Chapter 97.1 - The Second Year at the Academy - Ranch Defense Battle (1)

Chapter 97.1 - The Second Year at the Academy - Ranch Defense Battle (1)

We returned to the administration building and informed the director of our participation.

Knowing our status, there were no objections.

Instead, he suggested.

"If you'd like, we can negotiate an increase in the fee..."

Politely declining, we decided to move the conversation forward to avoid unnecessary complications.

Hashou tilted his head in confusion, but to avoid further inquiries, we quickly proceeded with the discussion.

In the reception room, with tea served by Dana, we listened to Hashou's investigation report.

As expected, the assailants were Dekrama.

Sheep remains were found in the forest, surrounded by numerous footprints and claw marks.

However, their number was at least ten or more, and Vero couldn't determine more precisely.

"Can we be shown around later? I'd like to see it too."

"Certainly. Is it okay, Leader?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

Sequeus replied and looked at everyone.

"Now, let me explain the situation again. We received the request two days ago. Since then, we've had night watches, leaving security during the morning to the guards. Originally, there were four guards, but now there are ten. However, they lack experience in monster combat due to their rotation with the city's guards. Don't think of them as a force equal to their numbers."

With us, there were nineteen in total.

Even if the guards were fewer in number, it was still a considerable force.

"The number has increased, but we won't change roles. We adventurers will handle the night watch. During the day, many people pass through the highway, and the grasslands have good visibility. They won't attack unless it's necessary to break through."

Sequeus paused, then turned his gaze to everyone as if questioning.

Ted immediately raised his hand.

"I understand the night watch part. But why haven't they attacked for 5 days?"

"They probably saw the guards. Before we arrived, they sent reinforcements, and strengthened the patrols."

"Then isn't it faster to go out and meet them? Dekurama is not good in the grasslands, and with more people around, they're less likely to attack right away."The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

"That's the last resort. Even if we find Dekurama in the forest, we can't determine if they are the culprits who attacked the ranch. It's impossible to exterminate all of them in the vast forest. Also, while Dekurama is not good in the grasslands, there's a reason they don't want to come out. It's because there's a human territory in the grasslands. Perhaps this group has recently arrived in Selen. They don't know that this is human-controlled territory and will face a strong counterattack. In any case, if they don't come, we'll head for extermination. We'll judge the timing based on the situation."

Ted, who accepted this, withdrew, and I was impressed.

Has Ted become this thoughtful?

It was a far cry from when he swung a stick around.

While turning his back, Velott laughed cheerfully.

It would be difficult for C-rank adventurers to survive on requests alone.

According to Vero, he was earning money through escort requests, improving his equipment, and trying to become acquainted with prominent individuals.

He was scheming to form an exclusive escort contract if possible.

It wouldn't be a scheme if he told someone else.

Continuing to chat cautiously, we soon arrived at the scene.

Vero pointed to the bushes.

"I might have overlooked it without this."

What gets entwined in the bushes is sheep wool covered in blood.

I bent down on the spot and began to observe the surroundings.

It's been quite washed away by yesterday's rain.

Bloodstains on the bark of a big tree—could that be the scene of the meal?

I jumped onto a nearby branch and surveyed the treetops. Dekurama's claws weren't sharp.

Despite that, there were claw marks all over the trees, and many broken branches and torn leaves were found.

It looked like a fight, but there was little bleeding, and there were no traces of other monsters.

Could it be a dispute over food?

I see.

Vero said there were at least 10.

And that might be the right expression.

There were too many marks to accurately estimate the number.

would have given the same answer.

I jumped down from the branch and apologized to Vero.

"Sorry, I came to the same conclusion. I caused you trouble."

"No, not at all."

"At the very least, they seem hungry enough to fight over prey, or there are more than a few that ten sheep won't satisfy."

"There's no hunger at this time of year."

"Indeed."

In response to my answer, Vero nodded deeply.