第144掘:魔王城攻略 後編
side:リリアーナ
「リリアーナ様、第2門の敵引いていきます!!」
「陽動部隊から連絡、南門の開放に成功!!」
「敵東門より別働隊の出撃を確認、速やかに第1門の門を閉じて後方の攻撃に備えてください!!」
「セラリア様へ別働隊の連絡を最優先で伝えてください!! 第2門の内情を知っているものはいませんか。少しでもいいです情報を!!」
現在第1門を突破し、第2門へ差し掛かろうとしている。
第1門は陽動のかいもあって、あっさりと和平派の皆がこちらについてくれた。
門内の火計も問題なく、排除しており、わずかに残った油に火がついてボヤ程度が起きたぐらいです。
「ウィード部隊が既に取り付いているわ。心配しなくていいわよ、敵も退いているみたいだし、このままぶち破るわ」
私がセラリア様や首脳陣たちに報告を送る前にセラリア様が来てくれた。
「聞きましたか、敵の別働隊が既に......」
「ええ、他の首脳陣も聞いているわ。既に物資を門内部へ移動を開始しているから大丈夫よ。第2門が開門したらウィード部隊はそのまま第1門にくる別働隊を迎撃するわ。もともと数が少ないから、こういう使い方が正しいわね。魔王城は他の部隊に任せるわ。内容は知っているでしょうけど、無暗やたらに前に出ると、アレに喰われるわよ?」
「はい......わかっています。もう魔王城ではアレが暴れているのですね」
私は未だ変化を見せない魔王城を見つめて言います。
「ええ、エリスから報告があったわ。城内に残っている主なトップは選別した和平派を残して既に食い尽くしているそうよ。親衛隊の隊長率いる部隊がなんとか押しとどめているみたいだけど」
「彼ですか......」
「あら、知り合い?」
「ええ、私が彼を親衛隊隊長に就任させたんです。実直で勤務態度もよく、実力も人柄も、親衛隊隊長になるべくしてなった人です」
「へえ、ならその彼を死なせるには勿体ないわね。さっさと第2門が開いてくれればって......開いたみたいね」
セラリア様に言われて門を見ていると既に門は開かれていて、先ほどと同じようにローエルさんの部隊が先行して入って道を確保しています。
「じゃ、私はここでお別れよ。あとは頑張りなさいな」
そう言ってセラリア様は私から離れていき、ウィードの部隊に指示を出し始めました。
「クアル、敵の別働隊が東門より出立したのを確認したわ。その数300、ウィードの部隊だけで止めるわ。すぐに部隊を纏めて第1門へ集めなさい」
「了解しました!!」
私はセラリア様を見送って、そのままローエルさんたち魔王城攻略部隊へ加わります。
「リリアーナ殿、第2門は完全に制圧。敵はなぜか混乱しているようです。何かご存知ですか?」
「いえ、特には......。もしかしたら義勇兵が陽動してくれているのかもしれません」
実は知っています。
義勇兵の陽動も確かにありますが、一番の問題は魔王城で魔王が暴れているのです。
でも、それを言うわけにはいきません。
そして一刻も早く魔王城へ行き、魔王役の魔物を倒さないといけません。
「ふむ、私たちは特に魔族の民に危害を加えるつもりはない。邪魔にならないのであれば、真っ直ぐ魔王城へ行くべきではないか?」
「その通りだが、リリアーナ殿魔王城への道は?」
アレス殿がそう言って私に聞いてきます。
「魔王城へは、各門から一直線の位置にあります。東西南北、どこからでも訪問できるよう橋がかけてあります。跳ね橋ですが......」
「跳ね橋か、この状態だと跳ね橋はもう上げられていると見るべきだろう。だが、一刻も早く魔王城に行くべきなのは変わらないと思うのだが?」
魔王城攻略の皆が頷く。
「全軍、この道を駆け抜けよ!! 目指すは魔王城!! 跳ね橋を落とし、魔王ののど元に剣を突き付けるのだ!!」
アレス殿の号令により、攻略部隊が一斉に駆け抜ける。
敵の抵抗は皆無。
魔族の住人は声援を送っている。
今回の門のことで家族を戦争にとられた人が多いのだ、それを殺さず助けてくれた連合軍を邪魔する者などいない。
私が送り込んだ味方の成果だ。
「聞け!! 友が声援をくれている!! 我らが負ける道理も、退く道理もない!! 叫んで答えよ、彼等の思いに!!」
アレス殿が剣を掲げ、先頭を駆け抜ける。
そして後から続く兵士は雄叫びを上げる。
「「「ウォォオオォォォォオォオオオ!!」」」
そして、魔王城の跳ね橋はなぜか降りていた。
聞き取れない、いえ、意味の無い叫びが聞こえる。
「ぐあぁぁあぁあぁあ!! だ、だれかぁ...ぐびゅ」
人が叫ぶ声が最後に異質なモノにかわる。
「くそっ、決してこいつを外に出すな!! 親衛隊の意地を見せてみろ!!」
「「「おうっ!!」」」
親衛隊が例の化け物を押しとどめている。
つまり、もう城内には主だった強硬派の生存者は消えたと言うことだ。
彼はエリスさんの選別から生き残ったようだ。
「ヒエラ!! 連合軍を引き連れてきました!! 援護します!!」
私がそう叫ぶと、親衛隊隊長のヒエラがこちらを振り向き、驚いた顔をしています。
「リリアーナ様、よくぞご無事で!!」
「話は後です。連合軍と一緒にこの化け物を討ち、デキラを倒します!!」
「いえ、もうデキラはいません。既にあの化け物に喰われてしまいました」
その言葉で連合軍の首脳陣が驚きの表情をしています。
「あの魔王デキラは私たちを生贄として、あの化け物を呼び出しました。いえ、あれこそ魔王に相応しいでしょう。あれは、生き物を喰らって成長する正真正銘の化け物です!!」
連合軍は意味が解らないといった表情ですが、それを問いただしている暇はありません。
ズンッ
そんな響きがあって、親衛隊のほとんどが吹き飛ばされます。
「ぐっ、見ての通りです!! あの化け物は喰った相手のステータスを吸収するようです!! 幹部が喰われ、デキラが喰われた後はもう後退するしか我らには術がありませんでした。連合軍の方々、私を信じていただけるのでしたら、どうかあの化け物を城下へ出すのを一緒に防いでいただきたい!! 信じられぬのも当然かと思います。だから私の命をもって......おおぉぉおぉおおおお!!」
ヒエラがそう言って、化け物に斬りかかっていきます。
「......た、隊長」
「剣握れ、まだ......生きてるだろう」
「ああ、リリアーナ様が......生きていた」
「せめて、なんとか突破口をつくらない......と」
気絶していなかった親衛隊のメンバーがボロボロな体を起き上がらせて、ヒエラの後を追っていきます。
ですが、その全てがなすすべもなく、あの化け物の大剣によりあっさり吹き飛ばされ、命を落としていきます。
ヒエラは流石と言うべきか、必死に致死の攻撃を凌いでは僅かな隙を見て攻撃していきます。
ですが、あの化け物はステータスに物をいわせて命を刈り取りにきます。
剣を弾かれ、大きく腕が跳ね上がり、その胴体に凄まじい速度で大剣が振るわれ......。
ガギギギ......!!
ローエルさんがヒエラと化け物の間に割って入り、その大剣を受け流します。
「っくぁ!! まだまだ、セラリアの方が強いぞ!!」
そして、彼女がその言葉を発した瞬間、化け物の胴体に傷がつきます。
「ヒエラ殿、加勢いたします!!」
アレス殿が剣を振りぬいて、化け物に傷を負わせたようです。
「よし、ガルツ隊は親衛隊の救助!! リテア隊は怪我人の回復を!! ロシュール隊は外からあの化け物を牽制!! 絶対に近寄るな!! 将軍たちの邪魔にしかならん!!」
クラック殿が素早く指示を出し、親衛隊を助け治療をはじめます。
「連合軍ばかりに任せるな!! 動ける親衛隊も隊長や将軍たちの援護をしろ!!」
今ここに、完全な連携体制が敷かれました。
敵は1人。
そして、此方は大軍で囲んでいます。
跳ね橋を中心に4000以上もの兵士がただ化け物を倒すために集まりました。
あの化け物が強さを発揮したのは狭い室内や、戦う数が限られた状況であればこそ。
化け物は必死に生きる為に動きます。
目の前の障害を排除するために。
......ごめんなさい。
私がしっかりしていれば、あなたという化け物を魔王と祭りあげなくて済んだ。
だけど、これが私が選んだ道。
少しだけ、目を閉じ懺悔をして目を開いた瞬間......化け物の首が落ちて、体が消えていきます。
歓声が城下に広がっていきます。
今ここに、魔王は討ち取られ魔族は解放されました。
「......これからが大変ですね」
ルーメルへ侵攻した強硬派への対処、これからの他種族への交渉。
この大まかな二つにもとてつもない労力がかかります。
和平を望んでいた私にとってはこれが始まり。
side:ユキ
「......死んだか」
「はい」
俺はエリスと一緒に、あのただ化け物としか呼ばれなかったあいつの最後を見ていた。
「俺にとっては初めて意図的に死ねと命じた魔物だ」
「......私が命令を下しました、だからユキさんが気に病む必要は......」
「別に気に病んじゃいない。命自体は今まで沢山奪ってきた。策で、罠で、この手で、でもな死ねって言ったのはこれが初めてなんでな、少し気に留めておこうと思ってな」
多分これからも、こういうことがあるだろう。
それが魔物じゃなくて、嫁さんや大事な人だったら俺は同じ選択をできるんだろうか?
「......せめて、俺だけでもあいつのこと覚えていないとな」
そう言って、歓声の中を歩いて本陣に戻って行った。
Hisshou Dungeon Unei Houhou Chapter 144
Side: Ririana
[Ririansama, the enemy on the second gate is moving back!!] 
[A message from the diversion unit! They were able to successfully open the south gate!!] 
[The enemy dispatched another force to the eastern gate. Quickly close the first gate and be prepared for a rear attack!!] 
[It's top priority to contact Serarisama another detached force!! Does anyone know about the situation at the second gate? Please, even if it's only a little!!] 
Currently, the first gate was breached, and now we are approaching the second gate.
The diversion was successful and all the members of the peace faction joined us.
There was also no problem with dealing with their plan to set all on fire either. All the oil has been removed, the only thing left is able to light a small fire.
[Weed unit is already on it. You have nothing to worry about, besides, the enemy seems to be retreating. The only thing left to do is to beat them down] 
Before I could report to Serarisama and the other leaders, Serarisama appeared herself and reported in.
[Have you heard? The enemy's detached force is already...] 
[Yes, I've already heard from the other leaders. Everything should be fine, I had already started to move all the goods from the gate. As soon as the second door is opened, Weed unit will intercept the other detached force who will come from the first gate. Besides, their number will be few, so I should be able to handle them. Another unit will take care of the Demon King's castle. You already know what is transpiring inside, but I will remind you, if you carelessly go forward you will be eaten by that? ] 
[Yes... I know that. That thing is already rampaging inside the Demon King's castle] 
I said this while looking at the Demon King's castle that still doesn't show changes.
[Yes, there was a report from Ellis. It seems that most of the remaining top leaders have been completely destroyed and the remaining was eaten. And it looks like the unit led by the captain of the elite guards is somehow pus.h.i.+ng his way through] 
[So it's him...?] 
[My, acquaintances?] 
[Yes, I made him the captain of the elite guards. Honest and with a good working att.i.tude, a person with ability and personality, a person born to be the captain of the elite guards] 
[Ooh, then it would be a waste to let that man die. Without delay, go and see if the second gate is opened... Look like it's open] 
As Serarisama said, when I was looking at the gate, it suddenly opened, and in the same way, Lowell-san's unit forces his way through opening a path.
[So, I say goodbye here. Do your best] 
After saying that, Serarisama started to move away from me, and started to give orders to the Weed unit.
[Kuaru, I confirmed that the enemy detached force has left the east gate. The number is 300, only Weed unit is there to stop them. Gather your troops and go towards the first gate as soon as possible] 
[Yes, sir!!] 
After seeing Serarisama off, I joined Lowell's Demon King capture unit.
[Ririandono, the second gate it's completely under our control. For some reason, the enemy seems confused. Do you know anything?] 
[No, nothing at all... Wait, could it be that the volunteer soldiers are doing a diversion?] 
Actually, I know that.
Certainly, there is a volunteer diversion, but the biggest factor is that there is a rampage inside the Demon King's castle.
But I can't say such a thing.
I have to get there as soon as possible and defeat the monster who is acting as the Demon King.
[Fumu, we have no intention of harming demons citizens in particular. If they don't get in our way, then shouldn't we go straight to the Demon King's castle?] 
[Exactly, but Ririandono, what is the way towards the Demon King's castle?] 
Ares-dono says so and asks me.
[The path towards the Demon King's castle is in a straight line from any gate. There is a bridge on each gate, be it east, west, north and north, as to be able to visit the castle from anywhere. Though it's a drawbridge...] 
[A drawbridge, huh? It should be already raised by now. However, it doesn't change at all that we should go towards the demon king's castle as soon as possible, isn't that right?] 
Everyone from the unit in charge of capturing the castle nods.
[The whole army! Run through this road!! Aim towards the Demon King's castle!! Make the drawbridge drop and thrust your sword towards the Demon King's throat!!] 
At the command of Ares, the capture unit rush through at once.
There is no enemy resistance.
The demons inhabitants are cheering.
Since many people had to bring their families together with them to the gate, there is no resistance towards the Allied Forces that help them without killing them.
This is all thanks to the ally who I sent there.
[Hear me!! Our friends are cheering for us!! There is no longer a way for us to lose or be pushed back!! Answer their feelings with a shout!!] 
Ares-dono raises his sword and starts running first.
And the soldiers who follow him later raise a war cry.
[[[UooooOOoooooOoOOO!!] ] ] 
Then, for some reason, the drawbridge was lowered.
A shout impossible to understand, no, a cry without meaning can be heard.
[GuaaaAaAaa!! S-Somebody... Gubyu] 
In the end, the voice of the person screaming changes to something foreign.
[s.h.i.+t, no matter what happens, don't let that guy go outside!] 
[[[Ouuu!!] ] ] 
The elite guards are holding back the monsters.
In other words, it means that the diehard supporters' survivors have completely disappeared from the castle.
It seems that it was only him who survived Ellis-san's trial.
[Hiera!! I have brought the Allied Forces!! I'll support you!!] 
Upon hearing a shout, Hiera, the elite guard captain, turned around and made a surprised face.
[Ririansama, you returned safely!!] 
[We'll talk later. We will destroy this monster together with the Allied Forces, and then defeat Dekira!!] 
[No, Dekira is no more. He was already eaten by that monster] 
Hearing that, the leaders of the Allied Forces were surprised.
[That Demon King Dekira, using us as sacrifices, called that monster. No, that thing should be worthy of being called Demon King. That thing is a genuine monster that grows by eating living things!!] 
The Allied Forces had an expression like they don't understand, but even so, they didn't have the time to ask.
*zuntsu*
After such a sound, most of the elite guards were blown away.
[Guuu, as you can see! That monster absorbs the status of those who eat!! We had no choice but to retreat after that thing ate the top bra.s.s and even Dekira. People of the Allied Forces, if you believe, I would like if we could altogether prevent that monster from leaving the castle!! Of course, I know it would be hard to believe me. That's why, using my live, I'll... OOooOoOOOO!!] 
After having said that, Hiera started attacking the monster.
[...C-Captain] 
[Grab your sword, you're still... alive] 
[Aaah, Ririansama... is still alive] 
[I have to make at least an... opening] 
Members of the elite guards who had not fainted raised their ragged bodies and follow after Hiera.
However, all of their attacks were easily repelled by the long sword of that monster and they continued to lose their lives one after another.
Should I say, as expected of Hiera? Desperately trying to endure those lethal attacks and attacking whenever there is an opening.
Yet that monster harvest life by feeding itself with the status of others.
Hiera's sword is repelled, the monster raises its big arm and with tremendous speed swing its sword...
Gagigi...!!
Lowell-san forces her way between the monster and Hiera and wards off that large sword.
[Kuaa!! Not yet, Seraria is stronger!!] 
The moment she let those words escape her mouth, the monster's body gets wounded.
[Hierdono, I'll support you!!] 
Ares-dono swung his sword and wounded the monster.
[Good! Gartz unit will support the elite guards!! Litea unit will handle the wounded!! Roshur unit will restrain that monster inside!! No matter what, don't let it get close!! Don't let it get in the way of the generals!!] 
Crack-dono gives orders quickly and starts the treatment of the elite guards.
[Don't leave it everything to the Allied Forces!! The elite guard who can move will support the captain and the generals!!] 
Right now and here, a complete cooperation structure has been established.
The enemy is only one.
And is surrounded by a large army.
More than 4000 soldiers were gathered around the drawbridge just to defeat the monster.
That monster can only show its strength in narrow rooms and in situations where the fighting numbers are restricted.
The monster desperately moves in order to live.
In order to eliminate the obstacles in front of it.
..I'm sorry.
If I only was able to hold firmly my position, everything would have ended without a monster like you having to be lynched.
However, this is the path I chose.
I close my eyes a little in remorse and when I opened them... The monster's neck had fallen and its body was disappearing.
Cheers are spreading all around the castle.
Now and here, the Demon King was defeated and demons were released.
[...It will be troublesome from now] 
Dealing with the diehard supporters invading Rumel and negotiating with other races.
Dealing with these two big tasks will be an arduous task.
This is the beginning for the me who wished for peace.
Side: Yuki
[...It's dead?] 
[Yes] 
Together with Ellis, I was seeing the last moments of that nameless monster.
[It's the first time for me that I have ordered on purpose a monster to die] 
[...I was the one who gave the order, that's why there is no reason for Yuki-san to be worried...] 
[I'm not worried. I have deprived life itself many times until now. Plans, traps, with this hand. But you know? I thought, that this is the first time told someone to die. That's why I was thinking about keeping it on my mind even if it's only a little] 
Maybe, these things will become more common.
But I wonder if I'll be able to choose the same if it ever comes to be one of my wives or even someone important?
[...At least, I should remember that guy even if it's only me] 
After saying that, I returned to the headquarters while walking in the middle of the cheers.
Hisshou Dungeon Unei Houhou
必勝ダンジョン運営方法　相手に合わせる理由がない
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/hisshou-dungeon-unei-houhou/
Adventure Comedy Drama Ecchi Fantasy Harem Mature Psychological Romance Seinen Slice of Life Tragedy
Adapted to Manga Aggressive Characters Aristocracy Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Clever Protagonist Dungeon Master Dungeons Early Romance F*llatio Game Elements Gore Loli Love Interest Falls in Love First Male Protagonist Management Multiple POV Nudity Obsessive Love Overpowered Protagonist Polygamy Pregnancy R-15 Reverse R*pe S*ave Harem S*aves Strategist Strong Love Interests Succubus Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7891ca/
雪だるま