The Southern Moose Hunt (4)
Running between the trees was definitely a monster. But it wasn't the moose I was after. It was just one of the docile herbivores commonly seen around these parts.
Feeling deflated, I let the Holy Sword droop as I scanned the surroundings. This was the only spot the sword had detected. So where the hell had that southern moose gone? Everywhere beyond the sword's detection range was nothing but rocky mountains... No way could it survive in terrain like that. And since even the sword couldn't find it, there was no point in me combing the entire mountain range. I headed back down.
I tried tracking footprints from the scene, but astonishingly, they vanished without a trace the moment they left the road. The prints of that massive, heavy beast... What the hell was going on? Unless it had used spatial teleportation or flight magic, this was impossible...
That afternoon, the guards collected the bodies, and on Hildeva's orders, they set up a temporary checkpoint at the northern road entrance to restrict passage.
At City Hall, Hildeva sat at her desk, racking her brains. It was obvious why. They'd finally driven out the Golruks and revived the city, only for another disaster to strike in less than half a year. Enough to drive anyone mad.
"We've blocked the northern road for now, but we can't keep it closed long. We need to resolve this quickly..."
As I approached, Hildeva blurted out disjointedly.
"The guard captain says he'll handle it and not to worry, but hunting monsters isn't easy. Should we request reinforcements from Bue...? That'd just spread rumors... If the capital finds out..."
Her head must've been spinning; she trailed off, pressing her forehead with a sigh.
I poured two glasses of lemonade from the pitcher on the corner table. It was one of the items I'd donated to City Hall.
"Ah, thanks. My throat's so dry..."
Hildeva gulped down the lukewarm, watered-down lemonade. Come to think of it, even with all the windows open, the office was stifling hot. Sweat beaded on her forehead too. Should've caught a few more Asenaris back then. But only three had volunteered to come along.
"What should we do..."
Hildeva slammed her empty glass down with a lament.
"Leave it to the guard captain for now. There's nothing we can do right this second."
"You say that because you don't know how many people use the northern road daily. Blocking that traffic volume... Maybe we do need reinforcements..."
I got her dilemma. The crown stepping in for a direct territory in crisis was standard, but Rosens was a special case. It wasn't just a traffic hub; it tangled with complex interests from surrounding lords.
In the past, travelers unable to use Rosens' northern road had to detour far west around the Vurn Mountains, where those territories profited off tolls and trade. They'd foamed at the mouth opposing the crown's army for Golruk subjugation, salivating over when the capital might abandon Rosens. That's when I arrived.
With the Golruks vanishing like a miracle, Rosens' traffic freed up, and those lords lost their juicy side income overnight. If they learned of this incident, they'd swarm like vultures. That'd put the capital in a tough spot too. They'd declared the road safe, and now this—blame would fall squarely on them.
But would the capital take responsibility? No, it'd shift to Hildeva, the administrator who'd first reported the Golruks gone. She'd slaved to keep the dying city afloat, nearly exiled to Apenzel, only to claw her way back. Now this half-year later... Even a clean official like her, devoid of ambition or greed, wouldn't want her head on the block for nothing.
"Haa... This is driving me insane... for real..."
Her throat parched again, she reached for her glass, then noticed it empty. I refilled it.
"Thanks..."
She drained the second glass without pause.
Watching her fidget, I spoke up.
"Administrator. Hang in there for just one day. There'll be a way."
"One day? If we don't catch that monster, it'll be a political shitstorm..."
"That's why—just one day."
I repeated it without details, and she sighed in frustration.
"Either way, we have to block the road. You talk like you've got a plan... Haa..."
"You've kept the city running and grown it this far. You'll pull through this too."
My words might've sounded naively optimistic, but she gazed at me steadily.
"True... After you came, the Golruks vanished like a fairy tale. No law against another miracle."
"I'd love for a miracle too."
But miracles don't exist. Behind every "miracle" lies reason and logic. Ordinary folk just don't see it. Same with my actions—they're routine tasks to me, backed by planning, preparation, execution, resolve, and raw power.
I rode the Hell Horse to Fribourg and back, delivering the official notice that bandits had appeared on the northern road, banning passage for two days.
The temporary checkpoint bustled with wagons and crowds, plus dozens of heavily armed guards—practically a marketplace. Travelers protested and cursed the sudden blockade; the guards sweated to calm and contain them.
Some had urgent reasons to head north today. But delaying a day beat getting torn apart by a monster.
I slipped through the chaos to the mercenary guild in town.
Hardo's Mercenary Office
Not a guild or association, but an "office"... I'd chatted with Captain Hardo over meals at the inn before. Unlike a brute sellsword, he knew the kingdom's politics well. Not your typical grunt. Calling it an office confirmed it—he'd done more than swing steel in the past.
Opening the door, a mercenary stood to greet me.
"Oh? Innkeeper?"
"Hey. Captain around? Got a job for him."
"Yeah, he'll be back soon. He's out on a commission right now."
I sat at the reception table, eyeing the office. Unlike typical mercenary dives, this was different. Most ignore decor—maybe lean weapons on walls, pin a map, hang monster heads, spread worn beast pelts on the floor.
But Hardo's place felt refined. Spotless waxed floors, white silk curtains blocking sun. Walls held serene landscapes and framed guild registrations in perfect alignment. Armor and weapons neatly racked in a side armory.
Definitely not just a sword-swinger... And the mercenary served cool mint tea. A guild offering tea? Unheard of. Usually it's a gruff "What’s the job?"
Then the door opened—Hardo entered, spotting me with a grin.
"Good day, boss. What brings you here?"
"Got a commission."
"Hold on," he said, heading to the armory to hang his leather armor.
"Damn, it's sweltering. Get me some mint tea too."
As the mercenary fetched it, I glanced around.
"Place is spotless. First guild like this."
"Haha... Can't stand filth."
"Busy with requests? Rosens is booming—population up, traffic heavy."
He smiled awkwardly at my question.
"We hoped so coming here... But business ain't easy."
Fewer gigs than I thought. In a guarded city, when do mercenaries draw steel?
"So, what’s the job?"
"Heard the northern road's blocked?"
"Yeah, rumors in town. Bandit gang, right?"
"Related."
Hardo's smile faded, face serious as he guessed.
"Don't tell me... Bandit extermination?"
"Worse. Does this office do NDAs?"
Merc guilds' NDAs just bar sharing client/job details with third parties.
"What guild doesn't?" he scoffed.
"Good. We're hunting a moose, not bandits."
A crash—turning, the mercenary had dropped Hardo's teacup, shattering it.
"Hunt a moose...?."
"Precisely—I'll hunt, you assist."
Hardo let out a short sigh.
"No offense, but... heat stroke? Soloing a moose?"
"Clear-headed."
"Two reasons it's impossible, boss. One: Moose don't live here. Two: Can't solo one without siege weapons."
"Under NDA—including this chat."
He eyed me, then sent the mercenary out. Alone, I explained the northern road incident—fudging it as spotting the moose roadside, omitting merchants.
"A southern moose? No way one's here..."
"Checked the tracks myself. Know a bit about monsters."
He shook his head, pained.
"Even if real, five of us—four mercs plus you—how?"
"Told you: I hunt, you assist. Retreat to town while I do."
He went silent. I grinned, reaching into my pouch.
"Don't believe me? Gold you trust."
I slid a heavy coin purse across the table. He glanced suspiciously, then peeked inside.
"Gasp...!"
"Well, Captain? Changed your mind?"