第１７３８堀：先行偵察の結果 (Part1)
Chapter 1738: Results of the Advance Reconnaissance
Side: Steve
"So, the priority is to deal with the hostages."
"Yes. If we can rescue them, we’ll have much more flexibility in our operations."
Our commander was discussing this inside the vehicle.
He was referring to the enemy forces positioned before the northern town of the Oue Kingdom.
Apparently, they are holding hostages, and the anger on the Oue side is reaching a boiling point.
It’s an effective tactic, I’ll give them that.
Objectively speaking, it’s a smart move, but for those on the receiving end, the rage must be enough to drive them to madness.
Moreover, since they are targeting demi-humans living in another country, the act is so utterly vile that there’s no room for justification.
Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?
They are clearly trying to drive a wedge between the humans and the demi-humans.
After this, any country bordering the forest won’t be able to pretend they can get along with the demi-humans anymore.
In other words, they are nipping the Oue side’s potential for diplomatic negotiation with other nations in the bud.
"So, have there been any casualties yet?"
According to Tsunai-dono, the fact that they are using them as human shields implies they are still alive, but I doubt that’s the whole story.
The fact that the Oue side is absolutely furious suggests—and I hate to say it—that they’ve already started disposing of them.
Otherwise, the Oue side wouldn't have mobilized their troops so aggressively.
A military force that lacks that level of discipline is a nightmare.
With that in mind, we were already lurking in the forest near the northern town, observing the movements of the Oue army and the Human Alliance. Now, the need to get a precise count and status of the hostages has become even more critical.
Tsunai didn’t inform us about the hostages, claiming he was considering our feelings, but I—and the commander and the others who heard him—suspect that if we hadn't known, there was a very real chance we would have just blown the whole area to smithereens and called it "unavoidable."
Hostages are, after all, a massive nuisance.
As I was thinking this, a subordinate approached me.
"Captain, I’ve confirmed the hostages."
"Show me the feed."
"Yes, sir."
I checked the screen displaying the hostages.
Hmm, they certainly look like textbook hostages.
There are at least fifty people with their hands tied behind their backs in front of the soldiers.
And with soldiers nocking arrows at them, it’s clear that any attempt to escape will result in an execution.
In fact, I can see someone lying on the ground with an arrow protruding from them.
They’re using them as an example, then.
"Well, it’s a classic tactic. They clearly see the value in doing that."
"Yes. Given the aftermath of the battle, they’ve also hung the corpses of demi-human soldiers, which seems effective. It also serves as further provocation."
If they’re getting results, there’s no reason for them to stop.
Still, I don’t know if anyone could keep their cool seeing that.
When you start torturing and killing hostages, the soldiers on the other side tend to break in all sorts of ways.
Well, that’s not really for us to worry about.
What else...
"Are there any other hostages? This can't be all of them."
Exactly. There’s no way the hostages are limited to just what’s visible.
If they’re having this much success, they’d definitely have a reserve somewhere.
"We’ve confirmed that as well. We’ve spotted demi-humans tied up in the tents on the right flank."
As he said that, the next screen showed a group of people gathered together.
There must be nearly a hundred of them.
I was thinking that this hostage operation would likely continue for a while, when I noticed something.
"Are those people collapsed?"
"Yes. It seems they aren't being fed enough. Well, that’s a standard procedure for hostages, but..."
Indeed, the screen showed a hundred hostages, but several of them were collapsed and motionless.
There were no visible wounds at a glance, so, I see—they’re being starved.
I can understand the logic of not wanting to waste military rations, and from the perspective of preventing the hostages from having the strength to flee, it makes sense, but...
"Will those children hold out?"
"I haven't checked them up close, so it’s hard to say. However, their condition is far from good."
Of course, they didn't even react when a soldier kicked one of them just now.
Well, they seem to be breathing, albeit faintly...
"Even if we try to rescue them, we lack sufficient intel. Use the rat familiar to cast some recovery magic on them for now. Even if the commander doesn't care, the ladies won't be happy if we let the children die."
"Understood."
Still, it’s little more than a temporary measure.
I want to rescue and protect them as soon as possible, but we can’t just act on our own.
"Make sure there aren't any other hostages. They might be held inside the tents, too."
"Please wait a moment for that. I’m using animal familiars, so it’s taking some time."
"Don't push it. If they detect us, it’ll be harder to operate from here on out."
Drones send clear data from above, but animal familiars rely entirely on the skill of the caster.
Ah, high-level casters can project the vision of their familiars, but we aren't going that far here.
After all, this is a field unit.
Speaking of field units...
"What’s the enemy’s combat strength assessment?"
"Yes. As far as we’ve confirmed, the enemy soldiers are mostly equipped with swords, shields, and bows. There’s a group of about 2,000 in the center carrying robes and staves. The total number is around 20,000. Their numbers are not to be underestimated, but their equipment is laughable. The danger level is medium if they get close, and negligible at a distance."
"Hmm. Well, that’s about what I expected. Unless they have some secret weapon or trump card we haven't anticipated."
"Regarding that, our investigation shows the average enemy level is around 20, with squad leaders at 30, generals at 40 to 50, and a maximum of under 80. However, 15,000 of the 20,000 are conscripts, so the average is likely around 10."
"Ah, right. Professional soldiers are rare, aren't they?"
On Earth, that wouldn't be surprising, but here, the standard is to gather civilians to fill the ranks.
Because of that, the structure is such that any casualties deal a direct, devastating blow to the country itself.
Well, there is some merit to just having the numbers, I suppose.