Episode 187: Interlude (In a Certain Forest)
“The forest has been restless lately,”
The man muttered as he led his subordinates through the trees.
“Yes. The number of beasts has increased. Yesterday, the village men were all out butchering game from a particularly bountiful hunt.”
Clearly, something was happening.
It was something the entire Garrison felt.
Compared to previous years, deer, boars, tanuki, and other animals were seen more frequently within their patrol area.
They often appeared as agitated males or family groups, a sight less common than usual.
“I hope it’s not bad news…”
“We’ve already filed a report, so I’m sure some kind of investigation will be launched, but…”
However, they didn’t sense a problem as severe as a frenzy.
It was more like the territory was gradually shifting from the depths of the forest towards the outskirts.
“Could a monster stampede have started in the depths of the forest…?”
“If it were a stampede, I think it would feel more frantic.”
Slowly, but surely, the forest’s ecosystem was changing.
For now, the impact was limited to increased game around the village, which pleased the hunters.
If this was temporary, there would be no problem.
Eventually, the population would stabilize and return to normal.
However, if the animal population continued to increase…
Larger beasts and monsters might be drawn closer to the village, preying on those animals.
The Garrison could handle a small number, but…
“I really hope nothing happens.”
His term was up in about three weeks. After that, he would enjoy a vacation in the city before moving to his new assignment.
In other words, he hoped nothing would happen for at least three weeks.
“…Captain. That.”
A sharp-eyed member spotted something and called out to the captain.
“Hmm… A deer? They’re not monsters we often see around here.”
In their line of sight was a large deer moving leisurely. It looked like a herbivore, but a monster deer was an omnivore. Of course, carelessly attacking it would result in a painful counterattack.
“Let’s take care of it. It’s too close to the village’s hunting grounds. If we leave it, they’ll encounter it sooner or later.”
“I agree. Alright, get your bows ready. I’ll take it from this distance.”
The captain removed the bow from his back and pulled an arrow from the quiver at his waist.
His subordinates followed suit.
This was in case the captain missed his first shot, allowing them to follow up with a second or third.
However, with the captain’s skill, a miss was unlikely.
“Firing.”
He nocked the arrow and drew the bowstring taut. He took a deep breath and held it.
His movements stopped perfectly.
His aim was flawless.
He released his fingers, and the arrow flew.
The faint magic imbued in the arrow suppressed any deviation in its trajectory, minimizing deceleration due to air resistance, altering its power.
The released arrow pierced the deer’s head, hitting its mark without fail.
“One shot.”
“Excellent shot, Captain.”
The deer’s body collapsed, its strength gone.
“I don’t think there will be any problems since deer don’t herd… But it looks like we’ll need to increase patrols around here for a while.”
Monsters rarely appeared on the outer fringes.
That was because the Garrison hunted them all down.
Monsters that carelessly wandered into the Garrison’s patrol area, which was to say, the territory of the Forest Country (Lebresta), were already extinct, and those that weren’t didn’t approach.
Very rarely, monsters were pushed out from the depths, but it was never deer. Deer were highly territorial and rarely changed their territory.
However, rarely didn’t mean never.
This rare case just happened to be this time.
But hopefully, that was all it was.
“For now, we’ll take the game back with us. Patrols are over for today. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
“Understood, Captain.”
◇◇◇◇
“The equipment attrition rate of the outer Garrison is increasing,”
La Aluntala, who was in charge of managing the Garrison’s supplies, placed the incoming equipment requisition forms on her desk and sighed.
“Aluntala, what’s wrong?”
Her superior, noticing her sigh, asked.
“Teadelada-sama. Well, the equipment requisition forms from the outer units are increasing, and the number of items requested is also increasing. If this continues, this year’s budget will be gone soon.”
“…Has it suddenly increased this month?”
Li Teadelada Jals frowned at her report.
Naturally, the budget was based on what was deemed necessary from past experience. For it to be on the verge of running out in less than half a year was concerning.
“Yes, suddenly. It was normal until last month. Look at this… From the same unit, at the beginning of this month and today. Normally, it’s about once every six months, right? Three months at most. It’s not just this unit. There are a few others. For the time being, I’ll take it from the reserves, but if it’s like this next month, we’ll run out.”
“Ah, I see… Today is the day for regular deliveries. Does that mean the requests were high at the beginning of the month too?”
“Hmm… Now that you mention it, there might have been more than usual. But I couldn’t have predicted this from that. I think it was about 10% more than usual.”
“I see… Well, I wouldn’t have known from that. If you say it’s normal, it’s normal. Alright, I understand. I’ll report it to Labialede-sama. Aluntala, I’m sorry, but can you provide the increase and forecast in numbers? Well, either way, just fulfilling this request will empty this year’s budget.”
Teadelada instructed her subordinate and immediately stood up. It was better to consult about this kind of information as soon as possible, even if it was uncertain. Rather than suddenly showing numbers, it was better to convey the information verbally first.
“Understood. I’ll compile it by evening.”
“Thank you. You’re always a great help. Well, I’m going to Labialede-sama’s office.”
“Have a good day.”
◇◇◇◇
“Is this a sign of a monster stampede?”
“It’s still unclear. It feels calmer than a stampede. Besides, that’s a ‘frenzy.’ There’s never been a confirmed sign.”
Li Plediuga Elemes, after receiving a report of increased monster sightings from his subordinate, crossed his arms.
As far as he knew, there was no corresponding phenomenon.
Monster sightings were increasing on the outer fringes of the forest.
Along with this, the number of monsters being subjugated was increasing, and the equipment attrition rate of the Garrison was also increasing.
There were no reports of casualties, so it wasn’t an immediate problem.
However, if equipment replenishment couldn’t keep up, it would only be a matter of time.
“Reserves can move immediately, but equipment, equipment… Hmm, has peace lasted too long? The quality of equipment has improved, but the budget has been cut accordingly…”
“Piling up unused equipment in the warehouse is the first thing to be criticized. However, I thought we had prepared enough…”
The Garrison was an indispensable unit for preserving the territory of the Forest Country (Lebresta).
They hunted the monsters that appeared from the direction of the Demon Forest, protecting the land as their own.
They had been patrolling for hundreds of years to hammer home the declaration that this was the territory of the Forest Country (Lebresta) to the monsters.
“It can’t be helped. The next Elder Council is in three days. Let’s have it taken up as an emergency agenda item. I don’t know if it will be a Ministry of Defense matter or the execution of a supplementary budget, but we should be able to take action. We may have to negotiate with those badgers…”
“I heard that new sake has been obtained through trade, so it might be relatively easy?”
“Ah, well, yes. It’s too strong for us, but it’s just right for them. It might be a gift from the heavens.”
The majority of equipment procurement was done through trade with a certain country in the northeast of the Forest Country (Lebresta).
Due to their constitution, Lebrestans were not good at using metal processing tools.
Therefore, they outsourced production to the Rock Country (Doradia), where many metal experts lived.
Economically, they were strongly connected, but the citizens weren’t very friendly with each other. However, they had been dealing with each other in this state for hundreds of years, so there might be a certain level of trust.
“In any case, it depends on the results of the Elder Council. Fortunately, Tiariada-sama has returned this time. It seems there’s an important report from her as well, but it shouldn’t be more serious than our problem. After all, this is a matter of maintaining the territory of our Forest Country (Lebresta).”