Chapter 218: Except for Him…. (2)
Chapter 218: Except for Him…. (2)
Patrick gathered everyone necessary at the Schneider estate. And then….
“We will now begin the first meeting for the Great Forest Pioneering Project.”
The individuals gathered in the conference room were as follows:
The 5th Sage of the Tower of Truth.
Kilios, King of the Elves.
Viscount Schneider and Sanson, the territory’s Knight Captain.
Tutan, representing the Orc warriors.
That was all.
Patrick had intended to invite his mother, Ava, as well, but she had excused herself, claiming she had a more important meeting to attend.
Naturally, Patrick took charge of the meeting.
“First, I will discuss the most crucial aspect of the expansion: the pioneering route.”
Patrick spoke as he unfurled a map detailing the topography surrounding the territory.
“There is still much we don’t know about the terrain within the Great Forest. However, I believe the most vital factor for survival is securing a water source.”
The 5th Sage nodded at Patrick’s words.
Securing water was indeed paramount. Neither humans, Orcs, nor Elves could survive without it.
“Therefore, we will set our pioneering path along the Moana River, heading deep into the Great Forest.”
The Moana River flowed down from the Great Forest, passed through the Schneider territory, and eventually reached the distant southern sea. The river wasn't particularly wide—perhaps about ten meters across. However, since Patrick had been born into this world, the Moana River had never once run dry. If anything, it had occasionally overflowed its banks. It was a river with an abundant volume of water.
Patrick traced the river on the map and pointed to a spot roughly 100 kilometers northeast of the Schneider territory.
“This will be our first destination. We will build our first pioneer city here.”
At Patrick’s suggestion to establish a base so far from the territory, Viscount Schneider spoke up.
“Isn’t that too deep? Even if we manage to secure a foothold there, transporting supplies will be difficult.”
“That’s why we’re building a road along the river. If we construct a waterway along the Moana River, we can transport supplies by boat. It’ll be much safer than moving them by land.”
This time, the 5th Sage interjected.
“Building a waterway is not as easy as it sounds. It’s not just about widening the river; you have to perform construction to stabilize the riverbanks as well.”
“I suppose so.”
“It requires expert design, and the materials and labor involved will be immense. Doing all that while fending off monsters is no simple task.”
“Normally, yes. But don’t we have reliable mages with us?”
The 5th Sage looked taken aback.
“Are you suggesting you intend to use our mages for civil engineering?”
Patrick nodded firmly.
“Of course. Mages’ magic is essential not only for securing the waterway but also for the entire process of developing the city.”
The 5th Sage frowned.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“Why not?”
“Using noble magic for civil engineering is something I find hard to support.”
“Why?”
“Think about it. If you told your knights to use their swords to shovel dirt, would they do it?”
“Yes. They would.”
“See? They would—wait, what?”
“I said they’d do it.”
“…….”
The 5th Sage looked at Sanson with a face that screamed, ‘Really?’
His eyes asked the Knight Captain: Do you agree with this?
Sanson gave a silent, stoic nod.
‘If the Young Master orders it, I’d do more than just shovel with a sword.’
Mainly because he’d get beaten if he didn’t.
Patrick turned back to the bewildered 5th Sage.
“Whether it’s a sword or a shovel, they’re just tools made for people to use. What’s the problem?”
“Do you not care for a knight’s honor?”
“Does shoveling with a sword stain a knight’s honor? Who says so?”
“…….”
No one said that. But still….
Was there not such a thing as public perception?
Seeing the 5th Sage struggling for words but still unwilling to concede, Patrick remarked, “This is the problem with people who grew up sheltered. Whining about something as trivial as ‘prestige.’”
“Pa… Patrick.”
Viscount Schneider was horrified. Who did this boy think he was mocking? A Sage of the Tower of Truth possessed authority comparable to the king of a nation. He was terrified by his son’s lack of filter, but….
“We have a contract. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”
“Ugh….”
The 5th Sage still looked disgruntled, but he didn't voice his displeasure further. Instead, Patrick was the one who scowled.
“If you’re going to break your promise over something as petty as prestige, then just go back.”
“No, who said I wouldn’t do it?”
“…….”
“I’ll do it! I’ll do it, alright?”
As the 5th Sage waved his hand dismissively, Patrick gave him a look as if he were letting him off the hook just this once. He then turned to Kilios and Tutan.
“The Orcs of the Red Rock Tribe are used to living among people through our territory, but it would be better for the Elves to have their own separate residence, wouldn’t it?”
Kilios nodded. “I would appreciate that.”
It was something Kilios had found difficult to bring up first. It wasn't easy to tell Patrick—the savior of his race and the one carrying the seed of the World Tree—that they needed a separate space because they couldn't trust humans. He was grateful Patrick had broached the subject first.
“Look for a suitable area in the buffer zone between the pioneer city and our territory.”
“Understood.”
Even if they built the pioneer city and used the waterway for construction, they couldn't leave the middle ground abandoned. To push back monsters and secure the area, the Elves—who could move freely through the woods and possessed a wide scouting range—were perfect.
“Good. Then we enter the Great Forest tomorrow. Everyone, steel yourselves and follow me.”
The full-scale pioneering of the Great Forest had finally begun.
* * *
Northeast of the Schneider territory, following the flow of the Moana River.
Less than an hour after the pioneering force set out, monsters began to appear.
“Trolls!”
“Leave them to us!”
“Woooooah!”
Five Trolls appeared before the expedition. As soon as they showed themselves, the territory’s knights and Orc warriors charged forward. Though Trolls were the quintessential persistent large-type monsters, they were nothing against hundreds of Aura users and an equal number of Orc warriors.
The group cleared them out in an instant and continued forward. Forty minutes later….
“A pack of Werewolves. We’ve confirmed over 100 Battle Wolves as well.”
At the report from the Elf scout, the group shifted back into battle formation.
“Don’t let your guard down. Stay calm.”
“Just kill the Werewolves. The Battle Wolves will retreat once they’re gone.”
Battle Wolves were subordinates led by the bipedal Werewolves. Once the leaders were killed, they would naturally scatter. The group handled the situation calmly, and after the Werewolves appeared and had their foreheads pierced by Elven arrows, the expedition moved on.
Twenty minutes later….
“A Goblin horde. Scale is over 500. Estimated over 50 Hobgoblins.”
As monsters appeared yet again, Riman Sierra, leader of the Magic Swordsman unit, let out a sigh.
“What kind of forest is this?”
They could hardly make any progress. They were experiencing firsthand why the Great Forest was called a Demon Realm that humanity could never conquer.
「 A Mage’s Journal
October 25, 1523.
The first day of the expedition.
Our forces advanced 7km.
There were seventeen battles during the march, the largest of which involved an Ogre.
Currently, there are no casualties. Most battles were handled by the Schneider knights and the Orc warriors, with long-range support from the Elves. 」
「 Journal Entry
October 26, 1523.
The second day.
Our forces advanced 3km.
The marching speed has slowed significantly compared to yesterday.
The quantity and quality of the monsters have increased.
Today, Ogres appeared twice, and we even encountered a Lamia, a phantom-type monster.
A few Orc warriors were almost lured to their deaths, but fortunately, they were rescued in time.
After the battle, Double Dragon called for Tutan, the Orc war chief.
A short while later, Tutan emerged with a massive black eye.
Then, the Orc warriors of the Red Rock Tribe began rolling on the ground in a group, foaming at the mouth.
[The Big Brother said you’re all slackers and told me to wreck you! You green-ass punks!]
Why did that look like he was just taking his frustration out on them? 」
「 October 27, 1523.
The expedition’s marching speed has increased.
We advanced a total of 15km.
Double Dragon took the lead himself. Every time a monster appeared, there was a flash of light, and everything was simply obliterated.
At this rate, it seems we’ll reach our destination quickly. 」
「 October 28, 1523.
The expedition retreated 3km.
Insect-type monsters called Quikaros appeared.
Individually, they aren't much, but their numbers were staggering.
They covered the entire area in black; there must have been at least hundreds of thousands.
No matter how many Double Dragon cut down to thin their ranks, there was nothing we could do. 」
「 October 29, 1523.
The expedition eradicated the Quikaros’ nest.
The Elves used spirit magic to locate their base, and the mages concentrated their firepower to annihilate it.
Once the Quikaros Queen was killed, the rest scattered. 」
「 October 30, 1523.
Advanced another 10km.
Monsters still appear in droves, but as of now, the expedition has suffered no casualties—except for the people whose faces are swollen from being hit by Double Dragon.
I’ve heard the rumors, but is he really human?
There’s a theory that he’s a demon sent to bring chaos and destruction to the Middle World.
I, the author, believe there is a high probability that this is the truth.
On a side note, the river is getting wider.
Common sense dictates that the width should narrow as we head upstream, so I don’t know why this is happening. 」
「 October 31, 1523.
The expedition advanced 8km.
We are a little less than halfway to our destination, but we’ve paused for a moment.
The reason is a fairly large lake located here.
I thought it was strange that the river widened as we went upstream, but it seems the major water source was here.
The lake is quite massive.
Current expedition status: 0 dead, 73 injured.
One could say it’s going smoothly.
However, 50 of the injured were beaten up by Double Dragon.
He is a devil. 」
「 November 3, 1523.
The expedition spent the last three days thoroughly investigating this area.
We wanted to find the geological reason for such a large lake, but the investigation was about to end without much success. However, on the third day….
[Something’s coming!]
[Everyone, battle stations!]
We ended up waking a monster that should have been left alone.
This massive lake was the nest of a legendary beast called the Anacondict.
The Anacondict.
A giant serpent monster over 100 meters long.
Its scales are so hard that nothing short of Aura can pierce them, and its fangs contain a corrosive poison that can melt steel. It can even breathe that poison out as a mist.
The appearance of this massive beast, capable of swallowing an Ogre in one gulp, was a great crisis for the expedition.
The knights and Orcs stood at the front in formation, while the Elves summoned spirits and drew their bows in unison.
Normally, this is a powerful monster that would require a national-level force to confront. The elites of the expedition held their ground even against a legendary beast.
This tense battle was shattered when Double Dragon, who had been away briefly to scout the surrounding area, returned to the scene.
[What the hell is this snake bastard doing?!]
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles
Fourth Form
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance
Double Dragon drew massive Aura Blades, easily over three meters long, in both hands and shredded the Anacondict with countless slashes.
According to literature, an Anacondict can survive even if its body is cut in half, as long as its head is intact.
But being cut into hundreds of pieces makes that irrelevant.
He is a terrifying human being.
[No internal core? None? Really? Sigh! The way of the Jianghu has truly fallen. Truly!]
Though he spent the aftermath rummaging through the Anacondict’s guts while muttering nonsense, it’s a fact that he is an incredible man.
PS. I’ve discovered new academic information regarding the Anacondict. It’s delicious. 」
「 November 4, 1523.
The expedition set out again.
There was apparently a leadership meeting about whether to build an intermediate base here at the lake, but they decided to prioritize reaching the target destination first.
To be precise, Double Dragon insisted on it.
The expedition advanced 15km today. 」
「 November 5, 1523.
Advanced 12km.
About ten battles with monsters occurred. The numbers have decreased, but the quality of the monsters has steadily risen.
It was my first time seeing a General Goblin in person.
It was a Goblin, yet it used Aura at a 6-star level. The hundreds of Hobgoblins under its command possessed power equivalent to at least a 2-star human knight.
Two knights from the Double Dragon Knights almost died today, but fortunately, they survived.
Or should I say, unfortunately?
[Ho… you almost died to a Goblin? How embarrassing. Why? Tired of living? You should have just told me.]
I felt a surge of sympathy, wondering if they would have been better off dead. 」
「 November 10, 1523.
I haven't been able to write in my journal for the past few days.
There was a reason.
First, there was a massive ambush.
A horrific attack worthy of the Great Forest’s infamy.
Cyclopes, Twin-Headed Ogres, and even a Manticore appeared.
I saw more monsters in less than a month than an average person sees in a lifetime.
And I, too, looked directly into the Manticore’s evil eye and was frozen by a petrification curse.
Fortunately, the 5th Sage and other high-ranking seniors broke the curse, but I almost died.
And then, I experienced it too.
[You punk. A mage getting caught in a curse like a total klutz? It’s all because you lack grit. Grit!]
I thought I was going to die.
He put me through some nonsensical training, claiming he was building my grit.
What does grit have to do with a curse, you devil! I’ll curse you. Double Dra….
…No. Ultimately, he saved my life, so I won’t curse him.
I found out later that the monster who cut off the head of the Manticore that petrified me was also this freak. 」
「 November 10, 1523.
The expedition has reached the target destination.
Humans, Orcs, Elves, mages, and knights all hugged each other in joy.
[It’s over. We finally made it.]
[Hurrah!]
[Today is a festival!]
[Let’s have a toast!]
The feeling of everyone working together toward a single goal and achieving it was truly electrifying.
It felt like we had all become one, transcending race and profession.
[What’s with the festive mood already? You haven't even done anything impressive. You’re all so soft.]
Except for him…. 」