第１７７１堀：投降してきた兵士さん (Part1)
Chapter 1771: The Soldier Who Came to Surrender
Side: Comet
"I’m technically playing the part of a wounded man. It would be problematic if things got too chaotic, after all. That said, we’ve reached our limit regarding food supplies. It’s a matter of making a move before the higher-ups declare anything."
That’s the absurd story being spun by the soldier who came to surrender.
Yuki and the others are listening to the interrogation in the northern town of Ohe, the site of the incident, but we are also monitoring the situation from Weed.
After all, how we proceed from here is a matter of concern for the entirety of Weed.
Still...
"Well, it’s a tale as old as time. If the top brass of the military doesn't produce results, their heads are on the chopping block. If they can't stop their subordinates from wanting to run away or surrender, then it’s their own responsibility. They have to come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid being purged."
Agil, who is listening in beside me, shows a certain level of understanding toward this chaotic situation.
Well, I suppose I can understand it a little once it’s explained to me.
"I don't think infighting among themselves in that state is going to accomplish anything, though."
"That’s just from an outsider's perspective. The person in question still thinks they can make it work. That’s why they’re talking about the future. Well, even if they return safely, the chances of being beheaded are high. Leading an army isn't easy."
"That may be true, but from what I’ve heard, he doesn't seem like he has the capacity for it, does he?"
"As for that, I’ll offer no comment. He had the connections to reach that position, so it’s not really a question of capacity."
"Ah, I see. It’s that kind of story."
It’s not about the general’s actual ability, but whether he has the power to hold the position of general.
Politics, influence, that sort of thing.
The point is that it’s meaningless unless you can reach the top, including all those factors.
Indeed. Just because you can command well doesn't mean it translates to national interest.
Thinking about it that way, for the pro-war faction, that military leader is ideal.
Even if the entire army is on the verge of collapse.
While we are discussing this, the interrogation continues.
"So, you’re surrendering without declaring it to your superiors? Isn't that dangerous?"
"Dangerous? If we’re talking about whether it’s dangerous or not, it is. But if things continue like this, small-time forces like our lord’s will be the first to wither away. The food is being requisitioned, after all."
Wow, they’re going that far?
No wonder the lords are on the verge of collapse.
"Still, if we surrender too openly, I’m afraid of what will happen later, so I wanted to discuss that."
"Ah, so you’re looking to cover it up?"
"Exactly. It seems even the pro-war faction realizes it’s a bad look that they’ve been stealing food from the conscripted soldiers and running away. Not to mention taking food from other minor lords. So, they’re planning to take action soon."
"Action? You don't mean they’re going to try to get out of that hole, do you? That’s impossible."
Yes, as he says, the pitfall Yuki created—a trap for any army—is impossible to overcome normally.
After all, it’s a 20-meter sheer cliff with slippery walls; you can’t exactly carve out footholds.
We’ve secured the supplies, and Steve’s subordinates are shooting down any attempts at magical flight.
So, even if the lord above this surrendering soldier decides to take action, there’s no way they can actually do anything, right?
"No, the lord is planning to launch an attack, and he wants you to attack back. He’s saying we can use that as a cover to surrender."
"I see. The initial attack would serve as a distraction. And you want us to treat you as 'killed in action' on the side of your allies?"
"That’s the idea. It would also serve as proof that your side won't take our lives needlessly."
Hmm, that’s a clever move.
Well, it’s only effective because the other side is Weed.
Under normal circumstances, they’ve waged such an incomprehensible war.
Considering the hostage situation, the army could be wiped out entirely and no one could complain.
"So, what’s your opinion as a general?"
"Well, I’m here, so I’m not exactly the field commander. Besides, Comet, you have command authority equivalent to a general in times of emergency, don't you? Actually, as a former Dungeon Master, your authority is higher than mine, right?"
"I’m not interested in that sort of thing. So, what’s your opinion?"
"Yes, yes. Well, I think it’s fine. Stasia said the enemy is stubborn and troublesome, and if a segment of this ragtag army of minor lords is left to die, things will only get worse."
"Come to think of it, haven't there been angry shouts coming from the invading troops every day?"
That’s right. We aren't just taking this talk of surrender at face value.
We are properly verifying the facts.
We’ve been using optical camouflage magic to investigate the internal situation.
"Exactly. It’s all about why they can't get out. The leadership is incompetent, and the rank-and-file are in a tragic, life-threatening situation. In fact, they’ve been told to break out even if it means a suicide charge."
"Whoa. So that’s where that order comes from? The current talk of surrender is connected to that?"
"That’s it. When the only other option is death, this is the only way to find a path to survival. Yuki has also given instructions to make an example of this incident."
"Rarely, or rather, is that to be expected?"
"That’s only natural, isn't it? Hostages aside, the way they’ve been treated is absolutely unforgivable."
They’ve been treating demi-humans literally like trash.
I don't think anyone can have a rational conversation with them.
It’s not wrong to completely hammer home who is superior once and for all.
No, if we didn't need the information, I think we’d just hand them over to the Ohe side for execution.
"I see. So there’s a suicide order. Still, even if we attack the soldiers who are trying to surrender, will it even reach them?"
"No, I already understand that it won't reach. But we have to do it, don't we? Besides, you accepted the militia—the conscripted farmers, right? We’re talking about taking advantage of that."
"We intercepted those, too."
Yes, there might be a question of how we accepted the surrender, but we simply created a path and accepted the surrenders from there.
Of course, from the second time on, the idiots rushed that spot, but the goblin squad overwhelmed them.
They turned the large army that tried to surround them with twenty men into a literal beehive.
It serves as a defensive position, after all.
Naturally, from the fourth time on, realizing they couldn't win by force, they tried to approach under the guise of disarmament, but we overwhelmed them anyway.
I suppose they underestimated them because they were goblins.
Yuki’s goblin subordinates aren't your average goblins.
Depending on the conditions, they can take down a dragon single-handedly.
They’re so strong you’d wonder what kind of goblins they even are.
"So it’s a suicide charge, then?"
"Indeed. However, we cannot let you return. It’s assumed you’re in contact with them."