第１７５４堀：彼女のメイスの行方 (Part1)
Chapter 1754: The Whereabouts of Her Mace
"I thought I’d been forgotten."
I voiced my complaints quite frankly. After all, since being summoned to the Oue Kingdom, the only time I’d been of any real use was when I threatened Princess Suena upon my arrival. Immediately after that, Yuki and the rest of Weed arrived, and my role effectively came to an end.
The enemy army gathered in the northern town was wiped out in the blink of an eye by the troops Yuki brought along, and when it came to medical treatment, Enola arrived, rendering my skills largely redundant. About the only thing I’d actually done was deliver some offerings to the King of Oue, as Vilia had instructed.
Well, I suppose it’s a good thing I never had to swing this massive mace they prepared for me. Taking lives needlessly... I’ve come to realize that’s not a particularly virtuous path.
Setting that aside, Yuki responded to my grumbling.
"No, you were with us the whole time, so you weren't forgotten. Besides, the opposition was a demi-human nation."
"…Well, I suppose that makes sense."
After all, it was a country being invaded by humans. If Vilia and I had continued to handle the negotiations, it was obvious we would have only stoked their resentment. It’s easy to predict that the negotiations would have hit a dead end if Yuki hadn't stepped in, backed by the nation of Weed. Bringing demi-humans like Eris and Ratz along had softened their wariness, if only slightly.
"Even so, am I just supposed to stand by and wait without getting my hands dirty?"
Reasons aside, the fact remains that I’m bored. Vilia, one way or another, always has tasks helping Yuki or those around him, but I’ve only been in Weed for a short time. About all I can do is follow Enola around, helping treat the townsfolk and soldiers.
"That’s actually what I wanted to discuss with you."
"A consultation?"
"Yeah. Look, we can safely say the enemy’s advance on the northern town has been halted, right?"
"Halted? Haven't you essentially annihilated them?"
The situation there is dire, with the survivors merely waiting for their own self-destruction. It’s been four days since they were captured. By the end of the first day, their supplies were crushed, and they’ve been scraping by on whatever they had left. Humans are fragile things; without food or water, they truly only last a few days. In an environment where their supply lines are severed and the number of wounded is climbing, I wonder how long their morale can hold. As far as I know, the higher-ups are already pressuring the rank-and-file to scrape together what little remains, which will likely lead to infighting.
"They haven't surrendered yet, though. And since it’ll take time for them to offer a formal surrender, I want to turn my attention to the southern town."
"The south? Is that where the monsters are attacking?"
"Exactly. It seems monsters are moving north from the lands even further south, so I need to investigate the reality of the situation."
"And you want me to do it?"
"That’s right. You and Vilia. And for support, I’m sending Kaya and Claudia, the Holy Sword users, along with Wazfi and Hivia for monster research, plus Lyushi."
"Lyushi? Her too?"
I thought Lyushi was one of Yuki’s personal attendants, much like Aurelia and the others, so I couldn't help but wonder why.
"We’ve confirmed monsters that utilize poison from aerial reconnaissance. We need to prepare antidotes and countermeasures for the future. That’s why we need that specific personnel."
"I see. That makes perfect sense."
It’s true that while I can cure some things with magic, I’m not capable of brewing medicine. And since so many people are fighting monsters in the southern town, having a stockpile of medicine would be a blessing. Well, I’m sure people like Rurua or Lilishe could handle the healing and recovery on their own, but that wouldn't be very efficient.
"So, I want you and Vilia to head out for monster investigation and subjugation, with Tori leading the team."
"Tori?"
"It’s bound to cause trouble if we don't have a demi-human in charge. Besides, Tori is a former adventurer. In a worst-case scenario, we can deploy Riel. And as a final resort, Deryu."
"Riel is fine, I suppose, but if you call in Deryu, wouldn't that just mean the monsters are as good as dead?"
She’s supposed to be a Demon Lord like me, but the gap in our strength is just too vast. And unlike me, she hasn't modified her body; she just crushes enemies with her bare fists. I’ve sparred with her in training a few times, and I never felt like I had a chance of winning. She’s so strong that ordinary monsters wouldn't stand a chance. She could literally kick them aside.
"No, there’s no point in doing that, and it’s impossible. She can defeat strong enemies, but covering that entire region is out of the question."
"That’s true."
Even if Deryu is strong, she can’t cover the entire continent.
"Besides, I’d be in trouble if she wiped them out in one blow. What do you think the purpose of this monster investigation is?"
"Ah, the mana depletion phenomenon."
"Exactly. We’ve come to a new continent, so that investigation is essential. And the monsters are the most closely linked factor. You know that monsters are generated from mana pools, don't you?"
"Of course. And I know that if you hunt too many monsters, it actually makes it easier for new mana pools to form."
"And you’d suggest I tell Deryu to go around killing them all?"
"Absolutely not."
Deryu could certainly kill them, but I suspect that would only lead to even stranger complications.
"Still, we can’t just leave them be."
"True. Thinning them out moderately without killing too many... isn't that a bit too difficult?"
"That’s exactly why I’m sending you—someone who has led monsters—and Tori, the former adventurer, to investigate."
"When you put it that way, you’re right. And what about you?"
"I’ll be dealing with the captives and the negotiations with the Oue side. I’d like to see the situation in the south myself, but..."
"Doesn't sound like it’ll be easy."
"After all, I’m dealing with humans. It’s not as simple as just killing them like monsters."
Humans are truly such a nuisance. I’m reminded of that once again.
"What, would you have preferred to stay on this side?"
"It’s impressive that you can make such a joke, knowing my past."
Most people would be worried about making me angry, but Yuki says these things without a second thought. Well, perhaps he’s confident that even if I did get angry, he could suppress me.
Vilia, who had been listening to our conversation, finally spoke up.
"Um, Brother? I understand the situation, but shouldn't I be returning to the Navy?"
Now that she mentioned it, Vilia had been included in the plan, but she was a member of the Weed Navy. She’d been chosen because we needed someone with a small stature, but in the current situation, I didn't see why she was necessary.
"Of course Vilia is needed. Besides, as far as military personnel go, Vilia holds the highest rank for the southern mission."
"Oh."
I hadn't realized it, but Vilia seemed to understand what Yuki meant, letting out a small gasp.
"Could someone explain that to me as well?"