Chapter 39: The Exiled Marquise and the Demon Realm 2
“By the way, what are we subjugating today? Is it a request? Or perhaps some freelance hunting?”
Shara asked this while we were in the grassland area at the edge of the Demon Realm.
The Demon Realm is broadly divided into three layers: the grassland area closest to human territory, the forest area beyond that, and finally, the deepest part further in, known as the Depths.
Although it’s divided into three layers, even the forest area hasn’t been fully explored, so effectively, it’s only two layers.
Incidentally, ‘freelance hunting’ is a dressed-up term for adventurers hunting whatever monsters they can find to earn their daily bread.
“There weren’t any good requests at the Guild, so…”
Erica said with a smile, as casually as if commenting on the fine weather.
“Let’s hunt a Designated Subjugation Target today.”
“Huh?”
Shara looked at my face.
“Huh?”
Don’t look at me like that; I just found out myself.
Designated Subjugation Targets, as the name implies, are monsters specified for subjugation in standing requests issued by the Adventurers Guild.
They are sometimes colloquially referred to as ‘Masters’ (Nushi).
This is because while most monsters have a general habitat, a rough area where they tend to appear…
…these Designated Subjugation Targets are said to drift in from other regions and settle down.
They act as if claiming a territory.
In other words, they become the master of that territory.
Since they are monsters capable of pushing aside other monsters to claim a territory, they are naturally more dangerous or stronger than typical specimens.
On the other hand, they rarely move from their territory, which saves the trouble of searching for them, but naturally, average adventurers who challenge them usually end up being defeated.
The Adventurers Guild designates them less out of a desire for them to be subjugated at all costs, and more to prevent under-skilled adventurers from unknowingly encountering them.
Since they don’t move from their territory, they are often simply left alone.
This time, she was proposing we hunt one such Designated Subjugation Target in the grasslands, one that had been left alone for a long time.
“Are you serious?”
Shara’s face was pale.
“Yes, quite serious.”
Shara looked towards me as if seeking help, but I just shrugged and ignored her.
“Do you know what we’re up against?”
“A Forest Dragon, isn’t it? Quite the careless one, setting up territory in the grasslands despite being called a Forest Dragon.”
“That’s the kind of monster the Knights Order usually handles!?”
Shara couldn’t help but shout.
“Is that so?”
“I wonder? In Faltar, the Knights Order wouldn’t be dispatched for a mere Forest Dragon.”
When I answered Erica’s question, Shara cried out, “The Faltar Kingdom is too much of a Demon Realm!”
“You don’t need to worry so much. I am here, and Shin is here too. If it gets dangerous, can’t we simply run away?”
“I absolutely hate the idea of a life-or-death game of tag!”
Erica laughed cheerfully as she watched the clamoring Shara.
Perhaps she finds it fresh and amusing because there was no one at the academy who would shout and reveal their emotions so openly?
If Sister Shara being by her side can make Erica smile like this, then I can tolerate it.
Though it’s a bit lonely not getting much attention myself.
“Ah, we’ve arrived.”
Shara murmured, her face looking like she was about to cry.
The form of a Forest Dragon lounging atop a low hill came into view.
“It’s big, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s a bit big.”
“It’s too big!”
I expected it wouldn’t be an ordinary Forest Dragon, given that it’s a Designated Subjugation Target, but…
It’s about the size of a small house.
“Well then, shall we engage?”
There was no trace of tension in Erica’s voice.