Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Hungry Slayer
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Dane had shared his thoughts with his comrades just yesterday, saying it would be great to have a monster expert join them.
Tebier said with a curious expression.
"Yes. A monster expert. Researchers represent those who seek to understand the world. Naturally, they possess the most profound knowledge about the World Tree and monsters, which form the foundation of our world."
"Do they know all the monsters in existence?"
"I can't say they know every single one, but I can guarantee they'll surpass the knowledge of any average hunter."
There were hunters aplenty in the world, but elves did not hunt. They merely managed the hunters and hunting parties.
However, all the information gathered by hunters from their hunts converged into one place. That compilation was the Tienun, and those who studied it would surely possess knowledge beyond what experience alone could provide.
"Having such an expert join a hunting party would certainly be helpful in many ways."
"I'm glad you're welcoming my offer so graciously for once."
"I've always been grateful, but I just wasn't good at expressing it."
That much was true. Dane had no idea what Tebier's ulterior motives were, but the man had always been more friendly toward him than expected. Seizing the moment, Dane voiced another question.
"I was just about to head to the delta. But since there are no roots there, I'm wondering if that aligns with the Thick Root Hunting Party's investigative duties."
Tebier smiled faintly.
"It's heartening that you're considering our position as well. The delta does fall within the scope of the investigation. If the disappearance of roots is the worst-case scenario, then the barbarians of the delta—who have coexisted with monsters without roots for so long—make for excellent specimens."
The word "coexisted" gave Dane a strange feeling.
If they were looking that far ahead, they might already view the things Dane was doing as one possible outcome.
'A world without the World Tree's protection... have they already realized the significance monster meat would hold there?'
Dane added this hypothesis to his thoughts on Tebier's friendly demeanor.
Tebier continued.
"Besides, we might even discover why the roots are vanishing in a place where they never extended in the first place. That's for the researcher to handle, so I ask that the Dane Butchery Squad provide solid protection and support."
"We'll do that. By the way... is there a relay station in the delta too?"
"There is no relay station, but once the researcher joins, communication with the Administration Bureau won't be an issue. So, if you could hold off on leaving the sector until then, that would be ideal."
They had planned to stay in Foldtown a few days anyway before heading to Mekar anyway.
To wrap up the discussion, Tebier handed Dane a gold badge proving their status as the "Thick Root Hunting Party."
"It's like the badge given to hunters. It'll be useful anywhere the roots reach, but keep in mind that other hunting parties could try to take it from you at any time."
The palm-sized metal disc bore an engraving of the World Tree.
* * *
The Dane Butchery Squad ended up staying in Foldtown longer than expected.
They had commissioned a lot of items from the smithy, and processing the elite material proved quite challenging.
During that time, local hunters visited the squad for various reasons, but all left empty-handed.
Dink chased them off like a guard dog protecting its home. The triceratops monster itself was intimidating enough, and tussling with such a beast was tantamount to picking a fight with the butchery squad, so they had no choice.
Thanks to that, Dane hunted moderately and rested moderately. It felt like a real vacation for once.
The day after finally receiving their commissioned items from the smithy, a joyful exclamation escaped River even from inside the wagon.
"Success!"
Dane and Bankers, who had been testing the newly forged large cleaver and elite steel spear, hurried inside. River was carefully slicing a chunk of meat with a brownish tint.
It felt different from the jerky dried in Mekel Mountain's cold winds.
She had smoked epup hindquarters over cedar wood fire at low temperature for a long time. It was a lengthy, tedious process. She had practically stayed up all night tending the smoker to maintain the temperature.
It was complex and meticulous. She repeated the process after several failures.
The results matched the effort—it was a success.
Dane had watched from the side and knew how much work it had taken, so River's satisfied expression lifted his spirits.
Dane swiftly snatched a piece of jerky and popped it into his mouth. Bankers reached for some too.
River's eyes sparkled as she watched the two munch away. The brief wait for a cook was a mix of anticipation, curiosity, fear, and excitement.
"Ah... you're the real deal!"
"Whoa... this is something!"
A thrilling sensation coursed through River's body. If the eaters cursed in delight like that, it was more than enough. All the long hours of effort were rewarded in this fleeting moment.
"This... it's more than just a snack, isn't it? Could eat it like a meal."
The outside was firm from evaporated moisture, but the inside trapped juices perfectly. The texture was remarkable too. Coagulated fat and protein released a rich, matured flavor with the smoky aroma that pleasantly filled the mouth with every chew.
Dane was pleased for another reason as well.
This was portable. No more worrying about meat anemia. There were over ten thick chunks. Stored in the Yadus container, they'd last a good long while.
"Your cooking's getting better and better."
Stimulated by Rudelver's cooking, River had thrown herself even more fervently into culinary research to match his grandfather.
This was just one fruit of that labor, but her comrades were satisfied. That was reason enough to cook. At least until recently.
'To be a cook fitting for a butchery squad, this isn't enough yet.'
A new goal.
Whether that made her a cook fitting for the butchery squad or specifically for Dane, even River didn't yet know her own heart.
* * *
While the butchery squad finished their meal of jerky and rested, Illein visited them personally.
"A researcher has been secured. After investigating one root village within the sector together, you're free to leave the sector as you wish, per the Bureau Chief's orders."
"Where's the researcher? Could it be... Chief Supervisor Illein?"
At Dane's question, Illein's face flushed slightly for some reason. She shook her head faintly and said.
"No, I'm not the researcher... They'll join us near the village."
"Where are we headed?"
"Apparently, there's trouble in Conwell Village to the northeast. We don't know the details, so you'll go check it out and determine if it's related to the roots or identify the cause."
"Conwell Village... Conwell Village... Hmm... Yeah, there's a root village by that name."
Bankers tilted his head repeatedly, rummaging through his memory.
"Why? You know the place?"
Dane asked, finding Bankers's reaction unusual.
"No, that's the problem— I know nothing about it. Usually, with any village or hamlet, folks from there mix into the cities, and you naturally hear stories about the place. But Conwell? Nothing like that. Not that I know of."
"Hmm... So it's that insular?"
"Or maybe it's so good living there that no one wants to leave."
Dane and River nodded in agreement. Illein added.
"As you say, Conwell Village is known for having no exchanges with Foldtown or anywhere else. The Administration Bureau doesn't meddle deeply in root village affairs, so we don't know much, but since it's close to the eastern delta, if it's affected by root weakening, the damage must be severe."
"So, what's the problem?" Dane asked.
"This morning, a gravely injured villager from Conwell Village fled to Foldtown. He said only a few words to the guards before dying."
River swallowed hard as Illein paused at just the right moment.
* * *
Illein had heard the victim's story early that morning.
"Conwell... monster... curse... help... "
The dawn guard at Foldtown's eastern watchtower recounted exactly what he'd heard in front of the guard captain and Illein. He even mimicked the voice and expression, though there was no need.
"Any guesses?"
The guard captain hurriedly asked Illein, embarrassed by his subordinate.
"Well, it's hard to say from just those words. But if they're coming from Conwell desperate enough to beg for help here, it's no ordinary issue. And this wound... it's just..."
Illein swallowed the word "horrific."
The corpse's abdomen was split vertically down the middle as if sliced by a sharp blade, spilling out a handful of entrails. The victim had forcibly held it closed and run all that way.
Illein rushed to Tebier's office to report.
"So... Conwell Village is requesting help? Intriguing."
Tebier tapped his desk with his fingers as he heard the report.
"Conwell Village is in an area tangled with remnant roots, so monster influence barely reaches it. For someone from a place that can sustain itself on farming alone to come all the way to Foldtown for aid... it can't be anything ordinary."
"Indeed."
"No relay station nearby makes it hard to commission a hunting party right away, so how about entrusting it to Dane's Butchery Squad?"
"Hmm... With a researcher joining them just in time, we could send them to gel as a team."
Illein leaned forward slightly, furrowing her brow at Tebier's words. She seemed cautious of eavesdroppers.
"With elves already brimming with complaints, recommending that child? You'll draw even greater rebuke from the elders. And if the royal capital finds out, all the more so."
"Hahaha, what can we do? With all researchers resigned, we're lucky to have that one. Sure, she fell out of favor with the Auditor General long ago, but she's still under the Auditorate. So he'll have accepted my proposal."
Even if it was out of necessity with all researchers gone, recommending her at this timing was too reckless.
Oblivious to Illein's thoughts, Tebier laughed and continued.
"The royal capital, including the Auditorate, opposed the Thick Root Hunting Party from the start. They grudgingly permitted it, so they must want one of their own researchers to join. We're doing just that—what's the problem? Hahaha!"
It was blatant power play. Stuck in the middle handling the actual work, Illein felt her insides burning.
"So you're really sending... that half-elf as the researcher?"
"She's a bit unusual, but smart and capable, isn't she? Bloodline isn't a factor."
She would be the link connecting Dane's Butchery Squad and the Administration Bureau, reporting every move to the Auditorate. Illein disapproved of placing a half-elf in such a position.
"A half-elf with a barbarian butchery squad—now that's a combination I'm looking forward to."
Tebier said, still oblivious.
Illein let out a hollow laugh in disbelief. Now she just thought whatever would happen would happen.
"And honestly, the most amusing part is that child's unique temperament. You know it too, Chief Supervisor?"
"Yes. I've heard all about it."
She hadn't forgotten the real hurdle.
The half-elf whom Bigdis had given up on. The question was whether Dane's Butchery Squad could accept that child's eccentricities.
'Complete opposites. Or perhaps the most unlikely partners imaginable... which will it be?'
Illein suspected she wouldn't like the outcome either way.