Chapter 418 - Chapter 4: Entrap Six
The mystery of the Demon Realm was solved. While having a banquet with the spirits as promised, I talked about the exploration results. This is because spirits are also interested in the Demon Realm.
“Sister, did you know about monsters like the strengthened Orcs and Fenrirs?”
Serena asked Renata. Renata has been in the Northeastern Forest since the time the magic power outflow accident occurred. Also, she spent time together with the Demon Lord’s army, albeit temporarily.
“Let’s see. I’ve heard stories that there were monsters like that. But you see, I didn't know the trick behind the strengthening. So, I didn't believe it. To think it was actually true.”
She is half-tilting her head.
“At that time, it was a state of great confusion. Both animals and plants either transformed and died or became monsters. The animals that survived and became monsters treated each other as prey. The reason the elf village was attacked might not have been to invade the village, but simply because they sought prey. Actually, even after the outflow stopped, there were tons of transformed magical beasts and insects. Since they were each other’s prey, they were just killing each other single-mindedly.”
She says while looking at the Elf Prince. The Prince is prostrating himself single-mindedly whenever this topic comes up. It’s pitiful, but this topic cannot be avoided this time.
“Afterward, after more than a thousand years, it seems the source of magic power finally dried up, and the outflow amount decreased significantly, but the dense magic power itself remained in the forest, so the situation didn't change. The change came out about two thousand years ago, I guess.”
It would be exactly around the time the Lich began the strengthening of monsters.
“It must have been a painful time. How pitiful.”
While wiping tears with her sleeve, Serena is throwing small stones and hitting the Elf Prince. Since it’s a regular occurrence, the Elf Prince doesn't move an inch. Renata is soothing her with a “now, now,” but she has never once stopped her before she throws.
“If that’s the case, it’s no wonder Renata hasn't seen the strengthened monsters. Strengthened monsters are only for one generation, after all. Magical beasts have their lifespan come in about two or three hundred years, and they must have been hunted to the front lines. Insects are only about several decades. The eggs and young born are no different from before strengthening, and Orcs don't leave descendants. Besides, it’s not like they succeeded in strengthening thousands or tens of thousands, right?”
Alex is asking Eleanor-sama.
“Yes. While the original numbers were small, in the beginning, most cases were just them becoming ferocious. The success was in the strengthened Orc type, making wolves into Gray Wolves, the discovery of the crossbreeding of the Fenrir lineage that produces many cubs during the breeding process, and, although it didn't directly lead to the strengthening of the Demon Lord’s army, the creation of the Lindwurm. Oh, and the giant worm, I suppose. Thanks to that worm, efficiency apparently went up.”
However, if monsters whose rank has gone up by one after being strengthened come welling up, they won't be easily conquered. For one thing, the Black Forest itself couldn't be easily invaded.
Wait? Hold on a second.
“Hey, was the reason humans couldn't enter the Black Forest because Renata was preventing them?”
“I wasn't particularly preventing humans. They just didn't come. Unlike normal forests, there were just tons of insects and magical beasts, after all. However, I was preventing elves, so for humans who came with elven guidance, the trees might have reacted on their own and prevented them.”
Serena is chuckling. Of course, her gaze is on the Elf Prince.
Since I started feeling sorry for him, I decided to change the subject.
“Come to think of it, after the investigation of the hot spring town, we’re going to the north, but what on earth will we do this time?”
I’ve already experienced training after becoming high-level. I fainted properly, but I didn't learn anything.
“Monster extermination. Gwyn-dono consulted with the King of Finis and decided for us. Arrangements have been made so we can participate in monster hunting.”
“Is it around the volcano where Fire Dragons live?”
“No. It is a different region.”
“A different region?”
The place we’re going is the inland part of the Kingdom of Finis, where relatively powerful magical beasts are normally present. It’s a mountainous area, but high mountains are continuous, and powerful magical beasts are said to dwell there.
“There is apparently untrodden land. It is a place where those chosen for the Demon Lord subjugation unit train, and magical beasts of the same level as those around the volcano where the Fire Dragons live appear.”
In short, are C-ranks all over the place?
“It is also the only place on this island, other than the cave where the Demon Lord dwells, where a Behemoth has been sighted.”
Behemoth... A B-rank, and the strongest magical beast. It had giant horns like a bull and fangs like a boar. We fought one on the fourth layer of the cave where the Demon Lord dwells. It was the guy that was still alive after receiving many Holy Lances, starting with the Headmistress’s log-class one, then Harris-sama’s, Kevin-sama’s, and mine, and then being hit by the Megiddo Fire strengthened to the limit.
“Don't tell me, that Behemoth...”
With my Holy, there will be a lack of firepower. Actually, when I unleashed it in the firepower battle with the Fire Dragon, the color was different.
“That ‘don't tell me’ is it. We’re doing it.”
“Is it Megiddo Fire?”
“No, it is Jeanne’s Holy.”
“It’s impossible.”
There’s no way I can defeat it.
“I know it is impossible. Did you not defeat a Cerberus along with Fiona, Jeanne? Since the rank has only gone up by one, please do what you can.”
She says reckless things as usual. If we let it escape while wounded, it’ll be a nightmare later.
“It is fine. Since a Behemoth is a monster that’s like a bull and a boar added together, it will not stop fighting until the matter is settled. The Priestess will support us.”
“The Priestess... if the Priestess is targeted, it’ll be a disaster.”
“It is fine. If we use Flight Magic to hide ourselves and attack from the sky, we will not take a counterattack. We will defeat it no matter what, so please deal as much damage as possible.”
Umu. I wonder if it’ll be alright? Certainly, we won't be able to use Megiddo Fire in the mountains. However, even with support, such a monster...
“We depart after returning from the third investigation to Engrio. The Priestess and the others are waiting for us.”
I became unable to refuse.
When we went to Engrio, King Seldic was waiting.
When going for an investigation, we ride on Henry-sama and his group’s bowl. We head south from Nakanohara with Harris-sama. After going to the checkpoint and parting with Wilson-san and Will, we ride in a specially-made carriage prepared by King Seldic after passing the checkpoint with the document he provided. As expected, we can't ride in the bowl. Usually, we stay overnight in a village other than the Royal Capital, and King Seldic came to that inn. His entourage is the same as the royal guards from before.
“I hear it cannot be announced publicly, but apparently you conquered a Demon Realm in Morandine. My son was also praising you quite a bit.”
It was sudden.
“Yes. But it’s said to be the smallest scale on the island.”
“Size does not matter. What is important is that you proved it can be conquered. The existence of a dedicated priest like you is a joyful thing. I truly did well.”
“Thank you very much.”
Come to think of it, this country’s royal family are heathens. How do they do things like monster extermination?
“In our country, we impose military service on priests. Their duty when there is no war is mainly the subjugation of monsters.”
I unintentionally look at Harris-sama’s face.
“That’s right. In Engrio, because priests accompany the army, prayers for the war dead are also performed. Of course, it doesn't matter if they are friend or foe. Well, apparently they rarely do things like build stone monuments, though.”
The nobility are heathens, but the general soldiers and conscripts, including the knightly class for one generation, of course believe in the Goddess. Apparently, the priests who accompany the army perform prayers without fail before departure, in the morning, in the evening, and before and after combat, and after returning to camp. The soldiers can fight with peace of mind. Incidentally, they also pray for the monsters they’ve defeated. However, the reason is different from the Headmistress. Apparently, the purpose is to soothe them so they don't receive curses or hauntings.
“Bishop Harris, I think you already know because you seem to be knowledgeable about various things, but they also treat the injured with recovery magic. That is why they were able to respond immediately when the talk of treating prisoners came up.”
Hearing those words, Harris-sama bowed his head. Surely, the reason treating prisoners was realized in both countries is because the opponent is Engrio. Somehow, I feel complicated.
Wait? Hold on a second.
“Um, are there also Demon Realms in Engrio?”
If the war dead can go to the Goddess’s side with a priest’s prayer, they shouldn't become evil spirits.
“There are. Since the founding of the country, we had continued to challenge subjugation wars almost every year, but in recent years the numbers have finally started to decrease. I do not know the reason, though. In such a situation, you all conquered a Demon Realm in Morandine. The Demon Realms in our country might also be conquerable. You gave us great courage. I thank you.”
“Th-thank you very much.”
As I thought, that’s it. If the war dead and monsters are properly sent to the Goddess’s side, the Demon Realm will become unable to produce new monsters. Putting aside special places like the Northeastern Forest, the very fact that the church’s policy is shifting might lead to future Demon Realm countermeasures. Harris-sama must be thinking the same thing. He has a solemn look on his face.
“Also, those who did the rat extermination along with you members of the Class of 175 have safely been promoted. Please show your faces once. If possible, could you do a fox extermination together? I have prepared lodging. We will cover the costs.”
There’s no way to refuse. When I look at Eleanor-sama, she is nodding. This time, I am the only one from the Class of 175, so Entrap Nine will be Entrap Six, but that’ll be fine.
The next day, when we went to the Royal Capital and went to the station, the five from before were there.
“Jeanne, long time no see!”
One of the girls suddenly jumped at me. She’s the girl who did the rat extermination together, was doing nothing but grumbling, and was taught by Eleanor-sama how to create the image for learning magic.
“I heard you were promoted. Congratulations.”
“Yeah, it’s thanks to the Class of 175 teaching us to use chicken carcasses. They’re light, and if you roast them, they work well.”
According to the leader at that time, all five were promoted, and their salaries also went up.
“Hey, hey, do you use chicken carcasses during fox extermination, too?”
“Yes. We hang them on a tree branch and wait in ambush at a distant location.”
“What about bats?”
They’ve been promoted to the fox extermination unit and are out as apprentices for bat extermination.
“For bats, we attack while they are sleeping. Usually, we use high-level Holy, but there are also cases of bows and arrows or beginner Holy. In that case, after attacking, we retreat for a while.”
“You run away?”
“Yes, they’ll sleep again after a while, so we go pick up the ones we finished off at that time. If you do it several times, you can get four or five in a day.”
“Hmm, I see.”
In Engrio, they also attack while they’re sleeping, but they apparently set up mist nets.
“Don't they thrash around and the wings get torn?”
“That’s right. It’s either the wings get torn or the net gets torn. Mist nets aren't cheap, you know, but if we use sturdy ones, the wings get torn and the value goes down.”
The methods are also quite different. We are using magic, but Engrio can't do that. After all, in our case, the fact that we did it with Paul-san from the start is significant.
“It’s magic, after all.”
Apparently, she’s continuing the practice she was taught by Eleanor-sama.
When she received an oracle last month, it was no good.
“It’s impossible in two or three months. In my case, I started from when I was five years old, and I was doing it all the time until I received an oracle for the first time at ten. For five years, every day.”
“Fi-five years...”
She stared at me with perfectly round eyes.
“Well, it means it’s not that easy.”
“I see, I’ll try a bit harder.”
Afterward, we talked about fox extermination and got excited. In the end, we wait in ambush after setting bait. It’s because monsters see through traps. What’s important is the choice of the place that seems likely to work. I was taught that thoroughly by Paul-san. I talked about those things.
There, Eleanor-sama and Harris-sama came along with King Seldic. They had been talking about the investigation of the ruins in Engrio.
“You look like you’re having fun.”
It’s Eleanor-sama.
“Ah, Your Majesty. And, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, long time no see.”
“L-long time no see.”
All at once, they straightened their postures in a flurry.
“Are you continuing the magic imagery creation?”
“Ah, yes. I received an oracle last month, but it was no good. But Jeanne said she was doing it for five years, so I’ll try my best for years.”
“Are you doing it in the underground passages or the forest, too?”
“No, in bed before I sleep...”
“Fumu,” Eleanor-sama crossed her arms. Her eyes are serious. The former Magic Corps Commander has gotten in the mood.
“King Seldic, may I borrow them for the whole day today?”
“Don't tell me, are you going for monster extermination together?”
He’s asking while letting out a laugh.
“Yes. There is no training that surpasses actual combat. Since Jeanne is also here, we will target a bear.”
“A-a bear!”
All five recoiled all at once. Somehow, I remembered ourselves when we were rookies.
The conditions King Seldic gave were that it be in a specified forest, within a decided range and time, and to attach two light infantrymen as overseers.
“There is a hut for bear hunting. You may use it, so do not leave the range specified by the overseers.”
“Understood. May we borrow a carriage?”
“Fine. I shall lend you a special carriage so you are not pointlessly questioned on the way.”
It became a bear hunt with a total of ten people.