“We’ve found several dungeons that could be used to support our livelihood.”
“I’ve destroyed a few dungeons managed by a Master. There are also several places that seem beyond our capabilities.”
“We found a place where rock salt can be mined, but it’s within the territory of Cyclops. There were too many, so we temporarily retreated.”
“We found what appears to be the remains of a Kamoshika nest. We’d like to track them.”
“Found Fanbee flower field. Fanbees also there. Nest somewhere, maybe, is.”
““““ Ooh! ””””
We might be able to get honey!
I took aerial photographs with a drone and printed them on large paper. Since it was taken from within the Barrier, the drone is safe.
We’re writing down various information, such as what’s around this base, what landmarks there are, and where dangerous Monsters live.
Those who investigated were the Village warriors who had recovered from their injuries and poison, and had undergone physical enhancement. The group of Onmitsu and warrior Beastmen, working in groups of three or four, are used to living in the Forest.
This land where the base is located is farther from the depths of the Black Forest than where the Village was, so there are fewer Monsters and their quality is lower. Furthermore, for them, who have become stronger in both body and Magical Power, the difficulty seems to have decreased considerably, and the speed of the investigation is quite high.
As expected, everyone is stronger than Ore.
“The only place we could build a mountain hut is around here. There aren’t many good spots.”
It needs to be a certain distance from the base, difficult for Monsters to discover, and easy to evacuate in an emergency, which is quite difficult to find.
Building it in a strange place would only make management more difficult, and it’s hard to increase them carelessly.
“This was originally the location of the capital… there should have been several villages in the past.”
“That was hundreds of years ago, right? They’ve probably been swallowed by the Forest by now.”
Places near the mountains might have buildings made of carved and assembled stone, but the basics in this world are wooden houses. Without someone to manage them, they’ll eventually weather away, and in the Forest, they’ll be swallowed by the trees.
The capital was abandoned as it was, but the villages in the Forest might have been properly closed off.
“Let’s decide on the management of these and future policies after Ryuga returns. Should we destroy the dangerous Dungeons in the meantime?”
A Dungeon that even this strengthened party couldn’t conquer, despite being a party of three? That’s quite a high difficulty.
“We have weapons, so let’s start some serious proficiency training.”
In the Forest and inside Dungeons, the SB Lance and the SGS-08A assault rifle are suitable for close combat. Well, the environment in Dungeons changes in various ways, so it’s not certain.
The SB Lance is one thing, but the SGS-08A is a type that reloads by exchanging Magic Cores. Shooting training is necessary, but magazine exchange training is also necessary.
Thanks to the Oath Magic, there’s no need to worry about betrayal, so I have no hesitation in handing over weapons.
“Alright, let’s train for a while.”
““““ Ha! ””””
Until now, training has been conducted mainly by Barbatos and Beatrice, but that was only to learn combat training, how to use weapons, and how to aim.
In contrast, full-scale military training is group action based on the premise of platoon and company activities. It might be a little tough for them, who have been living a lawless life with a small number of people.
“However, I’m not the one taking care of it, so follow the instructions of the Drones.”
““““ Ha! ””””
The monitors of the Drones are full of motivation. I can leave it to them with peace of mind.
Ah, I wish the Drones could fight. Military regulations don’t allow Drones to attack. I can instruct them to take defensive actions, though.
“This way.”
“I see, it certainly looks like a path.”
“Found it, is.”
The days continue with surveying the surroundings in the morning and training in the afternoon.
There are countless new discoveries, and many things that could enrich our lives have been found.
Mother Frunos have also increased. I want more Mother Veginos.
In the midst of all this, remnants of a path leading to the back of the mountain were found behind the mountain.
“It hasn’t been used for hundreds of years, but it still remains in places where trees don’t grow.”
“Wild animals and Monsters are probably using it on a daily basis.”
“Ah, there’s that too. In that case, we can’t use it unless we investigate the Monsters using it.”
“Investigate, is.”
“No, you don’t have to force yourself to use honorifics.”
“Not forcing myself.”
Yeah. Suddenly very fluent. She says it crisply.
“Well, do it within your capabilities. Besides, this width won’t allow carts to pass.”
“It may have been just a path for people to pass through. It must have been a path to cross the mountain.”
“I see. Since there was a capital in the country, there may have been several such paths.”
On the opposite side of the mountain, there were several low mountains and a vast Forest. And beyond that, there was a plain. A town could also be seen.
I don’t know what’s on the other side of the mountains within the visible range, but there were no villages in the Forest. It must be outside the range that humans can manage.
I don’t know if it was once within the Highgrand Principality or another country, but it’s certain that humans live there. Toragrus-sama also said so, so there’s no doubt about it.
“It would be nice if we could create a trade route, but I wonder.”
“First, we must investigate whether trade is possible. I’m ashamed to say that we have never interacted with anyone other than the people of the Village.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
There aren’t any merchants in the first place.
“There are too few people with specialized knowledge…”
What is the unit of currency in that town or country? Or rather, does it even have a monetary culture? It would be nice if we could handle it with bartering. And it’s unclear if the language is even understandable.
“Should I just fly over there alone and investigate?”
“At least wait until Father wakes up. You need an escort.”
“King, will escort. Is.”
“Barbatos would be better in times like these, though.”
She lived outside and, although a Knight, has the sensibilities of someone close to the common people. Beatrice is, well, that. She’s too flashy and stands out.
“It’s also a problem to try to do everything yourself.”
Even though they’ve moved here, there’s no need to take care of all the Villagers. Besides, helping them too much won’t be good for them.
“But I want to go see it.”
Alright. I’ll go see it next time!