Chapter 581 - Fourth Story: Place of Origin
"By the way, I hear Bishop Jeanne is doing monster extermination."
In the middle of having lunch in the guest room, Yorg-sama brought it up. While I was looking at the scroll left by the first King, what I, a user of light magic, usually do apparently became a topic.
"Yes. Basically, I make a living out of monster extermination."
"Then, have you ever exterminated wolves?"
Well, I do it on a daily basis.
"Actually, in a place not so far from here... let's see, about two hours by carriage. A pack of wolves has appeared there."
"Yorg!"
The Archbishop is glaring.
"Well, it's fine, isn't it, Uncle? Father and my older brothers are in the Royal Capital with the main knights."
It seems his older brothers usually do the monster hunting. Information was received from the subjects that livestock had been attacked, but he is likely uneasy by himself. He asked me to help.
"Since it's my livelihood, if I can receive an appropriate reward..."
"How much would it be?"
Wolves are E-rank, so it's two silver coins per head. It'll be split, so it also depends on how many people participate.
"It's quite a large pack, seemingly over ten. The boss is also a big one. I'm thinking of gathering about fifty people, centered on hunters and soldiers."
There's almost no profit. Even estimating generously at fifteen wolves, it won't even be one silver coin per person.
"Then, shall we try the setup I usually do? This time, for free is fine as a special case."
If I have chicken carcasses, it'll be fine. After that, it's the silver coins to stick to the arrowheads. In that regard, he's a noble, so it should be fine. Unfortunately, I can't hide my presence, but well, if it's wolves, we'll manage somehow.
"Is that true? By all means, please."
We can be back by night. Harris-sama also gave the OK, and since we're staying at Yorg-sama's mansion, it should be fine.
As a result of the consultation, the participants were the Sertoria group and Sianya. In addition, saying that if Sianya-sama is participating, the crew of the hospital ship also participated, and adding Yorg-sama's guard soldiers and temporarily recruited hunters, it really became a total of fifty people. Cadogan-sama and Lloyd-sama ended up staying at the church as they were.
If possible, I want to be back by the time the sun sets. After finishing the briefing quickly, gathering chicken carcasses, and preparing silver coins, we set off on twenty cavalry, one carriage, and two horse-drawn wagons.
Sertogne only has mountainous areas around the tip of the peninsula; otherwise, it's lacking in elevation. Forests spread here and there, but otherwise, there are plains and mounds that can't even be called hills. The coast was a series of rough landscapes with cliffs, but peaceful farmlands are spreading. Forests also remain quite a bit, and more than half of the landscape is forest. Magic can be used, even if it's two ranks lower than on the White Island. There's likely no need to cut down many trees.
Following behind Yorg-sama, who goes at the front, along the highway, there were people doing farm work. When Yorg-sama on horseback goes down the road, everyone calls out to him. Yorg-sama, for his part, lightly raises his hand and returns something.
"Since Yorg-sama is wearing leather armor, they seem to be worried."
"Do they think a war is near?"
"No, they seem to think Yorg-sama will be killed by the wolves."
I had Hermit-sama translate, and he is thought to be considerably weak. Those who are shouting are apparently asking the following soldiers to protect Yorg-sama. I can also see an old woman-like person kneeling and offering prayers.
The knights surrounding the carriage are all laughing. Some are apparently replying things like "Leave it to us." The hunters on the wagon and the supporting soldiers are also all laughing.
"It's rare for someone to be so worried about by their subjects over something like wolves. There might not be another example."
At Harris-sama's words, I almost burst out laughing. Of course, I'm not making fun of him. The fact that he is adored is admirable. But... looking at Yorg-sama, who is scratching his head and smiling wryly, I end up laughing after all.
Going down the road in the middle of the fields, going down the road in the middle of the grassland that seems to be a grazing land, and going down the road in the middle of the wasteland, a forest came into view. Once inside, it was dense, and it certainly wouldn't be strange if monsters appeared. After being shaken in the carriage for nearly half an hour just like that, a cabin came into view. Surely, the hunters use it as a base. Everyone gets off and gathers in front of the cabin.
"The confirmed wolf pack crossed the wasteland we just passed and attacked the livestock in the grazing land. If we don't exterminate them early, the damage will only increase. To protect the lives of the subjects, I expect everyone's best efforts."
The knights answer Yorg-sama's greeting, and the supporting soldiers and hunters chant in unison.
"Now, I will introduce the people who have come from the White Island to support us this time. First is Bishop Jeanne-sama. As you all know, she is the creator of the magic water that cures the epidemic, and is a famous person who participated in the Demon Lord subjugation unit and was awarded a medal. Since she is a super-high-level mage, she will be using intermediate Holy here."
Because he said unnecessary things, the soldiers and hunters were stirred up.
However, except for Hermit-sama, who is hiding his identity, everyone participated in the Demon Lord subjugation unit, and Sianya, who was introduced last, is a princess. There's Holy and there's Heal. Since Mary is here, she can produce water, and since Hermit-sama is here, treating the injured is a specialty. Morale rose suddenly.
Next, silver coins and glue were distributed to the people with bows. This is to stick the silver coins to the arrowheads to make them anti-demon equipment. The hunters, who at first thought it was an advance payment of the reward, were surprised when they heard the reason.
"It's the trump card of the hunters on the White Island. It has no effect on normal animals, but if it hits a magic beast, it should deal considerable damage."
They didn't seem to know, as they were looking back and forth between my face as I explained and the arrowheads with silver coins attached.
"It's not an advance payment of the reward, so use them without hesitation. Allowances will be given separately."
At the same time, one silver-white arrowhead from the quiver Yorg-sama brought was distributed to each person. Morale rose even further.
"To save the trouble of searching, Bishop Jeanne-sama will now explain the procedure for luring the wolves. Listen well and make sure there are no oversights."
And so, the barrels filled with chicken carcasses were lowered from the wagon.
"Will they be caught with this?"
Yorg-sama spoke to me.
It's just that I grilled a barrel's worth of chicken carcasses over a fire and hung them from a tree branch in a place I walked into from the cabin. He probably doesn't think magic beasts will be caught with such a simple setup. With normal traps, magic beasts only take the bait and don't get caught in the trap. So, you defeat them when they approach the bait in combat.
We wait for a while. Since it's summer, the days are long. That said, if it takes too much time, we'll end up staying at the mountain cabin. Well, that would be fine too. Since it's summer, it's hot. I want to take a bath if possible, I was thinking, when Hermit-sama, who is next to me, pulled my sleeve. At the same time, he slowly pulls the rope hanging at hand.
They're here. I grip my staff.
Gray Wolves. There are four. Which means there are more waiting behind. They're surely hiding in the shade of the trees and watching.
For a while, they looked around here and there, but as if relieved, one put its front paws on the tree where the chicken carcasses were hanging and stood up. Just like that, it bit into them and dragged them down, then began to eat with a crunching sound.
One howls "Waon waon." Three more came out from the shade of the trees. One of them is surprisingly a Fenrir. However, it's small. Compared to the ones seen on the White Island, it's about two-thirds the size. Fenrir on the White Island cast high-level lightning magic, but this one might be basic.
I see, no wonder it would take a large number of people. Without anti-demon equipment or magic, one wouldn't be able to win against a Fenrir.
I take aim at the Fenrir.
I'll finish it off in one go. An eight-shot volley. Since it's an 'over' super-high-level. It should have power on par with high-level.
"Holy!"
I cast it from diagonally above and slammed the Fenrir into the ground. At the same time, Hermit-sama finished one off with a stone throw. The wolves all looked this way and barked at us. By that time, dozens of arrows fired by our allies rained down, striking down the wolves one after another.
While the wounded ones were groveling and yelping "Kyan kyan," Hermit-sama stopped their movement with stone throws. It's a one-hit kill aimed at the head. Following up, I cast Holy... I'm using high-level-equivalent magic control... to be doubly sure. In the meantime, the second volley of arrows flew, and we successfully wiped them all out.
I climb down from the tree I had climbed, catching the rope. One escaped, but we defeated six, including the Fenrir. To be sure, I touch their hearts to confirm they are dead.
"Jeanne, I don't think there's only one Fenrir."
"Right. I think so too."
"Let's lie in wait at the mountain cabin."
"Yes. Understood."
Hermit-sama said as he wound the used rope into a loop, and I agreed. Monsters hit back if you hit them. If we don't intercept them somewhere, damage will occur in the village. The mountain cabin was about half an hour's walk away. It'll be just right.
The allies who had been lurking in the trees in three directions came over. Phillips-sama, Harris-sama, and Yorg-sama and Mary are each leading them. I had them stay in a distant place so as not to be noticed by the wolves, and had them fire arrows at the same time I cast Holy. Accordingly, I had those who are used to seeing it keep watch so as not to miss the light of Holy.
"That was splendid magic. And, please forgive me for doubting Bishop Jeanne's plan even a little."
Yorg-sama knelt down.
"No, it's because you didn't know."
I found out by chance that wolves that don't get caught in a pot will get caught by chicken carcasses. Rats and foxes got caught, so I tried it half-desperately and they got caught. But, it's not the time for that.
"Um, do Fenrir often attack livestock?"
"By Fenrir, you mean?"
Ah, that's right, the name is different.
"This big wolf. On the White Island, we call them Fenrir."
The original Fenrir is a tremendous existence from the legends of the country famous for pirates. Since it's strong, I think they named it after that legend. Also, that resolute atmosphere is cool.
"I see. Fenrir, is it? It's certainly larger compared to other wolves."
Yorg-sama said while pulling the pointed ears, but actually, it's not the time for that.
"Um, I don't think there's only one Fenrir."
"Well, I suppose so. Usually they'd be a pair."
"Yes. There are surely other companions, and they will definitely come for revenge."
"I-Is that true!"
Monsters hit back if you hit them. One escaped, so it's better to deal with it quickly. I called out to everyone and we quickly did the post-processing and decided to intercept them. For now, we skin them. We dig a hole and offer a funeral service. The hunters all chanted in unison. It's the same in every country.
"Why do you offer a funeral service for monsters?"
"Because monsters and humans are the same living things."
"I see, is that so. Then, I will too."
Yorg-sama knelt in front of the place where they were buried and offered a prayer. The lord's family is doing it. Everyone following him imitated him.
Seeing that, the hunters are smiling and making eye contact with each other. There's a reason he's adored by his subjects.
We return to the mountain cabin base. Since there are several horses, we left guards. Sianya and several knights. After all, it's the protection of a princess of a country. The knights are stretching their noses but are enthusiastic.
When I explained the situation, they were full of spirit. When I explained the plan, being soldiers, their handling was good, and they immediately entered preparations.
"By the way, are Fenrir often seen around here?"
If there are many of that level, this forest would be a demon realm for the people around here. I asked Yorg-sama, who had been knocked over by a large axe for felling trees and was driven away by the knights.
"According to the hunters, it's whether they appear once in ten years. This year might be a 'hit' year."
Are there 'hits' and 'misses' for magic beasts? I don't know well, so I call the oldest person among the hunters.
"Ah, that one, it seems they are originally further north. Around where the mountains are. It seems they moved around here before we knew it. They weren't here last year, so I wonder if they came around this summer."
Fumu. Fenrir have many children, after all. Surely, those who became independent moved here.
"Could it be that they are also being found in the forests from that northern mountain range to here?"
"You understand well. That's right. This summer."
Since the north is close to the Royal Capital, the Royal Guard protecting the King apparently set out and exterminated them. On the other hand, local lords lack manpower because they were mobilized for the war. They likely couldn't subjugate them.
When I asked various things, they are confirmed here and in one other place. If so, I should have them learn Fenrir extermination here and have it be useful for the subjugation of the next place.
"As expected of someone who does monster extermination on the White Island."
"Since it's my livelihood."
"Alright. I'll pass on what I learned here to the folks next door."
"Please do."
"Well, the reason Yorg-sama brought the Bishop is likely to have us learn such things."
The person in question has tangled the tether of the horse tied to the wagon and is being driven away by the knights. He himself is on a horse. I don't know what he did to make it like that.
"He's quite a clumsy person, but he seriously thinks about us subjects. Even this wolf hunt, elsewhere the father or older brothers who are the heads of the family would do it after they return. It would be terrible if he or the guard knights were injured, after all. Even if the livestock were killed in any number. Yet, he said he would do it. We opposed it at first. Because those wolves can't be easily taken down."