第１４６４堀：会議その４ 軍の現状 (Part1)
Chapter 1464: Meeting Part 4 – Current State of the Military
Meeting Part 4: The Current State of Military Headquarters
Side: Stasia
Finally, we move on to the military reports.
That said, we are still largely discussing the status of operations as they stood prior to the Great Overflow.
However, hearing the overall situation laid out like this once again is not a bad thing.
Just as Yuki-sama noticed the slave trade through the issue of rare races, another one of our allies might notice something else entirely during this report.
As for the International Exchange School tests, things are generally looking good for now.
The students from Findal are participating in this round of testing, which is a relief.
After all, they are currently enrolled as exchange students at the Hayden Magic Academy.
It was worth the effort Kagura and Enola put in to ensure they could be included in this selection.
Of course, that is only because the students themselves possess the necessary aptitude.
And no, this has nothing to do with the incident caused by the fanatics of Aquenoki.
I can report this to my father with my head held high.
Nevertheless, I must remain cautious regarding the mindset of the selected students during the actual event, as I mentioned earlier.
While the upper echelons of Findal certainly have ties to Weed, it is unclear how accurately their children perceive that reality.
Taking pride in one’s country is not wrong, but if it goes too far, it will undoubtedly lead to trouble.
The balance is difficult to strike.
As Yuki-sama suggested, a meeting at the higher levels will likely be necessary, but I should also speak to my father about this and urge him to be vigilant.
While I was lost in these thoughts, General Steve began his report.
"First off, regarding the security at the residences of the international exchange personnel, which we are handling alongside the police and the Resident Affairs Division—we are carrying out our duties without any particular issues. As for the wariness toward monsters that was initially anticipated, there was certainly some surprise at first, but thanks to the initial briefing sessions and the greetings exchanged at the regular mixers, we aren't being treated with fear when we talk to people in town."
Indeed, I have never heard of General Steve and his men getting into disputes with the new residents.
Of course, to us in the Hayden region, General Steve and his subordinates are treated as inviolable entities, an extension of the Spirit Priestesses, but in the Rogari and If continents, they are recognized as monsters that prey on humans.
Considering that standing, the lack of trouble is quite remarkable.
No, it simply speaks to the effort they have put in beforehand.
"That's good to hear."
Yuki-sama seems relieved by the report.
Indeed, whether they are monsters or objects of worship, if they cause a stir, it only leads to trouble.
It is a blessing that their days are passing without incident.
...Or so I thought.
"That said, much like the student issue I touched on earlier, I am worried about the reactions of the students and their associates who will be arriving from here on out."
"Ah, you're right. We need to hold a strategy meeting that includes those factors as well."
I see.
When you put it that way, it is only natural.
From here on, even more ignorant people will be arriving.
If we do not take further precautions, the likelihood of trouble occurring will be high.
If we are not careful, it might be even harder to get them to understand the differences in perception regarding monsters and objects of worship than it is to manage the communication skills of children.
"Exactly. I'll leave that to you. Anyway, while there are no problems at the moment, I'll consider the school matter settled with the understanding that we need to consult on future developments. Now, for the regular military report—we found out when we deployed the army for the Great Overflow that their proficiency is surprisingly high. When we moved as the vanguard for the Great Overflow, there were no delays in the preparation of equipment or deployment. We even mixed in twenty percent of the recruits currently in training, yet there were still no delays."
"Oh? So, can I assume the expansion plan is going smoothly?"
"Yes, it's surprisingly on schedule. Or rather, thanks to the actual combat, we were able to confirm the results. As for the expansion plan, the first phase deployed to the Great Overflow has now concluded. The second phase is almost done, and the third is still underway."
"So, a third of the total force is ready, then."
Hmm. I had heard of the monster army’s expansion plan, but I hadn't realized the results were being tested in that Great Overflow.
From what I saw, they moved like proper regular soldiers, and I certainly didn't get the impression that twenty percent were recruits.
I glanced at Jessica and whispered to ask if she had noticed...
"No. I couldn't tell. How about you, Agil?"
"I didn't notice either. Besides, aren't new recruits usually assigned to internal duties first? To think they were deployed into the Great Overflow... Ah, perhaps it's because they had finished their internal training?"
It seems Jessica and Agil didn't notice the new monster recruits in the midst of the Great Overflow either.
Perhaps I should try to become better at reading the expressions of goblins and orcs?
"And so, the expansion plan we were working on before the Great Overflow is going smoothly. For now, at least..."
"For now, at least... what is it that’s bothering you?"
Everything sounds like it is going well, but it seems there is something on his mind.
Seraria, acting as our representative, urged him to continue.
"Initially, the expansion was planned to compensate for the shortage of manpower during combat operations in dark guilds or other nations' territories, right?"
"Ah, that’s right."
"Indeed. We had a very difficult time during the Hayden and Zurabl regional conflicts. Not enough military hands... Ah, I see. Does the occurrence of the Great Overflow mean that manpower will be diverted there as well?"
Ah, now that she mentions it, I realize it too.
This expansion was originally intended to compensate for manpower shortages during combat in dark guild or foreign territories.
It was not for the Great Overflow.
Of course, one could argue it is also for defeating hostile Dungeon Masters, but...
"If you think about it normally... if they are deployed simultaneously, we'll be short-handed."
"We will be. Even with the planned increase in personnel, if they are deployed at the same time, it won't be enough."
"Well, that’s impossible. It’s not as if the Allied Forces would be deployed in every continent at the same time."
"That's true. If that were to happen, they would clearly be connected behind the scenes. It would be a question of what kind of scale we're talking about."
Indeed, what we are discussing is absurd.
The idea that our Intercontinental Exchange Alliance would be declared war upon in every continent, forcing the Allied Forces to deploy and draining our strength, is highly unlikely.
"Still, the current situation is close to that."
"Hmm. You're right, aren't you..."