Murky River of Giant Beasts (6)
In the murky river water, hundreds of enormous monsters were half-submerged, luxuriating in their bath.
"Gasp...! There are so many...! What the hell are those...?!"
Brione, who had snuck up beside me before I knew it, sucked in a sharp breath.
Those were Duki, monsters that lived in massive herds along the riverbanks of tropical rainforests. They looked like hippos, but in terms of size, hippos weren't even worth comparing. Just from the backs protruding above the water, you could guess how massive the unseen parts below must be.
Such Duki filled the river from one bank to the other, slowly swimming along the surface.
"Fresh meat supply for the Monster Zoo."
Duki had almost no natural predators once they settled in an area, so they bred like crazy. Even though they looked bloated with fat, they were packed with muscle underneath, giving them insane strength. With dozens or hundreds of them together, what predator in its right mind would dare attack?
Just then, across the river, a bipedal carnivorous monster was slinking around, attempting a hunt. I silently raised my hand and pointed toward it.
Brione watched tensely as the carnivore hesitated its way down to the riverbank.
"That thing... is gonna die..."
Orkog, pressed right up behind me, whispered quietly.
And sure enough, as the carnivore got close to the water, a nearby Duki suddenly let out a roar and charged out onto the bank.
"Eek!? What the hell is that huge thing...?!"
The Duki that fully emerged from the water was far bigger than expected. Its body was as massive as two wagons fused together, but its speed was astonishingly fast. Before the startled carnivore could flee, the Duki's enormous jaws clamped down on its shin.
The bitten leg snapped like a twig, and the carnivore, screaming in agony, was dragged into the water.
Duki's bite force was legendary—no amount of thrashing could help. The carnivore vanished completely underwater, ripples spreading across the surface before fading to stillness.
"Oh my god..."
Brione covered her mouth, letting out a sigh-like gasp at the shocking sight. But despite the commotion, the other Duki carried on leisurely, oblivious.
"Bertrand... how are you gonna feed those savage beasts...?"
"Fix a Dimensional Gate here and herd as many as we need into the Monster Zoo."
I said it as casually as rounding up chickens or rabbits, and Brione shook her head in disbelief, muttering something about how insane that was.
"Note down the coordinates here. Gotta tell Mideronde later."
Then I turned to Ammugar and Orkog.
"What do you think? With that many, do we even need to look for other habitats?"
"Hmm... what kind of carnivores are you planning to bring in, sir?"
I told him the species I had in mind, and Ammugar started counting the Duki roughly while running calculations.
"To keep them properly satiated, we'd probably need to secure at least one more habitat of similar size."
"Just enough to stave off hunger?"
"This one spot would suffice... but if you skimp on feeding, visitors will just see them lazing around sprawled out."
"Good. Then let's scout more spots. Duki herds should be everywhere around here."
We quietly withdrew from the riverbank and moved on. Midway, a single Duki chased after us in a minor scuffle, but Orkog choked it out cold with his brute strength—a fitting display from a former Demon King's assault captain.
With a bit of magic from Brione and the Holy Sword's detection, we easily secured coordinates for more habitats. Now Mideronde's Monster Zoo could open a Dimensional Gate whenever needed and bring in a few at a time. One Dragon Roar from Aterugar, and they'd trot right through on their own.
Ammugar, factoring in habitat size, Duki conditions, and the habits of the carnivores we'd introduce, produced a complex feeding formula.
"So... what? Every few days, this many?"
"Yes, sir. The reason for this result is..."
"Nah, no need. You handle it. You're selling sculptures at the zoo anyway."
I waved him off, cutting short Ammugar's explanation. No time for that in the middle of the jungle, getting munched by mosquitoes.
"Brione. Let's head back."
We hurried through the Dimensional Gate and fled back to the inn.
The demons returned to their workshop. I pondered what to tackle next and slowly stepped through the Dimensional Gate to Mideronde's lab.
A gentle breeze from the open hills welcomed me. Over there, elder dwarves—looking like little peas—were laughing like kids as they scampered around. They darted between the legs of a massive water dragon monster, cackling hoarsely.
A bit farther on a safe hill, Ukun was conferring with contractors, pointing here and there.
Leave the construction to Ukun entirely. He already grasped my vision perfectly and had the tech and will to make it real. I just needed to pay whatever he asked.
Alright, construction's set. Asenaris is good. Feed's sorted. Next, check what I asked Kosa... Do I need to go capture carnivores myself...?
"Bertrand. Got any more places to hit?"
Brione, who had followed me through the gate, asked.
"Yeah, but... timing's off."
I gauged the time from the afternoon sun dipping low.
"Your leave ends today..."
"Need to extend it? Then I'll swing by the palace."
"Think Elua would approve...?"
Just then, Mideronde strolled out to the backyard, a large glass jug of apple cider floating behind her, followed by a line of glasses.
Brione showed keen interest in the clever magic application.
"Like ducklings trailing their mama."
"Something for those runts to drink."
Mideronde pointed with her slender fingers at the elder dwarves, who were now climbing the torso of a lounging monster.
"Those dwarves would prefer beer. Hey, Mideronde."
"Yes?"
"How'd you bring those monsters here?"
"Found their habitats and teleported the whole areas."
Brione jumped in surprise.
"You teleported things that big?"
"I'm an elf mage. After thousands of years studying magic, you think I couldn't manage that?"
Brione gazed at her in awe and admiration.
I asked again.
"So you could do the same for carnivores?"
"Of course. I already know roughly where they live. Just hadn't brought any until now."
"Perfect."
Entrust the carnivore transport to Mideronde. No need for Brione to strain her leave further. With her new queenship piling up work, two days off was already a miracle. Asking for a third would be like demanding her resignation.
Wonder what wind blew through Elua to grant Brione two days in the first place.
Anyway, palace staff return from leave just before the guards' first night patrol. Feed her dinner at the inn, and it'll be perfect timing.
"Let's go back, Brione. No more stops."
"Oh, okay..."
Brione replied with a mix of relief and disappointment.
I gave Mideronde the coordinates for the two Duki habitats, and we returned to the inn.
Back at the inn, I had Brione wait in the hall and headed to Kosa's room.
"Welcome, Master. I've prepared what you asked."
"Good work. Let's hear it."
I grabbed paper and pen, sat in a chair.
Kosa cleared her throat briefly and recited in her soft, gray-mist voice. It was promotional copy for the Monster Zoo flyers. Just saying "A spectacular place to see monsters up close!" felt too bland. So I'd asked her to weave in epic quotes and craft a fitting tale for the zoo.
Kosa didn't disappoint. She sang of an elf sage's garden hidden deep in ancient woods—a paradise teeming with extinct monsters unseen for millennia, nurtured by the benevolent elf mage and blessed nature's bounty. Now, this long-sealed secret space opened its doors to the world.
I jotted it down, adding the inn's location and fees.
"Excellent. Perfect. Good job, Kosa."
"No trouble at all. Glad you like it."
I took the paper and headed back downstairs. The hall was packed with dinner guests. Dwarves had claimed the round table by the hearth, cracking open a keg.
Brione sat alone at a table against the opposite wall, raising her hand when our eyes met.
I sat across from her, set the paper down.
"Eat before you go."
"The demon girl said she'd bring it."
Right on cue, Pelle delivered Brione's plate and left. The two women locked eyes briefly in a sharp stare-down.
Brione glared at Pelle's retreating back, her hand twitching like she might fire off a spell.
"Fighting here would be a hassle."
"Sorry. Wasn't gonna cast."
Brione hurriedly dispersed the tiny mana vortex in her palm and picked up her spoon.
I smiled at her eating and spoke.
"Thanks for today, Brione. You helped wrap everything up smooth."
"Said I'd help. Glad it worked out."
Then Brione suddenly set down her spoon, bowed her head, and covered her face with both hands.