Chapter 440 - Fifth Episode: New Ogre Welfare Plan
After finishing the recovery operation in the Northeastern Forest, I called the spirits for a strategy meeting. Since we have to find the Dragonewts, who were thought to be extinct, it's for information gathering.
"As expected, the Earth Dragon. I thought so."
It was Alex. His prediction was spot on.
"However, are Dwarves not spirits of the mines? Why do you avoid the earth-attribute Earth Dragon?"
It was Wilson-san. Now that he mentions it, that might be true, but it's probably because dealing with him is painful. If they accidentally get into an argument, a thousand years will pass.
"Just because we're spirits of the mines doesn't mean we're of the earth attribute. A mine is a mine."
"Then, is it fundamentally different from Gnome?"
"Yeah, it's different. Gnome is earth... that is, the ground itself. We Dwarves are just good at earth-attribute magic."
"Hmm. Is it like how among humans, each has different magic they are good at?"
"That's right. What's different from humans is that we are specialized. Though, the fundamental magic control power is different, so the power is different. But in exchange, humans are good at living in groups and creating a society, right?"
"I see. I understand well."
I don't understand at all.
Setting aside the confusing talk, I had Alex teach me about Gnome.
"His stories are long."
I can imagine. He exchanges arguments with the Earth Dragon for a thousand years.
"Where is he?"
"I don't know. He'd be wherever there's a mineral vein. Start by checking the Silver Mine. However, he's good at transformation magic, so I don't know what he's disguised as. You'll probably find him with that Gnome Detection Stick you got from the Earth Dragon."
'Gnome Detection Stick' is a funny way to put it.
In any case, we have to go near his location. First is the investigation results of Regnentes. The spirits so far have ended up being near the altars. If we know the location of the altar, maybe we can manage something. But it won't be found easily.
"More difficult than that are the Dragonewts."
According to the Elf Prince, the difficulty of finding Dragonewts is beyond comparison to finding Gnome.
"I really don't know where those guys live. As you know, I inherited the knowledge of my ancestors who wandered all over. But I have no memory of meeting a Dragonewt. Even including the memories of those who lived before the magic outflow."
"Would it be no good even if we became friends with Gnome?"
Eleanor-sama, who took on the task of finding Gnome on her own, asked.
"It depends on whether there's a connection between Gnome and Dragonewts."
According to Alex, the point of contact is unknown.
Originally, it was to make a connection with the beastmen living in the Dryad's Forest in order to contact the Dryad in the southwest of the Royal Capital region. To Eleanor-sama, who asked to be introduced to beastmen, the Earth Dragon replied that he could introduce Gnome. Gnome is a spirit, and one of the pinnacles at that. On the other hand, Dragonewts, though considered friendly, are monsters. Dune, Mel, and Salamander had no contact with Dragonewts, let alone monsters. And the same goes for the Water Dragon, Wyvern, and Fire Dragon. If anything, both had contact with humans.
"But look, the Earth Dragon had contact not just with Gnome and the Demon Lord, but with humans too, right? Then it wouldn't be strange if he had contact with the Dragonewts who were interpreters."
Violet's words are the only saving grace. By the way, speaking of high mountains, that would be Finis. Despite that, there's no contact with the three-attribute dragons. It might be safe to say they aren't in Finis. Speaking of other high mountains, there's the mountain where Mel lives, but since Mel doesn't know them, they probably aren't there. In the past, a Fire Dragon lived there, but he was even causing trouble with humans. Maybe they weren't there.
South of the mountain, there aren't many high mountains. The Central Mountain Range between the Royal Capital region and Nakanohara is high, but it's closed off by perennial snow.
Wait? Hold on a second.
"Hey, Violet. Do Dragonewts hibernate?"
"I don't know. But there might be a possibility. Those guys are more like lizards with wings than dragons."
I wonder if...
"Hibernating in the Central Mountain Range... is it?"
Eleanor-sama also seemed to have noticed.
"Violet. Judging from your exchange with the Earth Dragon, do you not know the period when the peaks of the Central Mountain Range began to be covered in perennial snow?"
"Yeah. I think it was about two thousand years ago."
"Two thousand years... Have the Dragonewts been hibernating for two thousand years because their village was closed off by perennial snow?"
"Isn't that bad? If that's the case, they'd normally be dead. Didn't they move?"
Violet's complexion changed. After a thousand years of argument between the Earth Dragon and Gnome, the peaks of the Central Mountain Range were covered in perennial snow. If the Dragonewt Village was around there...
"What does that mean?"
Alex asked. I explained what I heard from the Earth Dragon.
"It's possible. Just so you know, I don't mean they're hibernating. I mean moving. Even though it's the Central Mountain Range, it's long from east to west. The part where the peaks are covered in perennial snow is from Nishi-Nakanohara to the north of Nakanohara Lake. The east and west ends aren't frozen, partly because the altitude is a bit lower."
"Then, if we search around there, they might be there?"
"There's a possibility."
He nodded when Eleanor-sama asked.
"Come to think of it, the eastern end is close to the Northeastern Forest, and there should have been many Demon Lord army remnants and wild Orcs at the foot, so humans couldn't approach, right?"
It's north of the Flatlands. To be precise, it's northwest. To the west of Little Serena's forest, there is a mountain zone, and that mountain zone connects to the eastern end of the Central Mountain Range in the north. There is no perennial snow around there. And the peaks of the mountain range gradually get higher, becoming highest at the northern part of Nakanohara Lake. The peaks around there are closed off by snow and ice all year round. The east-west long mountain range gradually gets lower from around the hole where the Earth Dragon was, and the area north of Serena's forest is already not frozen. From there, the area reaching the border between Uminohara and Western Plains connects to the mountain zone again. From the west of Little Serena's forest to the west of Serena's forest, the south of the mountain range has a topography like a giant trench.
"Then, let's start from either the east or west of the Central Mountain Range."
Eleanor-sama spread out a map and showed it to us. Likely newly written, the words 'Earth Dragon's Hole' could be read. The approximate range of perennial snow was written on the mountain range.
According to Eleanor-sama, the forest zone where the Dryad's Forest in the southwest of the Royal Capital region is thought to be is located northwest of Serena's forest. In other words, the Dryad's Forest, where beastmen who might have contact with Dragonewts live, is close. The possibility would be high.
"Hey, looking at this map, doesn't the region covered in perennial snow extend quite far east from the Earth Dragon's hole?"
At Violet's words, we all looked at the map again, humming.
"That's true. The place the Earth Dragon and Gnome didn't control was the Earth Dragon's cave. Even though the altitude is high, it extends quite far east."
"Now that you mention it, it's unnatural. Normally thinking, it wouldn't be strange if it extended equally from the Earth Dragon's hole. Instead, it extends equally from the north of Nakanohara Lake, where the altitude is highest."
The words of Alex and Eleanor-sama would be strange if thought of normally. However, that's if one is bound by the common sense that areas are covered in snow and ice in order of highest altitude. If we consider it as a result of the argument between the Earth Dragon and Gnome, it would freeze from the regions they neglected to control.
"Maybe the Dragonewts are hiding their village with an illusion of perennial snow?"
Eleanor-sama clapped her hands.
If that's the case, one would normally never think a village is there. After all, Dragonewts might hibernate. Also, according to what I heard, it is said that there are no living things of a size that can be confirmed by normal human eyes in the areas covered by perennial snow. If this was a word spread to hide the village... And if the living things residing there are hidden by an illusion of perennial snow, it's not a lie.
"Thanks to Violet, we have a starting point for our search. Thank you."
"Was I helpful? Good."
"You're amazing, Violet."
Violet, having received Eleanor-sama's praise, hugged my shoulder with a full smile.
"But, can they deceive the Earth Dragon or Gnome?"
"The perennial snow is a fact. However, if they are weak to cold, the village won't be near the snow. In other words, places where there is snow at unnaturally low altitudes are suspicious. Let's ride the bowl and search for places with perennial snow at low altitudes."
With this, we have a starting point for the search.
After that, it's how to distinguish them.
"It's simple. It's probably magic. If it's an Elf, wouldn't he know?"
"If it's Camouflage or something similar, I'll know. If they're really there."
The Elf Prince nodded at Alex's words. After that, it's the reward. If they aren't there, we'll have to have them go on an expedition. There will probably be many empty-handed trips. The Elves are busy with the Northeastern Forest recovery operation. Will they have the leeway to participate?
Wait? Hold on.
"The Elves are working to recover the Northeastern Forest, right?"
"That's right. Responsibility must be fulfilled."
Serena nodded greatly. As if it were natural.
"Is there enough manpower?"
"No problem. I'd like to say that, but honestly, we're at the limit right now. As the recovery work progresses, the range expands. To be honest, if it expands more than now, I cannot guarantee it."
Serena's expression grew faint.
"N-No. It's not that we can't do it. O-Of course we can. Just..."
After glancing at Serena, he looked down.
"Just what?"
I'm a priest. Whether I can solve it or not, I have to listen to their troubles.
"Is it that an industry enough to trade with humans won't grow?"
Eleanor-sama interjected. She probably couldn't bear to watch.
"T-That's right. The first thing Elves aim for is the recovery of the forest. That is certain. However, just by working, that, how should I say, like this..."
They probably want some enjoyment. If they work and work and are just poor, they lose the will to live. He probably wanted to say that, but swallowed it, intimidated by Serena's gaze.
"Well, we might be able to provide that labor force."
"R-Really? Humans?"
"No, hornless Ogres."
"H-Hornless? Ogres?"
The Elf Prince was taken aback. Lately, the Elf Prince has become more expressive and shows smiles often, but the bold existence that isn't surprised by anything is now out of form.
Even when explained as this and that, he didn't seem to get the gist of it. It's probably because he hasn't seen the real thing. After all, those with horns and those without are so different in character they might as well be different species.
"I see. Jeanne, you've noticed a good point."
Eleanor-sama was giving a thumbs up with her right hand. It might be okay.
"Serena, what do you think? Can we have hornless Ogres live in the new forest?"
"Are we going to keep pigs?"
"That might be good too, but in the beginning, they'll help the Elves. In exchange for helping recover the forest, they'll get food."
Hmm, Renata and Serena exchanged looks.
In Violet's story, the hornless ones gather fruits and nuts to eat, and share them with animals to live together. Moreover, they don't let wolves or bears get close. Both of them have heard this.
"How about it? Sister. It might not be such a bad story."
"That's right. They aren't here now, but eventually, I'd like my forest to have rabbits, squirrels, deer, and boars. Well, pigs are fine too."
"Let's leave the care of the pigs to the Elves. We just need to have the hornless ones look after them while they're grazing. It will also be material for the Elves to trade with humans."
"That's right. Rather than suddenly trading with monsters, humans probably won't be as wary if they trade with Elves."
"That's right. Since they'll be raising silkworms to make silk fabrics anyway. Silkworms and pigs aren't that different."
I think they're quite different...
While the Elf Prince was blinking his eyes, the conversation was moving forward rapidly. Moreover, I feel like they aren't looking at them as labor for the Northeastern Forest recovery operation at all.
"How about it? I have a favor to ask of you."
Renata was staring down the Elf Prince. There was a sharpness in her eyes. Rather than asking, it was clearly an order.
"You guys also place guards to prevent magical beasts from intruding where you're growing saplings, don't you? I heard that if there are a few hornless ones, magical beasts won't come near. That will save you guys some trouble too."
"W-Well, certainly."
"My forest doesn't have animals yet. If there are hornless ones, they'll be guards, so it would be fine to ask Keira to bring several kinds. As long as they don't ruin it, it's fine to make it a grazing land for pigs. If I give power to several trees to make them produce large acorns, it won't be that difficult."
"Just as you say."
"When the hornless ones start looking after the pig grazing, you can turn piglets into big pigs for free."
"T-That's right."
"In the future, you want to raise silkworms, pick fruit to make various fruit wines, and make wood carvings in my forest, right?"
"Y-Yes. That is exactly right."
At this point, it might be close to a threat.
"Jeanne, I'll have them accept your story."
The Elf Prince, who was pressed with an 'Is that okay?', prostrated himself with a 'Haha!'.
After humans, spirits, and monsters gathered again on the north shore of Nakanohara Lake to deliberate, my proposal passed. Renata had already consented. It would be strange to reject it.
By Marcelo-san's proposal, an Elf department was newly established within the Marcelo Company. On the surface, it's pig trading. As a countermeasure for the hornless ones, Robinson-san became the department head, and Violet became the technical advisor. And Lyudmila became the technical advisor for pig breeding. Since Henry-sama issued a scroll for full authority in diplomatic negotiations, a budget will come from the Royal Palace. Salaries will probably go up too.
After that, we moved to the farm in the Flatlands and had a banquet with the usual members. When the talk of pigs came up, Miana bit. They are raising pigs at the farm too. They turn piglets into big pigs and sell them all, but she seems to have some thoughts.
"I'm sure there was a smokehouse at the farm. Let's actually try making some. If we can make our own smoked meat and bacon, it will broaden the range of cooking."
"That's fine, but Miana, can you slaughter a domestic pig?"
"Ugh..."
She was silenced by Beatrix's jab. She hurriedly looked at her comrades from the Class of 175, but they were all averting their eyes.
"It's fine. I'll do it for you. I can do the butchering too."
Keira volunteered. This part is very Demon Race.
"Is it okay? Keira."
"Yeah. I'm fine. I can kill them without making them suffer."
That's amazing. As expected of the Demon Race.
"How do you do it?"
Eleanor-sama bit.
"I paralyze them temporarily. Then, stab, while they're like that."
"[Skill: Paralyze], then."
"Yes. It hardly works on monsters with strong magic defense, but it works on normal animals, humans, and up to what humans call E-rank."
I see. If they don't feel pain, they won't suffer. Of course, it's a means of fighting, but it also seems to be a means of delivering the finishing blow to a dying enemy. It's much kinder than humans who come up with cruel execution methods.
One way or another, things started to move along well.
From now on, it was also decided that the Marcelo Company would gradually increase the number of hornless ones. Once Violet catches them, Robinson-san just needs to handle them. The client is the country, and the reward is three times the subjugation reward. Violet, whose salary will go up and she'll be able to drink more alcohol, is also happy.
"Jeanne is more amazing than I thought."
"Because she's Jeanne."
"That's right."
I was praised while surrounded by Violet, Dune, and Keira. My face turned red.