第１７５１堀：我が家の魔王様について (Part1)
Chapter 1751: Regarding Our Dungeon Master
Side: Deryu
"Yuki. What are you doing?"
I had come to Yuki’s office on business, only to find everyone looking completely drained.
"Hm? Oh, I finally finished the backlog of paperwork. Everyone was just exhausted."
"I see. You were on a business trip to the Oue side, after all."
"Only for a few days, though. And that was after handling a fair amount of the work over there, too."
"It couldn't be helped. You are the head of this department, Yuki. There is much that only you can process."
No matter how hard Orelia and the others work, the final decisions and verifications are Yuki’s responsibility. Well, it is at least better than before, now that the preliminary sorting and drafting of documents has been reduced.
"So, what is it? Are you here to help with the calculations?"
"Don't even start. It’s not that I can't, but I generally prefer to stay away from accounting. I learned my lesson back when I helped Eris."
I was partly to blame for that mess back then, but ever since, I’ve been content to take it easy with the police force.
"You’re quite traumatized, aren't you?"
"I am. But regarding the reason I came: what shall I do from here on out? Should I head to the Oue side? Or remain in Weed?"
"Is that what this is about?"
"That is what this is about. I am, after all, currently on standby."
I am not particularly busy with the current expansion into Oue, nor with our operations in Weed. I’ve been performing my regular duties with the police. That said, one could say I am on call for potential trouble, such as at the International Exchange School. It feels like I’ve been working alongside Riel.
"The ideal scenario would be for you to stay in Weed, but also be available to come here when needed."
"A convenient pawn, aren't I? So, what is the internal situation?"
"The situation in the vicinity of Oue is a complete mystery. Moving carelessly could worsen things. However, when it comes to having the combat power to act in an emergency..."
"Considering the vastness of the territory over there, it’s inconvenient to deploy an army every single time, isn't it?"
"It’s not impossible, but it’s helpful to have a force capable of acting independently. You’ll be on standby as a Doppel."
"That is the safest bet. Though, I assume it isn't exactly an emergency yet? After all, you’re telling me to stay here."
If it were truly an emergency, we would have abandoned Weed and deployed everyone, that much is certain. Or rather, the rear support team—Ratz and Eris—would be stuck at their desks... Wait. Would I be at a desk, too? Doing calculation work? Right next to Eris?
As that thought of despair crossed my mind...
"Well, you could say we’re pressed for time, but that’s specifically regarding the Oue Kingdom."
"...Ah, so as far as Weed is concerned, we aren't exactly struggling against a strong enemy?"
The coalition that came to the northern side was easily scattered—or rather, captured, I believe. And without a single casualty on our side.
"Exactly. And that goes for supplies and funds, not just enemies. But Oue has already lost most of its northern and southern granaries, so this year’s harvest is hopeless. Plus, with enemies and monsters roaming about, they can't even go out to hunt. You’ve heard, haven't you?"
"I had heard rumors, but hearing it confirmed like this... isn't Oue already checkmated?"
Normally, if things reached that point, it would be difficult to maintain a nation. One should be surprised they’ve held out this long.
"That’s why they summoned people, I suppose. It’s a way to replenish personnel on the fly. Though it seems their actual ability was left to 'hopes for future growth'."
"That is a terrible idea."
Bringing in people who can't be used is just a waste of labor and resources like magic power.
"Not necessarily. It seems talent was bestowed upon them, so they are being trained by the monsters on the southern side."
"How long will it take before they are actually useful? Even if they gain power, their experience and resolve won't keep up. And they’re just villagers, aren't they?"
"I’m sure there will be plenty of complaints, but it’s probably better than training Oue’s civilians as soldiers to fight monsters."
"Ah... when you put it that way, I suppose you’re right."
Just because you give the common folk swords and shields doesn't mean they can fight monsters. Well, they might handle the lowest-level monsters, but it’s obvious they would crumble against anything stronger, so conscription is of little value. It’s better to have them continue their production activities.
"Besides, it was an irregularity—unexpected, really—that Weed ended up coming through that summoning. In that sense, you could call it our greatest achievement."
"I see. It is true that Weed joining the fray is our greatest benefit. As things stood, it was a countdown to their destruction. With us, Weed, joining the war, the possibility of defeat has vanished."
Defeat, at least. Whether Oue can actually win is a different matter.
"Well, the next step is to gather information carefully, negotiate with countries near Oue, and solidify our footing. Though, those partner countries..."
"That leads back to what I said about my immediate deployment. It’s possible the neighboring countries are also under some form of invasion."
"Yeah. I mean, in the countries neighboring Oue, demi-humans live normal lives. And Oue, a forest nation, has been acting as a barrier against monsters. Yet, at this point, they haven't sent reinforcements or even an envoy..."
"It’s only natural to assume someone has their hands in this. It would be stranger to think nothing is going on."
With a commotion of this scale, there is no way the neighboring countries aren't moving. Whether they are hostile or friendly, some kind of movement is expected. Or perhaps they are staying silent to prepare for a surprise attack—but if that were the case, they should have been with the group that attacked the northern town...
"By the way, those people you captured? What has become of them?"
They were incapacitated by Yuki and the others' attacks, and then trapped using Dungeon Master skills—the usual pitfall tactic—but I suppose calling it 'capturing' might be a stretch.
"Capturing... I think that’s fine. As for their condition, they still seem to have the energy to scream and shout. It’s only the second day, after all."
"Steve and the others are sending them surrender demands, right? And they’re pulling various tricks, too."
"Oh, definitely. They can't replenish their supplies. I burned their supplies on the evening of the first day."
"You played a ruthless hand right from the start."
"You think so? If they have supplies, they’ll last longer, and their morale won't drop. The first thing to do was to crush their food and other necessities."
Hmm, well, when you put it that way, it makes sense. As long as they have rations, soldiers will think they can manage. Once the food and necessities for survival are gone, they will undoubtedly be driven into a corner.
"And so, this is the second day?"
"The second day. Well, it hasn't even been a full day since they ran out of food, so they still seem to have some leeway."
Saying this, Yuki projected the image.