Volume 3 - CH 16

Volume 3

Chapter 16-The desire to drag their feet and the daredevil's idea

(TL:By Rafael)

Was it the speed of Mastoma's decision-making that was so successful, or was it the foresight of King Welmeria?

In any case, thankfully, matters that would normally be dull red tape between countries were decided one after another and put into action.

Even Salmutaria seemed to be aware of the threat of the stampede, and accepted the urgent reinforcements from Welmeria without a hitch.

"All that remains is to buy time."(Benwood)

Benwood, who was staring at the map in the conference room, muttered quietly.

The only thing we can do is to "thin out" the overflowing and overflowing demons against the stampede of unknown scale, speed and strength.

We don't have enough resources for that.

"I'll be there. Jamie, you have your adventuring gear with you?"(Benwood)

"Yeah. It's in my pack. ......"(Jamie)

"All right, I'm authorized to reinstate you as an adventurer. Join the defensive combat."(Benwood)

"What? ......?"(Jamie)

Jamie looks surprised.

I'm surprised too, or ...... I laugh at the recklessness of it all.

Benwood is a guild master, but he does not have the right to do anything about the punishments that have been adjudicated.

That is for the state to decide, and the guildmaster's job is to make sure it is followed.

It is a complete overreach and arbitrary action, but the man has a good understanding of the situation.

It is literally bureaucratic red tape to let a fighting force of adventurers rot here.

"Yuki. I'm giving Jamie back."(Benwood)

"She's not mine. But, Jamie ......, will you come with us?"(Yuki)

I held out my hand, and Jamie reached for it, but stopped just before she touched it.

"Do you really want me to go with you, Me ......?I was laughing at you with those guys, you know?"(Jamie)

"I don't remember that old story."(Yuki)

Jamie's mouth tightens and her shoulders shake in response to my lighthearted comment.

I had heard enough of her regrets, her confessions, her apologies.

No more of that made-up laugh is echoing in my brain.

"I-I want to ...... please, take care of me."(Jamie)

"Oh, Welocme  back, Jamie."(Yuki)

I laugh as I take Jamie's hand in mine.

I felt a sense of trust in her hand as she squeezed it back.

"You're flirting with her. I don't care if you get stabbed by your other wife."(Benwood)

"I don't think  that kind of thing will happen. How long do you want me to keep it up?"(Yuji)

I've never participated in a "stampede" before.

But that's not the case for  Count of Labyrinth, "Tyrannical Fist" Benwood, who is in front of me.

He is a strong man who has been in at least three "stampedes" and survived all of them.

Even with the information we've brought him, he should be able to formulate a strategy.

"Our king will send out the magic flying ship Forneia to dispatch adventurers. Even so, it will take at least two weeks to gather the top rankers from all over and have them arrive here, and three weeks before we are ready for a full-scale defensive intercept."(Benwood)

"With this number and strength, can we make ...... for three weeks?"(Yuki)

"No."(Benwood)

Benwood's got us all worked up, and now this.

But this is one of the predictable answers.

'It depends on when and how much of the Salmutian side's forces will be of use. What do you think about that? Your Highness Mastoma."(Benwood)

"The general soldiers, knights, and those from families that make their living defeating demons have been requested, but they are not moving fast enough. It seems that my brother is interfering with the process."(Mastoma)

It seems that the brother prince of Mastoma has no balance between his thoughts and desires.

If he screws up here, he could lose his entire country.

"He is probably thinking that if we fail in this, he will make it your country's fault and demand compensation. The man is a little short on ideas."(Mastoma)

"Then we'll have to make do with our limited resources."(Benwood)

A seasoned adventurer would not be caught in the middle of wishful thinking here.

They have to accept the fact as a fact and take measures with those who are available.

"We haven't stopped the supplies, have we?"(Yuki)

"Mm-hmm. The items you asked for have already been brought in."(Viscount)

"I will list the additions. Viscount Boardman, please help us."(Yuki)

I call out to Viscount Boardman, who is mumbling to himself over the map.

From the look of him, his thoughts are probably the same as mine.

"Well, you seem to have a plan, don't you?　The Red Mage Warlock?"(Viscount)

"From here on out, it's the domain of the alchemist. Isn't that right, Viscount Boardman?"(Yuki)

"Yes. Let's set a trap made by alchemy on the route. Fortunately, Salmutaria is a place rich in the wisdom of magical tool artifacts. Your Highness Mastoma, please gather all the alchemists in La Jo."(Viscount)

As I thought, we were in agreement.

If we clash head-on, it is obvious that we will be overwhelmed by the strength and quantity of our forces.

If that is the case, we have no choice but to confront them with wisdom and tricks.

And fortunately, there are a good number of people here, including myself, who are good at that.

"The rest is up to ......."(Yuki)

I say this and then fall silent, thinking of the lack of feasibility and the risks involved.

I can't say it lightly.

"You've got something to say, say it. We'll all decide if it's feasible."(Benwood)

......After all, I can't  hide my thoughts  from Benwood, can I?

"It's about a quick attack. Benwood and the magic tool artifact will thin out the overflow, and then we, Clover, will conquer the labyrinth. ......"(Yuki)

It's not often that I hear such a ridiculous story.

In the Kingdom of Welmeria, where "stampede" are common, there have been such operations, and there have been some success stories reported.

However, this is the case for labyrinths that have been conquered to some extent or for labyrinths that have already been analyzed internally.

It is not a strategy to venture into the ancient labyrinth of "King'sTemple," where no internal information is available, on the first attempt.

It would be suicide.

However, despite my self-mockery, Benwood thinks for a moment,

"Hmmm."(Benwood)

I have a bad feeling about this.

"......This isn't so bad."(Benwood)

"No, it's not good."(Yuki)

"No, it's not a bad idea. It's a realistic idea, right?"(Benwood)

How could it be realistic?

Even the Mastoma's people looked puzzled at the state of Benwood and I.

"If we hit each other and try for a battle of attrition, we may collapse first. Even if we buy time with magic tools and artifacts, if we're already on the verge of a "stampede," we won't last three weeks. Then, the most realistic approach is to eliminate the cause of the problem with a single point of attack."(Benwood)

Benwood's eyes are somewhat glazed, and he has the look of an adventurer taking a unique "gamble."

"I can't put my people in danger."(Yuki)

"Well, you'd say that, but ...... consider it. We're paying a lot of money for you and winning against the odd is what adventure is all about"(Benwood

I could not help but reply, somewhat childishly at Benwood  who was grinning foolishly 

"All right."(Yuki)

TL Note- Winning against the odd is what adventure is all about. NYC lines if I say so myself and I would like if readers will comment to show us their support, It motivates us.