Picking Up the Abandoned Healer (2)
We rode out of the city on horseback.
"Over there. That's the ranch," Leana said from in front of me, pointing ahead.
After passing through long stretches of vineyards along the hills, a wooden fence appeared along the roadside. It stretched far ahead, and at its end stood the ranch buildings. There was a large wooden house that looked like the ranch owner's home, an extremely long stable, and a massive warehouse that seemed to store hay and feed. Scattered among them like mushrooms were various other buildings of all sizes. Ranch hands bustled about between them, all with tanned southern skin and thick mustaches.
Beyond the buildings, I could see vast hills dotted with cows, sheep, horses, and goats grazing. And there had to be at least a few hundred head. This place is huge. Like a corporate operation or something.
"Hey, mister," Leana called out, grabbing a man pushing a cart of hay.
"We've come about the request. From Lucas Guild in the city."
"Lucas Guild?" The worker immediately dropped his cart and shouted. "Hey, everyone! Lucas Guild's here!"
His yell drew all the nearby workers over.
"You're Lucas Guild? The ones who killed that demon in Rezobuar Reservoir a few days ago?"
"Ah, yes. That's us."
Leana smiled awkwardly, a bit flustered.
"But the demon hunter didn't come? Oh, wait—this request is just simple theft, right?"
"I'm the demon hunter."
I stepped forward, and the workers tilted their heads skeptically.
"You don't look it at all. You sure you're a demon hunter?"
"Haha, is there such a thing as a demon hunter face? Anyway, where's the ranch owner?"
"She's out patrolling the pastures right now. Should be back soon."
The workers kept prying about the Rezobuar Reservoir incident. The story of slicing off the head of that several-meter-long catfish-like demon hidden in the reservoir had already spread throughout Schlessi. Most ordinary folks never witness a demon hunt in their entire lives. And for a fallen guild like Lucas to suddenly pull off a demon hunt—and solve a case the city hall couldn't even get a lead on? No wonder the rumors were flying.
I stayed nonchalant, but Leana was grinning ear to ear. She must be thrilled seeing the guild come back to life.
Then, from the pastures on the opposite side of the ranch buildings, I spotted several riders charging toward us, splitting a flock of sheep left and right.
"Here they come."
The riders pulled up hard as they entered the ranch, their horses skidding to a halt in a cloud of dust.
"Garre Chimba!!"
The lead rider jumped off her horse and started cursing up a storm. She was a tall young woman with broad shoulders and healthy tanned skin. Knee-high studded boots, a rough leather vest, and gear like lassos and sharp daggers—she looked just like a cowboy.
"Gone again! Hijo de puta! This time they smashed the fence too!"
The furious woman stomped the ground with her boots, spewing profanities.
"That's the ranch owner," Leana whispered beside me. "As you can see, she's got a foul temper."
"Those border guard bastards can't figure out shit! We pay taxes hand over fist—how long do we have to put up with this?!"
"People from the guild are here for the request," one worker quickly interjected as she raged, drawing her attention.
"What? A request?"
"Yeah, from Lucas Guild. The same ones who handled that Rezobuar Reservoir thing."
"Really?"
Carla's face lit up as she strode over. She eyed me and Leana alternately, pondering.
"Leana, I didn't hear you got married."
"He's not my husband—this is our new demon hunter."
"Demon hunter?"
She still looked dubious as she glanced at me, then extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Carla Velasco, owner of the Milking Dawn Ranch here."
Milking Dawn, huh. Makes sense for a dairy ranch—milking starts at dawn. And with a surname like Velasco, she must be nobility. In this world, only nobles have family names. Wait... Velasco...?
"Are you that Velasco? From the count family famous for dairy farming in the imperial south?"
"You know your stuff."
"No wonder the ranch is so massive. Should I address you as Lady Velasco, then?"
"No, I didn't inherit the title. My uncle runs the count's family now. Just call me Carla."
"Got it, Carla. I'm Leonar, demon hunter with Lucas Guild. We saw the request at city hall."
"Then come on in. Let's sit and talk over something to drink."
Ranch owner Carla Velasco led us into the largest house on the property. The moment she opened the door, a massive grizzly bear greeted us.
"It's still here," Leana said, pointing.
Carla laughed heartily. "Took a hell of a fight to bag that one. I'm taking it to the grave with me."
"You hunted it yourself?"
"Yeah, about five years ago. It came down to the ranch and gave me hell."
The walls were lined with trophies from all sorts of beasts. Looked like she hunted for sport while managing the ranch. Amid the flashy displays hung a church emblem, adorned with a small wreath—clear sign of a devout believer.
As we sat on the sofa, Carla brought over glasses filled with something herself.
"Fresh milk from this morning. Super nutty and delicious."
"Mmm, for real. So good."
Leana smacked her lips, sporting a milky mustache.
"So, you're here to take the request?"
"Yes. Word is livestock go missing every night, right?"
"Yeah. One a day, steady as clockwork. Two sheep or goats."
Her lip twitched as she spoke, anger flaring.
"Once I catch the bastard, I'll tie 'em to a horse and drag 'em all day...."
One cow or horse, two sheep or goats. Keeping to a fixed amount, like rationing. Means whatever it is needs that much meat daily. Some massive creature, then.
"Did the border guards find anything during their investigation?"
"Nothing. Zilch. It's driving me insane."
"No way dragging off a cow or horse leaves no traces. Even forcing a goat would take serious strength."
"Mierde! Exactly—those tax-fed idiots, what the hell did they even do here?!"
Carla slammed her fist on the table in fury. Her glass tipped, spilling milk over the edge.
"Gonorrea...."
She grabbed a rag, scrubbing the table with a sigh.
"Just came back from patrol—another horse gone. Smashed the fence good this time."
"Must be tough. If it's alright, we'd like to take the request."
"No need to ask. Anyone who solves it gets a bonus on top of the fee."
I unfolded the neatly creased poster and confirmed the reward details with her again. As expected, this screamed demon work. No major hitches, and it'd be straightforward. Great pay for the difficulty, too. Being tied to the Velasco count family and running a huge ranch, she seemed the type to throw money at problems. Perfect. This payout would let us upgrade the guild's furniture.
"My suspicion is a demon."
Carla's face hardened.
"A demon? You saying a demon sneaks in every night to steal livestock?"
"Hard to believe, I know. Demons swiping cattle? But these days, demons aren't like the old ones."
I gave her a quick rundown on post-Great Demon fall: leaderless, scattered, scraping by like this.
"Kinda pitiful when you put it that way," Leana said.
Carla bristled. "Pitiful my ass! If they can't survive straight, get a damn job and work!"
"Fair point, but who hires demons? Anyway, we'll take the request."
"Good. You handled Rezobuar, so I trust you'll do the same here."
Her grip was iron-strong as we shook—years of riding, wrangling hands, and handling beasts had toughened her up.
"Could you guide us to the broken fence, then?"
"Sure. Right now."
We galloped across the vast pastures following Carla. Leana burst out laughing as sheep and goats scattered in fright.
The trouble spot was at the boundary diagonally across from the ranch. Sure enough, the thick wooden fence lay in splinters.
"See anything?" Carla asked.
I dismounted and inspected closely. Nothing obvious at first glance... but tilting my head, something glinted in the sunlight. A damp stain invisible from straight on.
I dabbed it with my finger, tasted it, then gagged and spat.
"Guild master?!"
"Aah—demon blood."
Its potency numbed my tongue temporarily. Demon blood for sure. Just as I thought.
"Demon confirmed."
"A real demon...?"
"Leana, head back to the ranch with Carla. I'll handle it from here."
Leana looked worried as I dismounted. "You sure you'll be okay alone?"
"Better solo. Only have to watch my own back. You two go on—I'll be back before sunset."
I vaulted the broken fence into the outer pastures. Demon blood confirmed—should work now.
Hunting Dog's Mark
A tiny red triangular mark appeared—thankfully. They dotted onward at regular intervals. The trail led down the hills toward a small spur of the Lumiere Mountains. Probably the demon's lair up there, descending nightly for rations. Eating a cow or horse daily? No ordinary size. Fine by me. Guild needs growth—harder the better. Against demons, I'm a cheat character. Let's go!
"What the fuck? Huh?"
Midway, the marks suddenly cut off. I cursed involuntarily. Demon blood had dripped steadily—no wild animal would touch it. What happened?
Then voices murmured ahead. Looking up, I saw several people in purple cloaks crouched on the ground, deep in serious talk.