Chapter 678 - Second Story: The Demon Realm of Former Septanaquila ③
The main force acted as a decoy to build a field fortification, the aerial support unit usually stayed hidden and appeared to raid monsters when they showed up, and the flank attack unit mainly crushed the sortie points of the flying monsters. In this way, we explored the surroundings while creating a base.
Just like in the morning, monsters attacked in small groups. It's similar to the Fire Dragon's volcano. After all, many were sent here by Teleport.
There are experimental results that the Lich once conducted in the Silver Mine. When monsters are jumped to a different environment by Teleport in groups of a few, each group tries to create an independent territory and live in that environment. Whether they take hostile actions between groups of the same species basically depends on whether another group invades their territory, but there's no problem if the distance between groups is kept. And if they are raised in a state where multiple species can see each other in a facility for a certain period, they apparently become fine even if their territories overlap slightly. The priority at that time just changes based on the strength of the individuals present. In that way, magic beasts are placed in a wide area at an almost equal ratio. Now in winter, they are moving to the surrounding areas in pursuit of prey. The fact that magic beasts attacked in small groups was also a result of that. The monsters that attacked in the afternoon operation were mostly highly mobile flying types. Those flying types also stopped flying in. There may be a relationship with the slope where the nests are, but with this, we can explore the central part relatively safely. In that way, the afternoon ended while we were building the field fortification and hunting magic beasts. The field fortification, made by burning and hardening the dug-up soil, seems to have been successfully completed.
From the second day onward, the main force began full-scale exploration. The flank support unit stayed in the field fortification for interception battles. We, the aerial support unit, were in charge of vigilance and support attacks above the field fortification.
Perhaps because the response on the first day was effective, the monster attacks clearly decreased in number. Above all, crushing the nests of the flying types was significant. Not a single one flew in. The ones that came were just a few Cerberus and a few Orthrus, about twice each. Presumably, the D-ranks either gave up, thinking they were no match, or we were able to eradicate everyone except those who had gone out to work outside the central part.
Of course, we did not neglect our vigilance. Led by Henry-sama, Harold-sama, Beowulf, Will, Bonnie, and Prince Charles were keeping a sharp eye out. Especially Prince Charles, who was being taught various things by Harold-sama so as not to miss any changes in a landscape that looked completely ordinary at first glance. Prince Charles is a truly serious and solid person. He is eagerly trying to learn what is called reconnaissance techniques. Thanks to that, Beatrix, Miana, and I could secretly use basic Thought Communication between the three of us and talk about the spring menu for Shop No. 4.
The change occurred on the fourth day. A report came from the main force that they had found a cave.
"It's here."
Harold-sama grins.
"Prince Charles. Finally, it's time."
"Yes. I'm itching for action."
It feels like we've come for Prince Charles's training.
However, just like the Fire Dragon's volcano, it's a temporary storage for magic beasts. The Demon Race had already been struck down, and the effect of the magic circle had already disappeared, so the magic beasts that were presumably trapped had disappeared. Since the bars of the jail were broken, they must have escaped. In the unbroken parts, there were only a few corpses. After burning the corpses with magic and sending them off, we just had to analyze the Teleportation Circle that was presumably used for moving the magic beasts.
"What, it's a letdown."
"Yes. It's disappointing."
"However, Your Highness. If we can analyze where the Teleport leads, we'll be one step closer to the enemy's home base."
"I see! That's right. I'll do my best."
Harold-sama and Prince Charles are disappointed, but it was something expected to some extent. However, of course, it wasn't certain, so we just took every precaution.
By the way, what kind of relationship do Harold-sama and Prince Charles have? When I asked Will out of curiosity, it seems that since Harold-sama became a non-regular of the Henry Party, he has been acting as a temporary tutor. Being a tutor for a royal family of a nation is a first-time experience for Harold-sama, and when he was asked, albeit temporarily, he apparently looked very happy. He must be enthusiastic. Of course, there are regular tutors too. It seems church priests have been doing it for generations. The current King's tutors are the Archbishop of the Royal Capital Great Church and the Headmistress. However, as a result of the Headmistress serving as one, the King and Prince Roberts became delinquents. I'm worried that the serious Prince Charles might be negatively influenced by Harold-sama.
Does achieving the goal in just four days mean it's over? No. At least, we have to subjugate monsters of D-rank or higher so that hunters can safely hunt foxes, wolves, and bears. And we have to crush the magic circle at the entrance. Presumably, the Demon Lord's army executives were all subjugated except for Number Six of the Northeastern Forest or someone like that. So, unless there are independent units... like the Dullahan of Northern Gram or the female demon of Engrio... we will subjugate them individually. The field fortification will function as a forward base from now on, and we will do monster hunting like Prince Roberts is doing in the Northeastern Forest. We will go to the largest Demon Realm on the White Island and explore the entrance side later, but before that, we will finish exploring the Demon Realm we are in now, and at the same time, hunt as many strong magic beasts of C and D-rank as possible. Since it's a mountainous area, it will be a target area for hunting and gathering. Whether we assign the scout team or the national army, it's better to make it so that hunting can be done safely.
The fifth day was devoted to the analysis of the Teleportation Circle and rest, and during that time, Miana and Prince Charles, who were of lower rank, received oracles in Medioland. As a result, Miana learned Blizzard. She has finally been promoted to an advanced mage.
"If possible, I wanted to become advanced in the fire attribute, though."
Even though she rose to advanced level, she has a gloomy face. Come to think of it, she participated in the monster extermination to learn advanced fire magic. This time, she mainly played the role of freezing the wings of flying enemies. This is because fire magic is easy to miss in aerial combat. Even against ground enemies, although it's covered in snow, it would be a problem if it became a forest fire. Unfortunately, there was no place to use fire.
"But you're advanced. Congratulations."
"Thank you. But, since I've come this far, I wonder if I can somehow learn advanced fire magic. You can't bake bread or sweets with ice magic."
"But since you've become an advanced mage, your magic control should also be advanced, right? Then, you should be able to adjust the firepower of Fire Ball better than before."
"Eh? Is that so?"
"Yes."
"I see. Yay!"
Eleanor-sama is smiling wryly. This part is very Miana-like.
Prince Charles learned two spells: Warm and Recovery. It was cold and he was tired. It's appropriate.
"If possible, I wanted to learn mid-level Holy, but I was still immature."
Even though he learned two at once, he also has a gloomy face. The reason he looks somewhat embarrassed is that they weren't spells with a direct effect on monster extermination, and his true feelings after completing his first battle were reflected in the magic he learned. Compared to life in the royal palace, it was cold and tiring. There was a craving.
"Your Highness. This time is an expedition. What is the most important thing in an expeditionary force?"
"Wouldn't it be logistics?"
"Exactly. Of course, logistics refers to water, food, fodder, and the replenishment and repair of weapons and armor, but taking warmth and recovering from fatigue even a little at the front line in winter is also fine logistics."
"I-I see."
"If those at the headquarters think it's cold, the soldiers at the front line are three times colder. If they think they're tired, they're three times more tired. In applying this experience to the future, the magic you newly learned will be a good lesson."
"I see. I understand. So this is what practical experience is."
"Exactly."
"Thank you very much. Harold-sama."
This might be a good duo in its own way. The one who knows the hardship of fighting at the very front line best would be a scout. Moreover, there's no glamour. In a country with a class system, there isn't even glory. It's definitely better for the general to be someone who can be mindful of such things. There probably won't be many battles in midwinter, but it's not like there are none at all. In times of need, no one needs someone who just mindlessly orders attacks without even winter equipment. They'll just lose. That's why Harold-sama was chosen as the tutor, even if temporarily.
From the sixth day onward, we moved through the southern mountain zone in two-day units, and while making the extinction of the flying types our main goal, we hunted magic beasts intently. The difference was that we didn't build field fortifications. They will apparently resume construction once the snow melts.
James-sama had divided the southern mountain zone into nine sections, and after the twelfth day ended, the exploration of the northern half was completed. Regarding the magic beast hunting, we also crushed the nests of the flying types within the identified range. The timing is good. Since the second stage of the operation will be after the recovery of the Northeastern Forest, we returned for now.
Miana learned Glaciate and became an advanced double-user. It's like she's following in Mary's footsteps. Prince Charles learned Defend and Resist. He's quite steady. He was eager to rise to mid-level, but it didn't happen. However, since he has now become a five-spell basic user, promotion is also in sight. Miana will not participate after April because she has Shop No. 4, but Prince Charles plans to participate continuously. The day he learns mid-level magic will be soon. By the way, Beatrix and I came up empty. For Beatrix, it's fine since she learned magic at the Earth Dragon's training ground, but for me, it's the second time in a row. As expected, it's tough without a B-rank.