The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 252
A dungeon that neutralizes teleportation scrolls. This has a huge impact on morale.
“We tried to organize a new unit to subjugate the Seven Deadly Sins, but no one is volunteering. Those so-called elite warriors have shamefully become scared.”
“That’s only natural.”
They were all people who had been subjugating dungeons with the insurance of teleportation scrolls. While there was some risk, they could tackle dungeons with relative ease knowing they had that insurance.
So when told to actually risk their lives, it’s natural to be afraid.
“That’s why we need people who are used to putting their lives on the line right now.”
Sophia stared at me with meaningful eyes.
My vassals and I who had been through battlefields were used to risking our lives.
I firmly shook my head.
“That’s not my job. We’re among the lower ranks of the elite forces.”
“But you have the highest potential.”
“Sophia!”
When I shouted, Sophia let out a sigh.
“Huh! Try to understand my position as commander. In my judgment, you’re the only one who can do this.”
“…”
“For now, I’ll postpone the subjugation of the Seven Deadly Sins until a unit volunteers. It’s more urgent to subjugate other dungeons right now anyway. So think about it calmly.”
After leaving the command room, I thought for a moment and headed to where Juras was.
Juras must have gotten busy as well, as he wasn’t in his office.
After waiting about an hour, he returned to his office with his close aides.
“Huh…? You’re…”
One of his aides looked familiar.
When that man saw me, his eyes widened and he gave a formal greeting.
“It’s an honor to meet you again, General Wade! I’m Officer Yovis, Special Forces #93!”
He was the one I had put in charge of excavating the Kuravel Holy Nation ruins. He was there when my group and I were transferred.
“So you were deployed in this operation too.”
“Yes, I was selected as a priority since I was closest at the time.”
“Seems like you joined this side recently. Where were you until now?”
“I was in Alliance territory. I joined 3 days ago.”
“Hmm.”
When I looked at Juras, he shrugged his shoulders.
“My scattered subordinates are gradually joining due to random transfers. Though the pace has slowed significantly since the turbulence. More importantly, Ars, have you found out Rutger Rosenberg’s whereabouts? Going to the elves’ island with Estelle Rosenberg must have been based on something? Perhaps the blood stone tracking magic you mentioned before?”
“There were no results. The elves didn’t know anything about blood stone tracking magic either.”
“Hmm. Then I guess it’s right to assume Rutger Rosenberg is dead.”
“Don’t say such ominous things.”
“But that’s the most cold and accurate judgment. Before the turbulence maybe, but now we can’t assume high survival rates for missing persons. I’ve already processed my unreturned subordinates as deceased.”
“You’re always…”
Such chilling coldness. But that’s why I came to see him.
I consulted with him about the Seven Deadly Sins.
“One of the top 10 dungeons… It piqued my interest as well. So I looked into historical records… And found something peculiar.”
“What do you mean peculiar?”
“Ars, historically the Seven Deadly Sins were subjugated twice. Once in ancient times thousands of years ago. And once after the natural disaster called the Upheaval occurred.”
That’s only natural.
It would have been subjugated once in actual history, and then again after appearing as a dungeon and being sealed.
Juras continued speaking.
“There was a difference between these two events. In the first event, there were witnesses who saw a dragon. And there was only one survivor – a boy.”
The records end there. It’s said that a dragon appeared and one boy completed the subjugation.
But the second time when the Seven Deadly Sins appeared as a dungeon was different.
“No dragon was sighted then, but similarly there was only one survivor.”
Since this was just hundreds of years ago, there were records – the survivor’s testimony.
That survivor said this about the Seven Deadly Sins:
‘That place is filled with monsters and malice. And there was no one there.’
The survivor who said those words took their own life a few days later.
“What’s the peculiar part?”
“That both cases had only one survivor. I think this might be a hint for subjugating the dungeon.”
“Even if you say that…”
“You probably can’t think of anything. Very well, I’ll gather information about the Seven Deadly Sins on my end. Isn’t that what you came to ask?”
“Will you be alright? Even for someone like you, it could be dangerous.”
“Then from my perspective, that makes it even more interesting. Leave this matter to me. You should focus on proceeding with the subjugation of the Cradle of the Swamp first.”
“Is the information gathering complete?”
When Juras gestured, his aide Yovis took out a document and handed it to me.
“I have some business to attend to, so I’ll be going now. You don’t need to return that document, then.”
Juras left.
Since there was no reason to stay in his office any longer, I decided to review the document after returning to the mansion.
* * *
Back at the mansion, Gaspar had returned from his scouting mission of the Cradle of the Swamp.
“Gaspar! You’re back.”
“Khahah! No need to state the obvious. I took care of it simply.”
Contrary to his words, it must have been quite tough as his body was covered in scratches and wounds.
“…This is a bit different from what I expected. I thought you wouldn’t get hit at all.”
“That was true for the most part. But after they understood I was scouting for subjugation purposes, things changed.”
“They understood…?”
“Yes, they recognized me as an enemy. After that, I started receiving attacks.”
This means the monsters in the Cradle of the Swamp possess intelligence. Moreover, intelligence that can actively assess situations.
‘Then does this mean that subjugating other dungeons isn’t just a pure characteristic, but an intentional strategy?’
If that’s the case, we might need to reconsider this operation from the beginning.
The key point of Sophia’s operation plan was to concentrate all forces in one place to target the enemy’s leader.
If the opponent knows and prepares for this, we might be cornered.
“What exactly were the monsters there?”
“Can’t tell now. Too many different monsters have gathered there. But there was one thing I could know for certain.”
“What is it?”
“They’re moving to protect something.”
“I know. That’s why it got the nickname ‘Cradle.’“
Looking at past records, it’s said there’s something like an empty cradle at the center of the dungeon. The monsters were protecting it.
“An empty cradle… That’s peculiar.”
“Anyway, where that cradle is located is our final destination. The leader should be around there.”
“Then our direction is decided.”
“Yes, the formation will be completed soon. Until then, get plenty of rest. Good work, Gaspar.”
“Phew! Time to drink the alcohol I’ve been holding back! Ash! Gunther! Where are you!”
Gaspar called for the two, seemingly ready to start drinking right away.
That’s when Ryuna came waddling over and clung to Gaspar’s leg. Apparently, Yumir had sent her.
“Gas!”
“Uh…?”
Gaspar was flustered and didn’t know what to do. Holding back my laughter, I told him, “She wants you to hold her. She must be happy to see you after so long?”
“U-um…!”
Gaspar awkwardly picked Ryuna up.
Ryuna giggled while tugging at Gaspar’s chest hair.
Soon after, she started blinking sleepily as if getting drowsy.
Gunther and Ash, who had come down after hearing Gaspar’s voice, smiled wryly.
“Looks like you won’t be able to go drinking like that, Mr. Gaspar?”
“Hahah, so even the great Gaspar can’t move against a baby.”
Gaspar, seemingly embarrassed, tried to shout that they were being noisy but lowered his voice, worried about waking Ryuna.
I stroked Ryuna’s forehead and said, “Gaspar, you watch over Ryuna. I’ll be explaining about the Cradle of the Swamp to the vassals.”
“Uh… Alright.”
He headed to his room while holding Ryuna like a treasure.
I gathered the others and explained the operation plan for subjugating the Cradle of the Swamp.
* * *
The number of forces participating in this subjugation of the Cradle of the Swamp was as many as 500 people.
While about 400 people draw attention from other dungeons subordinate to the Cradle of the Swamp, the operation involves an elite unit rushing into the center where the Cradle is located to eliminate the leader.
Originally, Sophia tried to attempt a single breakthrough, but I put the brakes on and changed the strategy.
Just looking at the scale of personnel deployed this time, the Cradle of the Swamp was worthy of being called a special-grade dungeon.
If it had been a dungeon structure where monstrous creatures were born in that empty Cradle of the Swamp, it wouldn’t be strange for it to be included among the top 10 dungeons.
Before starting the operation, I first rechecked the personnel.
“Team A, gather!”
When I raised my hand, Gunther, Eonia, and Gaspar stood in front.
It was the basic formation that Ash had organized before.
Team B consisted of Erina, Elena, Dorofei, and Yumir, but since Dorofei was absent, Leitin was included instead.
Team C was Estelle, Ilya, Meissen, and Sophia.
Sophia decided to use magic based on the magic stone obtained from the Life and Death Match. This made her the one with the most abundant magic among the group.
Team D was Rinoa, Anduha, Ash, and Lucretia.
This team was more of a supporting role rather than the main force.
The elves were added to this composition.
Queen Mother Beato joined my team, while Margarita and Pion from the Guardian Corps were included in Elena’s Team B.
“Then let’s depart!”
We started moving by carriage in groups.
Going like this made it feel like we were on a picnic.
‘But still… This is too uncomfortable.’
An awkward silence was flowing in my carriage.
Eonia was also quiet among strangers, and Gaspar definitely didn’t give off a sociable vibe.
At least Gunther was good-natured, but due to the uncomfortable atmosphere created by the elf Beato, he was just scratching the back of his head.
“Whew, it’s suffocating.”
I unconsciously let those words slip out.
At this, Beato glared at me like she was piercing me with a needle.
“Do you have any complaints?”
“No, I’m grateful that you came along.”
“Hmph.”
When we took a brief rest at the midpoint, I was genuinely envious of the other teams.
Seeing them all chatting harmoniously made me feel even more so.
So since it came to this, I decided to try my best to get friendly.
“Beato, I heard you’re also a member of a noble family.”
“So what?”
“No, just curious.”
Beato was silent, then for some change of heart, she answers.
“Beato Rellid. First daughter of the Rellid family.”
Speaking of the Rellid family, they’re said to be close to royalty among the elves.
“But thanks to Mirabel, we’re essentially just an empty shell.”
“Why because of the Mirabel family?”
“There had been constant talk that if a boy was born in the Mirabel family, the leadership position would have to be handed over to them. So we were just an empty shell. An empty shell that would have to give up our position if a boy was born in Mirabel.”
Beato glares at Eo with meaningful eyes.
“One was born, wasn’t he…? A boy.”
“…”
“The elders seem to have officially decided to acknowledge it, but there will surely be people who harbor discontent. Please be careful. Especially, it would be better to be more wary of the Elf Guardian Corps assigned by the elders. You never know if there might be someone harboring ill intentions within.”
They are the elf warriors who insisted on following to protect Ed despite my strong refusal.
At this, Eo’s expression turns pale.
“Ah, Lord Ars! The children at the mansion are in danger…!”
“It’s okay. I knew this might happen, so I brought the kids along.”
“…Pardon?”
“It seemed wrong to leave only Mother and Bisketa at the mansion, so they came together. See that carriage following at the rear?”
That carriage was being guarded by security personnel sent by Juras.
“So there’s no need to worry.”
Eo also breathes a sigh of relief. Though she was a bit uncomfortable about the security being sent by Juras.
“Hmph.”
Beato turns her head away as if uninterested.
Meanwhile, our destination, the Cradle of the Swamp, gradually came into view.
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