56 - Episode 23 Operations Conference

After finishing the discussion in the conference room of the Palace of the Queen Elf Kingdom, the "White Knights" on standby were immediately gathered for a strategy meeting.

Even though they were gathered, they were waiting in a special dormitory where only the members of the "White Knights" could live, so they were able to gather in the dormitory conference room right away.

Since the table was a round table, there were no upper or lower seats, and each person sat at his or her favorite seat.

There were five members in all.

The leader, Hardy.

The vice-commander, Michael.

The sharpshooter, Sharp Hat.

Rangers, Nia and Kia.

That's all.

After confirming that everyone was seated, Hardy opened his mouth gravely.

As you all know, a 'mysterious giant tower' has appeared deep in the virgin forest near the capital. The adventurers' investigation has revealed that an adult red dragon lives there. Therefore, we, the White Knights, have received an imperial order to defeat the dragon."

Wait, Commander, is a red dragon for real?　It was the adventurers who investigated, wasn't it? How can we trust their eyes and ears?

The information is highly reliable. One report is from a human (an inferior species), and the other is from the deputy commander's fiancée.

Hardy answers Sharp Hat's question in a matter-of-fact manner.

His question causes the other three to turn their gazes to the deputy commander, Michael.

Mikhail is not perturbed at all and smiles a fresh smile.

Sasha is too good a fiancee for me.

He responded in his usual manner.

(Nia, what do you think?)

(Kia, this is a lot of sub-commanders working behind the scenes! (Scary, isn't it? Grown-ups?)

The twin Niakia brothers converse only with their gazes.

Sharp Hat, too, though he didn't say it in words, looked reluctant, 'I hope you don't bring your power struggles into the field.

Hardy paid no attention to the change in the atmosphere and simply stated his business in a matter-of-fact manner.

The expected level of the target red dragon is 1,000 to 2,000.

The expected level of the other monster to watch out for, "a giant four-legged beast with a snake for a tail," is around 1000.

The quasi-group members will be left in the capital as a reserve force. If you take them with you, they will only drag you down as they are excellent "sabu masters".

Other detailed explanations were also given.

Finally, Hardy opens his mouth somewhat grimly.

He explains, "With the support of the Prime Minister, it has been decided that we will take Sasha-dono, the deputy commander's fiancée, along as a scout and guide.

The "Commander ...... wait a minute, please. Does that mean you're not comfortable scouting on your own?"

Sharp Hat, the "White Knights" scout, raised an eyebrow.

He usually speaks in a flirtatious manner, but he was frustrated that his area of expertise was being interfered with.

Before Hardy could respond, Michael, the deputy commander, raised his hand to attract attention.

Sharp Hat, of course I don't doubt your ability as a scout," he said. This is a proposal from my fiancée, Sasha. She is the one who once reached the "Giant Tower" and brought back the information. She knows the route to get to the Giant Tower safely through the monsters' territory.

Mikael then looks around at everyone and continues speaking.

She is also level 500 and can at least protect herself. I hope you understand that I am not taking you lightly. ......

Naturally, Michael, the Prime Minister, the Countess, and Sasha all had their own agendas.

However, Hardy, the leader of the group, has already accepted the Prime Minister's notice, and no further protests by Sharp Hat, only one member of the group, will change his opinion.

The only option for Sharp Hat was to "back down," but he thought it would be permissible for him to at least sarcastically express his displeasure.

If it's an order from the top, I'll back down too. But is it safe to take out a group of associate members who are lower in level than the others?　I'm talking about being able to protect yourself, but if you end up being dragged down by someone who says, 'I knew it was a bad idea,' it's you who will be in trouble on the field.

I want her to rest assured that I, her fiancé, will protect her when the time comes. Or would Sharp Hat like to ask another group of untrustworthy human adventurers to act as scouts?

Sharp Hat frowns at Mikhail's turn of phrase.

He would rather trust an elf adventurer than hire a human adventurer, even though they are riddled with intrigue and spying.

That's not going to happen, Nia.

You're right, Kia. I'd rather not be a scout than follow a human adventurer.

Furthermore, the youngest Nyakia brothers sound heartily disgusted.

In the end, the decision was made to accept Sasha as a scout.

Sharp Hat looks bitter, but changes his mind.

He says, "I understand about the ...... scout. I understand about the red dragon extermination, but do you think you and your team will be able to deal with a level 1000 or so "giant four-legged beast with a snake tail" as well?

There is no possibility. In the meantime, we will create a diversion.

Hardy, not caring about the bad atmosphere, answers Sharp Hat's question in a matter-of-fact manner.

According to the information brought to us by Sasha, a human adventurer, there were five or six "giant four-legged beasts with snakes in their tails.

We gather the adventurers in the area where the monsters have been sighted the most and create a commotion.

This operation will be led by another group of human adventurers who have reached the "mysterious giant tower.

Then, while the "giant four-legged beast with a snake tail" is attracting attention, they will break into the "giant tower" and take out the red dragon--that is the general plan for this time.

Typical diversion and surprise, huh?

Typicality is what makes it so effective. Besides--"

For some reason, Hardy takes a beat and draws everyone's attention to himself.

Everyone tilts their heads and looks at him in a way that is unlike him.

Hardy grins and smiles his evil grin.

I like the idea of human (inferior) adventurers acting as a dangerous diversion. No matter how many of them we kill, we can still pick them from the fields.

For a moment, the place is quiet.

Even Mikhail's eyes widen over his glasses.

It is Sharp Hat who first bursts out laughing.

He said, "Commander, no matter how human (inferior species) you are, you can't pick them from the field!　We're not weeds!　Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Nia, the Commander's jokes are subtle!

Kia, I think Nia is right there!

I think it's a pretty funny joke too.

If the atmosphere remains bad, it will hinder the operation.

Therefore, in order to change the atmosphere, Hardy unusually uttered a "joking" line, which he usually does not say.

Although they were interrupted because of court politics, it was still an important mission for them.

I guess it means that as the leader of the group, he would devise one way or another to ensure the success of the mission.

The content was filled with the disdain typical of the elven elite class,.......

I don't want to be flattered. Let's work out the details of the operation.

Thus, the meeting of the "White Knights" continued, and the details of the "Operation to Defeat the Red Dragon of the Giant Tower" were worked out.

--They had no idea what was in store for them.