Chapter 740 - Third Story: The Demon Lord's Resurrecting Cave's Demon Realm ⑪ (Morandine) Outpost
"Jeanne! Put up a barrier around the King!"
"Yes! Light!"
Anyway, I have to protect the King. I made a triangular pyramid without a base and placed it over the struggling prince.
"Beatrix, put out a plate and scoop up the King."
"Yeah, yeah. Then I'll deactivate it for a moment... Wind Barrier!"
Wilson-san has already deployed a trapezoidal barrier without a base, tilted at an angle, over the surface of the water where the Boy King fell, so that the front and sides are protected. The monsters, seeing the enemies who suddenly attacked them drowning, are laughing loudly while firing arrows. Arrows and magic are fine. Throwing large stones and uprooted shrubs is something the Light walls can't bounce back. Ideally, we should protect them by flipping the bowl over, but that would completely cut them off. Other magic... for example, Holy for treating injuries... wouldn't be usable, so one side is left open. That open side is where we are. The monsters started running along the riverbank to get behind the wall instead of in front of it.
Above them, Eleanor-sama's bowl is floating, adding attacks toward the surrounding monsters. From our bowl, Will and Bonnie are also firing arrows.
The monsters are also counterattacking. Eleanor-sama protects our heads using a second wall, so it really helped. If the Fenrir's lightning fell near the drowning people, they would have been taken out all at once.
Beatrix maneuvered the plate and successfully scooped up the Boy King. Perhaps he swallowed water, as he's on all fours going 'geho-geho.' He must have mistaken being surrounded by the triangular pyramid for being captured, as he's raising his fist and pounding on it.
"Are you alright!"
When I shouted loudly, he seemed to hear. He looked this way.
"Please stay still! You're safe there!"
"H-Help me!"
"Please stay there! It's okay!"
Perhaps he felt somewhat relieved, as he stayed on all fours. However, he's still coughing 'geho-geho.'
Is he really okay?
While this was happening, Seldic's Second Son swam to the bowl.
Humans can swim while wearing chainmail. I didn't know that.
Since there are now two of them, I deactivated the triangular pyramid and made it for two people. Both of them are looking around at the walls from the inside. Seldic's Second Son even went so far as to lightly slash at it with a knife.
Naive. Something like that won't leave a single scratch.
While scooping up a third and fourth person, we managed to scoop up one bowl user. With this, Morandine will be able to move the bowl independently. Since the number of people increased, I deactivated the triangular pyramid so it would be easier to move.
"Your Majesty! The finishing blow!"
Henry-sama points at the weakened Fenrir and shouts at the top of his lungs.
The Boy King is staring at that figure blankly for some reason.
"Now, Your Majesty, the battle is not yet over. Please stand up."
Seldic's Second Son calls out.
The Boy King looked up blankly at the Second Son and shook his head 'furu-furu.'
"I-It's impossible. I cannot do it."
Don't tell me he's lost his nerve?
"I-I have no sword. That silver sword my father gave me, without that, I cannot fight. No, even if I had the sword, it's impossible. Let's withdraw."
Wh-What kind of cowardly thing are you saying! A good proportion of soldiers are fighting monsters with steel swords! Get some backbone and do it! In the first place, it's the result of you coming out because you were selfish when you should have stayed quietly in the Royal Palace!
I got angry and was about to complain to him, when Seldic's Second Son suddenly struck the Boy King.
"Get a hold of yourself! What is a little swallowed water from falling into the river!"
The Boy King was surprised and looked at the Second Son with his mouth hanging open.
The Second Son knelt on one knee and held the Boy King's shoulders as if to support him.
"Now, please stand. Your Majesty's standing figure is the Morandine Kingdom Army itself."
"I-Is that so."
He stands up as if pushed by the momentum.
There, the young master of the former Septanaquila King showed his face.
With a 'gachari,' he placed the sword he held in his right hand on the plate. He's still just showing his face from the water surface.
"Your Majesty, I have brought the sword. Now is the time; the Fenrir is weakened by the help of our allies. Now, please deliver the finishing blow."
Nice timing.
"Now, Your Majesty, the battle is just beginning."
It was when Seldic's Second Son picked up the sword and gave it to the standing Boy King. From Eleanor-sama's bowl, unlike before, Log Holies were fired in grand succession, mowing down the surrounding monsters one after another.
"I understand. I-I'll do it!"
He held the sword high. The silver, evil-shattering blade shone sharply.
"That's the spirit, Your Majesty!"
The surrounding soldiers cheered.
Beatrix, reading the room, moved the plate the Boy King was on and positioned it behind the Fenrir. Wilson-san also moved the barrier as if to protect the Boy King. I don't know who it was, but an arrow they fired stuck deep into its back. It's probably a Silver Arrow. If so, it might be Henry-sama. And I fired a Holy Lance from the side, aiming for the Fenrir's head. It's about mid-level. The Fenrir threw out its front legs that had been supporting its body. It's twitching and convulsing. If he's going to deliver the finishing blow, it's now.
The plate descended and pinned down the Fenrir's torso. Even though it's huge, it's already weakened.
While the Log Holies fired from above were chasing away the monsters in the area, the Boy King's sword was thrust deep into the Fenrir's neck.
Once the Boy King's first monster subjugation ended safely, we began to withdraw.
Fortunately, there were no deaths. There were three injured. Two who were hit by Orc arrows while struggling in the water, and one who fell onto a rock as a result of being thrown out with quite a bit of force. Since there wasn't much height, it ended with a broken arm. The Boy King swallowed water but had no injuries. Apparently, he didn't expect to be suddenly thrown into the river, and until Beatrix rescued him like scooping up a fish, he thought he was going to drown.
At any rate, we delivered the finishing blow to one Fenrir and obtained one pelt.
Various things happened, but as a result, the objective was achieved. That fact remained. And the Boy King's own sortie was also concluded with a result.
The Boy King seemed to have some thoughts about this sortie. Well, it would be a problem if he didn't. When the end of the operation was announced, he expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated and the soldiers of the fortress, and took a humble stance, asking for their continued support. The victory cry was led by the Chancellor, and all the soldiers of the fortress raised their voices in praise.
"When I return to the Royal Capital, I will do rat extermination. It seems I must work a little harder."
I think that's a good thing. Monster subjugation is only possible after mastering rat extermination.
"I will accompany you. It would be better to have someone experienced in rat extermination by your side."
"Because I have no experience, I will accompany you. Your Majesty, let us gain experience together."
The two Royal Guards offered to participate. Isn't that a bit too luxurious for support? Especially Seldic's Second Son, who was the main force of that Engrio.
"It is heartening that you will come, but aren't you too reliable?"
"Please rest assured. We will accompany you, but we will not interfere at all. We are only there for support."
Everyone was stunned by Seldic's Second Son's words.
"Sir! Are you serious?"
The other head of the Royal Guard was also surprised.
"I am perfectly serious; rat extermination is something His Majesty can do alone. Well, just in case, it would be better to have one beginner-level holy magic user and one elemental magic user each. Is there anyone around His Majesty's age?"
"Ah, if that's the case..."
There must be some back at the Royal Palace. Two or three names were mentioned.
"I see. Indeed. Then, we shall be the support. Shall we carry lanterns or torches?"
I don't know why, but they've gotten all fired up.
"Speaking of which, Jeanne-shikyou. Haven't you also started wanting to do rat extermination soon?"
"Eh? N-No, not particularly..."
"You don't have to be modest. I received a letter from my father. He said you maintain your physical and mental health through rat extermination."
I've never heard of such a health regimen! What kind of treatment is this!
"What, does rat extermination have such an effect? I didn't know that."
Your Majesty, it has no such effect. It's a rumor. A rumor.
"I hear the Bishop has given technical guidance to those engaged in rat extermination in Engrio. How about it? Could you show us a model in our country as well?"
He knows even that? Despite being father and son, aren't Engrio and Morandine thick as thieves?
"Is that so? Bishop. Could you teach me as well?"
Even the Boy King said it. Once it gets to this point, I can't refuse. Why does it turn out like this?
As a result of being pestered by the Boy King, only Beatrix and I from the Henry Party were to go to the Morandine Royal Capital and show a model of rat extermination. As a celebration for the Boy King's successful Fenrir subjugation, alcohol and food were served to all participants, and a vacation of three days in shifts—meaning six days total for the Henry Party—was granted. The Boy King has to return because he must be at the Royal Palace for the New Year's greetings. Apparently, they'll move the schedule forward by three or four days.
By the way, while we are doing rat extermination, the Henry Party will be sightseeing in the Royal Capital. They've got it easy.
After participating in a lavish and private celebratory banquet in the Royal Capital and resting comfortably in a guest room, we held an operational meeting in the royal presence the next day.
"How is it currently being handled?"
First, I try asking about the situation. Most countries have the guard units do it. The methods of the Class of 175 and King Seldic are special.
The Boy King looked at the Chancellor, perhaps not having a grasp of it.
The Chancellor is a so-called conservative, the head of the moderates who do not have ambitions like Sir Edgar.
"Currently, in the Royal Capital, we have the Royal Capital Guard apprentices patrol regularly. In our country, the guard units are composed of people from commoner backgrounds, and not just rat extermination, but monsters found around human dwellings are generally handled by the town or village guards."
It's a commission-based system, and the harder they work, the more their earnings increase, so everyone is reportedly participating actively.
"Jeanne-shikyou. Our country's guard units have the mission of cracking down on criminals and exterminating monsters living in familiar places. They are different from the military."
Seldic's Second Son explained for me.
The military is apparently a group composed of those from noble backgrounds. However, when commoners are called up as conscripts, the guard units are reportedly called preferentially. And if they achieve merit on the battlefield, unless something extraordinary happens, there is no appointment to knighthood, and they are reportedly rewarded with money. By the way, serfs apparently remain serfs for life.
"Then, do nobles basically not do it?"
"Not officially."
If it's 'not officially,' then they must be doing it behind the scenes.
"It's to gain practical experience. When they reach the age around adulthood, they pay money to be guided and complete their first campaign. Of course, it's not just rats. Other monsters are also targets. Rats are mostly for those from low-ranking families or those who can't afford the money for hunting."
For the Royal Family and high-ranking great nobles, it's a fox. When they become adults, they gather the knights and servants under their command and hunt in large numbers. If they successfully slay it, they are considered full-fledged, and a grand banquet is held. Come to think of it, in Sertoria, there was also a fox hunting ground exclusive to the Royal Family. It's the same everywhere.
The Boy King also tried to do Fenrir extermination with the same vibe as fox hunting.
At the site, there were people who would do rat extermination with the Boy King. They were people the Boy King had named, noble sons who had been chosen as his friends since childhood. There are three of them. One is an acolyte and uses holy magic. Holy. One is a warrior, and the other is a mage. They will eventually be appointed as close aides. All of them seemed sharp and were polite.
"These are Jeanne-shikyou and Beatrix from Sertoria, who will guide us in rat extermination this time. Both are heroes who participated in the Demon Lord subjugation unit and are knights of multiple nations. Rumor has it they are veterans who even hold the title of Dragon Killer."
The Second Son says unnecessary things. Just when the two older sisters were smiling and about to teach them kindly, they were completely intimidated.
"What, were you such veterans!"
Your Majesty? What are you doing being surprised.
In any case, what we do doesn't change. We just leave roasted chicken carcasses and exterminate the ones that gather.
The Morandine Royal Capital is about the same size as the Sertorian Royal Capital, and the size of the sewers is similar. It's about twice the size of Nakanohara. Of course, you can't enter the area around the Royal Palace from the outside.
I've been taught how to distinguish rat paths in Engrio. I have them show me a map of the sewers and explain the trapping spots on-site. The guard units who usually do rat extermination are also participating as observers and listening intently. Apparently, they've never used roasted chicken carcasses before. When I said it would be better to secure chicken carcasses for rat extermination, the Boy King gave instructions to have the town's eateries provide them.
"It's better to buy them cheaply since they'll be used for fertilizer."
"For fertilizer? I see. Then, let's do that."
I don't know if I'm trusted or if he's just honest, but it seems my words are turning into instructions as I say them. It's a bit scary, so I decided not to say too much. Since they'll probably have a meeting later, it seems better to talk including the representative of the guard units.
In the end, they apparently managed to exterminate nearly three times the usual number of rats. The guard units are also overjoyed. The Boy King and his warrior friend were struggling at first and were being helped by the two Royal Guards, but once they got used to it, they became able to slay them on their own. The way he wiped the sweat from his forehead after saying "I did it" was cool, precisely because he was originally a handsome man. His sword technique might be good. The two mages who challenged it together ran out of shots because the numbers were too high. The guard units worked hard for that portion. Beatrix also helped with Wind Cutter.
Since I was told to show a model performance, the next day Beatrix made a frozen block of the first swarm of rats we encountered, and I followed by firing Over Flow to wipe them all out at once; they looked at us with cramped faces. It seems I failed to become a kind older sister. Well, it's fine since both of us received Knight's Staffs.