Chapter 9 - Results of the Rat Extermination
The promised two weeks had passed. I had to report the results to Adolf-san.
Since Beowulf couldn't take time off from her gatekeeping duties, the report was scheduled for after lunch with just Beatrix and me. It worked out perfectly, as I had been at Marcelo-san's shop all morning helping with scroll-making.
"Don't you need to get back to the shop?"
"It's fine, it's fine. It doesn't matter if I'm a little late."
You really ought to take a page out of Beowulf's book once in a while. (T/N: Literally 'boil and drink the dirt from under Beowulf's fingernails,' an idiom meaning to follow someone's good example.)
When we were shown into the Mayor's office, Adolf-san welcomed us.
"Long time no see!"
Beatrix, as carefree as ever, gave a lighthearted greeting. We were offered the sofa, so I sat down with a polite "Thank you." I decided to ignore the fact that Beatrix was already seated.
After some small talk about the rat extermination, the Mayor asked about our results.
"You've worked quite hard, I see."
"Not bad, right?"
Beatrix puffed out her ample chest. I wanted to puff mine out too, but... I decided against it for some reason.
Our results for the two weeks were: six deployments, sixty-six rats exterminated, a daily high of fifteen rats, and a total reward of one gold coin and thirteen silver coins. We actually earned a gold coin. Even split three ways, it was a significant amount for someone like me who had just reached adulthood.
By the way, Beatrix's salary is apparently one gold and ten silver coins per month.
Hmm. She's a high earner.
"So, did we pass?"
Without any further preamble or small talk, she asked the question that mattered.
"Indeed. You pass."
Yes! We cleared it.
"That means we can go to the water source in the Northern Forest next week, right?"
"That is correct. It would be wise to go after you have made some preparations."
If he says we need to prepare, is it really that dangerous? Beowulf is fine since she has her Town Guard equipment, but the only gear Beatrix and I have are the used shields we got from Hans-san and our Class of 175 hemp sacks. I wonder how much gear costs. I have no idea about the price of weapons.
"Preparations... exactly what should we prepare?"
"You should ask Hans or Marcelo about that."
"Got it, I'll do that."
Beatrix gave a simple reply and started stuffing her face with the snacks that had been set out. This exchange was awfully casual; I hope it's okay.
"There is something I wish to ask. May I?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Did the size of the rats change at all? Were there any that were particularly large compared to the others?"
"I didn't measure them, so I don't know for sure, but they looked the same to me."
"I see," Adolf-san said, seemingly satisfied with something. I had no idea what he was getting at.
"And one more thing. Do you see insects in the sewers?"
When I think of sewer insects, only unpleasant things like cockroaches and centipedes come to mind. Beatrix looked over at me. It seemed she hadn't paid them any mind at all.
"We see them occasionally. They're gross, so we just drive them away with torchlight."
"Were there any large ones?"
By large... how large? I don't recall seeing anything particularly shocking...
"I don't think there were any that would make you jump in surprise."
"Is there something going on?" Beatrix suddenly bit into the topic.
"What do you think rats eat?"
"Leftover food?"
"Can you think of anything else?"
Ah, I see.
"Insects."
"Ho, it seems you've figured it out. Go on, tell me."
I've heard that rats eat insects. If the rat population decreases too much, the insects increase. However, in the sewers, some of them grow quite large.
When I told Adolf-san that, he praised me, saying I understood well.
Eh? Does that mean it's bad to kill too many rats? If the insects get too big, instead of a rat problem, we'll have to deal with an insect problem? I really don't want to fight cockroaches or centipedes.
"Now, a question."
Adolf-san cleared his throat and took on a formal air.
"When the number of rats is high versus when it is low, which scenario do you think leads to them growing larger?"
"The low scenario, obviously. Because they can eat more food."
"Correct," said Adolf-san.
"Then how about this? Naturally, a large rat is stronger than a small one. So, how would one predict whether there are large rats or small rats present?"
"I see. It's about whether the food—or rather, the living environment—is suitable. Therefore, if there is more food, or if the food is larger, the rats will grow larger and stronger. That's the answer, right?"
I couldn't keep up with the speed of Beatrix's mental gears.
At the word "Correct," Beatrix puffed out her chest.
"Setting aside those belonging to the Demon Lord's army, that is how one judges wild monsters."
"I see, I get it. Thanks. I'll keep an eye on the size of the insects from now on."
They really are like a grandfather and granddaughter, these two.
"Well then, I'll have you go on a rat extermination tomorrow, and starting next week for a while, let's set a ratio of two rat hunts and one forest trip per week. At your current pace, that should be fine."
"Alright! I'll do my best!"
I decided to voice the doubt I had felt earlier.
"Is it better if we don't kill too many rats?"
"I wonder," Adolf-san tilted his head.
"I do not know for certain. After all, there is no past precedent for the rat population plummeting. They usually hide inside the pipes. Therefore, lately, we have been exterminating them only to the extent that there is no change. If the number killed in one go is high, there should be no problem reducing the frequency. If it is low, we can increase the frequency."
"In other words, where the Town Guard used to go three times, we only need to go twice?"
"Yes. I believe that would be just right."
Wait? Is that an endorsement that we're more efficient than the Town Guard? Maybe I should brag to Hans-san!
"You're thinking something weird right now, aren't you?"
Oh, I wonder what you mean. Ehehe.
"Basically, the Town Guard was moderating the number of rats they killed, right?"
"Ho, you noticed?"
"Of course. They've been doing this for decades; it would be strange if we caught up to them in just two weeks."
Oh? Is that how it works? Man, I missed my chance to brag to Hans-san. What a shame.
"But why were they doing that?"
There's no need to hold back on purpose. If we can just reduce the frequency, we could just wipe them out all at once and then do other work.
"To be precise, it wasn't holding back; it was an investigation."
"An investigation into what?"
Adolf-san was looking at us with a smile. Ah, could it be...
"I don't suppose... you were investigating how many rats we'd have to kill per week before they started getting bigger?"
I just said the first thing that came to mind based on the conversation so far, but...
"To be precise, it was: if we can only exterminate roughly 'this many,' will there be a noticeable change in the number or size of the insects we see?"
I knew it.
"Beatrix? When did you first tell Adolf-san that we wanted to be monster hunters?"
"Eh? Right at the start of the year, I think?"
"And when did the investigation start?"
When I asked timidly, the answer was exactly as expected.
"Right at the start of the year."
In other words, they had been making arrangements to make it easier for us. Setting a benchmark for extermination in advance so that once we achieved it, we could move on to the next step...
How kind... I'm actually starting to tremble a little.
"Did the Town Guard know about this too?"
"Yes. Rat extermination is unpopular, after all. They agreed to it, saying they'd be happy if someone else took over the job."
Hans-san was cooperating too. Everyone else as well...
Wait, huh? Isn't that strange?
Beatrix seemed to have the same doubt.
"Did Beowulf know about this too?"
Adolf-san just kept smiling.
Beatrix and I looked at each other.
"That's a violation of the code!"