Side: Yuki
Well, today is a day off.
Exactly one day before the operation to take down the Demon King's Castle. Today is for the final meeting; I need to have a serious talk with my wives.
That said, breakfast doesn't disappear just because we're resting. So right now, we've finished eating breakfast normally and are cleaning up afterward.
The number of dishes to wash really has increased, huh...
At first, it was just me. Then Elju and the others came and it was six. Then it dropped to four. Then suddenly it spiked to fifteen. A lot has happened, but the people living in this inn now are my wives.
Mobu's group moved out once the regular residents arrived. They set up a house in a corner of the Adventurer District and spend their days there now. They still come over to hang out sometimes, but they said that with so many "big shots" around now, it's started to feel a bit uncomfortable for them.
I get it. If I weren't involved, I'd probably stay away too... But sadly, they're my wives. No matter who the opponent is—even a Demon King—I can't afford to let even one of them die
"Alright everyone, let's talk about tomorrow while we drink tea."
When I returned to the banquet hall, everyone was already waiting with tea in hand.
"I'm going to announce the members for the Demon King's Castle raid."
Several people twitched in reaction.
"What do you mean? Onii-chan, aren't we all going?"
Aslin tilted her head cutely.
Of course, I couldn't gamble by sending everyone. We always needed insurance.
"Sorry, Aslin. I think this raid carries a significant amount of danger. There's a chance the raid team could be wiped out. Because of that, we need people to stay on standby here in Weed."
"Eh!?"
"Aslin, calm down. This isn't like the Rithea incident."
"But Milly-oneechan..."
"Children who don't listen will be disliked, you know?"
"E-Eh? But... but... hic... me and Filia-chan are definitely being left behind... uwaaah."
"N-No. Nii-sama, I don't want that. I don't waaant thaaat!!"
The two of them started bawling.
They clung to me, so all I could do was hug them and gently pat their heads.
"Everyone has heard from Liliana. The demon currently calling himself the Demon King is Dekira. Before becoming Demon King, he was the leader of the hardliner faction and the head of the military clique. And you remember why he was the head of that faction, right?"
"Yes. In addition to his personal martial prowess, he has the ability to command large numbers of monsters, correct?"
"Exactly. In terms of individual combat ability, you wives are stronger. However, the biggest problem is his mass monster control."
Just as Eris said, based on the information we got from Liliana, there were two main points we needed to be wary of — and the most important one was...
Yes. This 'mass control' ability.
We had no idea of its scale. We knew he could control monsters up to a certain level, but we didn't know where the upper limit was. Furthermore, even Liliana didn't know how exactly he controlled them. Because of that, a certain danger had surfaced.
"You mean there's a possibility our own subordinates could be taken from us, right, Onii-san?"
"Exactly. That's the biggest issue. That is why this is so dangerous. If our monsters are useless during the raid, we have to go in as our actual selves—meaning, our true bodies, not Doppelgangers."
"Why is that, Yuki-san? I understand that having our monsters taken over is dangerous, but doppelgangers are also monsters. They're high-level and serve as our body doubles. Wouldn't they be perfect for testing the enemy's control range? Even if they turn against us, I don't think they'd be impossible to defeat..."
Tori asked, looking puzzled.
Everything she said was correct... except for one specific detail.
"I see your point, Tori, but do you know the real danger of a Doppelganger turning against us?"
"The danger? I just thought they'd be high-level enemies..."
"...Ah, I see."
"Eh? Milly, you figured it out? I'm with Tori, I don't really get it."
"...It's the information, right?"
"Spot on. If a Doppelganger falls into the enemy's hands or under their control, there is a very high probability that our skills, movements, and the secrets of Weed will be exposed."
"""!!!"""
The faces of those who hadn't realized stiffened.
"That would be extremely bad. We use doppelgangers so conveniently that we tend to forget, but that risk definitely exists."
"Yes... That was careless of me. If control of a doppelganger is seized, all our information would leak. Weed would be put in a desperate situation."
Seraria realized her own oversight, and Sheila turned pale thinking about the consequences.
"Exactly. That's why for the castle assault, we'll attack using monsters up to level 150. If their control is taken, we'll step in ourselves. Observe carefully how the control is being seized. Doppelgangers absolutely cannot be allowed to fall under enemy control, so we—the highest combat assets—will be the trump card."
Everyone nodded at my words.
"For the reasons stated, the assault team has been carefully selected. There will be a group staying behind to defend Weed. I hope you all understand."
"...I understand the reason. But I will never let Onii-san die."
"...Same here."
When Ratz and Kaya spoke, the others nodded as well.
I don't want any of you to die either.
"Then, the Weed defense team will be: Labyris, Sheila, Aslin, Filia, Eris, Ratz, and Riel."
"...Got it. But make sure you come back."
"As Weed's diplomatic representative, I suppose it has to be me..."
"Understood."
"It would be easy to say I hate it, but I understand, Onii-san."
"Saying 'why me' would just be selfish. Everyone, please take care of Yuki-san."
""Hic...""
Labyris had already grasped the logic through her connection with me and was somewhat reconciled to it, though like Aslin and the others, she clearly wanted to come along. But since Labyris is the only one who can stand in for me, I have to leave it to her.
Sheila, just as you said — if something happens to Seraria or Rurua, we'll have to rely on you.
Eris... you answered so casually, but your fists are bleeding. I'll have to treat them later.
Ratz, you never let that smile break, do you? Thank you for accepting even the painful roles.
Riel, your growth has been the most impressive. You ask questions, solve problems, and keep training hard. I'm leaving Weed's public safety to you.
Aslin, Filia... I'm sorry. I can't take you two to such a dangerous place right now. You two are our future.
"Next, the underground dungeon security at the Demon King's castle — meaning securing the retreat route and preventing information leaks — I'm leaving to Seraria, Derieu, and Kaya."
"...As the face of Weed, I must minimize the risk of dying, huh."
"Nugugugu... if someone has to secure the retreat, I suppose I am the most fit for it..."
"...This time, I will definitely protect it."
Seraria, that's part of it, but you also need to be ready to pull back the allied army if necessary. If we get wiped out, the current allied force has no chance of winning. Stay calm.
Derieu, you have the most combat experience among us. That's exactly why I'm trusting you with defense.
Kaya, are you talking about Weed? Yeah. We'll come back, so protect it for us.
"Finally, the team responsible for clearing enemies inside the Demon King's castle and taking the Demon King's head will be: Rurua, Ria, Millye, Tori, Liliana, and me."
"Recovery support, right? Leave it to me."
"I wonder if I can do it... No, I'll definitely do it!!"
"I'll handle trap detection and support."
"I'll be the close-range attacker with my blade."
Rurua, exactly. You're our top recovery member. I'm counting on you.
Ria, sorry for putting you on the front line. But I'm relying on you.
Milly, show us the skills you honed in the Adventurer's Guild.
Tori, your swordsmanship is already better than mine. You have excellent breakthrough power when it counts. I'll leave the rear to you while you cut down the enemies ahead.
"And lastly, Killue."
"Yes."
"I'm leaving the house to you."
"Even if this body perishes, I will protect it. So please, Yuki-sama and all the wives, return safely."
Killue, hearing you say "welcome back" makes me really happy. It makes me feel like there's someone waiting for me at home.
"Also, because we don't have much time this time, the plan is quite rough. Normally, we would monitor the target location for at least a month — preferably two — to grasp the enemy's movements. Don't forget that."
"I understand what you mean, but if someone were monitored that thoroughly, there wouldn't be any room for a comeback at all."
Seraria answered with a stiff smile.
"The truth is, we reached the Demon King's Castle on the second day already. Ratz, Kaya, Milly—I'm sorry for pushing you so hard."
"No problem. It was for your sake, Onii-san."
"...Safety should always be prioritized."
"I think what Yuki-san is saying is perfectly reasonable."
"So, regarding the intel we've gathered so far. As planned, we stopped one kilometer out, and then I directly extended the dungeon to the basement of the castle. As a result, there's been no change in the castle itself. It seems the enemy can't detect the 'Dungeonization.' I'd heard from Mobu and other adventurers that dungeons emit a unique magical signature, so I installed it quite deep underground."
The reason Mobu's group found the newly created dungeon so easily was because they sensed that magical power. That's why I judged it dangerous against demons skilled in magic perception and tested it underground without creating an entrance.
"But in that case, wouldn't converting the Demon King's Castle into a dungeon be impossible? You shouldn't be able to observe the interior either..."
Shella raised a valid point.
"You're right, Sheila. However, there was a time when I converted a large cathedral into a dungeon, and no one noticed."
"Now that you mention it..."
"I had a question about that. While dungeons do emit a unique magical power, the main cause seems to be having only one entrance/exit. Through Zargis's research and cooperation with adventurers, we figured that out."
"What do you mean?"
"Normally, a dungeon only has one ventilation opening. But if you place the outside under dungeon influence, that creates additional ventilation openings."
"I see. So the larger the dungeon, the more ventilation openings there are, making it harder to detect?"
Seraria seemed to understand what I was getting at.
"Exactly. That's why converting the Demon King's castle went unnoticed."
"But couldn't they be deliberately ignoring it?"
"That's possible too. But last night, I placed a summoning circle directly inside Demon King Dekira's bedroom and casually left a monster there, and he kept sleeping."
"""..."""
"Well, he did wake up eventually, but I recalled the monster before that. The first thing he said when he got up was..."
'Hm? Was my control slipping? Guess I should prohibit entry into this room.'
"That's what he said."
"""...."""
"Oh, and on the first night after turning it into a dungeon, I don't know why, but there were women's clothes in his room, and he was sniffing them. I wonder who they belong to."
"I'M GOING TO KILL DEKIRA!!"
"Calm down, Leia. It's unpleasant, but it's my fault for being driven out."
Leia, who was participating in the meeting, snapped, and Liliana—the actual victim—had to restrain her. It created a very strange scene.
"Ah, right, it was Liliana-san's room. Then naturally he'd know whose clothes they were. Though asking why he kept them lying around might be rude."
"""He's a pervert."""
A Demon King and a pervert. Truly beyond saving.
Though in certain places, many men would probably hail him as a hero
"Well, putting aside the Demon King being a creep, according to Liliana and Reia, there's apparently no special custom during this season involving everyone staying awake at night. So tomorrow night, we'll launch a surprise attack."
"That's good news."
"There might be some people awake, and there's always a chance everyone is up for some weird reason. Stay calm. Other than that, I've summarized the enemy strength and layout I've investigated and checked them against Liliana's map."
* No discrepancies in the map.
* Enemy strength averages around level 100.
* Demon King is level 233. Though honestly he seems like the transforming type, so I wouldn't rely too much on that information.
* As for placements, just look for yourselves.
"So the Demon King is level 233... You're planning to personally land the finishing blow, aren't you?"
"The Demon King is 233? You're planning to deliver the finishing blow yourself, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I know Level 150 monsters would struggle, and if I used anything over Level 200, it would be a pain if we lost control of them. 150 is the limit for the monsters."
"Makes sense. I'm on retreat duty, so I'll leave the rest to you."
"For the rest of the day, check your equipment and the plan. After that, just relax."
* * *
Everyone spent the rest of the day preparing for tomorrow in their own way. Seraria and the others are used to Narjia-san's equipment power-ups, but since it was Ria's first time, I accompanied her.
"Ah, Yuki-san. How do I look?"
"It suits you well, but... Narjia-san?"
"Fufufu, what do you think!! My latest masterpiece!!"
Ria stood before me in black-themed dress armor, just as requested... but I could tell at a glance that the gauntlets, boots, and everything else were items on a completely different level...
Even though it was black-based, it didn't look "villainous"; it looked elegant, making Ria's white hair stand out—Wait, what's with the black tiara?! Is that even functional?!
"Ria-san, try pouring your magic into it."
"Eh? Okay."
A film of magic covered Ria's body.
Wait, isn't this similar to my barrier?
"Exactly!! I used Yuki-san's ultra-sturdy magic barrier as a reference. The number of layers is less than Yuki-san's, but I've embedded barrier-deployment formulas into each piece of armor that respond to the user's magic!"
"So, two gauntlets, two boots, one armor, and one tiara... each makes one layer?"
"That's right. Since there are few places to embed them, the smaller the area, the weaker the barrier. But by equipping multiple pieces and covering the gaps with armor, we've gotten it close to Yuki-san's level!!"
I see. On top of my magic barrier logic, she's wearing sturdy armor. I don't usually wear armor myself.
"And!! Ria-san, please take this sword and shield!!"
"Ah, you made these black-based too. Thank you!!"
Wait, wait a minute. Does that sword have a revolver cylinder?! Is that a gun-sword?! But it doesn't have a barrel, so it's useless.
"I used the gun Yuki-san uses as a reference. Ria-san, do you know what a gun is?"
"Ah, yes. Steve-san showed me."
"Then, hold the sword with that image in mind."
"Understood."
When she did, a barrel extended—separate from the blade. A barrel made of magic. It seemed to respond to the sword's magic, creating a black magical barrel.
"Now, imagine loading a bullet and firing it."
"Like this?"
Ria casually aimed at a large rock in the garden...
BOOM!
The rock was blown to smithereens.
"What do you think? A magic bullet that destroys only the target! No friendly fire! Incredible, isn't it?! Of course, it's also enhanced for melee, so it functions perfectly as a sword too!!"
"It's more than incredible..."
"With this, I can fight too!!"
I felt the Demon King's survival chances drop significantly.
Oh, and the shield can apparently deploy a directional magic barrier, allowing for parrying.
Ria was seriously scary now.
