Chapter 288
And so, I ended up gathering the principal figures of the four Races in this city and explaining what had happened. We met in the best-preserved room inside the building that had once been the royal palace. We couldn't use a half-collapsed building for a meeting with people who were about to fight alongside us.
Even calling them the principal figures is a bit of a stretch, since the only Dark Elf is Kirilz, and no one has gone to fetch the other Scar clans. We will probably have to arrange another opportunity to discuss things with them.
"So, that means the noise was caused by your comrade? Good grief, what a wild one you've got there."
"It's deeply embarrassing."
Muno-dono, who had come as the Scar representative, chuckled with a malicious-looking smile. Since there was no room to argue that Shiitake was beyond my control, I had no choice but to accept being laughed at.
"Regardless of the method, the technology and initiative required to connect such a long distance are remarkable. Besides, I have never heard of all the peoples living on this continent gathering in one place throughout its long history. Let us discuss how we can cooperate to overcome this common crisis."
In an effort to support me, who could do little more than hang my head, Kirilz emphasized the importance of fighting together. I had no standing to say this, but I wholeheartedly agreed with the proposal that we should have a constructive discussion.
No one objected to Kirilz, who spoke with a cheerful smile that conveyed firm resolve. ...The Metallica could only tilt their heads in confusion because they could not understand our words, so I translated everything for them.
"Of course, I agree to cooperate. However, will it be possible to maintain unified command? I repeat, the Centaurs are willing to cooperate. But we have only recently come together, so it is uncertain whether we will be able to coordinate with one another."
Regdus-dono voiced the cautious concern that everyone was sure to have. Coordinating with people who had known one another until now but had barely even worked together was difficult by anyone's reckoning. I had been thinking about how to answer that question.
"Cooperation is a given, but it isn't realistic to begin training for coordination now. Instead, let's form one unit for each of the four Races and assign some of our people under their command."
There was no way we could discuss and decide who would command each Race, what formations to use, and what tactics to train for based on the anticipated battles. Even if we did, last-minute training would only cause confusion.
It would be better to have them form units made up of a single Race from the outset, then assign suitable comrades and frontliners to them. Since all of our players have different Races and Jobs, they should be able to fit in well.
Moreover, if our comrades were attached to the units of each Race, we could rapidly share information through clan chat in an emergency. It had been sealed during that war event, but since this was not an event, we should make full use of it.
"Hmm... In that case, there should be no problem. My apologies."
"Thank you. There is one thing we need to ask first: the tactics and weapons each Race excels at. Let's assign roles according to their specialties."
Even if we said we would tailor things to each Race, we first needed to know what each one was good at. I already knew most of this, but it was also an opportunity for everyone to understand one another, so I decided to have them explain it here.
"We Centaurs pride ourselves on our high mobility and breakthrough ability. Our specialties would be spears and bows."
"With that speed, you'll be able to race all over the battlefield."
Centaurs were natural-born cavalry, and they were exceptionally skilled with bows and melee weapons, particularly spears. Their stats apparently varied depending on the animal they were based on, but any Centaur who was a warrior would naturally know how to use spears and bows.
On the other hand, apparently very few of them could use magic. They should be able to play a major role as cavalry on the battlefield. The people suited to accompany them were the duo of Raga and Kanna, along with Sei and his familiars. More accurately, they were the only choices who would not slow the Centaurs down.
"We Scars aren't good at fighting head-on, but with our Patterns, we can do anything. We should be able to set all sorts of things up right before battle begins. As for our preferred weapons, that depends on the individual."
"In that case, you will operate as a skirmishing unit, making use of your concealment."
The Scars excelled not only at concealment through their Patterns, but also at using it for surprise attacks and setting up makeshift traps. They had fought before to rescue Kildu-kun, the chieftain's son, but that had been far removed from their usual method of fighting.
It was true that there were Hellbeasts against whom their concealment did not work, but they were only a small portion of the whole. Even in battles against Hellbeasts, I expected the Scars to launch surprise attacks time and again.
Only Ruby, with her excellent concealment skills, could accompany them as a skirmishing unit while making full use of their strengths. She was fast and highly durable, and had said that she could act as a decoy for a short time. We might have her put that into practice.
"Dark Elves are good with swords, bows, and magic. Our greatest strength is fighting in forests. The battlefield will be a plain, right? In that case, I'd like to use 【Tree Magic】 to create a place where we can fight more effectively."
"Create a small grove in the middle of a plain? It could serve as a makeshift fortress. We will have the Dark Elves draw the enemy in there."
Kirilz raised a finger as he offered his opinion as a Dark Elf. As he said, 【Tree Magic】 included spells that could instantly grow saplings and create trees. He intended to use them to create a space where they could fight more effectively.
The grove they created would function as their base. The trees might be broken or burned, but that would not be a problem if they could quickly restore them with magic. However, once their magical power ran out, that would be the end of it, so we would have to prepare ample supplies.
The people who could match the Dark Elves' fighting style were probably Shifune and Nenashi. Shifune could stick to ceilings and would be able to fight using the trees, while Nenashi could disguise himself as an ordinary plant before launching a surprise attack. Besides, he was plenty strong even without ambushing anyone. He would be fine even if the battle dragged on.
"Metallica good at traps. But preparations take time. For close combat, Tactical Shells. High attack power. Can do many things. But tire quickly."
The Metallica's specialties were traps using complex machinery and Tactical Shells, their versatile weapons. The former would be difficult to use in this battle, but we who had fought alongside them knew the power of the latter better than anyone. In terms of individual attack power, they were surely far and away number one among all the Races.
However, as I had heard, they also consumed a great deal of magical power. How could we compensate for this weakness? I had two ideas.
"Would it be possible to create a large, high-firepower Tactical Shell specialized for combat in areas without cover?"
"Hmm, I think we can. But it will take time. We can't make many. And it will surely be difficult to pilot. A Tactical Shell that large would be hard to move."
My first proposal was to create a Tactical Shell specialized for large-scale ground combat. They would have to build it from scratch, but if Iris and Shiitake participated in the development, I thought we could create something modeled on modern weapons.
However, according to the Metallica, producing enough of them would be difficult. Asking them to mass-produce something they had never made before was an unreasonably difficult request. It was also only natural that mastering the use of something new would be difficult. I understood that it would be too much for anyone who was not highly skilled. All right, then I would go with my second, preferred plan.
"Then, would it be possible to fire from the floating battleship we possess?"
"It depends on the altitude, but yes. More importantly, a ship that flies? Amazing!"
Leaving aside the Metallica, who were fidgeting excitedly at the mention of a "floating battleship," my second proposal was to have them ride Shiratsuki and fire from the sky. This way, even if they exhausted themselves by focusing entirely on attacking, they could rest aboard Shiratsuki.
It looked like we would go with this plan. Its scale was small, but it could be called an air force. The ones accompanying them would therefore be Shio, Nanako, Moss-san, and Kal, all of whom could fly. If the enemy had flying individuals as well, they would fight as escorts.
I would have Iris, Shiitake, and Towa handle piloting Shiratsuki and operating its weapons. Shiratsuki's AI could assist them, and even if something broke down, those three could deal with it somehow.
The remaining members, myself included, would lead Undead Puppets and clash with the enemy head-on. We would surely be forced into the fiercest fighting, but in the worst case, we had planned to fight on our own. Since we had allies, we should consider ourselves fortunate.
"After we get ready as quickly as possible, we will march to that large vertical shaft. We have not decided on an exact date and time yet, so let us stay in close communication."
"Understood. Then I'll return to the village and report this."
"Hmm... I want to look around before we go back. Is that okay?"
"Of course."
And so, we had settled on a basic strategy for fighting the Hellbeasts pouring out of the deep hole. From here on, we would have to make thorough preparations. I had a great deal to do, so I decided to keep working for as long as time allowed.
The meeting was adjourned. Kirilz returned to the Dark Elf village, while the Metallica representative trotted off in the direction of Shiratsuki.
"Then shall we leave as well?"
"Indeed."
"Sure. Ah, my lower back hurts."
When I stepped outside the royal palace with Muno-dono and Regdus-dono, I received a message. Reading its title made me let out an amused chuckle. The laugh must have been quiet, but Regdus-dono's keen hearing caught it. He peered at me curiously.
"What is it, Izam-dono?"
"Nothing, please do not concern yourself. It just seems there is a chance some dependable reinforcements will be coming."
The message I received was from Konrad, and its title was 'The Age of Exploration Is Dawning d(⌒ー⌒)!'.