The Porter Is Not Interested in the Hero Party Chapter 136

136 – Interlude (8)

The break that seemed to last forever was coming to an end.

Sensing the clouds of war coming from the top, we gathered ourselves again. Even if it is not expressed in words, the news conveyed from mouth to mouth by the soldiers and through the atmosphere was telling that sooner or later the army would be moved.

And just as our predictions fit, the hero who returned from command looked at us and said:

“I think we will be working again soon. Now that the break is over, it’s time to go to war again.”

Lena leaned against the backrest and fiddled with the dagger. Millet was sweeping the desk with her hand, and Ashuria was cleaning her knuckles. I asked as I rubbed the hilt of my sword.

“Then what will be the next operation? Are you rushing like this? Apparently, Lucifer has no intention of coming out of those highlands.”

The warrior nodded at my words.

Like I said, Lucifer hasn’t stepped out since the days we met through the wall. The guards standing at the watchtowers patrolled each time, and the distant scouts would observe and report our movement, but they did not show any actual military movement.

Rumors were also spreading among the soldiers that this demon commander was a coward or that he was very incompetent.

said the warrior.

“The upper part is predicting that the current demons are holding out because they do not have enough strength to continue leading the war even if they fight due to lack of available troops. It is said that the entire frontline is a passive fighting atmosphere. There have also been reports that there have been no major clashes on the southern front.”

“Then, as I said last time, is the hero using a method of throwing barriers and attacking with swords?”

Lena asked while pretending to swing her sword into the air. The warrior shook his head.

“no. Even so, that operation could cost a lot of soldiers, and it was impossible to estimate how many troops there were on that high ground, so I decided to put it on hold and think of another operation.”

“What operation?”

The hero drew a red circle on the map where we are. Then, he drew an arrow attached to the circle and poked around the enemy camp. It was as if we were getting on their nerves like mosquitoes.

“It’s an operation to bring them out. Centered on Lena and Millet, we will continue to intercept them near the high ground and make them unable to overcome the damage and eventually come out or retreat.”

“Is that a top ops? That doesn’t sound like such a smart idea.”

Ashria said with a confused expression. Lena, too, reacted with disdain.

“I don’t think it will be of much use. The risk is high. If you’re going to sneak all the way over there and come back, I’ll just pick up Lucifer’s face. There are so many variables in a rocky mountain like this that going back to the route you once cleared is an act of suicide. Absolutely set a trap. Even if you do well, it won’t work more than twice.”

If they had been able to intercept it so easily in the first place, they would have knocked down the walls from the start. Due to the nature of the area, which is located in highlands and has a rough terrain, the points where damage can be done were limited, and from the perspective of the Demon King’s army, rather than deploying troops while continuing to lose money, they would set traps on the infiltration route and try to eat the hunters in reverse.

Besides, what’s the use of damaging a spot that only a few can come and go?

As Lena said, an attempt to assassinate Lucifer was a better strategy.

The warrior nodded, but made a sad expression.

“That’s right. However, the upper management is unable to suggest another way. It’s a very good terrain to defend. If this isn’t the case, the only way I’ve mentioned before is to break down the castle wall somehow with swordsmanship and forcefully charge through the gap… … .”

The hero bit his lip and blurted out his words. From the point of view of the Kingdom Army, there was no choice but to worry. If you lose too many troops here and there, there will be no ‘next’ to the end of the war.

The pressure of not losing more young people is weighing on the warriors and superiors.

Looking at the map, I was lost in thought. This highland, where soil and stones are piled up like a waterfall flowing. It is said that water flowed here in the distant past. It is said that the soil piled up as the huge water flowed made the slope, and the terrain that changed over the years made the fortress.

“uh? The water is gone.”

Miele, who was about to pour tea into the kettle, opened her mouth. As she said, the kettle was empty and made a clear sound. Lena took the kettle from Millet’s hand and murmured.

“Then we ran out of drinking water? Should I get some more water?”

“I’ll be back after the meeting.”

My role in this party was clearly that of a porter. Of course, I took a step forward in this drinking water issue. Lena nodded, but grumbled. The kettle rattled like a musical instrument in her hand.

“Isn’t it too bothersome to float this water? I’d rather have a river flow straight ahead here. Then you can dip the kettle like this and take it out right away to drink water.”

When Lena lifted the kettle and pretended to drink water, a drop of water dripped from the tip. Ashria shook her head and said.

“If you scoop up any water and drink it, you will get an upset stomach. Lena. I don’t know about the water level in the depths, but I heard that the water flowing on these plateaus is not as clean as I thought.”

underground water.

I twisted my face at the story of groundwater.

Water sources have always been an important issue. Water was always in short supply in the dry mountains, so it was necessary to know the location of underground water and valleys and receive supplies periodically. Among the knights, there was a guy who memorized this position, saying that he had to prepare for an emergency.

And, I heard that the Empire also had a separate research facility for research as if they were thinking of using this underground water to reclaim this desolate land.

“ah.”

Terrain made by piling up soil and stones. In fact, this huge highland could be penetrated by digging down from the side. It could also be said to be a strange shape supported by piles of soil and stones that were softer than expected.

When it comes to the work of the knights blocking the ‘byway’ in this highland where it seems impossible to see a byway, it was partly about catching traders trying to pass through by digging holes for smuggling, and also blocking the burrows dug by animals.

But what if, what if we could pump groundwater to this soft upland floor?

According to my recollection, apparently the lab wasn’t that far away.

Data on caves and groundwater flow beneath these mountains.

It was something worth checking out.

“what?”

“mister. it’s okay?”

When I looked up, everyone was staring at me. A worried look and a puzzled look. Apparently, I had been lost in thought for a longer time than I thought. I cleared my throat, blinked, and straightened my back casually.

“……Nope. it’s nothing. I was just thinking for a moment.”

“What, what are you thinking? let me hear it.”

Lena put her chin on her chin and smiled at me. I nodded and said.

“This is the story of this operation. Would you like to hear it?”

The warrior who was lost in thought blinked and looked at me. Ashuria, Lena and Millet all looked at me. I felt burdened by that gaze, but I caught my breath and talked about the strategy I had in mind.

*****

“It’s an operation to raise groundwater… … .”

“There have been several attempts in the Empire to raise groundwater. In fact, that research facility still remains here. As far as I remember, it should be around here.”

The place I pointed to was not too far from our camp. It was a place you could visit if you had the time, and the research facility was not such a big place.

“Even if you catch enough, one day. One day is enough to tour the interior and find information. warrior. I’m going back with Lena-sama, so could you ask us to postpone the operation here for a moment?”

“Hmm… . It’s obviously fine, but… … .”

“Even if there are none, you should be able to find at least a map of the water sources around here. Maybe we can discover more water that we didn’t know we could use. Even that much is enough harvest, so it would be nice if you could send it to me.”

The hero showed signs of pondering for a moment. He shook his head with his eyes closed, then narrowed his forehead and slightly bit his lip. And the hero said something with a wink to Lena behind me, puffed out his cheeks slightly, and looked at me again with a deep sigh.

“….OK. I’ll do something for now.”

“Thank you. Warrior.”

“Thank you, warrior.”

Lena said so in an exceptionally lively voice.