第１７４１堀：現場からお送りします (Part2)
"Understood. Daua, I believe Tsunai has already briefed you, but you are to provide full support to Yuki-dono."
"Yes, sir."
"However, as I stated before, Yuki-dono and his party are among our few precious allies and friends. Protect them with your very lives."
It seems they value us enough to explicitly order the protection of my brother. Well, with Rurua, Eris, and the others on the other side, they can hardly afford to treat us poorly. Besides, as a final resort, we could always use the dungeon to evacuate the citizens of the Ohe Kingdom. I shudder to think of the administrative nightmare that would follow, so I am determined to defend the Ohe Kingdom at all costs.
"Then, we shall commence the operation once this hourglass runs out. That said, there isn't much to be done until then. I will propose negotiations; if they refuse, we will initiate the hostage rescue operation. The Weed army I brought with me will handle the primary movements, so strict coordination isn't necessary. All I ask is that you open the gates when we evacuate the freed hostages to the northern town."
"Understood. That much is possible. However, the situation changes if the enemy is closing in from behind."
That is only natural. If the enemy were to storm in right behind them, the city walls would be rendered useless.
"Yes. Tsunai-dono pointed that out as well. If the enemy army is in pursuit, you need not open the gates. It would be better to focus on attacking the enemy forces behind us."
"Are you certain?"
"In that scenario, the enemy would have no choice but to attack the hostages. In other words, the hostages would be slaughtered, while we would be free to launch a one-sided assault. It is a strategy worth pursuing for that reason alone. Above all, it serves to demonstrate that taking hostages is a futile tactic."
Wow, that is certainly true, but hearing it so bluntly might strike some as cold-blooded. Not that it isn't the most logical choice when considering the total loss.
"…Understood. If you are prepared to go that far, we have no objections. But please, return safely. Your wives are worried about you."
"Of course. I have no intention of leaving Rurua and the others behind."
Indeed. I really wish he would stop disappearing on his own. When it happened before, half of us were practically incapacitated by the shock.
"Now then, I will continue to transmit the visual feed, so please wait until the operation begins. Tsunai-dono, Daua-dono, please continue with the receipt and distribution of supplies from Ratz."
" "Yes, sir!" "
Ah, that’s right. The reason I accompanied him is, in part, to oversee the transport of supplies. Initially, there was talk of me staying in the royal capital with Eris, but my brother insisted I come along, noting that supply shortages are the kind of thing that only reveal themselves once you’re on the front lines. He wasn't wrong, and I take pride in the fact that I am the most capable person in this group when it comes to logistics.
"Yuki-dono. I understand you are busy, but could you enlighten us on your means of attack?"
"Hmm. Well, I suppose there’s no point in keeping it a secret now. I’ll explain it so you can inform your soldiers—I’d hate for them to be so startled by the noise that they freeze up or surround us by mistake."
Oh, it seems my brother is going to explain our weaponry. It’s true that they make quite a racket, and it would be problematic if the soldiers were too stunned to act. This is a necessary precaution.
Once Tsunai-dono and Daua-dono returned, my brother began explaining the tanks and artillery units he had brought in. To us, these are common sights, but to the Ohe side, they must be bewildering. After all, these are dream weapons that require no magic, utilize technology anyone can operate, and possess power, range, and precision that far exceed any sorcery.
"I, I see?"
"T-that is... quite incredible, isn't it?"
"I understand the explanation, but I find it difficult to truly grasp the reality of it."
"Regardless, I will inform the troops that there will be a loud noise."
But even after hearing the explanation, the reality of it was still too much for them to fully believe. Hmm, I have a feeling this is going to cause quite a bit of confusion...