Chapter 47 Ten times
{TL: By Creed}
Together with other adventurers and military police, Sofia was waiting at the city gate.
Having already prepared to be ready for departure at any moment.
Now, all that was left was to wait for the reconnaissance team's report...
And to receive the signal for departure.
"Hey, that was an impressive rallying cry."
"Do you need something?"
Although Cliff greeted her, Sofia only gave him a glance and quickly averted her gaze.
To be frank, Sofia disliked Cliff.
He was the successor to Aizen, the former guild master who had made foolish decisions repeatedly.
There was currently no evidence that Cliff was corrupt, but it wasn't easy to trust him so readily.
He might be doing something behind the scenes...
Or he might mess up in the future.
To determine if he was a reliable person, there was still a lot of information and material needed.
"Hmm, you really don't like me, huh?"
"If you're aware of it, why don't you go far away?"
"Well, don't say such cold things. If we're together, you might see some good sides of me, you know?"
"Is your mental strength made of iron? Normally, when someone speaks so coldly, they would back off."
"People often say I'm cheeky, right? Ahaha!"
Cliff laughed cheerfully.
Despite Sofia becoming even more irritated by his demeanor, she decided to endure it for now.
"So, do you have something to say?"
"It's about Ascart-san's departure, but could you wait until I give the signal?"
"Why?"
"Well... there's something that bothers me a bit."
"Something bothers you?"
"Sorry, I can't go into details. It might just be groundless anxiety, so I don't want to cause unease or agitation in the surroundings."
"I don't really understand... well, it's fine. In any case, we can't depart until the reconnaissance team returns. Even if we delay further, it shouldn't be a problem. But..."
Sofia glared at Cliff.
"If you're thinking of something boring and, as a result, Fate gets hurt... be prepared, okay?"
"I understand. If things go wrong, I'll take responsibility and bear all of Stiart-san's anger."
"Hmm."
Sofia was slightly impressed by Cliff's quick response.
The warning she just gave actually carried a sense of threat.
Most people would tremble, and it would be difficult for them to respond.
Even for someone powerful, if they were scheming something like Aizen, they would likely be at a loss for words.
However, Cliff was different.
With an attitude that seemed to say he had nothing to hide, he responded confidently.
Does he really have nothing to hide?
Or is his composure so great that Sofia's light threat doesn't affect him?
Either way, it's not an easy thing to do.
Sofia slightly adjusted her evaluation of Cliff.
"So, what's the concern you mentioned?"
"I told you, it might be groundless anxiety..."
"If you're just going to talk to me secretly, there's no problem, right? After saying that much, staying silent would be annoying. Besides, even if it's a small possibility, knowing it in advance can make a difference in the initial response. So, please tell me only."
"It sounds like an order... Is it just my imagination, or does it sound like an order?"
"Of course, it's an order. While you might be the guild master, in the eyes of the public, the Sword Saint holds a higher position."
"Sigh, I can't compete with that. Actually..."
Cliff was about to speak about his concerns in a small voice, but before he could, a loud voice interrupted.
"Gu-Guild Master!"
"Hmm?"
A certain adventurer rushed over in a panic.
It was a member of the reconnaissance team.
"Hey, good work. When did you come back?"
"T-T-This is bad! Something, something like this happening... Ah, what should we do from now on..."
"Hmm?"
Seeing the adventurer in a terribly flustered state, Cliff's expression turned serious.
There's no time to continue the conversation now.
For the time being, Sofia remained silent and decided to watch the situation unfold.
"Calm down. Something serious must have happened, and you came to report it to me, right? So, tell me properly. Come on, take a deep breath."
"Y-Yes..."
The adventurers took a deep breath as he was told...
However, unable to calm down, he stammered while speaking.
"T-the reconnaissance is complete!"
"Yeah, yeah. So, how was it?"
"W-well... the horde of monsters is not 5,000!"
"Oh... then, is it around 3,000?"
"N-no. I don't know the exact number, but however, it is certain that it far exceeds 5,000... it might be 10,000, 20,000... or even reaching 50,000 if things go really wrong."
"... I see."
Cliff remained calm, but,
"Wh-50,000!? No way... that's impossible, right?"
"Hey hey, there's nothing we can do about such numbers... Is that for real?"
"Could it be a mistake? But, it's impossible to mistake by thousands... so, it's certain that it's more than 5,000?"
Upon hearing the number 50,000, the surrounding adventurers and military police were greatly shaken.
Of course.
If the number of enemies suddenly swells tenfold, there's nothing but despair.
Twice the number, they might have managed somehow.
Even three times, with the preparation for many sacrifices, they might have been able to defend the city.
However, ten times is impossible.
No matter how much strength they had, it was impossible to resist.
They would be overwhelmed by the overwhelming force in sheer violence, and the fate that awaited them was death. The city would be trampled, and everything would be lost.
There was no way to stay calm in such a situation.
"50,000?"
However, Sofia remained calm.
There was no particularly disturbed expression, and she listened quietly.
"What is the speed of the enemy?"
"The estimated time to encounter remains... not much change. The horde of monsters is expected to reach the city in about an hour from now."
"I see."
Receiving desperate gazes from adventurers and military police, Cliff pondered.
Was there a way to somehow overturn this hopeless situation?
The answer... existed.
"Do you guys think you can handle 10,000?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly asked by Cliff, a member of the reconnaissance team widened their eyes.
"Without me and Ascart-san, can you handle 10,000?"
"Huh? Well, uh..."
"It's an important question. Don't get flustered. I understand that it's difficult not to be shaken, but can you answer after thinking about it properly?"
"Well... yes."
After careful consideration...
Though there seemed to be a lack of confidence, the answer was given quietly.
"If we focus on delaying the combat and take more than double the normal time, we might somehow manage."
"Hmm, good answer. Then, I'll leave the 10,000 to you guys."
"Um, Guild Master? But there are still 40,000 left..."
"It's okay, it's okay. We'll handle that with me and Ascart-san."
Calmly, Cliff declared as such.
TL Note: Will Cliff and Sofia divide the monsters among themselves? and who gave the initial intel?
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