第１７６３堀：現場の指揮官たちの行動 (Part1)
Chapter 1763: The Actions of the Field Commanders
Side: Stasia
"Phew..."
The moment I stopped my pen, I realized that a sigh had escaped my lips.
And it wasn't just me who noticed.
"Are you alright, Stasia?"
Tori, who was working on paperwork alongside me, seemed to have caught it too.
Well, it’s only natural to be concerned when your friend sitting right next to you lets out a heavy sigh.
"I am fine, personally. But I suspect it was those people who drew that sigh out of me."
I stated the likely reason quite frankly, and Tori, seemingly understanding, gave a bitter smile...
"Ahaha, yeah, they are exhausting, aren't they? I wonder... are they actually doing better than we thought?"
Indeed, "those people" refers to the coalition that came from the north and attacked the northern town.
We still don't even know their proper names, and I’m desperate to extract some information, but the higher-ups among them are being stubborn. They show no intention of cooperating with us.
"At the very least, they still have enough energy to reject our demands."
It has been roughly six days since we captured them.
We burned their supplies on the very first day, and I had expected them to reach their breaking point by now, but it seems their remaining stores are still holding out.
At least, for the leadership.
"But the rank-and-file—the conscripts—must be reaching their limits by now, right?"
"Indeed. Food is one thing, but water is a different matter. Even with rationing, they’ll hit their limit soon."
That’s right. One can survive a week without food, but it’s said that one cannot last even two days without water.
Well, in extreme situations, there are ways to replenish it, but Yuki-sama—my husband—has instructed us to bring them into the fold before it comes to that.
"Some are starting to surrender, though they’re mostly just the low-level ones."
"Even if they are just the rank-and-file, the fact that a precedent has been set is a positive development. We are letting them rest in the detention centers we’ve prepared. Though, we aren't getting any useful information out of them."
"Well, that’s to be expected. The conscripts only gathered because their superiors told them to. They wouldn't know the enemy's true objectives, let alone the orders from the top."
As Tori says, the conscripted people were merely following orders from above; they have no insight into the enemy’s strategy.
However, allowing the conscripts to surrender, healing their wounds, and guaranteeing their safety will certainly build a good reputation for us in future conflicts with the northern coalition.
Well... it does increase our burden, of course.
Under normal circumstances, one would have no choice but to execute them or let them go because they couldn't afford to feed them.
The fact that we can do this is a testament to Weed’s prosperity and the depth of our preparations.
"The rest will likely crumble slowly. Once the regular soldiers start surrendering, it will be over."
"I just hope we don't end up with them killing each other among their own ranks."
"I will certainly put a stop to that. As for information... well, it’s not impossible to extract it from corpses, but since Ohe is involved, I would prefer not to resort to that."
"Yeah, it seems using corpses like zombies for combat isn't really acceptable here either."
"Well, I’m glad our ethics align on that front."
"True. If using corpses were the norm, it would be a bit unsettling for us, too."
And so, using the dead to extract information—like Comet does—is strictly a last resort.
Kirika and her team might do it behind the scenes if absolutely necessary, but for now, it isn't required.
"Still, I’m glad they’ve been quiet—or rather, that there haven't been any major movements. After all, Yuki-san is back in Weed right now, handling all sorts of things."
"Ah, that is true. He was guiding the kings of Ohe, and he secured permission—or rather, an endorsement—for our expansion into the south. Without that, we wouldn't have been able to make a move even now."
Truly, that is the only silver lining.
Though, it does mean further dividing Weed’s already limited military strength.
"Once the fortress is built, you’re planning to head over there too, right, Tori?"
"That’s what I’ve heard. Well, there aren't many people suited for command over there, after all."
"Indeed. At best, there’s Vilia, and the rest are members specialized in individual combat or monster research. It really is a bit thin on manpower, isn't it?"
"Yeah. There are very few who can take command. Plus, I have to handle the negotiations with the southern town. You know, since I’m a beastman."
"That’s right. The people in the southern town don't even know about Weed yet, so it’s inevitable that you would be the one to go."
As a result of the human coalition’s invasion, the people of Ohe harbor a significant amount of resentment toward humans.
Of course, there are humans living in Ohe, but the prejudice remains.
"Well, we’ll be connected by the gate, so I can go for reinforcements if things get dire. Besides, Reye-san said he’d help with the fortress."
"Ah, Deryu’s younger brother. I haven't met him much, but what is he like from your perspective, Tori?"
Indeed, for this southern fortress, we are unusually relying on the support of a fellow Dungeon Master—a collaborator—rather than Yuki-sama or Labyris.
Therefore, I must properly gather information on this Reye.
"Let’s see. He’s been managing a dungeon longer than Yuki-san, I think. He maintained a dungeon in Gartz for several hundred years, so in that sense, he’s very reliable. If I had to be critical, I’d say he’s a bit introverted—not the type to go out and about."
"I see. That matches what my husband told me. What about his personality?"
"He has the appearance of a young boy, but he’s quite level-headed and polite. Well, he is royalty, just like Deryu, and he has the same personality he had when you talked to him, Stasia. He doesn't seem to have a hidden side."
I see, he’s the same as when we met.
Is it unusual, or does it have something to do with the fact that he became a Dungeon Master while in that form?
Well, he is easy for me to deal with, so I am grateful for that.
"He also has two wives: Anna, a maid, and Riri, an adventurer."
"Yes. I have met them as well."
Both of them were very devoted to Reye.
They seem to have a relationship similar to the one between us and my husband.
"I’m sure they’ll come along to support the fortress, so you’ll have more opportunities to meet them."
"I understand. I’ll be in the northern town, but coordination with the south will be essential, so I’m sure we’ll cross paths."
"Yeah. Besides, Anna is a capable maid, just like Kirue-san; she’s very attentive to detail. And Riri is an adventurer, so she can move just like us. Well, she’s more of a scout type, so she’s closer to Riel or Milly."
"I see, I see."
So, she is excellent both as a wife and as a follower.
"Now, returning to the topic of the northern town—how is the inspection of the captured enemy supplies going?"
"Ah, you mean the ones they were pretending to have attacked and destroyed?"