kscans

Chapter 187 - After the First Battle

We were taking a break at the base.

The fatigue from the last battle was greater than I had anticipated. The other adventurers and soldiers were all eating with exhausted looks on their faces.

I asked Tina, "Do you think they might come again today?"

Tina considered it. "We should probably assume they will. It all depends on what kind of strategy they employ—a short, decisive battle or a long war of attrition. In any case, there’s no point in worrying about it when we don’t know. It’ll just wear us down."

She took a bite of her bread.

I had to agree. Thinking takes energy, and wasting it now would cost us later.

As I was chewing on my own piece of bread, a voice cut through the air. "What’s this? What’s with the long faces? You guys tired out from just that?"

It was Alumi, the B-rank leader of the adventurer party ‘Mad Dog,’ who had a knack for showing up at the worst times.

The female archer standing next to her chimed in. "As expected of you, Big Sis! You don’t seem tired at all after facing so many monsters. I, Mimi, am deeply moved!"

Her voice was filled with delight.

The staff-wielding woman, Loose, commented, "I just think she’s loud. What do you think, Dord?"

The mage, Dord, replied, "Doesn’t matter to me. I can put up with a little noise if it means I get to use my magic. Besides, she’s never boring to watch."

He said this without looking up from the book he was reading.

Those two used to be in an A-rank noble's party, but after a certain duel, they promptly cut ties and left. Somehow, they ended up joining Alumi and Mimi’s party, and here they are.

Another adventurer who had been listening in grumbled, "Don’t be ridiculous. The main front was a nightmare with Goblin Guardians and Lizardman Hunters showing up. What about your side? Did you see even one high-rank monster?"

Alumi scowled at the question. "Goblin Guardians? They showed up over there? Tch. We didn’t see anything like that. Just Goblins, Wolves, and Flame Wolves. We took care of the small fry, but we couldn’t finish off the Flame Wolves."

She looked frustrated.

The adventurer who asked listened with an unreadable expression. "Sounds like you had it rough, too. Well, can’t be helped. Let’s just rest up for now."

He slumped down, his face a mask of exhaustion.

Alumi looked stunned. "What’s with you? Not even a comeback? It’s creepy."

She started walking again and eventually ended up in front of us. "Well, well, if it isn’t the A-rankers. You look tired, too. Is giving orders really that exhausting?"

Before we could respond to her provocation, a swordsman adventurer standing nearby spoke up. "Hey, watch your mouth. Those two took down a Goblin Guardian and fought off three Lizardman Hunters. We’re only alive thanks to ‘Red Lightning.’"

His voice was laced with anger.

The other adventurers were all glaring at Alumi with similar expressions.

Having soured the mood, Alumi conceded. "My bad. There was this really annoying A-rank a year ago. Guess I got a little prejudiced."

She scratched her head and apologized.

A year ago. She must mean that noble adventurer. I’ve forgotten his name, but wasn’t he a general’s son?

I replied, "Don’t worry about it. Anyone would feel that way after hearing those rumors. There aren’t that many A-rank adventurers, so it can’t be helped."

My tone was dismissive.

Alumi shot back, "Hmph. Still, they’re nothing compared to the person I respect. He’s not A-rank, but he’s strong, has a foul mouth, and is a cheerful, good-natured guy. He’s not in the Empire anymore, though."

She spoke with a hint of pride.

I didn’t ask, but she was probably just trying to change the subject and blow off some steam.

I played along. "Sounds like a good guy. He must be pretty strong, huh?"

Alumi puffed out her chest. "Of course. He’s an axe-wielder, just like me. Built like a gorilla. He’s the man I look up to."

Just then, the archer appeared from behind her. "Big Sis, we should probably get some food, too…"

Alumi nodded. "Oh, right. Well, see ya."

She waved and headed back to her companions.

I turned to Tina. "Hey, Tina? That axe-wielder she mentioned… I’ve got someone in mind."

Tina replied, "We’re on the same page. I was thinking the same thing."

I thought for a moment. "I remember now. A long time ago, when I was drinking with Bardos at a tavern, he told me they used to call him ‘Mad Dog’ in his village. He also mentioned that he hit it off with a woman who also used an axe."

With the puzzle solved, I felt a sense of relief. Tina, however, looked thoughtful.

"So you were trying to figure out where you’d heard about her before? But why didn’t Bardos team up with her?"

I answered her question. "He said being a lone wolf suited him better."

A pathetic answer.

Back in the day, he agreed to team up with me because, and I quote, ‘being with you means I won’t run out of things to fight.’ Were you some kind of edgelord before you came to the Kingdom? I never said it to his face, but people change. I’m not one to judge.

Tina sighed. "In that case, we probably shouldn’t tell her about his current situation. It could get ugly."

She broke into a light sweat.

I was in complete agreement. That guy has a wife and kids in the Kingdom now. I can only imagine what would happen if Alumi found out.

We both sighed.

Just then, a platoon leader approached us. "Excuse me. The General is asking for you. Please come to the commander’s office."

An unexpected summons.

We acknowledged the order and headed for his office.

Inside the commander’s office, the general seemed to be lost in thought. When he saw us, he spoke. "You’re here. Sorry to call you so suddenly, but I need to hear your thoughts. What did you make of this battle?"

I struggled to answer. "Honestly, I don’t know. It’s completely different from any monster hunt I’ve been on before. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but… it feels awkward? I guess?"

Tina picked up where my fumbling answer left off. "I agree. It’s as if they aren’t fighting seriously at all. It feels like they fight for a certain amount of time and then just stop. Are they aiming for something? Or perhaps… are they planning for a long war?"


Meanwhile, on the monster side.

At their main base, the returning monsters were resting, each lost in their own thoughts. Watching over them were the King and Vil.

Vil spoke. "If I may be so bold… why did you have the monsters withdraw? We could have pressed our advantage."

To this question, the King replied, "Vil, my goal is to rule these nations, not to slaughter everyone. I will make the humans understand that there are some battles they can never win, no matter how hard they try. First, we must break their spirits."

He seemed to have reached some sort of epiphany.

Vil bowed. "If that is your will, my King, then I shall obey. However, the kings of the other nations are proving to be quite formidable. The Kingdom, in particular, dealt with our little trick almost immediately. The A-rank adventurers defending the destroyed wall are quite skilled as well."

The King mused, "I see. So they won’t break so easily. In that case, we will simply wage a war of attrition. All the royal capitals are completely surrounded. Even if they manage to bring in supplies, there’s a limit. Eventually, they will run out."

Vil pointed out a flaw in this plan. "That presents a small problem. The Republic is half-surrounded by the sea. If it comes down to it, they can procure supplies by ship."

He hinted at the possibility of them resupplying with seafood.

The King smiled a testing smile. "Vil, you are not so foolish as to have overlooked that. You have already taken measures, have you not?"

Vil chuckled. "Indeed, it is difficult to deceive you, my King. As you suspect, I have already made my move."

He was smiling, though his skeletal face remained unchanged.

And so, the first day of battle came to a close.

For now, both sides were evenly matched, but in the battle of wills, the monsters had the upper hand.

Why? Because they think of nothing. They feel nothing. They simply rampage, eat, and sleep. That is all.

They are utterly free from the anxieties and fears of the future that plague humankind.