Year 7445, Month 7, Day 25
Koritto and Meiria are making somewhat difficult faces while talking about something and moving the pebbles over the circle I drew of the room. Che..Don't be thinking about unnecessary things. And, while I say that...
The last contact I received before we entered the dungeon, the {Slaughterers} were supposed to standby in the teleport room on the 7th floor until we came to the 7th floor and smoothly started to advance. Only after they gained confidence that I started moving through {Party-ization} were they supposed to move to the side of the monster room with a group of ogres they had investigated before-hand and only then were they supposed to standby there.
If you were to think of the monster room in front of me as a clock then we're at 6:00 and the {Slaughterers} are fortified at around the 1:00 direction. Since there's people vaguely moving around as well right now when I'm not in the room they might be relaxed and eating or something. Since I've always been tense the entire time I'd prefer they not casually be slacking off and eating. I guess that's a false accusation huh? They'll at least food right.
After we arrived at the monster room I was supposed to somehow negotiate a suggestion that lets met act alone and group up with the {Slaughterers} once, then if there's any discrepancies in the predicted circumstances I would have to report on them in a short period of time. In the worst case if I can't take action alone then while the {Slaughterers} are on standby at the entrance of the monster room they would recognize my approach and hide themselves as they confirm my situation.
In the case that I'm not alone I received contact from Toris that when I approach then even if there's a bit of discrepancy, unless there's a sign from me that a fatal problem has occurred they would just watch as we pass by like that. Of course no major problem has occurred that would influence Toris and the other's plans so far.
Come to think of it I wonder if they're fine with their remaining mana. This morning, we teleported into the 7th floor at around 5 am. The time we finally started moving was around 5:30 am. Since it's just past noon now over 7 hours have passed. Along the way up to here, even if you were to run into ogres as long as you use the paralysis poison you don't need to make use of magic so if you were to use mana it's at most for looking out with {Detect.Life}.
"..do-kun"
Toris's void magic has reached level 4 but since he can't use fire magic in the first place he can't use {Detect.Life}. The only ones who can use it are Miduchi, Bel, and Ralpha the three of them but the spell absolutely consumes 10 MP. The amount of time it takes to recover that much is 50 minutes. It becomes 40 minutes if Miduchi holds on to the handle of her sword but holding on to the handle for 40 minutes straight is unreasonable right. Even if the three of them take shifts using it once every 10 minutes(I think there's not much meaning using it more often than that) then the total amount of mana consumed would be 60 per hour. Compared to that the amount recovered is 36, that's only 12 per person.
Since 7 hours have already passed even if we deduct the portion that's been recovered doing simple calculation the total would be 170..No, that's if you were to count everyone's MP. Since the upper limit of Ralpha's MP isn't very high she should only be able to use it once an hour, Bel would be twice, and I guess Miduchi would be three times? Bel would be consuming 8 per hour and Miduchi would even be consuming 18 an hour. Thinking like that then wouldn't both Miduchi and Bel have almost no mana. But, even then I guess you could say they have a considerable amount remaining?
"Greed-kun"
"Ah..Yes. I'm sorry, I was spacing out."
"Yeah, it's fine, don't mind it. However, it's quite something to be able to space out on the 7th floor. Would you mind coming for a short while? Everyone else gather as well."
A~a. Toris, Bel, judging from their state then it seems that as expected it was unreasonable.
"We tried thinking about the strategy from just now a bit but we want to revise it a bit."
Just look. These two have been the leaders of a top team for over 10 years. There's no way they would so easily accept a strategy that dangerous. Since you all know quite a bit about my power, you didn't take into consideration the feelings of someone who doesn't know right? Certainly in order to show them plenty of my power, I followed Toris's instructions and flaunted my skills quite a bit in defeating ogres but there's no way something like that would be enough right. Well, this is experience as well. This is another deduction in points but I'll follow up this time.
"Everyone listen closely as well. Though I say revise it's nothing too big. We just want to increase the number of people who circle around behind the ogres. Ah, it's not like we don't trust you Greed-kun. I don't want you to misunderstand that."
Koritto said.
"We'll split our numbers up into six people and four people. Rokko, Kevin, Jeru. You all circle around behind the ogres together with Greed-kun."
Meiria continued to add on.
Ho? That's quite the firm decision. There's meaning in me taking action alone in order to get into contact with the {Slaughterers} as well but leaving combat forces for {Sun.Ray} was a bit part of it as well. Well, if you were to ask me then regardless if it's {Verdure.Brotherhood}, {Black.Topaz}, {Gehenna.Flare}, and of course {Sun.Ray} as well there's no difference that I'd prefer for them to quickly get wiped out if they intend to come to the same floor as us. Since they're in the way of us getting our hands on some treasure.
However, Rokko, Kevin, and Jeru huh? For them to magnificently take off the injured sucker members and push them on me even here. It's just what I think but this couple, they normally behave that way so no one will retort them on it but their true nature, it looks to me like they're ruthlessly trying to send their allies, or otherwise the suckers into their place of death. I'm sure they'll say it right. An appropriate sounding reason for it. Well, I am looking forward to what they'll actually say even.
"Greed-kun, please circle around behind the ogres together with them. And then, we'll have you finish off one ogre with the first attack spell. With that as the signal, Misu, Kamu, and I will use attack spells and bow to finish off two more ogres. Up until here it's the same."
Koritto said while moving the pebbles in the same way as I just did.
"The problem is the next part. Whether or not the eight ogres will really split into two groups, honestly speaking we thought that was doubtful. For example it can be thought that they could completely ignore one side and all end up going to the other but there's not much of a problem in this case. The side the ogres don't come to can just attack them from behind with spells all they please and the advantage will quickly return to our side I'm sure. The problem is in the case that only one or two of them end up going to one side and six or seven end up going to the other."
I know right~ Normally you would worry about something like this. Well, if it was just ogres then they're idiots so they would really split up jsut as I said in half but when there's ogre mages you really don't know how things will end up. Most likely I think they would just send one or two towards me since I was alone. After that the ogre mages would send the remaining normal ogres(probably 3-4 of them, depending on how things go five) towards the main group. In other words, I think they would split into three groups. The theory of ogre mages is for them to back up the side that has larger numbers with magic.
If ogre mages had better heads that could predict based on past experiences then they would send around two of them to {Sun.Ray} which has larger numbers to keep them in check and then use all of their forces to finish me off since I'm alone. Then after they finish me off they could hit the main group with all of their forces. Although, this is something would differ based on the terrain at the time, the positions of the ogres, and the situation so I can't say too much. But, since the Rindobel couple is obviously intelligent they're worried about this I'm sure. At the very least they've reasonably recognized my individual combat power. They're probably afraid that even with my high combat power I could end up being surrounded by ogres and end up useless.
Honestly speaking, even I don't know if there's definitely ogre mages mixed in with the ones in the monster room. In the first place I don't even know if they're ogres. I haven't Identified them. The trees are in the way from approaching close enough to see them so I would have to get considerably close. Since the vision in the forest is bad I would almost definitely have to enter the detection range of the ogre mages and at that point there would be no more plan or anything about it. If we hadn't already gone over the process for attacking under the premise that we would be noticed then we would bring into close combat all at once I'm sure. Unfortunately the only one who can remain hidden while taking action without problem during that short period of time while scouting is just Miduchi. Though I say that, I'm sure this was already investigated by Toris and the others and since there's no contact, I'm sure it's probably ogres.
In the case there's no ogre mages, if I were to speak my true feelings then even if I don't rely on something like magic or paralysis poison, if it's just at the level of six or seven ogres then if I lure them into the forest I have confidence I can slowly cook them up alone without a single scratch. However, I'm sure the Rindobel couple doesn't know my abilities are that high. They probably think I would just spend 20 minutes running around from four of them but they probably think it would be difficult for me if six or seven of them surround me all at once.
I think it's only natural for them to think I alone could take on six of them based on what they saw of me taking on two at once from the front with no tricks up to here. Well, I made sure all of those situations took place in the plains or wastelands so everyone could see them. I intentionally didn't do any other fighting than ambushing in the forest or thickets. When it comes to taking on multiple ogres as opponents the forest and thickets with trees all over the place is actually easier. As long as I'm alone that is.
The most important point of the strategy this time is "the decoy member who circled around needs to stay alive as they lure the ogres". At the very least they need to remain alive while moving around until the main group finishes defeating the ogres, if they can't continue to lead them around then there's no point to it.
"If it's only one or two that goes to Greed-kun then there's no problem. We already understand you can easily win at that level. But, as expected wouldn't things get hard if it's six or seven of them? We would be troubled if you were to die."
The statement of the Rindobel couple shows they properly understand something close to the fundamentals of the two Lanchester's Laws. As expected they have just what it takes to lead a top team. They're on a different level from the other adventurers of Baldukk who can't think of anything but fighting in the dungeon. Including Zulu and Angela, the majority of the adventurers only have the level of understanding of an elementary schooler. Though even they've showed a remarkable level of progress while being in contact with reincarnated people so I'm sure they'd understand something at this level right away now.
"I'll be fine."
I already know but just in case I need to properly say it.
In other words, what they want to say is that they would be troubled if I die before doing any damage to the ogres at all. It's not particularly like they're worried about my life. As proof of that look, just look at that expression. Both of the couple are completely blinded by their greed. Well even if we just defeat 21 ogres today then that's 17,000,000 Z or so. It's the same amount of sales as two cheap magic items. Of course their eyes would change colors. In order for them to think this way and make them think ogres are easy to deal with, I intentionally dragged them out into wide open areas and make use of paralysis poison in a way where it takes some time to take effect, it was quite difficult making sure they only ended up having to fight against just one at a time.
However, it's already a strategy they've decided on so it's not beneficial to get any pickier with it than this.
"No. It's fine to think of Rokko and the others as Greed-kun's escort. I'm sure that Greed-kun will primarily end up using attack spells but going from the timing at best you'll only be able to the first two attacks and even at best three hits right? You might end up missing other than the first one you use for the ambush and after that if you were to be injured it would be bad if you can't use healing spells anymore."
Including me the four of us on the detached force reply with consent.
"If six of them end up going in your direction then Rokko and the others you all somehow try to hold out with Greed-kun. In that case, we'll probably only have to deal with two of them though so we should be able to finish them off quickly. In the case that six of them come to us, if it's just two then you have Greed-kun as well so he should be able to defeat them quickly just the same. After that it's fine as long as you come to back us up."
"Yeah, we've already fixed out that ogres aren't a big deal at all. It's alright."
"Ah, if we have Greed-kun then we can even manage if seven of them come~"
"There's no problem even if we defeat all of them right?"
Rokko and the others are powerfully saying. Well, if they're coming to my side then I guess these guys are fine as well huh?
"Oh, Kevin, you've come out quite big that you'll defeat them all. I'll put my hopes on you."
Misu said as if teasing him but her face was quite worried.
"Oh~ unlike that idiot Rokko I still have my charm after all. Even if I were to get seriously injured I can rest easy."
"Ah, Kevin's came last month was it? I used mine up last year the same as Rokko after all..Koritto-san is my charm still not ready?"
"Sorry about that, Jeru. You've already had to wait for over a year but..it seems there's some trouble with the funds to work around it.."
"Eeeh..Even though added an additional 300,000 in the spring as well.."
Jeru bit his lip as if he was troubled.
"How about paying even more on top of that again? I've done it such as that as well."
Haruku said it as if giving Jeru advice. After all this guy as well, is he one of the collaborators with the Rindobel couple?
Come to think of it previously, this guy was the one who tried to join the {Slaughterers} as well.
"..An addition huh..I guess it can't be helped~ If I pay again can something be done about it?"
Jeru looked at Meiria with an expression as if begging her.
"That is..I can't say anything in that regard. But, it might be better than not doing anything at all."
"Is that so..Meiria-san, when we return I'll pay out of the compensation this time~ That's why I'm depending on you for one quickly. Please try making the request somehow."
"Don't say anything too unreasonable..But, if we have the additional funds then it's easier to ask. Since it seems we'll have earned a reasonable amount this time, I'll try putting in a good word for you as well."
"Ehe..I'm in you care. Koritto-san."
Somehow it's a conversation where I really start to pity Rokko and the other two.
.................
..Since we took a break, I guess it's about time to depart huh?
"Then, we'll head out. Since I intend to move carefully until we arrive in the position on the other side it might take over 30 minutes."
"Yeah, I understand. In a bit longer we'll approach carefully as well. Hiding behind the tree trunks and crawling below the foliage even. There's no need to hurry. It's fine for you to slowly take your time. In any case we'll remain on standby over here until your ambush."
With Koritto's response as the sign to depart we walked off with the wall on right side. Of course Rokko, Kevin, and Jeru are properly following behind me as well. In the case that the ogres are the room boss, they generally don't notice you as long as you're walking along the outer edge of the wall. Strangely enough, even if you walk in the forest with almost fallen leaves the sound doesn't reach even 50 meters ahead and since there's trees growing all over the place the field of sight is extremely bad. The ogre mages are sensitive enough to presence that they can notice from 100 meters away but from the outer wall to the center there's 250 meters. It's easy to even just walk through without fighting.
In order to circle around the ogres we need to walk in a semicircle around this circular monster room. The diameter of the room is roughly 500 meters so we end up needing to walk close to 800 meters. Adding to that if we were to walk half of it, 700 meters or so we should pass right in front of where the {Slaughterers} are waiting.
Though there's almost no need to stand on end, even then we continue walking while being careful to not make as much sound as possible. I think we've already walked close to 500 meters. In another 200 meters or so we should arrive at the waiting point for the {Slaughterers}. If there's some thicket or rocks then they should be waiting behind those without standing out. It could be possible that Miduchi or so would find us and tell everyone else that it's not just me as they all remain hidden looking over here. Soon after I stepped foot into the room everyone I could detect with {Party-ization} gathered into one group and I could tell they weren't moving at all.
It was when the four us were carefully moving forward. I felt an abnormality in {Party-ization}. But, what is it? These movements. Even though they were moving at all up until now it's as if they all started moving attentively in a panic.
This, is it combat!?
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