33. The Gardener (1)
33. The Gardener (1)
- 1 -
A gardener.
A profession that manages a garden. Or a person who holds that profession.
But as the garden, and all that grew within it, withered, could a gardener who could do nothing truly be called a gardener by Fate (緣)?
'Just have to fill it.'
With what?
'With their lives.'
A splendid answer.
- 2 -
"So we're finally setting out."
Two more days had passed since I was assigned to the supply unit of the rampaging dungeon subjugation army.
It was also the time needed to reorganize the chaotic mix of soldiers, mercenaries, and adventurers into something resembling a proper military force.
It was also the time it took for the gazes of the supply unit's people towards me to become filled with goodwill.
"If Lady Anjelita hadn't been here, it would've taken two more days."
"Is that so?"
"Absolutely."
It was only natural they'd grown fond of me.
According to the knight Elias, who had first welcomed us, I alone had handled the work of at least three of their men, saving two days.
That meant not just time, but also a reduction in the consumption of food for the soldiers and horses during those days, and a reduction in the potential problems caused by soldiers whose command structure was still not unified.
Of course, it also meant they could handle more matters that needed dealing with in Copherin, and the subjugation of the dungeon could also be advanced, reducing greater losses.
"How on earth did you learn such a rapid calculation method..."
"It simply came to me through practice, so it's difficult to explain."
"Ah! I wasn't asking you to reveal it. I was just curious. Wondering where someone like you had been hiding. Probably, after this, our lord will certainly request an audience with you."
"It would be an honor for this unworthy merchant."
If this weren't a quasi-wartime situation, it would not be unusual for the lord to summon me on the spot and commend me. He probably intended to call me after this matter concluded.
Though I didn't yet know if I would still be here then.
"Kieeeek - !!!"
"All units, prepare for battle! We hold them off and send the main force through!"
The subjugation army's advance, while not difficult, wasn't entirely smooth either.
As we approached the mountain where the vampire's dungeon—called 'Serica' by the trading company's sales manager Geurim—was located, all sorts of demon beasts and wild monsters began to appear.
It was the aftermath of the dungeon's rampage.
"Kyaaak!!"
"Damn it. Have these things gone mad! Mere goblins...!"
"They're strangely strong! Don't let your guard down!"
Every monster charged aggressively at humans. Even goblins that would normally avoid large groups, even kobolds that would have more cleverly waited in the forest for the army to pass—all of them came at us with greater strength and speed than usual.
Drunk on the rampaging dungeon lord's mana yet unable to find an outlet to resolve it, they began rampaging the moment they saw humans.
These abnormal monster movements were likely another factor making the dungeon subjugation more urgent.
"Still, they are fewer than the information we extracted from the monsters. Where the other monsters have gone is the issue."
"Then other villages will be in danger."
"That might actually be fortunate. The villages possess at least some self-defense capabilities, so if they hold out until we subjugate the dungeon lord, they'll survive. Then, our battle here will become easier."
"I see."
It seemed this era truly was one where the war hadn't faded. Seeing how this knight, who had shown me nothing but kindness, didn't spare a thought for those who would die during the subjugation.
Well, it's not something I'm in a position to comment on, given that I actively capture or kill people myself.
"So we're setting up another camp halfway up the mountain."
"It's essential for smooth supply and handling the wounded. It'll probably be smaller than the one here. Lady Anjelita, you should remain here with your escort."
I nodded.
While going forward would be better, it would be strange to take an outsider, someone who outwardly appeared to be merely a merchant representative, to the very front lines.
Insisting on it would be suspicious, but anyway, being in camp didn't mean I couldn't move as I pleased, so there was no need to insist.
Though, handling it this way would likely earn me more goodwill.
"The apprentice adventurers I brought along seem eager to earn some merit. Could you arrange for them to do other tasks, even just behind the front lines?"
"Ah, would that be acceptable? We're already so shorthanded for those kinds of odd jobs..."
"It'll be better for them later if they can gain even this kind of achievement."
"You are so considerate! Understood."
I would be staying with the supply unit anyway, so having apprentice adventurers around wouldn't help. And if enemies approached from the rear, by the time they reached me, those adventurers wouldn't be of any use.
Elias seemed to know this well too, as there was no particular fuss about transferring the apprentice adventurers' contracts.
"Thank you, miss!"
"I truly hope we meet again next time."
It was only natural that the apprentice adventurers, who already held deep respect for me as a superior, expressed their gratitude.
From their perspective, they must have felt they were receiving a great reward despite having mostly just slept on the way here and having done almost no actual work.
They must have felt that way about themselves, even though they might have been more of a hindrance than a help to the subjugation force.
"I hope you all stay safe. Let's meet again with smiles."
""Yes!!""
After shaking off all those troublesome humans, only Shue, whose hood was pulled low, and Talhan, nominally my escort, remained with me in the supply camp set up in the clearing at the mountain's entrance.
"... I was bored."
"You endured well, Shue. Good girl."
"Yeah... I'm good."
"Would it have been better if I sent you to the front?"
"... Nn. I like being by Lady's side."
"Alright."
No matter how I looked at her, she seemed eager to go to the front and rampage, but this silver-haired beastman said she preferred being by my side without much deliberation.
Pleased by her attitude, I stroked her head once, and she leaned deeper into me and began nuzzling her head against me.
Despite her expressionless face, she was an incredibly affectionate lady.
- Dalkak.
I felt a twinge of jealousy from somewhere, but I'm sorry, I can't bring you out right now.
"What should we do from now on, miss?"
"We'll have to wait a bit longer. Our methods will change depending on the battlefield situation."
"Understood. Then I will take a look around the barracks interior. Please rest."
"If anything's wrong, tell me immediately."
"Yes."
After Talhan left with his hood pulled low, I sank into thought while stroking the head of Shue, who had nestled into my arms.
Seeing the monsters, driven mad by absorbing the rampaging mana, begin descending from the mountain, it seemed the dungeon's rampage itself had already been progressing for quite some time.
If it hadn't, people wouldn't have made it an issue. If it had originally been a hidden dungeon lord and the rampage was still at the boiling stage within the dungeon, it couldn't have been observed from outside.
"Probably will come out soon."
"That lord...? Yeah... it probably will."
If so, the dungeon would now be on the verge of annihilation. A dungeon lord that had lost its reason would begin withdrawing all the mana used for the dungeon, leaving only the bare minimum, in order to step outside.
The things that were maintained by the lord's own mana—now that the core was gone—would be abandoned.
The mana recovered that way would be injected into every monster, including the dungeon lord itself.
It wouldn't permanently or semi-permanently improve their specs, but during the immediate battle, they would certainly exhibit strength far greater than usual.
"How long can they exert that power?"
"At most a week..."
"That's longer than I thought."
"Vampires tend to remain calm even when rampaging..."
"Ah, I see. You mean they'll use their mana moderately."
"Right... As expected, Lady is smart..."
"Thank you, Shue. ... Still, if we can create an urgent situation, that would cause their power consumption to accelerate."
This power was only temporary, so one might ask, couldn't we just leave it alone until that power drains away?
However, the Kingdom of Haisen couldn't do that.
Because the rampaging dungeon lord would surely head for a nearby city, and the closest one was Copherin.
The destruction of Copherin and its commercial highway would directly strike a blow to a national project.
If the rampage lasted a full week, it was hard to imagine how many people would die during that time, or how much undistributed goods would pile up and rot.
With national-scale logistics paralyzed, colossal losses would occur.
"At the earliest, before the subjugation army even gets close to the dungeon. At the latest, around when they attempt to enter."
In any case, because of all these circumstances...
Whichever side it was, the battle would begin before the subjugation army could properly organize its formation.
But I had no intention of informing the subjugation army of that. Not only would it be difficult to explain, but the fact was, the current subjugation army was stronger.
At first, they might be flustered by the monsters' reckless, self-sacrificing aggression, but with multiple elite-grade individuals present, countering the dungeon lord or the dungeon's elite monsters wouldn't be difficult.
The subjugation army's victory was certain, and it was practically just a question of how much time, materials, and manpower could be saved.
"How strong is it?"
"Hmm?"
"The vampire."
"For me now... even with three sets gathered, it would be tough..."
"Three sets? That's already impressive. Is that possible against a rampaging high-grade dungeon lord?"
"Yeah... the compatibility is good."
"Really?"
Even at my rebuttal, she only blinked slowly, offering no further answer.
As if she felt no more explanation was needed, or as if she had no particular thoughts on the matter, she simply burrowed into my arms.
Her soft ears tickled my chin.
Come to think of it, I hadn't thought to check her detailed information until now.
『Name - Lin Xue』
『Job & Grade - Werewolf Berserker』
『Title/Entity Name - 'Fierce' 'Bloodlight Wolf'』
『Title - Fierce: A title given to aggressive individuals with exceptional stamina, durability, and resistance.』
『Title - Bloodlight Wolf: A title exclusive to werebeasts, given to wolf beastmen possessing the trait 「Frenzy : Blood」.』
Whenever I compare the attitude she shows now with her titles and job, I find myself looking at her face anew.
This girl, who is expressionless, somewhat languid, and full of aegyo normally, is called a 'Berserker' in battle...? And possesses traits perfectly fitting for it, too.
Of course, right now, there was something more important than that.
I lowered my gaze.
『Attributes - Strength 38 Technique 16 Endurance 33(30) Magic 27 Resistance 35(32)』
『Traits - Frenzy: Blood, Loyalty, Blood Blade, Member of Necropolis』
『Loyalty (Activated) - When a target to whom loyalty is pledged exists, Endurance and Resistance additionally increase. At Hero-grade or above, can absorb a portion of the damage the target received within the last hour.』
Attributes that demonstrated perfect vanguard capability, with Endurance and Resistance further enhanced under the influence of 'Loyalty,' which had been active even before she contracted with me.
And below that, shining brilliantly, were the traits.
I examined the one glowing with the most vivid orange color among them.
『Frenzy: Blood』
"Hmm."
Seeing that, I didn't bother to hide the smile that naturally crept onto my lips.
"Why...?"
"It's nothing. I was just thinking our Shue really is a lucky charm."
"Hmm? A lucky charm...?"
The wolf woman's tail wagged even more vigorously at my praise. Her already cute appearance seemed even cuter now.
This changed the strategy somewhat.
The trait she currently possessed was that excellent.
'At this level, if needed, it seems like we could intervene more actively on the battlefield and still manage somehow...?'
That was when it happened.
- Kyaaaaaak - !!!
A multitude of shrieks echoed, shaking the entire mountain.
"Attack...? Don't leave my side, Lady."
"It'll be fine."
Shue quickly rose from her spot and stood before me, preparing for any potential attack.
Tapping her shoulder, I walked beside her and threw open the barracks door. Across the way, I saw the light of an explosion along with a somewhat delayed roar.
Kwang - !!
"What? What's that sound..."
"Monsters. Looks like a fight broke out up ahead already!"
"What? It was supposed to take at least another day to reach..."
"Look! Over there!"
Amidst the people in such confusion, I pictured the form of someone who would be suffering over on that side.
- Aaaaah - !!!
The figure of a monarch I had yet to meet, falling into ruin as they lost everything.
"It will be ugly."
'And pitiful too.'
It was also a sight I never wanted to become.