第１７７１堀：投降してきた兵士さん (Part2)
"Indeed. He’d want to avoid being betrayed by his own side, so he’s likely being cautious about how he moves. Though, with their food supplies running dry, the whole thing is on the verge of collapse anyway."
*“That part is taken care of. I’ve already received a signal. Look at this.”*
He pulled out an ordinary handkerchief as he spoke.
*“When I issue the surrender, have them drop this from above. That’ll be the signal that I’ve accepted. If they don’t listen to the terms, then it’s just a piece of trash, nothing more.”*
*“I see. Even so, you’re saying you’ll put on a show of attacking us?”*
*“Yeah. If I don’t, my hometown will be made an example of and suffer the consequences. I’m sorry to ask this of you, but I’ll need you to prepare a way to neutralize us.”*
*“That’s a rather convenient request. You’re hoping that if you can break through, then all the better, right?”*
*“Well, yeah. Though I’m well aware the chances of that are slim. So, what do you say?”*
*“That’s not something I can decide on my own. I’ll have to confirm with my superiors. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable.”*
*“Understood. I’ll take it easy. It’s still far better than being back there.”*
Well, it’s not like a low-level grunt could make that call. It all comes down to how Yuki and the others decide to handle this.
"Yuki will accept it, no question. Even if they’re a small-time lord, he’ll want the intelligence, and more importantly, he knows the internal situation well enough that he wouldn't think they’re lying."
Agil seemed to share my assessment; he was certain Yuki would take the deal.
"I suppose so. Still, I wonder how they’ll pull off the 'defeat' convincingly?"
"That’s not my job, though there are countless ways to do it. Even I can think of a few right off the bat. Splash some fake blood around, use rubber bullets, and maybe some tear gas or sleeping gas."
"Wow. That would certainly make it look like they’d been killed."
Thought to be shot by the blood splatter, writhing from the tear gas, and then appearing dead from the sleeping gas.
Just as we were discussing this, a voice suddenly came not from the call screen, but from the monitor itself.
*“I’ll take that idea.”*
I recognized the voice. It was Yuki.
"What the—eavesdropping on a maiden’s conversation? That’s in poor taste."
*“It’s a conversation between my wife and her friend. Besides, I’d want to hear a technician’s opinion anyway. If you wanted to talk in secret, you should’ve gone to another room. So, what’s the verdict?”*
He brushed off my playful complaint without a second thought. I really wish he’d pay a little more attention to me.
Perhaps sensing my mood, Agil gave a wry smile.
"I don’t mind. She is your wife, after all. And Comet won’t hold back on cooperating with you either. Right?"
"Hm? Oh, well, there’s no point in not cooperating at this stage. That said, since it’s all work, I’ll be expecting some compensation for my time."
Exactly. If you just keep people working without a break, they won’t follow you for long.
*“Yeah, yeah. We’ll get together and have some fun again. Just decide what you want to do.”*
"Good, I’ve got your word on that. You can use that idea from before. Putting that aside, what were you planning to do, Yuki?"
*“Hm? Oh, you mean the surrender talk?”*
"Exactly."
*“Well, I’ve got no choice but to accept it. I have no idea what the enemy’s true objective is. Even if their forces are weak, if a lord is willing to submit to us, there’s some value to be expected there.”*
"So, the higher-ups aren't going to refuse the surrender?"
*“No, and I know you’re listening in, but our consensus is that we don’t think they’re the type to listen to reason.”*
"Is it really that bad?"
It must be pretty dire if Yuki and his team have given up on even trying to communicate with them...
Still, it’s not like I don’t understand. There are plenty of fools out there who are so convinced of their own righteousness that they refuse to listen to anyone else. And as I recalled that, I felt a wave of genuine irritation.
"No, that was a silly question. There are always people you just can’t reason with."
*“That’s for sure. For now, we’ll keep up the food blockade and hope they quiet down on their own. I’m going to start the preparations.”*
Good grief. I made a promise to have some fun with Yuki, but it looks like that promise won’t be fulfilled for quite a while.
There are always people who simply cannot be reasoned with. It reaches a point where you wonder if you’re even speaking the same language. It doesn’t happen all that often, thankfully, but when you do encounter them, it is utterly exhausting.