Chapter 394 - Chapter 8: Gigant
A fire arrow went up. It was the signal from Violet. Since it should have gone up over the ruins, we proceeded while having Gwyn-sama and Wilson-san, who have good night vision, scout.
There was a place where a bonfire was lit.
Monsters with good night vision don't need such a thing. It's humans who need light. That said, we couldn't illuminate with Light, so I had asked Violet to use a flint.
The location was the square where the ruins were, and Violet and the Gigant were beside the bonfire. Other monsters and Goblins must be lurking in the forest.
First, Henry-sama's group's bowl landed. Price-sama and I were also on it. The bowl carrying the Crown Princes and Princess like James-sama was on standby in the air until safety was confirmed.
Our number has been conveyed. However, for a negotiation, some kind of advantage is necessary. It's heartening to have allies above.
When we landed beside Violet, the Gigant crouched and looked at the bowl curiously. Since it's transparent, it's hard to see, but the shape is recognizable. When the bowl changed shape into a plate, it jumped back in surprise.
"Was it alright?"
"It was fine. I'm originally from this side anyway."
Come to think of it, that's true. She was originally from the Demon Lord's army. I had forgotten because we're always together.
"The talk is settled. He said they won't lay a hand on us until the search for the remains and the collection of the bones are finished."
"Are there any conditions?"
"None in particular."
I thought he would surely ask for alcohol or food, but it was a letdown. James-sama's bowl has several loaded.
"But, he said don't come back once the business is done."
He doesn't want to get familiar, is that it? However, Eleanor-sama took a strong stance.
"Your habitat is the neighboring forest, and this should be human territory."
Whether he understood Eleanor-sama's words or not, he was nodding.
"Monsters increased... no prey... came... humans steal forest... complaint, bad."
The Gigant spoke haltingly while thinking in between. He could also speak human language. His voice was deep and resonant. It was a voice with an atmosphere exactly like a heavy cavalryman. However, he probably hasn't had much contact with humans until now. His grammar was a mess. I could somehow understand the meaning from the words I caught, but this is a place of negotiation. Inaccuracy is not good.
"It seems the competition for prey is fierce in that forest because the monsters suddenly increased. So, he said they moved here. And he said humans entered the forest without permission too, so don't complain."
Since everyone was looking at Violet, she seemed to have sensed it. She exchanged words and interpreted for us.
This becomes the same as a human dispute. It's not about being right or wrong; the one occupying it at the moment is undoubtedly at an advantage. And there's also the matter of face toward his subordinate monsters. He can't easily give up what he has won. In short, he's saying if you want it back, come with force.
Furthermore, he says something. However, perhaps human language is difficult, as he is speaking to Violet using some other language. Violet was tilting her head at the Gigant's words, as if she had some doubt.
"Something, I don't really know, but he's saying Orcs and Ogres increased because human ghosts increased."
At Violet's words, said while tilting her head, I felt a jolt. Because it matched what I had been thinking somehow.
"Hey, Violet. Because many humans died in the war, a considerable number of ghosts appeared all at once. I think those ghosts scattered all over, but maybe quite a few came around here too."
"When was this?"
"Um, it was only about two years ago. There was a terrible battle nearby, so they might have become evil spirits."
The Gigant was nodding vigorously, as if he had some recollection.
Keira had said it. Humanoid monsters like Orcs and Ogres were born as a result of ancient evil spirits gathered in specific places possessing nearby living creatures. Alex had said before. Monsters like Orcs and Ogres that shouldn't exist in this world might be being produced in large numbers by creatures that started producing monsters for some reason, like a queen bee. And the evil spirit of the priest who met a tragic death six hundred years ago was powering up by taking in the ghosts of children. In other words, there's a high possibility that an evil spirit in the Demon Realm took in the ghosts or evil spirits of humans who died in battle. If the reason Orcs and Ogres were born in large numbers was the many ghosts produced, so to speak, by the mass death of humans...
I briefly explain to Violet. We should ask for the Gigant's thoughts. Perhaps we can find out the true nature of these monsters that shouldn't exist in this world, which spring up before we know it.
"Is that so? I didn't know until now."
Violet was surprised. Well, that's only natural. I just now connected the experience of sending off the ghosts of those who died in the Revenant encounter and the ghosts of the children with what I heard from Keira.
"Is it true?"
Price-sama confirmed, but actually, I don't know either.
"I don't know. It's just a thought. But if that's the case, the stories I've heard and the experiences I've had so far would seem to make sense. So, I definitely want to ask the Gigant who lived in the Demon Realm."
I see, everyone agreed, and Violet asked for the Gigant's thoughts.
The Gigant seemed to have the same thought as me.
"In other words, it's unrelated to the movement of the Demon Lord's army?"
The Gigant's answer was that it's unrelated to the Demon Lord's army. He was scouted. But while he would fight to protect his habitat, he apparently hated the killing of army against army... that is, war.
However, if that's the case, it differs from the information on the Morandine side.
"The Demon Lord's army raised its flag in the Forest of the Demon Realm at the same time as the Demon Lord's resurrection. At that time, they seem to have split from the monsters that joined the Demon Lord's army. At that time, they moved to this forest along with the fellows who came with them."
I see. I didn't know there were such circumstances. From the human side, they would surely think it was occupied by the Demon Lord's army.
"There's something I want to confirm. Is the military strength of the Demon Lord's army reinforced by the deaths of humans?"
Eleanor-sama asked a bold question. Demon Race who speak the secrets of the Demon Lord's army will die. However, the Gigant is not of the Demon Race. We might find out something.
I thought so, but the Gigant was tilting his head.
"I wonder. There might be some connection, but I don't think it's the direct cause. Because the source of evil spirits isn't just human ghosts. If anything, there are more of other living creatures."
According to Violet, most animals, unlike humans, don't die while maintaining their reason, so they are apparently prone to becoming evil spirits.
In the end, we didn't find out much about the organization of the Demon Lord's army, but it seems certain that the existence of human evil spirits is one of the causes of monsters springing up in the Demon Realm.
There's one more thing I want to ask the Gigant.
"Um, there don't seem to be any Ogres in this forest, is there a reason?"
If the answer is as expected, the path to co-existence and co-prosperity might open.
"He says there aren't any now. There were when they first moved here. But because they would bully and kill the Goblins who lived in this forest first, every time he found one, he'd crush it with his club, and eventually he killed them all. So, even if they cross over from the other forest, he doesn't seem to take Ogres as companions."
As expected, Ogres are disliked here too. If so, it might work out.
I called Violet over, formed a circle including Henry-sama's group, and spoke about what I had thought of.
"Why don't we just have the Gigant's pack living in the Forest of Ruins migrate to northern Nakanohara?"
Although Violet is patrolling northern Nakanohara, the distance between Serena's forest and Little Serena's forest is about a dozen post stations... a considerable distance of over ten hours by relaying fast horses. If something were to happen, it would be too much for Violet alone. The Gigant pack I secretly peeked at should be fine. Besides, this forest was originally human territory. If they continue to live here, they might eventually be attacked by the rebuilt Morandine army.
"Hehe. You're worried about everyone. Thank you."
She patted my head.
It might be quite difficult. But let's at least ask the Gigant, Henry-sama also said.
When Violet spoke about the wild Orcs in northern Nakanohara, the Gigant listened with interest, but after thinking with crossed arms, he shook his head.
"Why? Unlike here, it's wide so there's plenty of prey, and since there's plenty of clean water from the original mountain streams and many ponds from the snowmelt, it's abundant. Humans don't enter either."
Violet said, but the Gigant also seems to be interested in it as a habitat.
"Then, why?"
When she pressed further, he said there are two concerns.
One is Ogres. He's worried that if there are Ogres in the new habitat, the Goblins might be bullied again.
Kind! He must be very popular with the female Goblins.
"Then. Let's crush the Ogres together with me. I hate those guys too."
This part is typical of a monster. No mercy at all. However, originally Violet was hired as a bodyguard for the Goblins. Killing Ogres, whose hobby is close to bullying and killing Goblins, is in a sense her mission. Besides, as long as there are no Ogres, other monsters apparently don't bully and kill Goblins or Alraunes. Ogres create the opportunity for bullying. If so, there's no reason to let them run rampant. It's the same as humans subjugating serious criminal groups like murderers or bandits.
"In that case, how about making it between the mountain stream and the mountain range, instead of north of the mountain range? Since I'm constantly patrolling, there are no Ogres. And if Henry and Eleanor recognize it, there won't be any disputes with humans, right?"
Violet's words were the deciding factor.
The other problem was related to the first one.
"He says he wants to eliminate the cause of Orcs and Ogres increasing so much if possible."
The cause... does he mean the evil spirits that have been around since ancient times? He wants to do something about it... does he have a plan?
Eleanor-sama and Price-sama also looked at each other. It must be an unbelievable thing for these two as well.
"He seems to know the location. It seems he tried to subjugate it once."
As a result of charging in bravely, he was apparently about to be possessed and fled in a hurry. The opponent has been an evil spirit since long ago and has taken in many souls. It's apparently an incredibly powerful evil spirit. That produces humanoid monsters like Orcs, Ogres, Cyclopes, and Trolls. That much is known. They'll let those already born live. Since they are living creatures once born. However, they want to prevent new ones from being born in the future. Otherwise, as a result of increasing too much, cannibalism will begin. They might also charge into this forest. A fight is fine. Bring it on. But killing each other is not good. He's troubled by that.
Isn't he cool! He seems much more reliable than humans.
"Henry. Eleanor. What do you think?"
Price-sama asked.
"I can't say anything. Against such a powerful evil spirit that even a Gigant was about to be possessed by, I'd only be a hindrance."
"I asked what we should do. I didn't ask for a plan to subjugate it."
"Haven't you already decided?"
"Well, yes."
Price-sama intends to subjugate it.
"As Eleanor said, let's have the mages refrain. This time, it will be a battle by priests and warriors. I am also a person with not much life left. It's not bad to make one last flower bloom. Jeanne, let's do our best."
Um, I haven't said a word about going.
Eleanor-sama launched a negotiation with the Gigant. She's saying we'll defeat the source of the monsters, so in exchange, migrate. In northern Nakanohara, it has become a national policy that humans will not lay a hand. Unnecessary disputes will vanish.
The Gigant agreed after thinking for a bit. Violet's explanation of daily life was the deciding factor. However, a preliminary on-site confirmation became a condition.
I ended up participating after being told with a smirk by Price-sama and Eleanor-sama that we might not be able to win without Light. Actually, I don't know if that's true, but there's no doubt that Light was effective in the battle against the evil spirit of the priest killed six hundred years ago. I, who was almost taken over, also escaped danger with the Light I released from my mouth.
"Let's call Harrison. His power is necessary."
If we were to aim for a certain victory, we should seek the cooperation of the local Morandine Royal Capital Great Church and launch a full-scale war. However, we don't want to make the migration of the Gigants public. On the surface, we'll make it that we drove them away and took back the Forest of Ruins.
Through Gwyn-sama, a plan to obtain a ball from Finis also came up, but in the worst case if the ball broke, the ghost inside might be taken in by the evil spirit, so it was stopped.
After having James-sama and the others descend and holding a strategy meeting including the Gigant, it was decided that all the princes of each country who would be the vanguard and Sianya would participate.
"I'm sorry, but we mages and the elderly Henry cannot be of use."
Eleanor-sama said apologetically. This time, Henry-sama's group is the transport unit. Henry-sama and Will were designated as their guards. Henry-sama grumbled at first, but when Eleanor-sama told him that when fighting a strong enemy, they must be together, he backed down with a red face.
"Father, Mother. Please rest assured. We will protect the priests."
When Roberts-sama said that calmly, Eleanor-sama hugged his large body. Roberts-sama also responded as if enveloping her. The four warriors whose participation was decided are surrounding James-sama.
"Warriors are, so to speak, a defensive wall. The mental strength cultivated in the process of honing those skills and bodies is exactly what evil spirits hate most. While you are protecting us priests, we will somehow subjugate it."
The warrior group addressed by Price-sama formed a circle around the hero Roberts and raised a war cry to fire themselves up. Looking at Edward-sama, who was shouting loudly while holding a spear in his left hand and pounding his own chest with his right, I feel like I can understand why evil spirits would dislike them.
"Can I do something too? I want to help."
Violet said, but it will be a barrage of holy magic. Especially Light and Overflow will be released over a wide range. It's too dangerous.
"Violet, please come with me."
It was Eleanor-sama.
"What will I do?"
"We will prevent the monsters of the Forest of the Demon Realm from approaching the cave where the evil spirit is. We will protect the rear of our allies. There will only be five humans, so we need the support of you and the Gigant."
"Understood. Then I'll do that."