Upon concluding the introductions of the slaves procured by Chitose—the maids—Kazuya, accompanied by Chitose, proceeded to explore the interior of the mansion.

 

"And here, sir, is your private chamber."

 

"Hmm... Quite suitable. I shall take a brief rest."

 

...Good grief, this bed is enormous.

 

Having completed the tour of the mansion and being led to his own quarters, Kazuya reclined in the bedroom, allowing himself to relax.

 

"Come to think of it, how much did my level increase from the aerial bombardment?"

 

Recalling that he hadn't checked his level since the aerial bombardment, Kazuya opened the menu screen.

 

[Summoning of Weapons]

 

Due to the defeat of a large number of monsters, the level has increased to 55, and certain restrictions have been lifted.

 

As a result, weapons developed up to the year 2013 are now available for use.

 

[Summonable Quantity and Troop Formation]

 

Infantry

 

- 20,000 troops (one division)

 

Artillery - 1500

 

Vehicles - 2500

 

Aircraft - 1200

 

Ships - 500

 

※ Personnel required to operate artillery, vehicles, aircraft, ships, etc., are summoned together when summoning these weapons.

 

※ Personnel for rear support (engineers, maintenance personnel, communication personnel, supply personnel, medical personnel) are not included in infantry and can be summoned separately. Currently, the number of rear support personnel that can be summoned is limited to the size of a corps.

 

※ There are no restrictions on summoning heavy weapons and small arms that can be operated by 2-3 infantry.

 

"This is accelerating the cheat code again..."

 

Thanks to the aerial bombardment killing tens of thousands of monsters, Kazuya was delighted that his level had increased, unlocking previously restricted abilities, and the issue of weapon shortages had been somewhat alleviated.

 

With the increase in the size of the summoned army and the expansion of the variety of weapons, it seemed necessary to return to the base once to reorganize the units and update the weapons and equipment.

 

With that in mind, Kazuya, accompanied by Chitose, quietly departed from the royal capital, avoiding detection by anyone.

 

Summoning a UH-60 Black Hawk in the deserted grasslands several tens of kilometers away from the capital, Kazuya boarded it and hurried straight to the forward base.

 

Several hours later, Kazuya arrived safely at the forward base and immediately began summoning troops and rushing around to reorganize the units and update the weapons and equipment.

 

"Well, first, get rid of these outdated ones because they're no longer needed and summon the latest ones... and then..."

 

The effort paid off, as in approximately 24 hours, the reorganization of all units and the updating of weapons and equipment at the main base and forward base were completed.

 

With all the work done, due to the significant increase in the size of the units, Kazuya was referred to as the supreme commander instead of the general, and Chitose was promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel.

 

Having completed all the tasks, despite feeling exhausted, Kazuya immediately returned to the royal capital.

 

"...Phew. Finally done. Let's go back to the mansion, Chitose."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

After getting enough sleep with Chitose at the mansion to recover from the fatigue of the updating work, Kazuya woke up and received an odd report from the palace guards.

 

"...There was a hidden door in the back of the mansion's warehouse?"

 

"Yes, sir. While the supreme commanders were absent, the maids and I thoroughly cleaned and organized the mansion, and we found it."

 

"Have you checked inside?"

 

"No, not yet. We thought it best to report to the supreme commanders first."

 

"I see... Then let's check it out. Gather some available soldiers. Oh, and make sure they are fully armed."

 

"Yes, sir. Understood."

 

After receiving a response from Kazuya, the soldier who brought the report left the room.

 

However, a hidden door... I wonder what's behind it.

 

As Kazuya pondered over the hidden door, Chitose, who had been lost in thought throughout the soldiers' report, spoke up.

 

"Master..."

 

"Hmm? What is it, Chitose?"

 

"...This is just speculation, but there may be an underground dungeon beyond that hidden door."

 

Chitose, who had been lost in thought while listening to the soldier's report, seemed to have some idea as she opened her mouth.

 

"Why do you think it's an underground dungeon?"

 

"Well, I heard that the previous occupants of the mansion were slave traders when we purchased it, so perhaps... that's it."

 

"...It's not an implausible story."

 

If the previous occupants were indeed merchants, perhaps they were slave traders.

 

In that case, Chitose's speculation might be correct.

 

As Kazuya pondered this, along with the soldiers who had gathered, he passed through the hidden door, confirming that Chitose's assumption was correct.

 

"What's this foul stench..."

 

"This is... quite dreadful."

 

As expected, beyond the hidden door was an underground dungeon, just as Chitose had predicted, but the dungeon was filled with a stench as if something had rotted, making it unbearable.

 

Therefore, Kazuya promptly summoned and equipped the Type 00 Individual NBC Protective Equipment to protect against NBC threats and, together with his subordinates, began exploring the dungeon once again.

 

"Let's proceed cautiously."

 

"Understood."

Carefully advancing through the underground dungeon corridor, flanked on either side by cobblestone pathways, Kazuya and his comrades illuminated the subterranean cells with flashlights attached to their M4A1 Carbines.

As they progressed through the dungeon, Chitose made a discovery.

"Master... please look at this."

Chitose's light revealed a corpse infested with decay and insects lying in their path.

"So, this is the source of the smell..."

"Take it out from here and give it a proper farewell."

"Understood."

While their subordinates removed the body, Kazuya and his team continued further.

"It seems to be a dead end here..."

At the deepest part of the dungeon, they found the largest cell, containing multiple bodies similar to those they encountered earlier.

Kazuya shot the lock of the cell with his M4A1 Carbine, breaking it open, and began examining the interior.

"This is appalling..."

"Yes."

Inside the cell were bodies with physical characteristics indicating they belonged to the demon and beastman races. Moreover, the bodies bore numerous wounds, as if subjected to torture.

"Why would someone do such a thing..."

"In this world, slaves—especially those from the demon and beastman races—are treated as commodities. In other words, they are often subjected to abuse and torment for the amusement of their captors."

Frowning at the severely damaged bodies before him, Kazuya muttered quietly, and Chitose responded to his murmurs.

Damn, it's a sickening tale.

Facing such a gruesome scene, Kazuya couldn't help but feel a deep sense of despair.

"Even such young children..."

When Kazuya noticed two girls who appeared to be sisters, their bodies relatively unharmed compared to the others, he touched the cheek of one of them.

"..."

What!?

"..."

Could it be... they're alive?

In a state of panic, Kazuya quickly opened the eyelids of the two girls and shone a light into their eyes, causing them to faintly move.

"Master? Is something the matter?"

"…They're alive."

"What?"

"They're alive! These two!!"

"Unbelievable!?"

It was at that moment that Kazuya and Chitose exclaimed in surprise.

"We have... survivors!!"

"Is this a joke!? Hurry with the stretchers! Call for medics!"

Simultaneously, the astonished voices of the soldiers echoed around them.

"Summon the medics and military doctors! Quickly confirm the life and death of the bodies here!"

"Understood!"

Following Kazuya's orders, the soldiers hurriedly sprang into action.

Kazuya, unexpectedly beset by events, found himself utterly exhausted once more.

"Fatigue weighs heavily upon me..."

"Your efforts are commendable, master."

In the end, the slaves rescued from the underground dungeon numbered seven: five were of demonkind, while two hailed from the beastfolk. All the emancipated slaves were women, comprising among them the demonkind - a pair of vampire sisters, an ogre, a lamia, and a dark elf; and the beastfolk - one with fox ears and another with canine... perhaps wolf-like ears.

Under normal circumstances, regardless of the measures applied, their fates would have been sealed. However, owing to Kazuya's possession of the ability of complete healing, they miraculously clung to life, escaping the jaws of death.

"Their conditions have stabilized. Henceforth... it is in their hands."

"Aye, that they do. However, it seems my ability for complete healing couldn't rectify malnutrition, so I implore you to arrange for their swift transfer to the infirmary at the forward operating base or headquarters."

"Understood. I shall make the necessary arrangements."

"My apologies for the imposition. Whether from overexertion of my abilities or not, I am overcome with fatigue. I shall retire briefly for some rest."

With these words to Chitose, Kazuya staggered back to his chambers.