Chapter 49 - Subordination
"Now, are you ready? Let's go!"
Bathed in the rays of the newly risen sun, I walked along the beast trail with the Headmistress. Our destination was the goblin stronghold, located even deeper than the cave where we fought yesterday.
How did it come to this?
While living with the goblins, Robinson-san had grown attached to them. He said that if he could be forgiven, he wanted to live in the mountains with the surviving goblins at their stronghold... the burrow we attacked was apparently just a temporary nest.
However, that stronghold is apparently known to a suspicious group, including the Red-Eyed Man. If they get caught by those people, we'll just be back at square one.
So, what to do?
The answer Adolf-san came up with was relocation.
We just need to move the goblin nest so the Red-Eyed Man doesn't find it. At the same time, we'll confirm the whereabouts of Robinson-san's family, and if things go well, we'll abduct... I mean, invite... no, is 'abduct' the right word here?... them to Sertoria.
That way, everyone can live safely. Or so he said.
Once the move is successfully completed, the goblins will work under Robinson-san's command. In exchange, their safety and a stable life will be guaranteed. Those are the terms.
Apparently, the work he wants the goblins to do is digging holes. Eventually, it'll be mine development.
I've heard that mining is heavy labor. Moreover, many people die from cave-ins or fall ill due to the poor air quality in the tunnels.
It's said that the majority are convicts serving their sentences. While some choose it voluntarily, many seem to be there because of debts or other circumstances.
We'll have the goblins take over that work. Since they live underground anyway, they should be able to manage just fine. If it becomes clear that they are being useful to humans, perhaps harmony will eventually grow between humans and goblins, and then we can coexist...
The group consisted of sixteen people in total. Three hunters, including Angus-san, who had been conducting the spider investigation. Five guards from McBurn-san's squad who had fought the goblins with us. Of course, Beowulf was there too. Four people from the Marcelo Company. Angelica-san was on babysitting duty again this time. And then the Headmistress and Emily-sensei.
The Headmistress was there in case the Red-Eyed Man appeared. Emily-sensei was there to look after the Headmistress.
Originally, the teachers weren't involved, but the Headmistress forced her way in.
Even though everyone told her to stop, she wouldn't listen, saying she didn't need any reward.
"He's the opponent who almost killed Adolf, right? If there's such an interesting... no, powerful enemy, how could I not go?"
No one could stop the Headmistress, who was unusually enthusiastic, and we couldn't think of anyone else who could beat the Red-Eyed Man. Everyone reluctantly agreed.
The compromise Jennifer-sensei proposed was to take Emily-sensei along, and to ensure that the reward for the two of them was properly paid as a donation to the orphanage.
I didn't know why Emily-sensei was going, but since she was a former hunter, she must be good at mountain trekking.
And then there was Priest Williams and Robinson-san.
The so-called mages were only Paul-san and Beatrix. Paul-san aside, Beatrix is a novice mage. Five warriors, three archers, five former or current priests, and one monster tamer. It felt like the balance was a bit off, but I suppose it would be fine with the Headmistress there.
We used the Teleportation Circle again to reach the mountain hut. We had only rested for one night in Nakanohara.
It seems they want to finish everything before Angus-san and the others' investigation period ends.
To be honest, I didn't want to come. I have to do the rat extermination for the sake of the Nakanohara townspeople too.
However, I was told that if we finish the job safely, each person would get one gold coin. Furthermore, if we exterminate monsters other than goblins during the operation, we'd get extra for that.
"This case had a small reward compared to the trouble, didn't it? I intend this as compensation, so won't you accept?"
When told that by Adolf-san, who has looked after me in many ways since my orphanage days, I couldn't refuse.
It's definitely not because I was blinded by a single gold coin.
"One gold coin per person isn't bad."
"That's right. If anything happens, the Headmistress is here. Let's just watch from a safe distance and take the money. It's much better than rat extermination, isn't it?"
I decided to pretend I didn't hear the two lazy mages saying things that were far removed from the words 'service' and 'labor.'
By the time we arrived at the temporary goblin nest we had blown up, the sun had risen to a good height.
Angus-san said that a mountain stream flows ahead, and that's the final point of the spider investigation.
However, according to Robinson-san, the target stronghold is further north from that stream, deeper into the wilderness.
In other words, it's a place where even hunters who hunt bears don't go.
Robinson-san said he didn't encounter any particularly major monsters. That said, these are the words of a man who was with a goblin pack and spiders. It's probably better not to rely on them too much.
As we advanced further from the temporary nest, we did indeed see a mountain stream. Both banks were cliffs—not sheer precipices, but quite high.
We plan to camp on this side tonight and cross over first thing tomorrow morning.
According to Paul-san, hunters basically don't go beyond that flow. Beyond the stream is the territory of monsters. Humans don't step foot there unless it's something extraordinary. In other words, this time qualifies as something extraordinary.
While the guard squad set up tents to build a base, the hunters split up to catch prey in the river and woods. The Class of 175 and the teachers walked around looking for edible plants and branches for the campfire.
As expected of professionals in that field, materials were gathered easily.
We ate grilled fish and bird while gnawing on the bread we brought. Drinking water was also plentiful. On top of that, the Headmistress set up a monster-repelling barrier. It seems we only need a fire watch while sleeping.
I didn't think we could camp so easily in a forest far from human habitation. Beatrix was even snoring while she slept.
We set out when the sun began to shine.
First, we had to cross the mountain stream.
We managed to climb down the cliff of the stream and cross the flow. Then, we climbed the cliff on the opposite side... while everyone, including the Headmistress, used a single rope to climb up and down, Beatrix and I were wrapped up like luggage, lowered down the cliff while suspended, carried across the river, and then pulled up the cliff on the opposite side... we proceeded deeper into the forest.
As usual, I was made to walk through the dark forest, stepping on undergrowth and jumping over mossy tree roots, unsure if there was even a path.
Then, we came out into an open area. A large tree had fallen over, and a sunlit spot had formed there as if a hole had been poked in the canopy.
"Let's have lunch around here."
Angus-san sat down in the shadow of the fallen tree. After calling out to us, he looked into the depths of the forest. The hunter on lookout duty climbed a nearby tree nimbly. He'll probably eat his lunch up in the tree.
We all sat down as if hiding in the shadow of the fallen tree and spread out our lunches. Bread, cheese, and honey wine diluted with water.
First, I moistened my throat with a sip and took a breath.
Up until now, I had been trying my best just to keep up.
While tearing off bread and tossing it into my mouth, I looked around and realized, belatedly, that the atmosphere of the forest had changed.
The leaves of the trees were blackish. Not just the leaves. The color of the bark, the soil, and the grass on the ground were all black. Even the flowers had dark colors. Many of the tree trunks and branches were twisted.
If I had to give it a name, it could only be the Forest of Magic.
"Since there are rare medicinal herbs around here, let's pick some on the way back."
Paul-san was saying something lighthearted, but this was no time for that. Those with bows, including Amy-sensei, were eating their lunch with one hand without letting go of their bows.
Beatrix and I sat right next to the Headmistress.
Because when we set out, Jennifer-sensei told us not to leave the Headmistress's side.
When I asked if we would be a burden, she told me it would be fine as long as the Demon Lord didn't show up.
"Headmistress. If you'd like, would you like some honey wine diluted with water?"
"Oh, thank you. How thoughtful of you."
The Headmistress seemed happy to be surrounded by us graduates, eating with a smile.
"Have you ever ventured this deep before?"
"No, never. The atmosphere feels different, doesn't it?"
"It's a nice atmosphere. Being in a deep forest makes me feel full of vitality."
I felt like something was off, but I suppose it's fine if she likes it.
Somewhere far away, I heard a strange voice.
"A bird. It sounds quite lively."
Headmistress, you're not going to catch and eat it, are you?
With a clack, a stone rolled down. Looking up, the hunter in the tree was making some kind of hand signal.
I didn't quite understand, but seeing him show the number seven, it seemed like seven of something were approaching.
Angus-san slowly climbed onto the fallen tree.
"We have guests."
Suddenly, Paul-san stood up, sat next to Angus-san, and notched an arrow to his bow. The guard squad formed a circle as if to surround us.
"What appeared?"
When Robinson-san asked, the reply was 'Wolves.'
"In that case, could you leave it to me?"
He abruptly stood up on the fallen tree.
"If it's wolves, it'll be fine."
Saying so, he began to mutter something under his breath.
"[Skill: Subordination]!"
Robinson-san thrust out both palms toward the direction where the wolves were likely lurking and activated his magic. There was no change in appearance.
With a thud, Robinson-san landed on the ground and approached the bushes just like that. After walking a certain distance, he pointed to the ground.
To my surprise, a single wolf that emerged from the bushes sat down where Robinson-san pointed. After that, wolves appeared one after another and gathered around Robinson-san.
I involuntarily gasped. This is the power of Subordination...
The wolves were sitting around Robinson-san. They were just like trained dogs.
"Priest Jeanne. Please come here."
"Eh?"
I was suddenly called. Why me...
When I looked at the Headmistress, she nodded. When I looked at Beowulf, she said it was okay. When I looked at Paul-san, he pointed in the direction of the wolves. When I looked at Beatrix, she jerked her chin toward the wolves.
Do I have to go?
Somehow, I managed to get behind Robinson, and it might have been my imagination, but all the wolves were looking at me. No, no matter how I thought about it, they were looking at me. Did I do something to offend them...
"Lend me that bag."
When I handed over the storage bag I was carrying on my back as told, Robinson-san suddenly thrust his hand into my bag.
"W-Wait! Taking a woman's belongings without permission..."
What he pulled out was a hunk of dried meat.
I had received it from Owen-san, but I had left it in my room without finding a use for it. I brought it because I heard we'd be camping out this time.
Based on a large hunk of meat, it was made with a method brought by someone who traveled to the eastern edge of the continent, and apparently, he was asked to make it for military rations. It seems it was made by repeatedly smoking and pounding it until it was a size that would fit in a bag, and it's supposedly a delicacy where you can make a delicious soup just by cutting off a piece and boiling it in hot water.
"What? That girl. Does she always carry something that big around? She's quite greedy, isn't she?"
"Umu. For someone so slender, she's a big eater."
Beatrix and Paul-san were whispering loud enough for me to hear.
"Um, other people's luggage... at least... well... please ask for permission..."
Out of sheer embarrassment, my knees gave way...
Robinson-san, oblivious to my feelings, took out a knife and cut a piece about the size of a handful from the hunk of meat.
He brought it to the mouth of the largest wolf. The one that had approached first.
After a moment's hesitation, it took the dried meat in its mouth and began to eat.
Seeing that, the other wolves began to howl.
I almost fell over backwards.
Told to help, I was made to hold the pieces Robinson-san had cut in both hands.
Told to give them to the wolves, I timidly brought one to the mouth of a nearby wolf.
It ate it quietly!
Told to pet it, I sat down and stroked it; it wasn't much different from a dog. The area around its neck was fluffy. It felt good to touch it there.
I started to feel somewhat happy and gave them treats and petted them one after another.
By the time the dried meat was all gone, they had become completely attached to me.