90. The Royal Army Farming Corps
However, it seemed that the system’s response was not the end of it.
[However, let me add.]
“Hmm?”
[Through the character Alisa, you may be able to hear. In cases where elements are discovered based on chance events, occasions, ruins, etc., there are no systemic restrictions, so if you can induce such developments yourself, you may acquire newer information.]
…Is that so?
It was an unknown fact.
‘Certainly, when you think about it.’
The system was not omnipotent.
It only provided help within a limited, understandable range.
However, acquiring information through the surrounding environment was free.
Although I had experienced it so far, it was a subtly hard-to-notice factor.
It seemed that Alisa’s mention should be listened to carefully.
“Are there other World Trees around here? Can you at least tell me that much?”
[Currently, there are no other World Trees in this vicinity.]
***
“Monsters!”
Along with the shout of an elf looking out from the castle wall, the commotion began early in the morning.
“…An invasion?”
The sudden noise woke me up from my sleep.
Rubbing my half-open eyes, I glanced into the open fridge world, only to see the elves preparing for battle in a noisy manner.
The current time was five in the morning.
It was still early, with the sun not yet rising.
Feeling drowsy, but considering the situation that couldn’t be ignored, I asked with half-closed eyes.
“Um… Who’s the opponent? System?”
[They are a group of twelve creatures known as Kindel Spins.]
“Kindel Spins… Hmm. That should be manageable.”
Saying so, I confirmed the enemies.
As they aimed across with their bows drawn, they soon spotted monsters approaching at a rapid speed, fluttering snowflakes from the other side.
[Krrr!]
[Kyeeek!]
They were a group of monsters with gruesome figures.
[Red Alert: Kindel Fiend Group.]
Giant spiders with even larger physiques than the elves.
They were creatures I had seen a few times before in the vicinity.
From Noble mtl dot com
Extremely ferocious and, due to their significant size even among monsters, notorious among hunters.
However, Hane didn’t worry much.
For the current elves, this level of threat was nothing to be concerned about.
Especially considering they were just a little over ten in number.
They were sufficient adversaries even for the elves, or rather, for Irina.
“Gungbyeongdan!”
Snap!
With Irina’s shout, the air split open, and a series of figures popped out.
It was a group of elves holding bows.
Thud.
As they landed on the ground, they were unfamiliar elves with unknown faces.
A considerable number, maybe even up to 10 of them.
However, they somehow gave off a strange, doll-like feeling.
Their pupils were also white and transparent, with no black in them.
[Order.]
Quietly kneeling in front of Irina, they awaited orders in a mechanical voice that seemed devoid of emotion.
“Everyone! Please engage the enemy on the wall according to my command!”
[Understood.]
Nodding, they immediately prepared to face the enemy as Irina commanded.
Whoosh!
A distinct blue magic was imbued in the bows they held.
Surprisingly, every member of this archery unit could manipulate magic.
In other words, they were all possessors of powerful physical abilities capable of using at least body strengthening magic.
“Avatar Archery Unit.”
A faint smile crept onto Irina’s lips as she faced them, even in her drowsy state.
It was a skill Irina had acquired as a reward for the previous tower raid.
“Long time no see. Nice to meet you again.”
The Archery Unit consisted of summoned beings imbued with formidable combat prowess.
They drew their bows and aimed at the enemies on the other side, ready to strike.
The gathered elves in the square were no different.
They too were armed and ready, waiting for Irina’s command.
[Kirrr!]
Soon, as they were about to clash.
Irina shouted, “Fire!”
As her command rang out, a multitude of arrows shot through the sky.
The arrows from the elves and the Archery Unit pierced through the tough skins of those approaching the wall, tearing flesh apart.
There was no surviving entity in the hail of arrows.
Those pierced and bleeding heavily trembled for a while before succumbing to death.
It was a satisfying victory.
“Ah, good. We got them all.”
Yawning contentedly, one of them.
He soon lay down on the sofa, shaking his drowsy hand, muttering, “If anything happens, wake me up again, System. I can’t bear it anymore; I’m so sleepy.”
[Understood.]
Somehow, the voice of the system became a bit quieter at the sight of Han Eun, whom it knew to some extent, but it was inevitable.
No matter what, it was still dawn.
Han Eun quickly closed his eyes.
***
That morning.
By the time Han woke up, the situation had already been taken care of.
The elves showed no hesitation in collecting the remains of the monsters.
Amidst the bustling of carrying large materials and the fur of dismantled monsters, the young dragon, Muamua, waved his hand among the elves and chattered here and there.
“Give me the meat! I want to eat it right now!”
Muamua knew very well.
For these elves, they might not understand anything else, but they surely understood the importance of keeping meat.
Of course, they could eat it, but that was purely a matter of survival.
There was no need to go that far in a place where crops could be grown.
In the end, the dismantled meat was either neatly preserved or given only to Muamua and the Dire Wolves, serving the purpose.
Perhaps thinking of escape, Muamua stood in the way and demanded, covering his mouth, making Aisha, who was laughing beside him, point to one side.
“Master Muamua, would you like to go towards the city wall? Irina is sorting out the meat there.”
“Oh! Got it! Thanks!”
“Please go and check-“
Ignoring Aisha waving her hand, Muamua went towards the city wall.
In the eyes of Muamua, piles of meat were stacked like mountains.
The height was just a few meters.
“Oh!”
Naturally, his pupils widened with anticipation.
“Irina!”
“Master Muamua?”
“Can we eat these meats here?”
In response to his question, Irina smiled and nodded.
“Of course.”
[Thank you!]
As soon as he got permission, Muamua’s physique began to swell, and a transformation occurred.
The transformed giant dragon grabbed a Kindled Finde as if he had been waiting and swallowed it whole.
It was instantaneous.
His appetite was still insatiable.
[Mmm!]
Muamua, satisfied, licked his lips.
As he was about to open his mouth to swallow another one…
“Ah, Master Muamua.”
[Hm?]
“Not today. You can’t have anymore.”
At those words, Muamuah’s movements, which were in the midst of savoring, abruptly came to a halt.
[…What? How can one more not be acceptable?]
“I’m sorry. But this is the policy directly set by the God; there’s nothing we can do about it.”
One per week.
That was the decree bestowed upon them by their deity, Han.
Seeing Irina’s apologetic expression, Muamuah’s tail immediately drooped.
Disappointment surged.
Yet, Han, who had been observing, cheered her on.
“Alright. Good job, Irina.”
He knew well that Muamuah would be disappointed.
But it was necessary.
“Because it’s winter.”
Even the elves, who were accustomed to the world beyond the boundaries of the World Tree, had significantly reduced their activities due to the harsh cold spell that had recently set in.
Indeed, the frequency of monster attacks, which had been so prevalent, had also dropped by half in recent times.
Their activities had decreased accordingly.
After this hunt, even Han didn’t know when they would obtain meat again.
Therefore, having a surplus stock was always a necessity.
If, by any chance, the need for carnivorous food arose again like last time, Han would be in a dilemma.
In harsh words, it could even be a situation where Muamuah’s reason could fly out the window.
No matter how Han tried, it was not a job where he could watch over Muamuah all day.
Naturally, in such times, it was best to rely on Irina, who was always by his side.
“Moreover, in weather as rough as this, it’s an unpredictable task when we’ll be able to hunt monsters again.”
[Uh-oh….]
Muamuah, with its large physique, sank down in dismay, staring at the young wolves tearing into the prey in a corner.
[Huh?]
[Grrr!]
Its gaze shifted towards the cubs devouring the meat.
“Those ones are small, so it’s fine. It’s not noticeable even if they eat a lot.”
[……]
That was the truth.
***
“Alright. Everyone.”
[…Yes.]
The archers raised their heads with indifferent gazes.
Facing them, Irina handed out plows.
“Help me with some farming. It’s time to plant potatoes.”
[Understood.]
As if they had been waiting, the archers followed Irina’s instructions and took up the plows in their hands.
“…”
Han had nothing to say as he watched them.
Skill Avatar Archer Battalion.
It was clear that this skill was designed for combat.
However, depending on how they were used, they provided considerable help not only in battle but also in various aspects of daily life.
They seemed to have their own judgment and reasoning, as they would act on short instructions.
By the way, they also lent a hand in dismantling the Kinl Spine they had hunted the day before.
“Hmm. Truly, they don’t look human upon closer inspection. No, in this case, it’s more accurate to say they don’t look like elves.”
That was Han’s impression as he watched them.
In hindsight, it was only natural.
They were puppets.
No, they were summoned creatures made of magic, after all.
They were created based on Irina’s race, the caster.
“Good.”
Watching the Archer Battalion working in the fields, Han smiled faintly.
As days passed, the inhabitants of this place were increasing.
“Irina, ma’am.”
At that moment, Ednis appeared.
Turning to Irina with a brief salute, he said, “I have just finished my guard duty and exchanged shifts with my brother, Rayan.”
Irina chuckled at his words.
“…You don’t have to tell me that every time.”
“No.”
Ednis, with his head slightly bowed, added, “It’s all part of the necessary process.”
He always reported to her in this manner.
Perhaps it was for Irina’s firm position as a leader.
Since the elves to come would not be solely unique, such processes were deemed necessary.
In the future, Irina would be at the forefront of all elves.
Upon reflection, this aspect seemed similar between humans and elves.
Although their cultures and ways of thinking differed, could it be because they were both intelligent beings?
“In the future, new elves will continue to gather, and Irina will remain our leader as always.”
“Well… I see.”
Irina smiled wryly.
She appeared perplexed, but there was still a firmness in Ednis’s eyes.