Chapter 478 - Backyard of Stray Priest (18)
This is the behind-the-scenes story of Chapter 16.
The destination for the Gigants was decided to be a place further north across a mountain stream from the northern shore of Nakanohara Lake, which is a no-fishing zone.
The selection of the location was carried out by Henry, Eleanor, and Adolf, the Mayor of Nakanohara, as well as members of the Marcelo Company, who are in charge of security and reconnaissance in the northern part of Nakanohara Lake.
For the preliminary consultation, the participation of Violet and the Goblin Elder was essential, so it was held at the Goblin nest on the southern shore of Nakanohara.
“The scale here has also expanded quite a bit in the short time I haven't seen it.”
In front of Adolf are several cave entrances in the cliff. Every entrance has double doors with the crest of the Kingdom of Sertoria drawn on them.
Adolf, as the Mayor of Nakanohara, was privately instructed by the Royal Palace to coordinate the cooperation between Goblins, Alraunes, Robinson, and Violet, and he pays the security rewards provided by the Royal Palace to them through the Marcelo Company. Therefore, he is effectively the administrative manager, but he doesn't particularly interfere and only hears reports from Robinson through Marcelo.
“This place is effectively the base for the defense around Nakanohara Lake, so in preparation for emergencies, we are stockpiling food, weapons, armor, and construction materials. Those, of course, include the portion for the Paratroop Jaeger Unit with which we are coordinating. Also, we have secured enough space so that it can also serve as a shelter in case the southern shore base cannot be supported.”
Robinson is the one answering.
“Robinson. Is there an escape method for when this place is in danger? After all, the opponent is the Demon Lord's army or a group of monsters equivalent to it. Putting aside those who can fight, won't those who can't have no place to run?”
Eleanor asked.
Goblins and Alraunes cannot flee to the town. Alraunes are still fine. They are frequently featured in plays as spirits appearing in the play, and furthermore, the fact that they are spirits is being disseminated through the Church, and warnings are being given to medicinal herb shops that eating the roots or fruits will only cause poisoning. The problem is Goblins. No matter how much the country or the Church appeals that they are spirits, the fact that a very large number of Goblins belonged to the Demon Lord's army and confronted humans cannot be easily erased, and the grudge of those whose family or close ones were actually killed by Goblins cannot be easily forgotten as long as that person is alive. If they carelessly go down to the town, they might be found and treated as monsters and beaten to death.
Therefore, if the current base is fallen, the place to flee to will be the Paratroop Jaegers' fortress. Of course, it is possible to move to such places with [Teleport], but it cannot be easily installed because it could also become an entry point for the fortress if used by the enemy.
“Among the Goblins and Alraunes here, there are females and children with low combat ability. Also those who are pregnant. We must think of a method for such people to evacuate quickly.”
Now Goblins are working as scouts directly under the Royal Palace.
Eleanor's words were just stating the country's policy as it is, but the Elder, who heard it through the Alraune translator, bowed deeply to Eleanor and shed tears while trembling his shoulders in silence.
Seeing that, Henry went to the Elder's side, knelt on one knee, and gently placed his right hand on his shoulder.
“Violet, is there any good method?”
When Eleanor asked, Violet crossed her arms and was thinking 'u-mu,' but perhaps noticing something, after tilting her head with a 'fumu,' she looked into Eleanor's eyes.
“Why don't you try asking Serena or Renata?”
“What should I ask?”
“You know, the thing connecting Jeanne's house and the farm. If we have that tree, we can escape to a safe place immediately. And it won't let anything through, no matter what the enemy is.”
“I see. If it's for the Alraunes and Goblins who are spirits, they might cooperate.”
“Right? The place to flee to can be Serena's or Renata's place.”
“Once this matter is settled, let's consult with them.”
Now that the plan for evacuation was established, everyone enters the cave. At the doors that serve as the main entrance, two Goblins wearing Green Marble and carrying short swords of a size that could be called small swords for their bodies are standing like gatekeepers. When the Elder approached, they bowed lightly and opened the doors.
Since it was just a hole dug into the lakeside cliff, the ceiling and walls have the ground exposed, but the floor is boarded. It was clear at a glance that it was kept clean, perhaps because it is cleaned regularly. The ceiling is high enough for a human to stand and enter, and neatly cut stone materials are lined up along the walls like pillars, supporting the ceiling.
Light is shining in from windows cleverly camouflaged so that they look like only depressions or cracks in the rocks from the outside, and although it is dim, there is no inconvenience underfoot.
Many brass candlesticks are attached to the walls, and the flames of candles made from animal fat are flickering.
The room is probably an anteroom, a square section, and in the upper part of the three walls excluding the lake side, there are several holes large enough for a child to enter, and a Goblin was peeking out from each hole. When Henry and Eleanor greeted them with hand signals agreed upon between Goblins and Paratroop Jaegers, they all replied with smiles.
“Splendid, Robinson. The discipline is well maintained.”
“Thank you. It's thanks to the guidance of the Nakanohara Light Infantry Corps under Captain Lewis and Violet.”
“Violet, I thank you too.”
“Well, I'm a translator. I also taught them about nets.”
“Nets?”
At Eleanor's question, Violet pointed to the ceiling and said, 'Look closely.'
Henry and Eleanor, who usually boast of their good eyesight to those around them, had a hard time seeing because it was dim and the ceiling was unexpectedly high. The two of them desperately strained their eyes to look for the nets.
“I can see something like a net.”
“It also looks like a pattern.”
It seems they found something like that.
“I made nets with large mesh using my thread and attached them so that soil is sprinkled on the underside. They're hard to see, and if you drop them, you'll get tangled and won't be able to move.”
She's puffing out her chest as if to say 'how's that.'
Violet says that if an enemy invades, this anteroom is the first place they pass through. If they can be held back here to some extent, they can earn even a little time to evacuate.
“The floor, if you strip the boards, it's a hole. It's quite deep.”
The other entrances apparently all have the same structure, so that they don't easily allow the intrusion of Orcs.
“Besides, I consulted with the Paratroop Jaegers and made traps here and there. So that the enemy doesn't approach near the escape exit, and so on.”
“It seems you are exerting yourself in various ways.”
“Well, I'm the Goblins' guard.”
Violet replies bashfully to Eleanor's words of appreciation.
It's an expression she didn't show when they met while she was active.
“When something happens in northern Nakanohara, we will send reinforcements as quickly as possible. Please coordinate with the group of Gigants who are migrating this time and try to minimize damage as much as possible.”
“Yeah. I'll work for my salary.”
The Arachne, wearing Green Marble with purple embroidery and a bandana of the same color around her head, said that and laughed.
When they were shown into a large room in the back, naturally no outside light was brought in. In the large room, which was probably prepared as a meeting room, several candles, which are probably not usually used, were lit by many candlesticks and served as light. There was a large table and long benches on both sides, and when everyone sat as the Elder suggested, several female Goblins wearing colorful Green Marble came out and started serving wine.
After a toast, they immediately moved to consultation.
“Actually, Elder. This time, to the north of here, across the mountain stream, a group of monsters led by a Gigant is going to move in.”
In the Gigant's group, there are not only Orcs but also Cyclopes and Trolls. In addition, there is also a group of Goblins.
“Yes. I had heard from Violet in advance that there was such a movement.”
When Henry gave a nod of thanks to Violet, Violet smiled.
“So, what are you telling us to do?”
“First, I want to get your permission for the migration.”
“Permission? You shouldn't need our permission. Since it's within your territory, do as you like.”
“That won't do. It overlaps with your group's living sphere. Besides, I think there's no problem because Violet is here, but eventually we'll have to have the scouts establish contact. I want to recognize each other's territory and prevent unnecessary conflict.”
The Goblin Elder expressed gratitude to the former King of humans who was caring in various ways, and at the same time stated his opinion.
“Putting aside the scouts, it would be better if we and the group led by that Gigant do not actively interact.”
“Hmm. Why is that?”
“It would be fine for us to go there. But how about them coming here?”
The monsters moving in must be non-aggressive with the mountain stream as the boundary. If that collapses, the boundary line will become unclear and eventually be lost. As a result, they might be discovered by fishermen and eventually lead to subjugation by humans. The Elder explained so.
“Exactly as the Elder says. Henry, how about it? As expected, making non-aggression the basis with the Gigants and helping each other only in case of emergency.”
At Eleanor's words, the Elder nodded.
“Hmm. Does that mean trade with monsters is still premature? Violet, what do you think?”
“Right. I think it's as Eleanor says. It's probably as the Elder says.”
“I see. Understood.”
For Henry, who has been seeking coexistence and co-prosperity with monsters since he was active, and has been exploring non-aggression arrangements with the Demon Lord but has yet to achieve it, he wanted to make it a trigger to deepen interaction with the group of monsters.
“Henry-dono. Your thoughts are truly grateful to us. However, the history of conflict was too long. Why don't we wait a bit more?”
“Umu. It's as the Elder says. We shouldn't fail by rushing.”
He matched his bowl to the bowl the Elder held up and toasted.
“It's fine. Jeanne is here.”
Suddenly, Violet calls out to the two.
Violet the Arachne met Henry and the others while they were active as part of the Demon Lord subjugation unit and were exploring the Demon Lord's cave. Since then, they have been able to maintain a friendly relationship.
“Not just the Marcelo Company, there's the Class of 175, right? Eventually, the time will come when Jeanne and the others start trade.”
The Class of 175 has no direct transactions with monsters for now. However, since before becoming independent from the Marcelo Company, centered around Jeanne, they have mediated transactions with spirits and created triggers for trade with those including ghosts in other countries.
Violet herself frequently participates in banquets held at the Class of 175's farm.
“If there's a place that seems like it could have interaction, why don't you just take Jeanne and the others?”
Hearing those words, Eleanor's eyes sparkled.
“How about it? Henry. We've tried and failed many times to interact with the beastmen in the Royal Capital area, why don't we take Jeanne?”
“Hmm. That might be good. But it'll be difficult without at least a trigger.”
Beastmen are monsters.
They have an appearance very similar to humans, but their abilities are those of magic beasts plus powerful magic control power, and in individual combat, humans could never stand against them.
“Are you going somewhere? Take me too.”
Violet, who is included among beastmen in a broad sense, pulled Eleanor's sleeve.
“That's right. Putting aside beastmen for now, I'm planning to proceed with the re-exploration of that Demon Lord's cave soon, so why don't we go together with Violet?”
“Really! I'm definitely going!”
“Then, I'll call you.”
“Yeah! It's a promise!”
Violet was so happy she almost jumped and hugged Eleanor. Seeing that, Henry and the Goblin Elder looked at each other and then lightly matched their bowls and toasted.