第１７４２堀：一瞬 (Part2)
The three of us cry out in unison, struck by the sudden realization that Yuki-sama, who had been standing right before our eyes, has vanished.
"Don't just stand there gaping. We're moving."
"E-eh?"
With that, Prol-san leaps over the ramparts. We follow suit, our bodies moving of their own accord despite our shock, only to find Yuki-sama and the others waiting at our destination.
*How did he get here so fast?*
"Enola, take care of this child."
"Leave it to me."
He has already rescued the child from that piece of trash, handing the little one over to Enola-sama. She immediately sets to work, her hands moving with practiced efficiency as she checks for injuries and begins applying healing magic.
"Y-you bastards..."
Only then does the sound reach us, and the memory returns. The scum—hardly worthy of being called an envoy—is frozen mid-swing, his sword hanging uselessly in the air.
"I’m only acting because you declared war on Weed. I couldn't very well stand by and watch the citizens of an allied nation be slaughtered."
"Y-you... you actually did this..."
"Did you think you’d get away with it? I have no mercy for those who tear children from their mothers to use as props for a spectacle. Here, take a look at what’s behind you."
At Yuki-sama’s command, the scumbag rotates in place, still locked in that grotesque, rigid posture. It is only then that I understand why he is frozen.
"Is this... materialization of magical power?"
"That’s right, Yayui. A bullseye. I showed you this during combat training, didn't I?"
"B-but... at that distance?"
"I train to manipulate it within visual range. Though, if it’s too far, I use drones or familiars to trigger it indirectly."
"A-ahahaha... As expected of Yuki-sama."
A dry, hollow laugh is all I can manage. To possess the level of magical control required to precisely lock an opponent’s movements—no, to freeze them while they are in the very act of attacking—from such a distance... it’s beyond comprehension.
"Reporting. All hostages successfully rescued. We are moving toward the gate. I have administered emergency healing to the child's injured mother. Others suffering from exhaustion or severe wounds have received the same treatment, but we will conduct a thorough assessment once we are inside the gate."
A goblin appears out of nowhere to deliver the report. *Wait, already?* They’ve finished the rescue... right through the middle of that explosion?
As I look toward the rising smoke, I see the hostages floating through the air toward us. No, wait—that’s...
"It’s a slime. A massive one, at that."
As Holly-san notes, the hostages are being carried toward us, shielded by the gelatinous bulk of a giant slime. It makes sense; it can transport everyone at once, and it’s completely impervious to arrows or other projectiles. Slimes are notoriously resistant to impact damage, after all.
"Understood. And the enemy forces?"
"None have moved. We’ve dropped the cores to dungeonize the area for a detailed sweep, but there is no sign of a dungeon beneath their feet."
"That’s a relief. Keep them surrounded."
"Understood."
"And the reinforcements?"
The conversation is moving at a breakneck pace while I’m still reeling. I heard them, of course. Everything is going according to plan: shelling the enemy, securing the hostages, and repelling the army. But to have it all happen almost simultaneously...
"No reinforcements confirmed. The enemy seems slower than anticipated."
"That’s for the best. For now, leave the enemy army be for a day. If they get rowdy, fire a few shots to keep them quiet. Also, pick out one or two of their commanders and 'take care' of them. Make sure they understand exactly who they’re dealing with."
"Understood."
Um, Yuki-sama? By "take care of them," you mean intimidate them, right? You don't mean *kill* them, right?
We stood there, frozen in our confusion, until—
"Yuki-san, before we head back, can I send this one flying over there?"
"Go ahead. Make sure he stays in one piece."
"Yes."
Tori-sama smiles, takes a running start, and kicks the scumbag flying into the smoke, bringing the skirmish to an end. In a way, this opponent managed to corner Yuki more than anyone else, if only by successfully dragging him into a dangerous situation.
I suppose the hostage tactic was effective, in its own twisted way. Though I doubt there will be a second time.