Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Escort Duty
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"For the glory of the kingdom!"
Demian saluted Tarone, who nodded and gestured for him to sit.
Demian sat and asked.
"Why have you summoned me?"
"The Hamel Merchant Guild, which currently holds the herb operation rights in Erkal. That's the guild you're involved with, isn't it?"
"That's correct."
As Demian answered, Tarone grinned and said.
"The Hamel Merchant Guild made a donation, saying their business in Erkal is going well thanks to us."
*So they've already met.*
Demian feigned ignorance and nodded.
"Is that so?"
"I'm thinking of using it to replace the unit's weapons and armor. What do you think?"
"I think that's a good idea. But I'm not sure why you're asking me."
"Heh heh, is that so?"
Tarone let out a low chuckle.
Sometimes, he acted so cunningly that you'd never guess he was only thirteen.
Tarone nodded.
"Alright, I'll think about how to use this donation for the unit. But more importantly..."
Tarone said, looking at Demian.
"Is there anything we can do for the Hamel Merchant Guild?"
It seemed Tarone was the type to thoroughly repay any favors he received.
To his question, Demian replied.
"I think it would be good if the herbalists had escorts when they enter the forest. According to the guards, monsters have started reappearing one by one recently."
"Is that so? That's a good idea."
In any case, the Neokalitz Unit had some downtime since monsters had become scarce in the Bronserian Forest.
Besides, if this was the point where monsters were starting to increase again, clearing them out in advance would be beneficial for them as well.
"Understood. I'll meet with the head of the Hamel Merchant Guild and discuss it. You may go."
"Yes."
Demian rose from his seat and went straight to Diel.
Knowing Tarone's personality, it was highly likely he would meet Diel today to push forward with the herbalist escort issue.
"Oh? Sir Demian."
Diel looked surprised to see Demian's sudden visit.
Behind her were large piles of baggage loaded with herbs.
"That's a huge amount."
"This isn't even a quarter of it. We'll probably ship out about five times this volume by the end of the day."
"The harvest seems to be good."
"You have no idea. This is better than a gold mine. In fact, we're running short of herbalists."
The Bronserian Forest certainly was a place with immense resources.
They could work like this and still get a steady supply for at least a few years.
"We're also considering bringing in herbalists from outside. However, we're proceeding slowly because it would be troublesome if factions formed among them."
"Yes, I'll trust you with that. More importantly, Captain Tarone of the Neokalitz Unit will be visiting you soon."
"Me?"
Demian told Diel about his conversation with Captain Tarone.
Diel chuckled softly.
"That's a good idea. As it happens, one group said they had to flee from monsters just yesterday."
"The guards only act when there's a threat to Erkal or for reconnaissance; they don't go deep into the forest for direct combat."
Demian continued.
"When the captain comes, ask him to assign me, Dianal, and Kyle as a team to escort you."
"Is there a reason?"
"They're guys who need to be worked hard."
"...What?"
"I'll be counting on you, then."
Demian grinned and returned to the unit. And then...
"Where have you been wandering off to?"
"Get ready, your life is about to get a lot harder."
"...What are you talking about?"
At Kyle's question, Demian's lips curled up slightly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
A few days later.
"Herbalist escorts?"
"Hey, since when do we escort herbalists?"
As expected, Tarone finished his discussion with the Hamel Merchant Guild and officially began assigning herbalist escort missions.
Of course, there were grumbles.
After several peaceful days, they were suddenly given a mission.
However.
"Anyone with a complaint, step forward. I'll have you discharged and transferred to another unit immediately."
The Neokalitz Unit members' pay had increased.
Their old armor and weapons were replaced with new ones, and the supply of herbs had also increased.
And the sole reason their circumstances had improved was the Hamel Merchant Guild.
"Think of it less as an herbalist escort mission and more as a 'preemptive removal' mission before the monsters re-establish themselves. You all know from experience how tiring it gets when they settle in again."
"Well... that's true."
"Yeah, that is our job, after all."
At Tarone's words, even the unit members who had been complaining all agreed.
"Alright, proceed with your assigned teams. And... Demian."
"Yes."
"The head of the Hamel Merchant Guild requested you, Dianal, and Kyle."
"Is that so?"
"You didn't know?"
Tarone asked Demian.
"Yes. She just asked about capable people, so I mentioned those two have been training hard lately."
"I see. It's true that Dianal and Kyle's skills have improved significantly."
The three of them stuck together and trained every day.
Thanks to them, some of the other unit members were inspired and had recently started training as well.
"Then get going."
"Yes, sir!"
Demian immediately went over to Dianal and Kyle.
"The three of us are escorting the head of the Hamel Merchant Guild."
"The guild head?"
"The guild head is going into the forest?"
Dianal asked.
There was no reason for a guild head to venture dangerously into the forest.
However.
A grin spread across his face.
"Because we have things to do."
"...Things to do?"
"It's time for practical training. Haven't we just been playing around until now?"
"...Playing around? Who?"
"Are you seriously saying we've been playing around?"
Kyle's eyes widened.
They had been training every single day until they collapsed from exhaustion.
It couldn't be helped.
Demian was stuck to their side all day, making them train.
They had challenged him a few times when he told them to fight him if they had complaints, but...
"I thought demons were extinct, but it turns out there was one right in front of me."
Dianal muttered under his breath.
Thanks to Demian, the two of them lived with their bodies covered in bruises, suffering from muscle aches every single day.
But.
"We got stronger because of it."
"I won't deny that."
"I'll admit that."
It was true that the Neokalitz Unit members were lazy, but with their level of experience, they were much stronger than the soldiers of an average unit.
Moreover, in an era of peace like this, how common were those who risked their lives fighting monsters?
The fact they had survived until now meant they were all more than competent.
But Dianal and Kyle were exceptional even among them.
No, to be precise, they 'had become' exceptional.
Training without missing a single day.
Basic physical training was a given, and they faithfully learned and mastered the swordsmanship and shield techniques Demian taught them.
On top of that, with Demian sparring with them personally, it was impossible for their skills not to improve.
They were the youngest, but now they had become the strongest members of the unit.
"Don't tell me you arranged for us to be on the same team?"
"Yes."
"...You, tell me honestly. What's your relationship with that guild head?"
"What do you mean, 'relationship'?"
At Dianal's question, Kyle's nostrils flared and his eyes widened.
He felt a rush of dopamine, sensing a juicy story was about to unfold.
However...
"Relationship? It's just a business relationship, nothing more, nothing less."
"Suspicious..."
"Be as suspicious as you want. You won't find anything."
Demian casually slung his spear over his shoulder and looked at the two of them.
"Well then, let's go. To train."
"...Damn it."
"Yeah, let's go! Let's do this!"
Unlike the grimacing Dianal, Kyle shouted, full of fighting spirit.
And so, the three of them headed into the Bronserian Forest under the pretext of escorting Diel.
***
Diel couldn't understand her situation, having been suddenly dragged out into the forest.
"Wait, why am I...?"
They had taken on the mission to escort Diel, so wouldn't it be strange to enter the forest without her?
Besides, since it was the first time, they couldn't help but be conscious of prying eyes.
"Please bear with us for a few days. Later on, it will just be the three of us."
After a few days, this kind of attention would naturally fade.
Then, they could say they were going on an escort mission and enter the forest with just the three of them, without Diel, and it would be fine.
At Demian's words, Diel looked troubled, but she soon began to look around.
Aside from when she had come to the entrance for an initial check, this was her first time inside the forest.
Moreover, it was her very first time venturing this deep.
"It feels so clear and refreshing. The air is nice, too."
"That's the charm of the forest. But it won't be all pleasant."
"...What?"
As Demian spoke, Dianal and Kyle, who were beside him, suddenly shot forward like arrows.
A small smile formed on Demian's lips.
"Good reaction speed."
Demian muttered. And then...
"Kuaaaaaaaargh!"
At the massive roar that soon came from beyond the bushes, Diel flinched and froze in surprise.
"Are you alright?"
"Is-is that a monster?"
"Yes, and a large one at that. It was a good idea to come this deep."
"What do you mean..."
Diel hesitated, continuing her sentence. But.
CRASH!
Before she could finish her sentence, a powerful blow struck a tree.
Diel's gaze turned in a certain direction.
"...A bear?"
It was a bear. But it was a bear so massive it couldn't be compared to an ordinary one.
Demian said.
"It's a Giant Bear. It's over three meters long and weighs more than a ton."
"A ton?!"
"As you can see, it's strong enough to break that thick tree with just a few swipes of its paw."
Craaaack!
As soon as he finished speaking, the tree the Giant Bear had struck began to break and fall.
Seeing this, a startled Diel said.
"Don't you need to help them? It looks like it's too much for the two of them!"
"It would have been too much for them before. But..."
Demian's gaze grew calm.
SHIIING!
Dianal ducked under the Giant Bear's legs and slashed both of its Achilles tendons.
"Kuaaaaaaaargh!"
They weren't completely severed, but red blood flowed from above its heels.
The moment the beast screamed and turned its gaze toward Dianal, who had moved behind it.
"Hey, bastard, I'm over here!"
CRUNCH!
"Kraaaaaaaargh!"
As Kyle's handaxe pierced its thigh, the Giant Bear screamed and instinctively swung its paw at him.
BAM!
A dull thud echoed as Kyle's body shook violently, but.
"...Impressive."
Demian's lips curled up as he watched Kyle stand his ground firmly.
"Ugh! This damn bear...!"
Kyle, who had blocked the Giant Bear's attack with his shield, scowled.
Even though he had blocked it, the force was so destructive it felt like his body was shattering.
"Kuaaaaaargh!"
Next, the Giant Bear bared its sharp fangs and charged at Kyle.
Incredible speed for its size.
"...!"
Kyle hurriedly blocked with his handaxe, but.
Kugugugugugung!
The Giant Bear clamped its jaws on the handaxe and pushed forward with sheer force.
Against its charge, Kyle had no choice but to be pushed back, his handaxe and shield held out in front of him.
But in that moment.
SLICE! Sh-sh-sh-shink!
One deep strike.
Followed by a rapid succession of hits.
The important thing was that all these attacks were focused on a single spot.
"Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!"
The Giant Bear's body swayed heavily.
Its Achilles tendons were completely severed, and the blood flowing from its thigh began to increase.
"Hyaaaaaaaaah!"
In response, Kyle held the arm with his shield tight against his body and charged straight at the Giant Bear.
BAM!
A powerful shoulder tackle.
As the beast's body teetered from the charge of Kyle, whose body itself was a weapon.
Fwoosh!
Dianal, launching himself from the ground, gripped his two swords in a reverse hold and said.
"Let's end this."
STAB! Krrrrrunch!
"Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!"
Dianal plunged both swords deep into the space between the beast's left shoulder and neck.
Finally, with a death cry, the Giant Bear collapsed to the ground.
THUD!
As the massive body fell, Kyle confirmed the kill one more time, finishing it off completely.
At this sight, Diel had a pale, shocked expression, but.
"Now, shall I begin?"
Sensing another presence appearing nearby, Demian's eyes flashed sharply as he walked forward.