Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Words Can Be Chains or Salvation (7)
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"It's nothing else, but I'm thinking of forming an investigation team for the Ode Swamp."
"Pardon?"
I'd arrived at the lord's castle and was thoroughly enjoying today's menu: lamb rib steak.
But midway through, Viscount Strau finally got to the real reason he'd summoned me.
Well, I'd figured he hadn't called me just for a meal.
He'd come looking for me in person instead of sending someone, so I'd expected there was something he needed to tell me directly.
But an investigation team for the Ode Swamp?
Why the sudden interest in investigating the Ode Swamp?
"This Troll Lord was an unprecedented variant. It moved like it had figured out everything about us humans. Instructor Kane, you'd know that better than anyone."
"......"
Yeah, I knew it all too well.
My spine had chilled more than once because of that thing.
If I'd overlooked even a single detail, it would've gotten me.
Especially at the end—if Jenny hadn't been there, we would've been in real trouble.
"So, we're planning to find its habitat before it emerged and investigate. There might be some data worth passing down to posterity."
"I see."
It was definitely special.
There might be traits setting it apart from other Troll Lords.
Maybe there were differences to note, or something useful.
That's what they wanted to check.
For posterity—in case another freak variant Troll Lord showed up someday.
Hm, excellent initiative.
The more detailed the records of this battle, the quicker we'd respond if it happened again.
True to the Parein family, dead serious about the Troll Lord fight and leaving records for the ages.
But why tell me this?
"Instructor Kane spotted the anomaly with your keen eye. I thought you might notice something others miss during the investigation, too."
I got it.
So, he was asking me to join the investigation team...
"If you'd participate as a field investigator..."
"Of course."
No reason to refuse.
Hell, I'd go in a heartbeat for something like that.
The habitat of a variant Troll Lord.
No one else would've seen it, so it wouldn't be in any books.
Me, exploring unknown knowledge firsthand.
How thrilling was that?
Beyond just reading about others' experiences.
Now I could gain field knowledge myself.
Being an adventurer instructor really was something else.
"Haha, I knew you'd accept readily, Instructor. Then, let me explain the team..."
Viscount Strau's face lit up, too.
Had he been worried I'd say no?
...Man, his formal speech had become second nature now.
And from a noble viscount, no less.
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"So, I need permission."
After hearing everything about the Ode Swamp investigation team, I returned to the adventurer's guild.
I explained it all to Branch Chief Terry.
Investigating unique traits of the variant Troll Lord.
It'd take a few days.
So, I needed leave or field work approval.
"Haha. If the lord's taking you along, what can I say?"
Of course, Branch Chief Terry approved immediately.
As paid field work, no salary dock!
Heh heh, add the team's compensation, and this month's looking fat.
"No escort needed? Should I announce it to the adventurers?"
Escort, huh.
Didn't seem necessary.
The trolls were mostly gone from the Ode Swamp now.
At most, the odd stray one might pop up.
Given the swamp's nature, other monsters from nearby forests wouldn't move in much.
In short, the Ode Swamp was a ghost town now.
Low chance of monster encounters.
Any we did run into, the knights and soldiers with the team would handle.
No need for extra adventurers.
"No, it's fine. We've got knights as escorts anyway."
"Too bad. There'd be adventurers lining up to escort Instructor Kane for free."
"......"
Haha, good one.
...I almost said that, but shut my mouth.
It felt too plausible.
My rep with adventurers was sky-high these days.
Word had spread about my exploits against the Troll Lord, inventing the instant bombs, and that all the hotshot adventurers were my students.
Adventurers were swarming to buddy up with me lately.
...No, really, I'm not that great.
Anyway.
Permission granted.
Three days later.
The team departs.
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"Then, we're off."
Three days flew by, and it was time for the Ode Swamp investigation team to set out.
The team was leaner than expected.
Three knights, two hundred soldiers.
Plus ten researchers including me.
Total 213—pretty small for an expeditionary force.
Honestly, even this felt excessive.
The Ode Swamp was ownerless wasteland now.
Monster encounters were rare.
Sure, monsters on the way, but D to F-rank stuff.
Goblins, silver wolves, kobolds mostly.
One knight per ten soldiers could handle it easy.
Still... the swamp's huge, and we had to scour it, so maybe that's why the numbers.
Could bring thousands for a quick sweep, but manpower was needed for recovery and such.
Damage minimized, but not zero.
Physical damage beyond lives lost, plus economic hits from halted territory activities.
And compensation for the dead.
Various reasons made pulling more bodies tough.
Nobles griping about records during a crisis?
Researchers were few, too.
They'd gathered all the troll and swamp experts, and this was it.
Makes sense—if specialists are scarce, piling on troops is pointless.
Investigation time stays the same.
Wasteful.
Plus, fewer people suited me fine.
Thousands trampling along? Intimidating.
Like I had to deliver earth-shattering results...
...Nah, still kinda pressuring now.
"Honored to serve with Instructor Kane!"
"Heard you crushed it against the Troll Lord."
"You look the part, too."
"......"
Knights, soldiers, even researchers eyeing me with sparkling admiration.
Come on, guys.
Why pile on the pressure? Felt like I had to unearth something legendary now.
Shaking off the heavy stares, we marched on.
Through plains, past some village fields, then forest.
A few monster run-ins en route, but our numbers scared them off.
Made it to the Ode Swamp in about six hours.
Hm, with breaks, sure.
But six hours straight, and I wasn't winded.
The researchers beside me looked beat despite rests.
Heh heh, stamina training pays off.
"This is the Ode Swamp onward. Short break, then move. Watch your step once inside."
Ode Swamp.
A genuine swamp.
As the lead knight said, slack on foot placement, and you'd sink into sticky muck unnoticed.
Not all swamp, so careful steps worked.
But trolls or lizardmen popping nonstop? Juggling that and footing? Madness.
Mental drain like no other.
That's a swamp's terror.
Well, no trolls now, so safer.
"Ugh, so humid..."
"Ack! Mud everywhere?"
"Trees too mossy to grab..."
Still no picnic.
High humidity, sticky mud floors.
Regular folk lose sanity just standing there.
"Bear with it a bit. We'll find firmer ground and set base camp."
One knight said that, pushing ahead.
...They had armor; should've been worse than researchers.
Training difference, huh?
"Ngh... let's hurry."
"Just a bit more."
"Hoo..."
No major gripes, and after another hour...
"...Perfect. Here! Everyone, base up here!"
Found solid ground for base camp; knight called the soldiers.
Then it was a blur.
Soldiers whipped up camp with pro skill, unpacking gear into furniture and tools lickety-split.
Oo... impressive.
Barracks, meeting room, lab—all done fast.
Our home for the next few days.
"Rest today. Investigation starts tomorrow."
Finally, we crashed on cots.
Whew... tomorrow's the worry.
Trudging that sticky swamp.
Hunting traces of its lair or habitat.
Overlooked by ten days of adventurers, knights, heroes.
No telling how long.
They'd marked searched spots, small mercy.
But if nothing in unsearched areas? Hell begins.
Re-scour the whole damn swamp.
"Tch, later."
Sleep first, think tomorrow.
Overthinking's no good.
Thus, on the slightly uncomfortable—but luxurious for here—cot, I drifted off.