I woke up to find that a month had passed.
I had never experienced anything like this in my life.
The exhaustion of the soul is different from the exhaustion of the body.
When you’re exhausted not physically, but at the deepest level of your mental being, creatures are forced into a healing mode.
“How do you feel now that you’re awake?”
“Like a feast for the eyes, with a beautiful woman in front of me.”
“If you can joke around, you seem to be alright.”
As I was dimly gazing at the ceiling, trying to process the reality the doctor had told me after waking up, I thought, “This isn’t the lizardman doctor’s reptilian face.”
It was Evia’s face, familiar yet endlessly captivating.
“My body is fine, but I still feel a little sluggish.”
“It’s the result of excessive use of magic and the burden of a high-ranking spirit. You’ll be hospitalized for observation for another week.”
“Well, I’ve been working non-stop lately, so it’s a welcome vacation.”
I had only woken up about five minutes ago.
Yet, as if summoned, she appeared by my side.
I’m so loved.
“Rest assured, I can still work even while you’re sleeping.”
I’m truly loved.
“I figured, seeing the President grinning behind you.”
“I appreciate your quick understanding, Human King. Do you grasp the situation?”
“Not entirely. While the doctor was drawing blood and running tests, Evia and the President arrived.”
“I see. In that case, Evia, could you explain it to him?”
“Understood.”
Feeling loved in a different sense than before, Evia’s explanation made it clear that the current war was shifting in various directions.
On the continent, the Insect King, my former colleague and general, is alive, and Instructor Fushio is trying to subdue him.
In Isal, while I was asleep, Instructor Kio conquered a nation and established a base.
At this point, I’m already overwhelmed.
What on earth happened while I was asleep?
“Now, for the main topic, while you were asleep, I had your subordinates make a few moves. I used Evia as a proxy, so I don’t think anything too strange happened, but I did release some of your reserves.”
Then, after receiving explanations about the movements of nobles, the Japanese Government’s actions, and the situation in Isal, I was handed a report as if it were the last item.
“The fact that three-tenths of our stored supplies are gone isn’t my eyes playing tricks on me, is it?”
“It’s normal.”
“It’s normal.”
“I don’t want my health to be proven in such a way.”
I couldn’t help but look up at the ceiling.
Even if it was prepared for war, did they use up three-tenths of it in just one month?
Or, if you consider conquering a nation and preparing for war, is this considered a low cost?
Either way, as someone who hasn’t experienced a full-scale war, I can’t judge whether this expenditure was cheap or expensive.
“I’ll check with Muil-san and Keiri later and make arrangements for resupply.”
Thinking it would be best to ask an experienced person, I decided it would be wise to move forward with my role of maintaining supply lines in mind.
“That would be helpful. Also, about after your rest period ends.”
“Are you referring to the response to the Japanese Government? I assume you have a lot of work piled up since you were asleep for a month.”
“Yes, there isn’t that much piled up, so you can rest assured. I handled it properly through my proxy. Fortunately, your efforts in building those connections helped avoid major problems, and it’s a valuable supply line for us. We won’t let it be cut off.”
“That’s good. Does that mean the main issue is something else?”
As I thought this and tried to reorganize my schedule to avoid disrupting my rear support duties, the President intervened.
“Yes, I want you to support the Oni King. They’re trying to conquer one country and establish a federal state there, but they seem to be short on administrative staff. We’ve decided to send reinforcements, but the other generals are all tied up.”
What he wants me to do is go to Isal to support Instructor Kio.
I’ve never been involved in running a country… If they’re sending me, are they really that short-handed?
Since he mentioned administrative staff, it sounds like they’re looking for people who can handle paperwork.
In Instructor Kio’s camp, the ones with that kind of skill are the administrative goblins I often see around the company.
They’re incredibly adept at typing on PC keyboards and completing documents one after another.
Those goblins, if I recall correctly, belonged to the expeditionary force affiliated with Instructor Kio.
“Why me?”
“It’s a direct request from Raidou. When asked whether he wanted the Human King or the Dragon King, he chose you. If we sent the Dragon King, he’d likely cause trouble.”
“With those two choices, there’s no other option.”
Even with them, they’re struggling. Won’t my going there be like adding a drop to a parched ocean?
“What about the timeframe?”
“There’s no specific deadline. You’ll return when things stabilize, or be called back in an emergency. It depends on the situation.”
Still, if it’s an order from my superior, I have to go on one or two business trips.
“…Is it that chaotic over there?”
“From what I hear, Raidou is barely holding it together with his influence.”
However, if it’s a long business trip, I can’t easily agree.
But I can’t refuse either, such is the sad fate of a salaryman.
If that instructor is requesting reinforcements, they must be having a really tough time.
Even though the instructor is skilled in combat, they aren’t omnipotent.
“Won’t my presence there just make things more chaotic?”
“He seems to boast about you a lot. Apparently, you have fans over there.”
“Even if you put it nicely, it’s the worst. There’s nothing I dislike more than rumors running wild.”
When you need help from others, you accept it.
He’s a gentleman who can make those judgments.
However, I can’t be happy about being relied upon when I’m being pulled into a situation like this.
“Hahaha! Don’t say that. If you go there, you’ll have many more options. If things go well, it might even lead to the end of this war. Fortunately, they don’t seem to have much information about you over there.”
Instructor Kio dislikes lying.
That’s why he reveals everything truthfully, so I can’t imagine how it’s being interpreted.
There’s a distinct possibility I’m being deified into some kind of human sacrifice.
“The advantage of having two of our top combatants stationed there is significant.”
“My original role was to maintain supply lines, though.”
“Raidou will handle the fighting. Your role is to support Raidou and to act as an insurance policy in case of emergencies.”
There’s a sense that generals are being used as ultimate weapons, so it’s not entirely incorrect.
Still, I’m not used to being treated like a hero, and it makes me feel awkward.
“In case of emergencies?”
“There’s activity from the Hero. If, by any chance, we can secure and send them back to this world, I believe you’d be more suitable than Raidou.”
“I see.”
The feeling, akin to embarrassment, was set aside for now. The President’s smile suddenly turned serious as he informed me of activity among one of their top combatants.
“They seem quite displeased that the allied forces’ initial move didn’t go as planned. They’re trying to gain practical control by mobilizing the Hero to achieve results.”
“Are the instructor’s movements being exposed?”
“Not entirely, but they are suspicious. That’s why we’ll be mobilizing the Tree King to draw their attention there.”
To manipulate their movements, they’ll make the Tree King act in a conspicuously noticeable way.
“Wouldn’t the Tree King cause a sense of incongruity? I don’t doubt her abilities, but a Dark Elf typically depicted as defending a forest attacking would draw too much attention.”
“That’s part of the intention, to intentionally give that impression. Just the thought that something might be happening can deter their actions. Besides, I don’t think there’s anyone powerful enough left to leave the Tree King unchecked.”
And they’ll act with an understanding of the Dark Elf race’s characteristics, which the Tree King rules.
They’re thinking two or three steps ahead in their actions.
“Once we have more breathing room, we plan to deploy the Dragon King as well. As for defenses, Amili and Warlock should be sufficient, and eventually, Nōraifu is also scheduled to participate.”
Five generals deployed.
Considering the defenses, it might be an overly aggressive deployment, but there are many ways to handle it.
“…Understood. I will merge with the vanguard and prioritize establishing an environment for interaction with people in that world.”
“Yes, please do.”
Either way, once an order is given, I’ll just do what I have to do.
“Raidou has connected his dungeon to that side, so you can use that for travel. Evia, could you handle the authorization? I need to get back to my duties.”
“Understood.”
A full-scale participation in the war.
I wonder what kind of outcome it will bring.
After seeing the President off, a few seconds passed.
Once his presence completely vanished, Evia let out a big sigh.
“He’s quite troublesome, that one.”
“Well, it’s typical of him, I suppose. He probably wants me, who has little battlefield experience, to gain some, right? With the instructor by my side, he can handle most situations.”
She was complaining about the unusual assignment, so different from my original duties.
While she understands that I’ll be heading to the battlefield, her attitude suggests it’s against her will.
However, knowing the President’s likely reason for assigning me, I could only smile wryly.
No matter how I struggled, the moment the continent became a battlefield, my fate of being deployed there was sealed.
The President probably thought it would be better to let me train and become somewhat safer.
“I don’t doubt Jiro’s combat abilities, but the battlefield is another matter. That place is a den of demons. Anything can happen.”
“…I’m causing you worry again, aren’t I?”
My actions to prevent any unlikely event are causing worry.
Truly, my actions always involve danger.
If this war ends and we can put a stop to this dark history, I won’t have to worry them anymore.
“I want to say it can’t be helped, but I understand Suella’s feelings. This time, I can’t accompany you either. It’s frustrating; a woman wants to go if she weren’t pregnant, but she also doesn’t want to feel burdened. Truly, I’ve fallen for quite a man.”
“It’s nice to be thought of that way. But I feel sorry for causing you worry. I’ll have to return safely.”
“That goes without saying.”
It’s not a premonition, but I have a feeling this war won’t last long.
Therefore, I feel like each and every battle will be heavy and intense.
“I’ll have to hold at least a grandchild.”
“You’ll have to live a long life to see that.”
“In what sense?”
“Did you forget? Dark Elves are a late-marrying race, you know. Even Suella remained single for nearly two hundred years.”
“Ah.”
It’s a bit grim to take lightheartedly, but I realized I need to get my act together.
Today’s word:
Situations are constantly changing.
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