Chapter 741 - Third Story: The Demon Lord's Resurrecting Cave's Demon Realm ⑫ (Morandine) Outpost
The morning after we returned to the fortress from vacation, it snowed in earnest. It stopped the following afternoon, but since it piled up firmly, it will probably become permanent snow. From here on, it seems the main focus will be the defense of the villages around the Demon Realm rather than investigation. Originally, it was an investigation into how many monsters emerge from the Demon Realm, but we can't just watch them attack the villages. Naturally, we exterminate them. That's the kind of investigation it is.
As a result of former heroes, heroes, and veterans who participated in the Demon Lord subjugation unit all getting serious to take down one Fenrir, the monsters have withdrawn into the forest and stopped coming out. If we dived down from the sky and made a surprise attack, we could probably take down a few, but since they've started to flee, it's difficult to get high numbers.
Currently, we've taken down over twenty Ogres, and about the same number of Cyclops and Trolls combined. Only two Fenrirs. And we've reportedly taken down nearly two hundred Orcs. It's about one-fortieth of the total.
It's still far from safe.
The investigation team patrols in bowls, but the Orcs and others are mainly active at night. Inevitably, the patrols became midnight ones.
Due to the Boy King's consideration, two Morandine bowls are participating, so there are now five bowl users.
The composition of the reconnaissance team is: the first group is the main force with Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, the Morandine Bishop, and two scouts. The second group is Wilson-san, Harrison-san, and four members of the Class of 175. The reason the second group is larger is that Beatrix flies a third bowl as a separate unit as needed. Taking advantage of the fact that there are no people from the Morandine side, we hide ourselves and fly very close to the forest. The composition at that time is Beatrix, Bonnie, and me.
The two Morandine bowls set up a base in the village closest to the southern edge of the forest and take turns patrolling the southern side, where there are the most monsters. Our two bowls are in charge of the east and west, and the second group was assigned to the west side.
And, separate from the reconnaissance team, a defense team was also established. Units were dispatched from the lords to the villages near the forest. Since they were units from the three directions that had been mobilized for this operation, it was simple. They just moved from the fortress to the villages. They had been deployed until now, but as a result of support funds being issued from the Royal Palace at the King's command, the number of personnel was significantly increased. For the villagers, it must be very reassuring.
Since the Harpies abandoned command, we assumed the behavior patterns would become like wild animals. We sortie at night when monsters are active. Since it's near the end of the year, it's close to a new moon. There is almost no visibility. The stars in the heavens boast their presence 'nigi-nigi.' We hid ourselves while blending into the darkness.
What we do is simple. Monsters aim for the villages' livestock and food. So, we patrol the midpoint between the forest and the closest village. It's not that wide an area. Like castle wall guards, we just go back and forth over the same spot.
The breath I exhale, illuminated by the lantern, is white.
"In this snow, wouldn't it be faster to just have a hot pot?"
Beatrix has already become impatient. She must have lost her patience with the monotony.
"We were told not to lure them with bait, weren't we?"
The investigation is the main focus. We need to investigate to what extent monsters emerge from the forest after losing their commander. Exterminating or chasing them away is after the monsters approach the village. That's what we were told.
"But anyway, they're going to come out, right? Just waiting for when they'll come is..."
I understand the feeling. In our case, we've basically set bait and waited in ambush.
"If the opponent is a somewhat large swarm, it won't go that easily."
It's Will. In this reconnaissance operation, Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san are basically drafting the plans, but Will is also participating. Originally, Wilson-san should be the one to speak, but when Will is there, he has Will explain. This must also be part of her training.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, at first it's a small number, but if they are repelled, reinforcements might come. It's not a full moon, but it's nighttime. Before long, it could trigger a large battle. When we are primarily on the defensive, it's not a good move."
In the unlikely event that four-digit numbers of monsters attack, we won't be able to hold them off without an army to act as a wall. The village would suffer damage.
"Hmm. That's certainly dangerous."
"There are ways to do it, though."
"How?"
"Prepare thoroughly and intercept them. Fortify the village and place sufficient military force. Use camouflage to make the opponent let their guard down. If we lure them that far and attack by surprise, we can deal considerable damage."
"Did you consider that line too?"
"Yeah, but the village would become a battlefield. Placing military force is also economically wasteful. Moreover, with this snow, pursuit is also difficult. It was shelved early on."
Apparently, they always consider everything from aggressive offensives to defense only.
"So, what we're doing now is the best?"
"Yes. Compared to what we do every year, an increase of about two hundred defense personnel across the whole area is enough. Moreover, the Church pays half the money. It's economical."
"Oh, I see."
According to Will, it's all about money, no matter what. Wilson-san and Harrison-san, who were listening to the exchange, greatly agreed and laughed out loud.
"They're here. They've come out of the forest."
Wilson-san found them immediately. Will quickly sends a message to the main force. The main force transfers each group and gives instructions as needed to unify the response. Apparently, units have habits, and by seeing through those habits, one can act ahead of the opponent. The point to note this time is how they've changed from a unit to a swarm. We have to grasp that. Well, it's something Eleanor-sama and the others think about.
"They really come."
Beatrix is surprised.
Monsters come on the first night after snow piles up. In the interview surveys in the villages around the forest, there is such a legend. It usually piles up a few days before the end of the year. When that happens, on the first night after it stops falling, they reportedly come in quite a high proportion despite it being near a new moon. I've been doing monster extermination until now, but I've heard this for the first time.
"Harrison-san. In our village, do monsters come like that when it snows?"
She seems to have become worried because they really came just like the legend says. Every year, we spend the winter in Nakanohara. However, just in case something happens, we do ask the bandits about the situation. They shouldn't have been attacked by a swarm.
"No, there is no such thing. There is no particular change."
"I see, that's good."
She's letting out a sigh of relief, but what's the difference?
"It might be like animals."
It's Harrison-san.
"Animals?"
"Indeed, cats hate snow, but dogs rejoice. It might be something like that, where some of the monsters in this forest get excited by the snow."
"If you say dogs, is it the Fenrir?"
"It might be so. There are no Fenrirs around our village."
Fenrirs are not in areas where humans live. If anything, they are in places called the Demon Realm.
Fenrirs are proud, strong, and cool, but if they rejoice at seeing snow as Harrison-san says, they might unexpectedly have a cute side.
It's fine that Fenrirs rejoice at seeing snow. It's not good that monsters have started moving. We have to take measures.
First is grasping the enemy's strength, but since Wilson-san is here, it was simple. About thirty Orcs. Wait, eh? There's no Fenrir.
"The Fenrirs' placement is deep in the forest. It might take time for them to come out."
Come to think of it, they weren't originally around the pond near the outer edge. Moreover, we've already taken down the Ogres and big brutes around the pond.
"It's fine that the Orcs came out of the forest, but it doesn't look like they're attacking anywhere."
"What does it look like?"
"It looks like children playing."
Apparently, they are diving face-first into the snowfield with their arms spread wide, having snowball fights, and rolling snowballs to make big ones. It seems they've come out to a wide area instead of staying in the forest to play in the snow.
"It wasn't Fenrirs, but unexpectedly Orcs."
Harrison-san is also chuckling.
"They also originally have human parts. Those kinds of things might also remain."
Wilson-san is smiling as if to say it's heartwarming.
"What shall we do? If they're just playing, there's no problem, right?"
"Hmm. Let's suggest to Eleanor-sama that we watch the situation until they approach the village. There's no point in attacking carelessly and creating a reason for conflict. Wilhelmina, I'm counting on you for the message."
"Understood."
While Will is sending the message, we watch the monsters' behavior. That said, only Wilson-san is watching, and I can't see them.
"From a distance, to me it only looks like monsters are rampaging."
"Is that so?"
Even Harrison-san is like that. Because I heard from Wilson-san that they are playing in the snow, the barking I hear also sounds cheerful, but if not for that, it would just be barking.
"Perhaps the idea that monsters attack on the first night after snow piles up is a human misunderstanding."
I see. It's possible. However, if they come near the village in that state, anyone would think it's an attack. Unless you have an acquaintance who can see through the darkness like Wilson-san, you'd never know they were playing.
"Beatrix. Shall we try making a barrier with Glaciate?"
"Fine, but here?"
"No, let's get a little further away from the Orcs. If we stand out, they'll come to see."
"We don't need much height, right?"
"Right, about twice their height should be enough. Instead, we need length."
"Okay. I'll do what I can, so check it for me."
"Got it."
And so, it was decided to make a temporary barrier. I had a feeling it would turn out that way. It's probably Eleanor-sama's barrier sales operation.
For prior notification, we show ourselves and fly to the village. It would be a problem if they were told that an ice wall surrounding the village suddenly appeared. Eleanor-sama has already been contacted, and she replied that we should definitely do it. A message should have gone to the village defense commander as well.
As we approached the village, when I drew a circle with the lantern, they also drew a circle. When we approached just like that, two sentry soldiers were holding their hands over the small lantern flame in the cold to warm themselves. They are likely regular army, as they are wearing cloaks, probably wool.
"G-Good work, m-ma'am!"
He can't speak properly because of the cold. I hurriedly cast Warm for them.
"Thank you. I feel like I've come back to life."
"Thank you, Bishop. I thought I was going to freeze to death like that."
Now that they could talk, I explained the situation.
"Orcs playing in the snow?"
"Yes."
"But..."
It must be hard to believe. And even if they are playing, I don't really know what should be done. At most, just not relaxing the guard.
"Please watch the situation for a while longer. Bishop Harrison, could you stay here with Jeanne and hear stories from the villagers? The Elder or elderly people would be good."
"Understood. Will you go like this?"
"I will go on reconnaissance after making the barrier as mentioned earlier. If anything happens, I will contact you immediately."
"That's hard work. Take care."
"Yes. Thank you."
Wilson-san said so and flew off again.
I have one of the sentries guide me to the commander who was dispatched to the village. The commander was at the village headman's house, so it was just right. Harrison-san asked about the monsters' movements at the end of the year.
"There is someone who went on watch last year, so I'll call him."
The person called after saying that was a man who looked like a hunter.
"Well, I heard barking in the pitch blackness, so I just reported it to the village."
In the village, there were soldiers dispatched by the lord. The soldiers are twenty heavy cavalry and ten archers. One ballista. Every year, there are only about ten monsters, so they've managed with that number. In addition, the village guard, hired hunters, and a self-defense force organized by the village youth join in. In terms of combat power, it should be sufficient. They rang the church bell, lit bonfires, and prepared for battle. Apparently, this was also a yearly occurrence. There, the Orcs attacked while howling.
"How brave."
Harrison-san, after finishing the story, first praised those who fought.
"It is the duty of a knight. So far, we have repelled them all before they entered the village."
They reportedly take down about ten every year. The commander puffs out his chest, and the village headman praises him.
"Splendid."
"It is an honor to be praised by Bishop Harrison."
"By the way, what is the extent of the damage?"
"It's a fierce battle in the dark. Including hunters and villagers, about five die every year. Nearly double digits are seriously injured. It is a pitiful thing."
Fifteen casualties to take down ten. If it weren't nighttime, they could have worked a bit harder.
"May I and Bishop Jeanne offer prayers for those who fought bravely?"
"Those are grateful words. Please, we ask of you."
I chant along with Harrison-san's prayer. Everyone present chanted along.
"By the way, about tonight."
"Yes. We heard that monsters have already come out of the forest. And several times the usual number. Fortunately, our military force here has also increased by His Majesty's command. It is an honor as a knight to be able to fight under the orders of the famous Henry-sama and the strategist Eleanor-sama. We will sortie at any time."
"About that, Eleanor-sama is apparently considering staying on standby and letting it pass this time."
"Standby? Why?"
"Currently, to prevent the monsters from coming to the village, the Henry Party is making a barrier with ice magic. We intend to block the monsters for one night with that and make them give up."
"Make them give up... the monsters? Ah, no, I don't mean to doubt you, but I thought it was passive for Eleanor-sama, who is good at aggressive offensives."
"Indeed. I thought so too. The resourcefulness of Eleanor the Strategist is something that a humble monk like me cannot even imagine."
"T-True. That's right."
The commander nodded with an expression that said, 'This is what it looks like to be bewildered.'