Volume 2 Chapter 19 [Kingdom SIDE] Valzeil's Reasoning II
"Hm... I see. In short, the most crucial person for the 'Court Adventurers Plan' has vanished, then?"
"Well, as a headquarters officer, one could move 10,000 coins, even if not a senior. But without that officer, momentum would wane, wouldn't it?"
In the Diamante Kingdom's royal castle.
Valzeil's policy had been to let the 'Court Adventurers' drift, since he couldn't pinpoint who was trying to recognize them.
Thus, the 'Court Adventurers' were left in a state of limbo, with an 'atmosphere' of 'we'll consider it, but dealing with the filthy curse and getting approval will take ages.'
Of course, Valzeil was aware of the 'national downfall due to the Court Adventurers a century ago,' so he had no intention of giving the green light.
...The fact that Valzeil knew a truth even Pastor, a headquarters officer, didn't, was indeed suspicious.
However, there was likely a resource room accessible only to the king.
"Moreover, the mastermind might be the man who caused that incident... Hm..."
"Your Majesty, is something troubling you?"
"Two things seem off. The first is, in that major incident, who 'provided the design for the magic tool?'"
"Certainly, developing magic items takes time."
"Indeed, and I've studied since then; the 'core' of a magic item is made from a 'metal that conducts mana easily' after modifications. This seems to directly affect performance. However, when 'miniaturizing' it, ordinary metals don't seem to cut it."
"Yes. Rare minerals are indispensable."
"In that big incident, the items were prepared in forms like medals or cards, mainly medals. They were quite portable, but the material requirements were too strict."
The medals, with their excellent portability, were no more than 3 millimeters thick.
Processing a rare mineral into a 'core' and adding the necessary craftsmanship to function as a magical item meant that both material and technical conditions were too challenging.
"Certainly..."
"And to refine that technology requires extensive research. I can't help but wonder who provided such blueprints..."
"Your Majesty's guess is..."
"I have an inkling."
An inkling, he says, without a hint of reservation in his voice or expression.
Yet, he averts his gaze.
His subordinate couldn't help but sense an aura of 'don't pry into this.'
"However, the provider is clearly of a higher caliber than an ordinary engineer. And there's another suspicious point... the 'ease of this escape.'"
"Indeed, to secure Pastor's debt of a hundred million coins, one would expect careful selection in deploying personnel. To slip past them so easily..."
"Perhaps, it was that 'engineer' who secured the escape route."
"...Could be."
"Hm?"
Noticing the shadow cross his subordinate's face, Valzeil tilted his head slightly... and quickly comprehended.
"Just to be clear, I don't believe that engineer is Horace."
It's not hard to associate Horace with the term 'technological prowess that surpasses the ordinary.'
But Valzeil quickly dismisses the thought.
"I'm not saying the possibility is 0, but the way this operation was planned... it's nothing like him."
"What do you mean..."
"A hero's strategy is fundamentally about 'showmanship' and 'annihilation.' This is likely something Horace would advocate. Given the hero community's size──about a hundred──they prefer strategies that can mobilize many with a single action, a single guide, when facing the large numbers of the Demon Lord's army."
After all, if one can amass the necessary 'numbers,' there's no need for strategies that pit a few against many.
Simply overwhelming the enemy's numbers with even greater numbers would suffice.
That's the essence of military tactics.
Moreover, using 'excellent pieces' to draw the enemy's core to the surface, then striking there──that's the mindset of a strategist who confronts many with few.
Under the Antenna's influence, Horace could potentially create golems out of 'personnel,' but if a hero can 'teach' at a level worth deploying, then that would be the 'true target' when considering him as a tactician."
"Sure, whether it's a 'show of force' or a 'total sweep,' there's something off about the engineer behind this whole thing. It's like they're working on the assumption that it'll 'inevitably fail,' throwing in their personal touch just because..."
In Valzeil's own way, there were parts that seemed... fishy.
"What's needed for this operation is a 'sense of balance.' That's something no single person can manage alone. It's not just about individual strength solving everything. Even if it looks like one person is handling it, it's only natural that many factors are at play."
"Certainly, I can't imagine Pastor alone having that 'sense of balance.'"
...Incidentally, the report does say that 'Cedal disappeared along with Pastor,' but honestly, it's such a mess he has pushed he to the back of his mind.
Poor guy.
"Anyway... all that's beside the point."
"Huh?"
"Personally, I do see some suspicious points, but whether I get involved is another matter. The fact remains that the 'Court Adventurers plan' has lost its support. Let me show you something..."
"Show us what?"
"Ranza. Gather 500 Adventurers and refugees each... the ones who are 'getting too comfortable' in the great hall of the castle."
"I'll arrange it at once."
With that, the subordinate──Ranza──left Valzeil's office.
"Let's wrap up this issue once and for all. But..."
What lingered in Valzeil's mind was a letter once received from Rangella.
Summarized, it said, 'I'm holding a press conference, so call in all the troublemakers you can find.' And he remembered that now.
"...'Show of force' and 'total sweep,' huh? I guess I've been poisoned too."
Valzeil let out a sigh.
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