kscans

Chapter 94 - Respective Nights, Part Two

Night fell over the encampment, a safe distance from the battlefield.

To put it plainly, it was a campground.

The tents weren’t triangular but more like small tent houses. They could comfortably accommodate about five people.

However, there was one problem: food.

On the first day we arrived, we were told to provide our own meals. There were grumbles of discontent, but it seemed the camp’s food situation wasn’t great either. A soldier’s shout quickly silenced the complaints.

As a result, our meals had consisted solely of the canned food we’d brought.

Tonight, I intended to make something proper.

The ingredients for this meal were Orc meat, soy sauce, sugar, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper, and a miso ball. That was it. I had procured the Orc meat from the previous battle. The other adventurers were also gathering materials and ingredients from the monsters.

The soldiers didn't touch it. I guess they had no reason to.

In a way, I considered myself lucky and started cooking.

First, I peeled the garlic and sliced the ginger. Next, I put the Orc meat in a pot and seared it over the bonfire until it was lightly browned. Then, I added soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, water, and pepper, and let it simmer for thirty minutes. When the liquid had reduced by about half, it was ready.

I tried it, and it tasted like ordinary simmered pork.

Normally, I would have added sake, but there was none here. And no rice, either. After finishing our simple meal, we went into the tent.

As I relaxed, I looked back on my actions so far.

In the beginning, my plan had been to be a hunter first and an adventurer second. But since I started my journey of training, it seemed my adventurer work had become my main focus. I hadn’t done much work as a hunter.

In this world, things rarely go as planned. It was a miracle that things had gone so well up to this point.

As I was lost in these thoughts, Tina spoke up.

"By the way, I heard that the vice commander died on the battlefield. Did you know?"

I was surprised. "Really?! That noble? I never thought he’d set foot on a battlefield."

It was a shock.

I couldn't believe that arrogant-looking noble would go to war.

Tina must have sensed my disbelief, because she shared what she knew. "Apparently, after yesterday’s incident, he asked to be sent to the battlefield himself before they could even tell him his punishment. Everyone was surprised. It seems the vice commander’s strategic skills are considered top-tier in the Empire. Unexpectedly."

She mumbled the last part.

I felt the same way. I had thought he was all connections, but it just goes to show you can't judge a person by their appearance.

And now that person was dead. The morale here would surely drop. Tomorrow’s battle would be tough, but Tina and I had the day off.

No matter how much we were paid for this request, we weren't so inhuman as to fight without rest.

Leave was on a rotating basis, and it was our turn.

So, I decided to head to the underground auction for the first time in a while to deal with the monster materials I’d hunted before accepting the request, which were being processed at the Church.

After our little chat, we went to sleep.

At the Imperial Royal Castle.

In Grine’s room. Grine was smiling as she sipped her tea.

Using Rumby the Fateweaver's power, she had caused her older sister's policies to fail one after another.

At the time, Rumby had questioned this approach. "Huh? You want to make your sister unlucky? Isn’t this when you’re supposed to wish for your own good fortune?"

To this, Grine had replied, "Well, for an ordinary person, that would be a reasonable thought. But even if I become lucky, it doesn’t guarantee I’ll become emperor. In this case, tripping up my opponent is the easiest way."

She stated it coldly.

Rumby and Harynair exchanged glances, looking at Grine as if they were seeing something unbelievable.

To bring down a relative… if it were a wicked sister, that would be one thing.

But as far as Harynair could see, she was a normal sister.

She treated her subordinates with a mix of strictness and kindness. She never used the national treasury for personal gain and was trusted by the people. Even in her family, she never looked down on her younger sister, treating her as an individual and striving to build a good relationship.

She was a strict but caring older sister.

What grudge could one possibly have against such a person? Her cold-hearted policy was bewildering.

Grine said, "I know what you want to say. You’re wondering why I would go so far, aren’t you? I have no hatred for my sister. We were close since childhood, and even after we became adults and our factions were in conflict, we discussed forming a cooperative relationship. But to me, she is nothing but an eyesore. She is simply an obstacle to my becoming emperor. That is all."

She said it with an emotionless face.

In other words, she wasn't doing this as revenge for something her sister had done. She was making her unlucky simply because she was in the way of her becoming emperor.

Simple and easy to understand.

And utterly irredeemable.

For a moment, the two were shocked. But then, without changing their expressions, they reveled in it inwardly.

They had truly found a good one. They had never seen a human with such a twisted soul.

They had seen plenty of humans who killed out of betrayal or jealousy, but to bring misfortune upon someone who had treated her with kindness… it was a soul that made one wonder if she had been born this way, regardless of her upbringing.

To the two of them, Grine said, "In any case, Lord Lates the Thousand Poisons gave me a wonderful gift. Its appearance was a bit peculiar, but let's set that aside for now. And I have no words to express my gratitude to Sage-dono Redorza for placing new monsters on the battlefield.

"This will only further prove that my words are right and my sister was wrong. The nobles, and even the citizens, will be convinced. Above all, it’s good that the battle is dragging on. It seems I won’t be bored. The researchers of the past did good work as well."

At this, Harynair asked, "? The researchers of the past? What did they do?"

Grine replied, "Ah, it’s natural that you wouldn’t know. This is a top secret known only to the royal family, but I suppose it’s fine. Several decades ago, back when the northern territories still belonged to the Empire, an experimental facility was built in a certain location.

"About two hundred years ago, a scholar named Babbage taught us about a calculating machine called the steam engine, which the Dwarves perfected. Based on that, they developed all sorts of steam-powered machines, enriching the country. That technology has been passed down and is still in use today. During that time, a certain experiment was conducted.

"An experiment to control monsters. If we could control monsters, it would undoubtedly lead to a significant increase in our military strength. However, the experiment failed. The records state that the monster used as the material was modified too much and went berserk.

"This was during my father’s time, but the experiment was under the full command of a noble he trusted, so he didn't hear the specific details. Besides, in those days, my father was more concerned with battle than politics. By the time he found out, it was already too late. The territory was gradually being encroached upon by a horde of monsters, and they couldn't push them back.

"He said that while he was personally leading the army, waging war on other countries to seize supplies, a horde of monsters attacked from the north, and he tasted bitter defeat. He probably told my sister and me that story as a warning not to become such foolish people. Not that it matters now."

After her long explanation, she took a sip of tea.

In a way, the two of them understood.

Why would a horde of monsters invade like humans?

In the past, they would have dismissed it as unimportant and done nothing. But they had been acting out of a desire to see the otherworlder suffer. In the process, it seems they had felt that something was off about the horde.

Harynair decided she would ask Redorza about the researchers.

In the northern territories, the monster's den.

An innumerable number of monsters.

They were of all shapes and sizes; some were sleeping, others were awake. It was a characteristic of their species, so no one paid it any mind.

Amidst them, two monsters were enjoying the night breeze.

Danmes the Minotaur and Rodel the Centaur.

Rodel said, "Just another day of following orders. No motivation at all. How about you? I hear you’ve been fighting a lot."

To this, Danmes replied, "At first. As a greeting, I went on a rampage on the battlefield. After that, I only fought those who came at me. I haven’t fought anyone else. A battle only with those who have the resolve to fight me. Lately, there haven't been any, so I’ve just been watching the battlefield. That’s all."

He paused for a breath.

Rodel sighed. "I see. As for me, the two I’m looking for haven’t shown up, so I’ve just been taking out my stress on soldiers and adventurers. When are they going to get here? Those bastards…"

His face twisted in anger as he spoke.

Danmes was about to say, ‘Haven’t you noticed?’ but if he did, Rodel would likely charge in ahead of him.

Danmes himself had come to this battlefield to fight him.

He had no intention of letting his prey be stolen.

However, with that mask, it would be a while before he noticed, Danmes thought as he gazed at the crescent moon in the night sky.