30: The Beginning of the Subjugation Request
And so, the day finally came. Soldiers and adventurers (Adbel) and mercenaries (Soldia) gathered from all over the country outside the town.
I checked with 【Eyes of All (Mana Lead)】 and saw the total number.
There were two hundred soldiers. The adventurers were about a hundred or so.
However, about 150 of the soldiers were territorial soldiers. The lord’s direct subordinates were only about 50. I wonder how many of them could be called strong.
In other words, it was just a rabble that had gathered in numbers. Well, that being said, the adventurers don’t usually work together, so it’s literally true.
“Adventurers, mercenaries! Thank you for gathering!”
The captain of the army that had gathered this time – or rather, the unit – inspired from a hastily constructed platform. Next to the platform stood a man from the mediation office and someone who seemed to be an aide.
“From now on, we will search for the magical beast from four directions. If we find it, we will signal immediately and attack it together! The specific movements will be explained by the mediation office staff assigned to each group! From now on, I will explain how the personnel will be divided!”
The division was based on ease of movement in terms of coordination and communication.
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The first group was 150 territorial soldiers.
The second group was the rumored 5th stage (Guild Rank 5) guild ‘Rainers’ and 50 territorial soldiers.
The third group was five guild parties, including ‘Liliano’ and ‘Grieg Mercenary Corps’.
The fourth group was a collection of wild parties like ours and solo runners.
I can understand what they mean by ease of coordination, but the soldiers assigned to the second group’s guild are reserves and handymen. The fourth group looks like nothing more than a number. I’m sure there are some people who are quite capable, but with this, there’s no way they can coordinate in the true sense of the word. Their role will be mainly to search.
I can only hope for the skills of the people from the mediation office to keep things together.
The exploration was arranged in the order of the third group, the first group, the second group, and the fourth group from left to right. I guess this is so that the first and second groups, which are in charge of the actual subjugation, can rush in at any time if they find it on either end.
If they find it, they will immediately report it to the mediation office’s magician (Colors). Then, the magician will launch two spells into the sky: 【Dyeing Light Ball (Ansel)】 and 【Exploding Ball (Mene)】. 【Dyeing Light Ball] is a magic ball that emits a strong light in the desired color. [Exploding Ball] is a magic ball that emits a loud noise that can be heard from a great distance.
It is an application of 【Light Be There (Light Raise)】 and seems to be a spell that is often used on the battlefield. That’s good to know.
Now then, let’s depart, but it seems that the person in charge of the command is not from the mediation office.
“I, Leeden of the party ‘Dorial’, will be in charge of this group. My adventurer rank (Adbel Rank) is 5. This is a nomination from the mediation office, so please follow me.”
An adventurer of the 5th stage. This is the real deal. No one says anything because he’s famous.
“Oh, they called you all the way from the royal capital this time. ‘Dorial’ is pretty famous as a party.”
“Hey, is this such a dangerous request?”
“No, it’s just insurance because we don’t know how dangerous it is. After all, we don’t know much about the magical beast.”
The target of this subjugation, named ‘Claywood’, is said to be over ten meters tall and as wide as a large inn. It is said to be humanoid, and to put it simply, it looks like a haniwa (clay figure).
A round, thick body and arms. The legs are shaped like tree roots, and the head is covered with tree branches and leaves. Ah, so that’s why it’s called ‘Claywood’.
The survey team was wiped out by it in an instant.
I heard that a tree trunk-like hand grew rapidly from the tip of the arm that was swung, and that the battle was over with just one blow.
That alone is a threat, but conversely, the problem is that that’s all we know. After all, we don’t know any other methods of attack.
I think that physical attacks will only be able to cut off its legs, so this time it will be a subjugation led by magicians. Since wooden magical beasts are extremely weak to fire, let’s use a lot of fire attribute magic (Flame Color).
“Basically, we will stick together as parties, form two lines, and proceed with a certain distance between us. Solo runners, I’m sorry, but please gather in groups of several soloists or join a nearby party. Keep your distance and be on the lookout for your surroundings. The planned operation will last for three days. If we don’t find it within that time, we will return once. Any questions?”
No one said anything.
“None? Then let’s go!”
As we followed Reiden, who had begun to move, the others followed suit. Adventurers are amazing creatures, even those who usually prefer to work alone or who have to work alone naturally start to form groups. It seems that a lack of communication skills is irrelevant when it comes to requests.
Speaking of which, Neil had been acting very friendly since the first time we met, maybe that’s just how it is.
“It looks like we’re on our own.”
“Yeah, the others are already forming groups. We should gradually distance ourselves from the others as we move forward.”
“I’ve heard about this, but will this group really be okay for three days?”
“If we find it quickly, it’ll only take a day.”
“A whole day just searching. That’s great. I really hope a magical beast attacks us.”
“Well, if we’re going to meet it, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. Personally, I’d like it to appear near the third group. By the time we get there to help, they’ll have already defeat it.”
“Neil, you’re such a nice guy.”
“Coming from you, that means a lot.”
Why? I’m just a normal guy. I know my sensibilities are different from ordinary people.
We walked along, keeping an eye on our surroundings. We were walking in the middle of the left-hand column of two rows. The distance between us and the people in front and behind us was about a hundred meters. There were about five groups on each side, so the distance from the front to the back was about four hundred meters. The distance between the left and right columns was about two hundred meters.
I’ve heard that it’s a pretty big creature, so there’s no point in spreading out too much.
To be honest, I’ve spread my [Mana Read] ability to a range of about five kilometers, so there’s no way I’m going to miss it. I’m sure the others are using some kind of ability as well.
“Hey, Jas. If you keep daydreaming, Reiden (the leader) is going to yell at you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m watching.”
Neil pointed at me with a look of disbelief as I stared at the sky.
He gave me a doubtful look, so I pointed to the ground in front of Neil.
“Twenty-five steps from now. There’s a stone about ten centimeters in size on the ground.”
“Huh?”
The ground was covered in grass, so there was no way to know unless you got close. Neil walked twenty-five steps, muttering, “Is that true?” He crouched down and picked up the stone exactly where I said it would be.
“No way.” He looked at me with that look.
“I told you. I’m watching.”
“Oh…”
Neil didn’t say anything else after that. If Reiden says anything to me, I’ll do the same thing.
However, the night came without me being told anything or finding anything.
We were told to camp as we saw fit, but to make sure that one person was always on watch.
Well, with ten groups, one person per group would be enough.
“But we haven’t seen anything yet. Even though it’s only the first day, is it really here?”
“That’s true. We’ve been called out on an emergency, but it’s been too quiet.”
Neil and Gagel were standing with their arms crossed, muttering. To their left and right, two women were quietly watching the flames.
“On the other hand, maybe it’s not good that we haven’t seen anything.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Iriel as she muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it strange? This isn’t a place where magical beasts are often exterminated. There aren’t many requests in the first place. So why hasn’t a single magical beast attacked us?”
Everyone fell silent as if to say, “Now that you mention it.”
“If you think about it simply, it’s because there’s a stronger and more ferocious magical beast around.”
“That’s right.”
Gagel and Cyril roared heavily.
The four of them continued to speculate for a while, but none of their theories were particularly outlandish.
“Jas, what do you think?”
I’m full of the feeling that even if I bring up the topic, it’s nothing.
“As Neil said at first, it’s still the first day. But like Iriel said, if that’s the reason why there are no magical beasts, is it just here that the fourth group is in charge of, or is it not in the entire group’s area of responsibility? Wouldn’t that change the way you think?”
Yes, if it’s just here that there aren’t any.
“If that’s not the case. It means that this is the most dangerous place among the four groups.”
At my words, everyone fell silent.