Minefield -1

The soldier who serves as a guard captain is named Edward Creek.

He's in his fifties, yet remarkably muscular and fit for his age.

He has a bearing reminiscent of someone from a southern country.

For some reason, he's attending the meeting.

The senior officers seem to be discussing future war strategies.

After the meeting, Edward stops me.

"What are you people aiming for?"

"We're aiming to secure a man known as Neumann, a royal technician. He's the creator of the body crystals. It seems no one else can currently produce these crystals."

"I see. Reducing enemy strength is crucial. Let's share our objectives. We'll prioritize securing that man as well. Let's also exchange our current troop information."

After that, we summarize the shared intelligence.

Both armies are stationed on opposite sides of the disputed mining site.

The Imperial Army and the Kingdom Army each have the same number of soldiers.

The Empire is utilizing magical four-wheeled vehicles and other magical weaponry, while the Kingdom is advancing using human body crystals.

Currently, the Kingdom Army is pushing back the Imperial forces, putting the Empire at a disadvantage.

In particular, the runaway human body crystals are extremely powerful, capable of easily absorbing attacks from magical weapons and overwhelming soldiers whole, crushing them completely.

Combat tends to start unexpectedly, leaving no time for rest, and victory seems unlikely.

They are significantly at a disadvantage.

Yet the battle remains balanced, likely due to the nature of the human body crystals.

These crystals cannot be handled by anyone less than a high-level mage, and if they go out of control, they will destroy themselves.

As a result, both sides have been reducing their numbers of soldiers and suffering heavy losses.

"You don't need to eliminate enemy soldiers—just find Neumann."

"...You're placing quite a high value on me, aren't you? Though it's a bit strange to say myself, wouldn't my abilities lead to significant results?"

"Of course I value your strength, Taro. But a person who hesitates when using their power won't survive on the battlefield."

So that's how it is—only a true professional could see through me like this. I feel completely transparent.

I hope you don't take offense. I truly believe in your abilities. That's right. Let me rephrase that. Your resolve toward Noiman truly seemed genuine.

I'm told I'm easy to understand, but I guess that's something that shows through as well...

"Moreover, your opinion is perfectly sound. Continuing this fight as it is won't lead to any solution. Therefore, striking at the root of the problem is logical. We know our opponent's strength and appearance. Only you can stop Noiman. Isn't it only natural to deploy such power appropriately?"

"I understand. As originally planned, capturing Noiman will remain our top priority."

From that day onward, we began searching for Noiman, using the imperial stronghold as our operational base.

The royal and imperial armies continued their back-and-forth assaults.

They launched attacks while constructing trenches and concealment walls.

Flames rose into the sky, and explosions echoed loudly.

High-level mages appeared to be participating as well, manipulating vast amounts of water to create a devastating battlefield.

I watched this scene from above.

Move above the enemy troops and observe the facility through a telescope.

Tents and weapon depots are visible, but I can't find the target, Neumann.

Where the hell could he be?

According to prior intelligence, a figure matching Neumann's description was definitely spotted...

Despite another day of no significant progress, I return to the base camp.

"Nothing. I can't find him at all."

"Same here. We scoured the battlefield, but couldn't locate the person we're looking for."

Alek and I were searching for Neumann using our own methods—though it was essentially brute force.

Neither of us had any special ability when it came to finding people.

Just then, Coil arrived.

"Seriously... you two are hopeless."

"What? We've never actually done proper information gathering, so what do you expect?"

"That's right. With so many people scattered around, isn't it simply a matter of searching methodically?"

"Looking for them is one thing. But you're standing out too much."

They should have been flying at a decent altitude, so they shouldn't be unaware of that...

"Tell me, do you really think that device you're holding is something only Tarou possesses?"

A telescope.

It's not unusual for royal soldiers to have one.

Even if they're flying through the air during combat, I doubt they'd have time to worry about me, doing nothing at all...

"You're thinking I'm doing nothing, aren't you? No, that's not it. It's not the lack of action itself—it's the fear of not knowing why they're doing nothing at all."

I'm left speechless.

"It seems the royal soldiers view us much like monsters."

"W-What?! I'm nothing like that!"

Coil ignores my words and turns to Alex instead.

"You too, Alex. You're just running around the battlefield without even attacking. Yet you're equipped so elaborately, and the kingdom's attacks miss you entirely. We have no idea what your purpose is—so much that even imperial soldiers are avoiding you."

It seems we've been terribly bad at gathering information.

"Listen, if you keep acting so conspicuously, the enemy won't even be able to step forward if they wanted to."

"Coil, what kind of intel did you bring in?"

"Stay calm, now. The enemy isn't at their camp. Not on the battlefield. But they're definitely somewhere around here. Where do you think?"

Thinking... It's certain they're nearby. Yet not in any obvious spot. So they must be somewhere where you wouldn't expect them to be.

That's it!

"Right in the middle!"

"Exactly."

Alex still looks confused.

"The kingdom holds part of the area, but the mine is still unclaimed. Could it be...?"

"That's exactly right. Neumann is inside the underground mine. I confirmed it with my own eyes."

"How could you possibly know something like that?"

"It's simple. Thanks to someone's loud rampage, everyone was distracted and drew attention elsewhere, which let me notice the unnatural tunnel dug underground. According to a conversation I overheard from the guards stationed there, Neumann is currently conducting research deep within the mining site."

Could Coil actually be an incredible person after all?

"Then let's break in there and capture Neumann!"

"How are we supposed to get in?"