Chapter 99 - Chapter 2: Snowy Field
I dig a snow cave and hide inside. After the Happy New Year party of the year 191 of the Sertoria Kingdom calendar ended, I ended up spending time in a silver world covered in snow that fell from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year. Many trees have no leaves. Only here and there do the branches of pines and cedars look black. The forest under the cloudy sky is as silent as if it were dead.
Beatrix, who had poked her head outside, immediately pulled it back and came inside.
"As expected, it's cold outside. Do monsters really come out in this?"
She's complaining already.
"It is precisely at times like this that they appear. Monsters do not hibernate, so they have no food. At this time of year, they easily bite at bait."
The snow cave, made by digging a hole and hardening the upper half of the walls and ceiling with snow, was comfortable inside. We made a pot with magic fire and waited for the arrival of prey while warming our bodies by drinking mead.
The entrance protrudes outward so that snow doesn't blow in. We placed dry wood and looked outside through the gaps.
Right now, Bonnie is lying face down on a fur, keeping watch.
In midwinter, hunters don't travel far. To protect the villages near the mountains and forests, they gather in numbers and wait for the monsters' attack.
"Why do we have to stay in the same snow cave for a whole day? Isn't just the night enough?"
"There are not enough people. There are not that many hunters either."
"But there are thirty people in charge of this district, right?"
"Ten of them are from the guards. Those guys protect the village, so they don't enter the forest."
"Maybe protecting the village would have been better."
"There is no profit in staying in the village. We hunters make sure monsters do not approach the village. Midwinter is a time to earn, as the target areas for extermination rewards are expanded."
The mage, who had complained for a while and given Paul-san a hard time, lay down on the bear fur as if sulking.
"Even if you call me a mage, I'm powerless in winter."
"What are you saying? The power of magic does not decrease just because it is cold. You are not powerless, just lethargic, aren't you?"
"That's true. I'm sorry."
She apologized honestly. She seems to be self-aware.
"But if we only encounter a bear or a wolf once or twice a week, can't we just go out?"
As expected, just waiting is boring.
"You can go out, but moving in the snow uses several times more physical strength than usual. You cannot climb even a slight slope, and if you fall, you will not be able to come back up. In that respect, monsters move quickly. If you encounter one unexpectedly, you will likely not win."
I see. As long as Beatrix and I are here, we absolutely cannot go outside.
"They will be caught in the trap soon. Wait until then."
We are currently in the northwestern part of the lake. Considering the physical strength of Beatrix and me in particular, we were assigned an area with small undulations. Many hunters have entered the northern part of the entire Nakanohara area. Of course, it's on the south side of the mountain stream. We are preventing the magical beasts from the mountains, whose food has extremely decreased in winter, from approaching human settlements. Hunters are also in our guarded area in four-squad formations.
Since the area itself is managed by Angus-san, Mabel-san, her handsome husband Morgan-san, and Lowry-san are also there.
"Can't we scout while riding the bowl?"
"We can, but it is too wide. If we search vaguely, we cannot coordinate with other squads. Winter monster extermination is primarily about village defense. It is not just about hunting."
Beatrix, who had been stirring the pot and licking mead, began to groan with her arms crossed. She must be thinking of some good method.
"Master~. A bear has been caught~."
"Really?"
When I poked my face out of the snow cave, the blowing wind felt more painful than cold. Unlike the town, there is more snow and the temperature is lower in the mountains.
Looking where Bonnie was pointing, I saw a bear eating from the pot. It's effective regardless of the season.
"Sortie. Get outside."
We went out the back exit and covered the bowl with a light gray sheet. Flying like this, we should be hard to see under the cloudy sky.
It's a prey worth two gold coins. Until now, we would have had Robinson-san scout in advance, chosen a place where there were bears, and set up the pot. This time, to protect the defense line, we have to keep waiting in one place. Now that we've found it, we can't let it get away.
Approaching from above, there was a bear eating from the pot with single-minded devotion. It must have been quite hungry. Even though we approached from quite high up, it didn't even look our way. We unleashed full-power Holy, Energy Bolt, and holy water arrows. Since it wasn't moving, they all hit. Since the three of us aimed slightly below the back of the head, we took it down easily.
"That was surprisingly easy."
We descended to the ground and confirmed it was definitely dead. We took it down with two magic spells and one shot.
Just in case, I checked the chicken carcass hung on a tree for wolves set up nearby, but it was just frozen and being pecked by a crow or something.
"It is a victory for the Paul-style Flight Magic. Normally, one cannot get that close."
That's probably true. Since it's eating from the pot, it can't use its proud sense of smell. We sneaked up from directly above without a sound and launched a simultaneous attack from very close. Since the only cost is scraps of dried meat, as long as the pot doesn't break, we can use it any number of times.
"We're the only ones who can do it this way, right?"
"Umu. For now, only the Marcelo Company."
"Then, just because we took down one doesn't mean we can move on our own, right?"
Moving the snow cave requires coordination with all three squads. In other words, we have to stay in the same snow cave until it's time to advance.
"I wonder if there's some good way."
"Do not be greedy. You took down a bear just by setting a pot and waiting. There could be nothing easier than this."
That's certainly true. Come to think of it, it's far more efficient than walking around panting and finally taking one down. Or rather, Beatrix, who usually tries to get results the easy way, is being unusually eager to move. I wonder what's wrong.
"Now, since we've taken down one, shall we look at the snowy scenery from the sky for a change of pace?"
"Is that okay?"
She looked happy.
"You must be tired of only white and gray landscapes. The scenery of the winter forest is too monotonous. Your spirits will not rise. Let us look far from the sky and try to change the mood."
"Thank you. To be honest, I was feeling depressed. This dead-looking scenery. For some reason, I feel like running away. But as expected of a mage, you understand, don't you?"
In short, she means there's a lack of color? Mages are really selfish.
Since I didn't want to dampen the rare smile of the mage who had been doing nothing but complaining, after sending the bear back with Teleport, we soared into the sky. Even looking from above, the world of white and gray remains the same, but when I see settlements or boats moving on the river within the landscape, I feel somewhat relieved. A world without movement or sound, as if dead, probably increases anxiety.
"I can see a place with mist. I know, it's an open-air bath! A winter open-air bath. How nice."
Some settlements facing the river flowing north to south have open-air baths. I've already experienced it once in Higashi-Nakanohara.
"Shall we take a detour on the way back?"
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it is only one station west, so arriving at Nakanohara will only be half a day late. We can go to Higashi-Nakanohara with Flight Magic and take a carriage on the way back; it should not be a problem."
"Alright, I'm motivated now. Let's try to exterminate one more somehow."
Paul-san looked at me and winked. This person understands everything.
The next morning, when we raised a smoke signal, a smoke signal also rose from the mountain hut. It's the signal to advance. To move the defense line one step north, we all rode the bowl and flew just above the treetops.
"How about around there?"
"Alright, hiyah!"
When I threw the many snowballs I had made at the snow piled on the tree branches, the snow fell with a loud, flashy sound.
"Something came out on the right~."
Bonnie, the scout, found something.
"It's a rabbit. We're chasing it."
We chased it from the sky just like that. After running for a while, the rabbit stopped and looked around.
"Now."
Bonnie shot an arrow and successfully took it down.
"Somehow, hunting is easier in winter."
We exterminated foxes and boars around the town using the same method. Since there are no leaves, if the prey moves, we can immediately tell where it is by looking from above. If there's snow, we throw snowballs; if there's no snow, we throw stones appropriately, and the opponent moves on their own. Matilda, who had accompanied me instead of Beatrix, was even yawning.
"Originally, it is the opposite. Winter is far more difficult."
"It's thanks to the Paul-style Flight Magic."
"Master~. I cannot do it this way~."
Certainly, it doesn't serve as training for Bonnie. Tracking footprints and cornering them, or setting traps to catch them, is the hunter's way.
"Well, do not say that. I will teach you the proper way later."
While moving, we secured furs and ingredients as we proceeded.
Normally, the front line advances a set distance on foot, digs a new snow cave, and stays there until the next morning. After going to the mountain stream and back over a week like that, one mission is completed. We are being allowed to have it quite easy.
A week passed, and we reached the vicinity of the mountain stream.
"In the end, one bear and three wolves in a week, huh."
"That is eight silver coins. Even after deducting the fee, it is thirty-eight copper coins per person. The profit from furs and meat is expected to be two gold coins for the bear and three gold coins for the wolves."
A wolf was caught on the third day, but it was discovered very quickly. We took them down one by one as they kept barking at us, but two escaped. Since they don't go for the pot, we have to rely on chicken carcasses, but we have to find some good method.
However, as earnings go, it's not bad. The extermination reward is cheap, but we effectively earned more than one gold coin per person. Fur from foxes and rabbits is also added to that.
"How about it? For having spent most of the time lying around, it turned out to be quite a profit."
"That's certainly true. Is it always like this in winter?"
"That is right. The number of magical beasts crossing the mountain stream increases."
"What about orcs and such?"
"They come because they are being chased by those orcs."
"I see."
Beatrix, who had been doing nothing but complaining at first, had either gotten used to the white scenery or was in good spirits because the reward was good.
If we continue to exterminate at the same pace for two months, we can earn nearly eight gold coins per person.
"The problem is after this."
"Is there something?"
"We will not catch anything for a week."
"Then, this reward is for two weeks' worth?"
What a disappointment. It seems we'll spend most of the next week just lying around. They say the defense line is raised eight times in two months, but it seems even-numbered times yield at most one catch. It might be better to just do nothing.
"Since the purpose is defense. It is mentally tough, but it must be done."
"I know that. I'm just wondering if there's some good method."
"Master~. Wouldn't it be better to just wait near the mountain stream~?"
"If we had the numbers. The distance between squads is far; it is better to raise it little by little so there are fewer leaks."
"How do the other squads do it?"
"Basically the same as us. They lure and exterminate using the carcasses of foxes and rabbits. However, until then, they have to walk around exploring in the snow to find places to set bait. We are luring bears with the pot, so it is easier."
"But wolves don't come, do they?"
"Wolves are afraid of fire. Bears do not mind fire. That is likely the difference."
Even the great Paul-san is at a loss. Wait? Wait a minute. Wolves hate fire. Bears are fine with it. The pot's scent is hard to spread unless it's warmed up.
"Paul-san. Do you have a moment?"
"What is it? Did you think of something?"
"If there's a bear, would the wolves run away?"
"Probably. However, if they are hungry, they might hunt the bear."
"Shall we gather only bears for a while?"
"What about the wolves?"
"Let's have the wolves come after that."
"Have them come... you, it is not like inviting them to a party... wait, we just have to invite them!"
Beatrix seemed to have noticed too. The two of us explained it to Paul-san and Bonnie.
"Hmm. It affects the entire defense line. We are retreating to the mountain hut tonight anyway, so let us talk to the others then."
As a result of the discussion with the other hunters, the defense line, which was supposed to restart repeatedly from the mountain hut, ended up staying near the mountain stream after the second time was over. As expected of Paul-san's reputation. Just by him saying "I think it will work," Angus-san and the other hunters agreed.
It was our turn to watch the mountain hut. While Paul-san was back in town on the bowl to restock the pots and dried meat, the three members of the Class of 175 ended up being left to look after the mountain hut.
If the defense line isn't broken by monsters and there are no victims, we just have to confirm the three smoke signals raised at the front line at a set time once a day and raise a reply smoke signal. If something happens, the smoke signal won't rise. A smoke signal at a different time is also an emergency.
"I wonder if it'll be okay?"
To be honest, I'm quite anxious.
"Monsters won't come anyway, right? Then two or three days should be fine."
"There are three veteran squads at the front line~. I don't think they'll come this far~."
I can't believe the two of them are being so carefree. In the snow, you can't run satisfactorily, and the trees are frozen, so you can't climb them well. I feel like if we're found and surrounded, we'll just be eaten in the end.
"If you're that worried, why not call Dune?"
"That's it! That's it! Let's call Dune~. I'll go get some prey from the icehouse~."
Bonnie immediately started running. For someone who usually moves slowly, she's quick when it comes to work.
"There are no rivers or ponds, but will she be okay?"
"What are you talking about? It's covered in snow. It's full of water."
"That's true too."
Come to think of it, ice magic was of the water attribute. Then it should be fine.
The rabbit stew Bonnie caught is ready. I dissolved cheese scraps into flour mixed with water and chopped up some dried herbs. A good scent is drifting through the hut.
"Dune. Sorry for the wait. It's ready."
"It smells good. Is this called stew?"
"Yeah. In winter, nothing beats this."
Dune, wearing a light blue patterned tunic, a dark blue skirt almost black, and a white wool coat, peered into the pot with sparkling eyes. The clothes she's wearing are an adult coordination chosen by Bridget-san, whom she asked after losing a drinking contest at the gathering party. Since she's officially a sheltered young lady from a good family, she had it finished with a slightly relaxed, rough feel.
I served some into a bowl for her.
"It's just right if you dip bread in it and eat it."
"I see. I'll try that."
After taking a mouthful, she nodded while smiling. It seems she liked it.
"But it was surprising that a water spirit can't use snow or ice. I thought they were the same attribute."
"That's just what humans say on their own, right? Snow and ice are the domains of snow spirits and ice spirits."
"But water spirits are higher-ranking, right? Can't you make them listen?"
"It's not that I can't, but I need a reason. A reason that snow and ice would be convinced by."
"I see. It's difficult."
"Yes. It's difficult."
Apparently, 'full of snow = Dune is invincible' is not the case.
"Sorry. For calling you out to a place like this."
"Ufufu. It's fine. I've never been into the forest, so this is fresh in its own way. The stew is delicious too."
By the way, if water and ice are different spirits, since her body is made of water, wouldn't she freeze if she stayed in a cold place?
"Are you worried about me? Thank you. But look, I'm fine, right?"
I was hugged, and my face was buried in her chest. It's soft... I mean, warm.
"My body is not interfered with by lower-ranking spirits like snow or ice. So, this much is fine."
Rather, she seemed worried about the heat from the fireplace and asked me to fill a basin with water. Apparently, she gets dry skin in winter.
"More importantly, Beatrix can use Freeze, right? Shall we try something interesting?"
"Something interesting?"
She was laughing, "Ufufu."
"Prepare Freeze with low output."
"I understand."
She began the incantation. After finishing the chant, she held out her right hand.
"When I give the signal, cast the magic around here."
She circled a corner of the mountain hut's ceiling with her index finger. Seeing the mage nod repeatedly, she pointed at the water in the basin. Then she pointed that fingertip toward the area she had just circled. Something faint was spreading.
"Now!"
"Freeze!"
A moment of silence followed.
"Wow!"
Snow fell inside the room. Small powder snow was fluttering and dancing. Bonnie was jumping around, trying to catch it with her hands, saying "Amazing, amazing." When I caught one in both palms and looked at it in front of my eyes, the white snow melted, became transparent, and turned into a tiny drop of water.