The mixed force of the subjugation army and adventurers had deployed its troops near the Teleport Gate on the 41st Floor.
This was to ensure they could immediately escape through the Teleport Gate if anything were to happen.
They were told that the Teleport Gate could even be closed if absolutely necessary.
Of course, this was information from the Queen.
At this point, it was already known that the managers could freely operate the Teleport Gate, but that was not particularly problematic.
For the past ten years, at least within the range where adventurers had been active, the Teleport Gate had never been closed even once.
Ten years was a long time, and this track record had already earned them trust.
Furthermore, closing the Teleport Gate in an abnormal situation like the Great Flood was something the administration could reasonably agree to.
However, for Razek Amamiya, who generated income from the Tower, this was a headache.
To prevent such a situation, the current Great Flood had to be resolved.
With such a determination, Aberaldo, the thousand-man captain of the subjugation army that had set out, was confused by the order from the country to “wait.”
Their original plan was to reach the site as quickly as possible and begin the subjugation.
Because they were moving a large number of people, it took time, and they couldn’t move as swiftly as a small group of adventurers.
It was the same for the adventurers accompanying them this time.
If they were acting in parties, it might be different, but moving as a group inevitably took time.
Knowing this, Aberaldo had been instructed by Queen Floria to move “as quickly as possible,” and he had been acting accordingly.
Under these circumstances, it would be strange not to wonder about the order to “wait.”
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The order from above was, of course, conveyed to the adventurer unit as well.
Then, Helman, the commander of the adventurer unit who received the order, came to Aberaldo.
Looking at his expression, it was obvious what he wanted to say.
By the way, Helman is one of the top adventurer groups on the Central Continent.
He was also very popular among adventurers, which is why he was selected as the commander for this operation.
“May I ask what your intentions are?”
This was Helman’s very first statement.
It was an attitude that suited the phrase “ingratiatingly rude.”
Normally, he was not one to speak like this, but it seemed he couldn’t stand this matter any longer.
Aberaldo, while inwardly thinking it was understandable, did not show it.
Regardless of his inner thoughts, Aberaldo belonged to the country.
He carried a different burden than adventurers, who could be described as free in the best sense, or carefree in the worst.
However, in this case, Aberaldo didn’t have much to say either.
He also wanted to know what was going on.
“I want to know what’s going on too, Lord Helman.”
At Aberaldo’s words, Helman frowned.
“What?”
“I just received word from the country to wait. Since it’s an order from above, we have no choice but to comply.”
It wasn’t particularly classified information, so Aberaldo told him honestly without hiding anything.
For that matter, Helman was a person with enough discernment to properly separate information that should be conveyed to his subordinates from that which should not.
That’s precisely why he was chosen as a commander.
“I see. But why? Is this the higher-ups acting up?”
Aberaldo frowned at Helman’s direct questioning.
While he might have reservations about the bureaucrats around him, Aberaldo placed great trust in Queen Floria.
“That’s not it. Queen Floria is better than me when it comes to tactics.”
“That much, huh?”
Helman, who had earned fame as an adventurer, had never directly met Queen Floria.
It might be possible in the future, though.
“Yeah. I can say that with confidence.”
Perhaps it was due to speaking with Helman, but Aberaldo’s way of speaking gradually became more casual.
Aberaldo, who had extensive experience interacting with adventurers, almost always spoke this way.
“If that’s the case, what is the reason?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
The moment Aberaldo said that, the entrance to the tent where they were located was forcefully thrown open.
One of his subordinates entered in a panic.
This place was akin to a battlefield.
In urgent situations, etiquette was thrown out the window.
However, such times indicated that an emergency had occurred.
“What is it? Has something changed?”
“N-No. I apologize. I panicked due to the suddenness of it.”
Aberaldo looked puzzled at his subordinate’s preamble.
He couldn’t understand why there would be a reason to panic if there were no changes with the monsters.
However, Aberaldo’s mood was swept away by his subordinate’s next words.
“T-The Queen has arrived.”
“……What!”
For a moment, Aberaldo couldn’t comprehend what was said and asked again.
“I mean, Queen Floria has come to this base. She will be here in this tent shortly!”
At those words, both Aberaldo and Helman went completely blank.
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Seeing the expressions of Aberaldo and Helman, Floria wore an amused expression.
The others present also had similar expressions.
“Don’t make that face, Aberaldo. You’ll ruin your good looks.”
Despite being told so, Aberaldo did not change his expression.
If he had made such a face in a castle or something, the nobles would have immediately come up with sarcastic remarks, but there were no such people here.
Rather than being criticized for the Queen’s presence, no one would blame Aberaldo.
Floria sighed at Aberaldo’s unmoving expression.
“Honestly. I specifically brought the information myself, so don’t make a face like that.”
“Please leave such matters to your subordinates.”
Several people around nodded in agreement to Aberaldo’s swift reply.
For a soldier in a normal country, acting this way towards their monarch could lead to their head being on the chopping block.
However, Queen Floria had no intention of doing such a thing.
For better or worse, this was the norm in Razek Amamiya.
“Even so, with this information, if I don’t deliver it myself, it might lose its credibility.”
At Floria’s words, Aberaldo’s expression finally changed for the first time.
He couldn’t imagine any information that the Queen herself would have to deliver.
Ignoring Aberaldo, Floria turned her gaze to Helman.
“Is that Helman standing there?”
Floria, who should have been meeting him for the first time, immediately identified Helman.
Helman certainly looked like an adventurer, but it was indeed impressive that Floria could pick him out from hundreds of adventurers.
“Yes!”
Helman, suddenly having the attention of the country’s top leader, was slightly flustered but quickly responded.
Nodding at Helman, Floria paused for a moment and began to explain the reason for her visit.
“I sent a messenger ahead with a preemptive notification, but I need to properly explain why the march has been halted, don’t I?”
That was true, but it wasn’t enough of a reason for the Queen herself to come.
Aberaldo immediately realized that the reason was related to first-rate information, and he turned his gaze to Helman.
Helman, understanding the implication, nodded once.
Seeing the two men, Floria was inwardly satisfied that at least the top members of the two units were communicating.
Without showing any of this, Floria continued.
“Regarding this Great Flood. The Tower’s management, taking the situation seriously, has decided to take direct action.”
At those completely unexpected words, everyone present was stunned for a moment.
“……Huh!?”
Then, those who understood the meaning of Queen Floria’s words showed expressions of astonishment.
Floria herself came out. The stated reason was the importance of the information, but the real reason was that she wanted to see the combat prowess of the members who would appear later.
