming to seize that continent, right? And the magic-related phenomena they’re causing will affect the Rogali Continent as well. We must prevent that."
"Indeed. So, what’s the deadline?"
Given that we were gathered at the end of the year and the start of the new one, I felt like I shouldn't even have to ask, but I did so, clinging to a sliver of hope...
"To be honest, I don't know. But there’s a high probability it will happen within this month."
"Hmm. So, there’s a chance it might not?"
"Luna says that since the Demon Lord is considering 'berserkification' as a final move to wipe out the people holed up in their last fortress, it’s practically guaranteed to happen."
"In that case, isn't it already unavoidable?"
"Yes, which is why, once we are summoned over there, we will immediately turn the surrounding area into a dungeon to cut off the magic flow and, if possible, seize the enemy’s base to make it impossible."
I see, so we’re blockading the area.
That’s certainly realistic.
We don't know the exact transmission range of the magic yet.
However, since we have the track record of being summoned to the Haiden region—which is practically the other side of the planet—by a Doppelganger, it’s safe to assume that a distance of a mere 2,000 kilometers would be well within the range of influence.
"I understand how Yuki-kun plans to stop the berserkification via magic, but what about the situation on the ground? We know the goal is to help them since we’re being summoned, but what about our future relationship with them..."
"The enemy is closing in, right? Well, I suppose we won't be unable to escape, but what kind of military strength are you planning to deploy?"
Taizo-san and Souta-san were right.
We might be able to prevent the magical berserkification, but we haven't established the logic for why we’re helping a nation on the brink of collapse.
Well, I know Yuki-san and his group could crush them with their own strength.
But that would be a massive undertaking, and if it takes too long to strike at the root, stopping the threat will be difficult.
As I waited in silence for Yuki-san to reveal the forces he intended to send, he spoke.
"The force I’m planning to deploy is a trump card we haven't used yet."
"Specifically?"
"A tank battalion."
"““Hah!?””"
The sound escaped my lips before I could stop it.
A tank battalion is composed of three companies, each company consists of three platoons, and each platoon is made up of three tanks.
In other words, at least 27 tanks would be deployed.
As for monsters capable of destroying tanks, that’s a level where even dragons would have to give it their all.
For those iron hulks to be destroyed, the situation would have to be truly impossible.
And he was talking about 27 of them...
But it didn't end there.