Chapter 407 - Chapter 2: Exploration of the Silver Mine
The information that the Morandine Demon Realm had been conquered raced across the entire island. Apparently.
On the afternoon of the day the night flight was successfully finished, we scouted the Forest of the Demon Realm riding a bowl with Sir Edgar and confirmed that the monsters were gone. The next day, the cave purified by Price-sama and Harrison-san was completely buried by blasting it with gunpowder. On the way back home, we did a recovery operation in the Northeastern Forest, and after staying one night at the farm in the Flatlands, we participated in the Great Shark subjugation, and after that, we conducted the second investigation in the hot spring town. I found out the magnitude of the matter when I returned to the Ghost Mansion for the first time in a month.
"Ah, Jeanne's back. Welcome back!"
Lyudmila came jumping at me.
"I'm home, Lyudmila. Wait, eh? Everyone, what's wrong?"
I was pulled to the dining room, and the members of the Class of 175 except for Will and Mary who live in the Royal Capital were gathered. Miana is also there. It seems they were waiting for my return. Unfortunately, it's not a celebratory atmosphere.
"Jeanne. It's the talk of the town right now, but it seems the Morandine Demon Realm has been conquered. Do you know anything about it?"
I was suddenly asked by Beowulf. If you want to know, why don't you ask Edward-sama?
That said, I didn't enter into a [Vow of Silence] regarding the evil spirit subjugation in the Demon Realm, and there are also the rules of the Class of 175. Besides, Fiona, Flora, and Miana, who are associate members, are fine to know given their positions. However, since the content is what it is, I can't just go around talking about it.
"What's with the sudden question?"
"No, it seems the people in town are getting excited."
"The people in town?"
There are several Demon Realms on the island. Those Demon Realms, along with the cave where the Demon Lord is resurrected, are places that have repelled successive heroes, including Henry-sama's companions, and as long as they exist, the residents of the island cannot escape the threat of monsters.
This time, a Demon Realm was conquered in Morandine. Similarly, if we conquer the other Demon Realms, everyone can sleep peacefully at night, they say. The town is currently buzzing with that talk.
"Everyone is saying that we should just raise a subjugation army and charge in, you know."
Beowulf nods at the scout Bonnie's words. Since scouts exchange information with each other, she must have picked up the rumor and confirmed it with Beowulf.
The source of the rumor is Morandine. The success of the Demon Realm conquest was formally reported by the State Prime Minister. Naturally, those involved in the investigation of the Black Stone did not participate in that ceremony. That was because the investigation itself was a secret. However, since the report was made as a formal ceremony after everything was finished, the fact that one of the Demon Realms was conquered inevitably became known to scouts all over the island. Moreover, since it was made public, it's bound to reach the general commoners.
Aren't they idiots? It'll only make people have pointless expectations.
"I think it's probably impossible. The conditions are too strict."
Edward-sama's voice, my [Light], and the secret weapon Wilson-san. In addition, two ultra-high-level holy magic users. At the very least, this much strength is necessary. In fact, on the front line alone, Roberts-sama, Gwyn-sama, Eowyn-sama, and Sianya participated. This time, it just happened that the ones teamed up with the evil spirit were Ghouls, and we were able to conquer it with the help of Violet and Gigant. If it had been members of the Demon Race, what would have happened?
While I'm at it. I called Dune and Mel too, and when I explained the reality of what happened, excluding the move and the night flight, Beowulf was laughing loudly.
"Edward-sama? As expected. He usually takes care not to raise his voice too much."
I don't know if it's true or not, but apparently his shouts from the training ground can be heard anywhere in the royal palace during sword training.
"Then, we won't be charging into the Demon Realms?"
"Yeah. I don't think it'll go that easily."
Beatrix asked. It seems she thought the Demon Lord Subjugation Unit veterans would be summoned.
"Hey, can I tell that story to Okugata-sama?"
It's Fiona.
"It's just right. Probably, Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama will go to ask formally. Gwyn-sama will also ask the Priestess and other ghosts, so it'll be helpful if Fiona asks for me."
Regarding the formation of the Demon Realms, the spirits said they didn't know. However, they were convinced by the story that the evil spirit and the Ghouls were making humanoid monster eggs. Because it turned out they weren't existences that should originally be there, even though there was no Queen of the Demon Realm.
In any case, I thought I could lead a daily life of monster subjugation except for the investigation of Engrio at the end of the month...
In August, on my way back from the medical research institute in the Royal Capital, I was suddenly summoned to the royal palace.
When I went to the royal palace, I was called to the Audience Chamber. No organ this time.
The King and Queen sat on the thrones, and the usual dignitaries were lined up. Henry-sama's group and Roberts-sama are there. Lewis-san, whom I've been with often lately, is also there.
There must be something.
"Jeanne, you had a hard time in Morandine."
"Those are words I don't deserve."
The King thanked me. Will I get something? Or will he tell me to go somewhere again?
"The reason I specifically called you here today is none other than the matter of the Demon Realms."
Don't tell me, even the King is getting motivated.
There are three places called Demon Realms in Sertoria.
One is the cave in the southwestern part of the Royal Capital region where the Demon Lord is resurrected. The second is the Northeastern Forest. The third is the Northern Nakanohara region. Among them, two, the Northeastern Forest and Northern Nakanohara, are already settled, sort of.
The cause of the large number of monsters spawning in the Northeastern Forest was the Elves' blunder. Now, the source of magic power leakage is almost completely blocked by Alex and his brothers, and it has become a magic stone and silver mine. In the northern part of the Northeastern Forest, there is a member of the Demon Race who feels a bit crazy, but through the Cait Sith, a contract was made and a boundary line was drawn.
The Northern Nakanohara region is sandwiched between Serena's forest in the west and Little Serena's forest in the east, and with the patrols of Violet and Gigant, everyone should be living comfortably except on full moon nights. There is no cave where monsters spawn, and the communication route with the Northeastern Forest, which was also a source of monster replenishment, is completely cut off. Moreover, the cave in the Northeastern Forest, which was the source of monster replenishment...
Wait, eh? Something's different.
"That's right. We thought the cause of monsters occurring in the Northeastern Forest was the leakage of magic power. However, the experience gained from the conquest of the Morandine Demon Realm shows that the cause of humanoid monsters like Orcs occurring is not the leakage of magic power."
That's true. I just noticed.
"So. If we can talk with Alex, the manager of the mountain, and get his approval, we've decided to actually go see that mine. Sorry, but I want Jeanne to participate too."
Hmm. If Alex is there, we can escape anytime.
The companions are Henry-sama's group and Roberts-sama, apparently. It's perfect.
"Those from the Class of 175 who can participate are also welcome to join."
"I understand. So, um, about the reward..."
Since Beatrix is not here, I have to negotiate myself.
"I'm sorry, but the reward will be the subjugation reward. Since Alex probably won't participate in combat, be careful."
Eh? Subjugation reward? And Alex won't be there...
"According to Alex, there are normally C-ranks there. Since Jeanne defeated a Cerberus with just Fiona, there should be no problem at all. It'll be a good way to earn. Let's do our best."
The Dwarf we met in the cave of the altar in the hot spring town said that C-ranks can be driven away with [Light]. However, if they escape, it won't be a reward. I'll just have to have the elite companions do their best.
The next day, we hold a strategy meeting... no, a banquet at the farm in the Flatlands. I have to consult with Alex.
"Hmm, you're going there. Be careful."
I was told to be careful by Mel.
"Has Mel seen it?"
"I have. When we all went to see the Black Dragon Child's nest, as a side trip. Right?"
"That's right. We went by Alex's teleportation, so it was quick."
When Eleanor-sama asked, Mel and Dune replied.
"Did you go inside?"
"Yeah. Just a little bit."
"Were there monsters?"
"There were none when we entered. They seem to be further in."
"They're strong, right?"
"I wonder? Isn't it at a level that Alex and the other Dwarves say is safe?"
In the cave of the altar in the hot spring town, the Dwarf was bringing a Cerberus he was controlling. In other words, for Alex, C-rank is within the safe range. Naturally, for humans, it's extremely dangerous.
"More than that, did Orcs and such spawn from that cave? It seems quite different from the place we went to the other day."
"That's right. In the Demon Lord's army in the Northeastern Forest, there are only Orcs, Ogres, Cyclopes, Trolls, and Fenrirs, right? Was there anything else?"
The two spirits are tilting their heads. It might have been a mistake to ask. After all, they haven't fought the Demon Lord's army.
When I called Alex, who was drinking Finis alcohol with the bandits and the Salamander, and asked, he said most of them are the three types in the Northeastern Forest.
"Are there no C-ranks?"
"There are. Though they're like C-ranks. They're crawling around all over."
Crawling around? Is it a snake?
"What's there?"
"Insects. There's one strange kind. That's probably a [Land Worm]. But it might be a new species. When I first saw that guy in that mine, I thought he might be laying Orc eggs."
"Are there evil spirits?"
"No, it didn't feel like that. I went quite deep in, but it's nothing but insects. I don't think there were any stronger than the [Land Worm]."
What is a [Land Worm]? Is it a relative of the Wyarm?
"If a Wyarm is a flying snake, a [Land Worm] is a snake of the ground. In appearance, it might be faster to imagine a monster earthworm."
Eleanor-sama told me.
Speaking of earthworms, when the Demon Lord Subjugation Unit tried to explore the Demon Lord's cave from the back, there was a member of the Demon Race who used earthworms.
"Yes, that's the one. Therefore, if you say there's a connection with the Demon Lord's army, there is."
In other words, that earthworm user obtained earthworms... [Land Worms], in the cave of the Northeastern Forest. At that time, the earthworms were burned without a trace by [Prominence]. If they had been alive then, it would have been our first meeting.
"At that time, the member of the Demon Race was digging holes by controlling earthworms. If, at that time, they were trying to create the monster eggs we witnessed in Morandine..."
In other words, the eggs were created by a technique produced by the Demon Race.
"Whether that is so or not. Whether the Demon Race taught the technique to the evil spirit, or whether the Demon Race was trying to imitate it, we do not know. However, in any case, don't you think there is some connection?"
Um, Eleanor-sama? The pursuit of truth is important, but I don't think you need to have your eyes sparkling so much.
According to the old couple who failed to pursue the truth in Morandine, [Land Worms] start small and gradually grow larger. Same as the Great Shark. Small ones correspond to D-rank, and as they grow larger, their defense and magic defense increase, and finally they become C-rank. To be certified as C-rank, they must be ten large strides in length, about the thickness of an adult woman's waist, and cannot be defeated by mid-level magic. And the greatest feature is that they are almost harmless to humans directly, and if anything, they are convenient if they can be controlled. It's just that if they dig too many holes, fields collapse or water leaks from reservoirs, so they must be subjugated. For those reasons, they have designated a subjugation rank.
What Alex saw was apparently a giant [Land Worm] that would be several times that size. It must be the result of being exposed to a very high concentration of magic power, apparently.
"If it's D-rank, it can be controlled with [Subordination]. According to the stories passed down, in the old days they were controlled to dig holes. Of course, speaking of earthworms, that's not all, is it?"
I see! They are useful for making soil! If they are large, they should be able to make soil more efficiently.
I call Flora and Lyudmila. Flora agreed.
"It's convenient to have large ones. You make a stone-built breeding place and throw in waste or raw garbage along with soil. Also cut grass and such. If you put several large earthworms in there, you can make very good compost. You can make much better fertilizer than putting in many normal earthworms."
Lyudmila, who heard that, was overjoyed. She said she'd go catch them.
"Since truly large ones are hard for humans to handle, you should just pick up the eggs. If you stir it occasionally and expose the soil with earthworms to the sun, they won't grow that large, and you can keep them forever."
When I said I didn't know what the eggs looked like, Flora decided to participate. Since the exploration of the mine itself is a day trip, she can also look after Glory.
"Then, Lyudmila and Flora are participating. Is there anyone else who wants to participate?"
In addition to Beatrix and Bonnie, Matilda unusually raised her hand.
"It's a magic stone and silver mine, right? I've wanted to see it for a while. If it's okay, could you show me the mining site?"
I thought she was after magic stones or silver, but it seems she wants to see the mining site itself.
"The way they crush stones, or rather, the way they put in the chisel? I want to see that for reference."
I see. As expected of a blacksmith. It'll likely be useful when repairing chisels or punches that come from stonemasons.
"Then, two scouts, four warriors, three magic users, one priest, and one spirit. And since Robinson and two Goblin scout unit members are scheduled to participate, it's a total of fifteen people."
Since I'll be using maximum [Light], Wilson-san is on break.
The period is one week. Earthworms are useful, but giant earthworms will be defeated. The subjugation reward is not that high at two gold coins per worm, but earthworms are apparently ingredients for precious medicine. Especially, it's a specific medicine for lowering fever when a high fever occurs. It'll be a good price. If they are large, the proceeds can also be expected to be a considerable amount.
"If it goes well, one large one might be worth no less than twenty gold coins. Please do your best."
Henry-sama's group, Roberts-sama, and Lewis-san will have no proceeds. The Goblin scout unit is two people for one human's share. In other words, one-sixth per person will be obtained. In addition, there are insects underground. There are no human casualties, but while the unit price of the subjugation reward is cheap, the proceeds are large. We should just defeat as many as we can.
"If we work hard, we might be able to get four gold coins per person in three or four days. Alright! Let's work hard."
Matilda, who is going to the front line for the first time in a while, struck her right fist into her left palm with a smack.