Felines and Filching
"Why are you so quiet, Commander?"
"......"
"Come on, tell us about your first time. Don't tell me you spent over ten years in the war and never even slept with a woman?"
"......"
"No way, a virgin? A virgin? Why? You're actually pretty good-looking."
"Maybe human women and other beastmen don't find that kind of face attractive."
"A virgin, huh... Well, now. *Schluuurp.* That really whets my appetite. Want to do it right here, Commander? Just pull down your pants and pretend you're taking a leak. We'll handle the rest."
This was driving me crazy.
It was a whole new level of hell.
The goat beastmen packed into the back of the truck with me never seemed to tire. They chatted endlessly, laughed like maniacs, sang songs, shared cigarettes, and even pulled out hidden bottles of booze to throw a full-blown party.
These absolute alcoholics had downed at least three bottles each by my count, yet they showed no signs of drunkenness as they relentlessly teased me.
I just wanted to reach the North as quickly as possible.
When were we going to get there?
It felt like we had been driving for nearly half a day already.
"Looking at his reaction, I think he really is a virgin!"
"*Schluuurp!* I can't take it anymore! Commander! How about a quick round with me right here? You must have a lot built up!"
"Ah, if you're going first, I'm next."
"Oh! Put me down for the next turn too."
As their comments crossed the line further and further, I finally lost my patience. I scowled deeply, preparing to shut them up once and for all.
"Don't cross the line any further, you goats! There are things you can say and things you—"
Suddenly, the laughter vanished from the faces of the loose-screwed goat beastmen.
It didn't seem to be because of my fierce scowl.
Their eyes were fixed not on me, but on the outside of the vehicle.
"What is it?"
The sudden transition from hyperactive bouncing to dead silence was almost eerie.
In response to my question, Chouka and the other goat beastmen remained silent. They slowly poked their heads out of the truck, staring at the distant silhouette of Pandril.
"I asked you a question. What's wrong? What's going on?"
The silent goat beastmen slowly sat back down, their faces pale.
"Commander... can't you feel that?"
"Feel what? What are you talking about?"
"The entire city feels ominous, Commander. I've never encountered a city that felt this disgusting. Something... something evil is in that city."
My eyes narrowed.
"Be specific. What is in the city? What kind of threat are we talking about?"
Chouka shook her head at my words.
She was trembling visibly.
"I don't know. The evil energy has already spread across the entire city. It's impossible to tell where it originated."
"The North borders the Magic Realm. Could you be sensing the energy leaking from there?"
"Yes, there is bad energy coming from the Magic Realm too. That's why goat beastmen have avoided the North for ages. But this is on a completely different level. If the energy from the Magic Realm is unpleasantly sticky, that thing... it smells rotten."
Chouka silently grabbed my hand.
She was shaking.
The other goat beastmen were no different.
"The ancient prophecy was true," Chouka murmured. "Someone who created that rotten stench is hiding in Pandril. They haven't fled or disappeared yet. We must find them. We have to discover who the descendants of the crow are, and why they chose Pandril of all places. That is our clan's duty."
Someone was still in Pandril.
The sudden deaths of the original female and male leads.
Their bodies bore no traces of magic, curses, poison, or physical wounds.
The increasingly frequent and massive attacks by demonic beasts from the Magic Realm.
And now, this "rotten stench" the goat beastmen spoke of.
"Chouka, and the rest of you. I assume you all hold some authority among the goat beastmen? I'll arrange lodgings for you as soon as we arrive. Do not move around openly during the day. Stay indoors quietly. I will entrust you with treating the sick."
"Understood."
"Once night falls, I will send the 2nd Battalion Commander, a rat beastman, to you. Patrol the streets quietly with them at night. Search Pandril and find the source of that rotten stench. You are the only ones who have sensed this ominous presence in the North. I'm counting on you."
The goat beastmen nodded, their faces uncharacteristically solemn.
Pandril was drawing near.
Pandril was bustling with activity.
The citizens of the North, the soldiers of the Hellhound Brigade, and the newly arrived beastmen were all working frantically to repair the ruined roads and buildings of the city.
"Bricks from the West! Bring the bricks!"
"Where's the cement? We need cement here!"
"Let's take a break! A break! Let's eat some of the food we squeezed out of those Southern pigs, hahaha!"
The gloomy atmosphere I had felt when I first arrived was slowly but surely dissipating.
It was a good sign.
I couldn't afford to idle around either.
"Marquis Krat."
"At your service, Your Grace."
"I understand the late Duchess gathered mages and ran a research facility. Is it still standing?"
"It was completely destroyed by artillery fire during the war with the Kramkin Principality."
"All the research equipment as well?"
"Yes. Everything was completely wiped out."
"I see. I order its reconstruction. Prioritize rebuilding that facility above all else. Incorporate the feedback of the mages and magic engineers actively. The experimental equipment and research records we brought back must be housed there. Count Fairbairn!"
"Yes, Grand Duke."
"Allocate the reconstruction costs for the research facility from the Defense Contribution Fee. Do not spare any expense. This facility is our top priority for the reconstruction of the North."
"I shall do so."
I wanted to resume the research immediately, but research required proper infrastructure to function.
Until the reconstruction was complete, I arranged for the mages to stay at the ducal castle.
I converted the banquet hall, which wouldn't be used anytime soon, into a temporary laboratory for them.
As an added precaution, I drafted several veteran soldiers from the Hellhound Brigade to tighten security around the castle.
If the goat beastmen were right about those foul-smelling entities still lurking in the North, the mages would undoubtedly be their primary targets.
Once the mages were securely protected, I finally revealed to them the reason I had gone to such lengths to bring them to the North.
"This is a technology to extract Elixir from the carcasses of demonic beasts. It involves some neutralization extraction technique, but I don't know the technical details. Read through these research records. Your goal is to commercialize this. Can you do it?"
Perhaps it was because they had finally slept soundly thanks to the goat beastmen's treatment, but the mages, though still looking haggard and hollow-eyed from their PTSD, examined the research records with clear, focused eyes.
The four magic engineers were no different.
For nearly an hour, they meticulously reviewed the late Duchess's research records, debating intensely while throwing around incomprehensible technical jargon. Eventually, all twelve mages turned to look at me, their expressions filled with deep intrigue.
"It's a highly creative idea. The implementation method and plan are also remarkably realistic."
"The research is already quite advanced. With just a bit of refinement, we should be able to build a neutralization reactor in no time. Commercialization will take a bit longer, but we can produce a prototype very quickly."
How long had it been since I last heard something so positive?
I let out a long sigh and nodded.
"Good. How long do you think it will take to build the prototype reactor? What do you need?"
"A large quantity of magical metals, Elixir, and eventually, a large factory site for commercialization. But that's for later. For now, we need to precisely complete the magic circle for the reactor."
"Once the magic circle is complete, we should run a test to verify if we can extract Elixir from the beast carcasses. After that, we can proceed with selecting a factory site and constructing a proper Elixir production facility."
"Excellent. Start by refining the magic circle. Request whatever you need through Count Fairbairn. Furthermore, this research and the technology we are trying to develop must remain strictly confidential. Not a word to anyone outside this room. Understood?"
"Of course."
"Good."
As I turned to leave the room, Velmut stopped me.
"Hey, Volka. No... Your Grace."
I chuckled at his slip.
"Just call me Volka. There's no need for formalities in private."
"Alright, thanks, Volka. We can buy the magical metals, but securing someone who can actually work with them is a different story."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Mages can handle the magic circle for the reactor. Magic engineers can design the operational mechanics and the layout of the factory. But actually holding the hammers and tools to bend, forge, and shape the magical metals into the necessary equipment is a completely different discipline."
"Who can do that?"
"We need to hire specialized technicians. But they won't be easy to find."
One mountain after another.
"Why is that?"
"Their schedules are fully booked, Volka. Think about how many magical facilities were destroyed across the Empire during the war. Technicians capable of working with magical metals can't be bought for any amount of money right now. Refining the magic circle and mapping out the operational structure will take about a month."
"But finding the technicians to actually build it might be impossible?"
"Exactly."
I closed my eyes, suppressed the rising frustration, and nodded.
"Alright. Thanks, Velmut. I'll find a way to resolve the technician issue. You guys focus on completing the magic circle and designing the factory layout. That alone is a massive help."
"Volka, I heard there were dwarf artisans in the North. Where are they now?"
"Dwarf artisans?"
"No one is better at working with magical metals than them. Their skills put average technicians to shame. Are they not in the North right now?"
They weren't.
I had leased them to the West.
And though it was called a lease, in reality... they had basically been extorted from me.
Duke Leonard of the West.
There was no way that rat-faced bastard would ever let them go willingly.
"They aren't here right now. They're in the West."
"Ultimately, it's your decision as the Grand Duke, Volka. But you should secure those dwarf artisans by any means necessary. If you're thinking about the long-term development of the North, they are indispensable. We can't build the reactor without them."
"I understand. Thanks, Velmut. I'll figure something out."
"Alright, I should get back to work. By the way, could you send the goat beastmen to me tonight? I'd like another therapy session so I can sleep well."
"Sure. I'll let Chouka know."
I parted ways with Velmut and stepped outside.
Clutching my head in frustration, I made my way to the Duke's study and paced back and forth for a long time.
Secure the dwarf artisans?
Easier said than done. How was I supposed to pry them away?
Duke Leonard of the West was no pushover.
He was not the type of man to ever let go of such valuable assets.
What should I do?
Should I propose a deal?
No.
No matter what deal I proposed, Duke Leonard would never spit the dwarves back out.
Apply political pressure?
Unlikely.
The East and the South would never take my side in a matter like this.
And His Majesty... was probably struggling just to maintain his imperial authority right now.
After agonizing over it for a long time, I reached a single conclusion.
There was no other way.
If I wanted to bring the dwarf artisans back, there was only one option left.
I would have to steal them.
I immediately summoned my adjutant, Kka-Chi, and Rabelt-Chi.
When I explained my plan, the same name slipped from both of their mouths simultaneously.
"It would be best to use the feline beastmen."
"The cat beastmen. They are the experts. They're notorious in the West as pickpockets and thieves."
"We can get in touch with them. Shall we draw up a plan?"
The feline beastmen.
If the goat beastmen, the satyrs, were famous for their lust, the felines were infamous for their thievery and pickpocketing.
But so what?
What did it matter if they were thieves and pickpockets?
The North already housed brothel prostitutes, rat beastman assassins, and wolf beastman gangs. There was no room left for me to feel ashamed about partnering with thieves.
"Contact them," I ordered. "Let's steal our dwarf artisans back."
It was supposed to be a lease, wasn't it?
Whether Duke Leonard liked it or not, it was time to collect.