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 out in full force butchering them, due to a supposed bumper crop.”
Clearly, something was happening.
It was something the entire Garrison felt.
Compared to previous years, more animals such as deer, boars, and tanuki were seen in the patrol area.
Many of them seemed to be in unusual states, such as agitated males or parents with their young.
“I hope it’s not bad news…”
“We’ve already filed a report, so there should be some kind of investigation…”
However, they didn’t sense a problem as severe as a rampage.
It was more like the territories were gradually shifting from the depths of the forest towards the front.
“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 its original state.
However, if the number of animals continued to increase…
Large beasts and Monsters might approach the village, targeting those animals.
The Garrison could handle it if there were only a few.
“I really hope nothing happens.”
His term was about three weeks away. After that, he would enjoy a vacation in the city before moving to his new assignment.
In other words, he hoped that 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 omnivorous. Of course, carelessly attacking it would result in a painful counterattack.
“Let’s do it. It’s too close to the village hunting grounds. If we leave it, they’ll encounter it sooner or later.”
“I suppose so. Alright, get your bows ready. I’ll take care of it at this distance.”
The captain removed the bow from his back and pulled an arrow from the quiver on his waist.
His subordinates followed suit.
This was in case the captain missed with his first shot, allowing them to follow up with a second or third.
However, with the captain’s skill, he was unlikely to miss.
“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 perfect.
He released his fingers and let the arrow fly.
The slight Magical Power imbued in the arrow suppressed any deviation in its trajectory, and altered its form to minimize deceleration due to air resistance.
The released arrow pierced the Deer’s head, hitting its mark without fail.
“One shot.”
“Excellent shot, Captain.”
The Deer’s body collapsed, losing its strength.
“I don’t think there will be any problems since Deer don’t form herds… but it seems we need to strengthen patrols around here for a while.”
Monsters rarely appeared on the outer edges.
This was because the Garrison hunted them all down.
Monsters that carelessly entered the Garrison’s patrol area, that is, the Forest Country (Lebresta)’s Territory, were already extinct, and other Monsters didn’t approach.
Very rarely, Monsters would be pushed out from the depths, but it was never Deer. Deer had a strong sense of Territory, so they rarely changed their Territory.
However, “rarely” didn’t mean “never.”
This rare case just happened to be this time.
But it would be good if 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 number of equipment losses for the outer Garrison is increasing,”
La Alluintarra, who was in charge of managing the Garrison’s supplies, placed the incoming equipment requisition forms on her desk and sighed.
“Alluintarra, what’s wrong?”
Her superior, noticing her sigh, asked.
“Ri-Tearaderada Jars-sama. Well, the equipment requisition forms from the outer units are increasing, and the requested numbers are also higher. If this continues, this year’s budget will run out quickly.”
“…Has it suddenly increased this month?”
Ri-Tearaderada Jars frowned at her report.
Naturally, the budget was based on what was needed from past experience. For it to be 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? At most, three months. It’s not just this unit. There are a few others. For the time being, we’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 the regular delivery. 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 with just that much. I think it was about 10% more than usual.”
“I see… Well, I wouldn’t have known with just that. It’s just business as usual. Alright, I understand. I’ll report it to Rabiarede-sama. Alluintarra, I’m sorry, but can you get the increase and prediction numbers? Well, either way, just fulfilling this request will empty this year’s budget.”
Tearaderada gave her subordinate those instructions and immediately stood up. It was better to consult about this kind of information immediately, even if it was uncertain. Rather than suddenly showing her numbers, she would first convey the information verbally.
“Understood. I’ll compile it by evening.”
“Thank you. You’re always a great help. Well, I’m going to see Rabiarede-sama.”
“Have a good day.”
◇◇◇◇
“Is it a sign of a Monster Stampede?”
“It’s still unclear. It feels calmer than a Stampede. Besides, that’s a ‘rampage.’ There’s never been a confirmed sign.”
Ri Prediuga Elemes, after receiving a report from his subordinate about the increase in Monsters, crossed his arms.
As far as he knew, there was no corresponding phenomenon.
Sightings of Monsters were increasing on the outer edges of the forest.
Along with that, the number of Monsters being subjugated was increasing, and the equipment loss rate of the Garrison was also increasing.
There were no reports of human casualties, so it wasn’t an urgent problem.
However, if the equipment couldn’t be replenished in time, it would only be a matter of time.
“The reserve personnel can move immediately, but the equipment, the equipment… Hmm, has peace lasted too long? The quality of the equipment has improved, but the budget has been cut accordingly…”
“Piling up unused equipment in the warehouse is the first thing that gets criticized. Still, 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 Demon Forest and defended the country as a country.
They had been patrolling for hundreds of years to hammer into the Monsters that this was the Forest Country (Lebresta)’s Territory.
“It can’t be helped. The next Elder Council is in three days. Let’s have it taken up as an emergency agenda. 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 might 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).
Lebresta people were inherently bad 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 that state for hundreds of years, so there might be some kind of trust relationship.
“In any case, it depends on the results of the Elder Council. Fortunately, Teariadar-sama has returned this time. It seems she also has an important report, but it shouldn’t be more important than our problem. After all, it’s a matter of maintaining the Forest Country (Lebresta)’s territory.”