Kays Translations

Chapter 56 - Sorting Out the Situation

The mansion bore the scars of battle on its gates, outer walls, and even within the premises, there were marks of a desperate struggle.

What particularly caught the eye was a building made of bricks, which seemed to have been destroyed to secure stones for catapults.

"You really went all out and destroyed it. Coming up with the idea is impressive, but actually breaking it down must have been quite a challenge..."

Walking alongside the debris, Dafyyd expressed his thoughts.

"I asked the adventurers who were sheltering with us if they could destroy it. It turns out the rubble scattered around the ruins could be used by both us and the monsters. After that, it was just a matter of breaking it down together."

The one who answered with a wry smile was Yofan, the magistrate of this town, now in his third year in office.

"I see. That's quite an adventurer's way of thinking. We wouldn't have thought of breaking and throwing it ourselves... We were saved by such flexible thinking."

"Yes, I truly believe so."

With weapons and armor provided and knights and soldiers who fundamentally followed the orders of superiors, there was a fundamental difference in the way of fighting between them and individual business owners like adventurers. It wasn't a matter of good or bad but rather a difference in approach. Although there could be conflicts between the two, in the Janssen Territory, surrounded by forests with many monsters, the relationship between adventurers and defense forces was good. The sequence of events, from evacuating the residents to the fortress siege, would not have been possible without the cooperation of both adventurers and the defense forces.

While discussing these matters, they entered the mansion. Shortly after, both Captains Diluc and Reynald also gathered, and the information exchange began.

"The first attack occurred two nights ago. Suddenly, a horde of monsters attacked Yanseil City. I think there were probably around 600..."

"600... that's an incredible number. I heard they came from the west of the highway?"

Surprised by the sheer number, Selfers sought confirmation.

"I didn't have scouts out, so I'm not sure about the exact details. According to the west gate sentries, they said the attack came from the northwest. We quickly closed the gate and dealt with it for a while, but about 200 of them started heading east. Later, when we counted the ones we dealt with in Yanseil, it was around 400, so it should be a reasonably accurate number. After things settled at the west gate, we sent about 20 riders as a pursuit unit to try to delay them, but... it seems they joined up with a large group on the way, and although we managed to thin their numbers a bit, it ended up being a failed counterattack."

With a face as if he had tasted a bitter pill, Dafyyd recounted the events.

"One of those riders came all the way to us, which saved us from a major disaster. It's quite an achievement."

"Well, hearing that is quite a relief. After that, they attacked the town of Badalona, then split up and headed further east."

"I see. The ones who attacked Terney were around 120 to 130, and initially, the splinter group was about the same in number. Then, a group of about 100 joined the splintered ones, and they were the ones we first engaged with on the highway."

Selfers writes down the numbers on a piece of paper while retracing the battles so far.

"Hmm, considering the linked reinforcements, we ended up facing roughly 1,000 in total..."

He looked at the calculation results and sighed as he grumbled.

"Good grief, an unbelievable number. And on top of that, there were quite a few Ogres."

"No kidding. Well, even considering the linked reinforcements, the initial 600 were the real issue. How about Kalenberg's situation?"

"I'm listening. It's about a large horde of monsters appearing on the highway, right? It took some time, but you managed to repel them, didn't you?"

"Yeah, that's right. There were even merchants who safely reached us after being delayed on the highway, so I guess it's safe to say they were repelled."

Silvio, who had arrived at the mansion through the highway, where they had repelled the monsters, confirmed this, so at least that part was true.

"...Was there any oversight?"

Dafyyd asked with a stern expression upon hearing that.

"I hate to say it, but honestly, that's the most likely possibility..."

Selfers' response, along with his expression, was severe.

"However, if there's a possibility of them fleeing to neighboring territories, isn't there an obligation to report it immediately?"

Diluc, who had been silently listening, voiced his question.

"That's right. In the event of a missed monster or bandit extermination that could potentially escape to another territory, it is the duty to report. Although it would tarnish one's reputation to expose a failure in extermination, it would worsen further if damages occurred in the neighboring territory without reporting."

"Yeah, that's why a lord, in the case of a missed extermination, has to swallow his pride and make the announcement. Normally, it wouldn't happen. That's why I can't be sure."

"Well, there's no evidence either way."

"That's right. There's no name tag on monsters... Well, we can only be grateful that the damage didn't escalate."

The two lords shrugged with a wry smile.

"Speaking of which, Diluc, didn't you and Mizeroi defeat an ogre together? When did you become so skilled? Your skills were good before, but challenging an ogre, especially on par with Cell, doesn't seem likely."

Having arrived at the murky conclusion that the cause of the monster invasion was darkness, Dafyyd changed the subject, seemingly treating the topic of the ogre battle at the mansion from earlier as concluded.

"I do take pride in having improved my skills compared to before, but what happened today was just a coincidence. We happened to launch a surprise attack when the enemy was weakened in the battle before we arrived."

Since he couldn't disclose the details about the mock-magic sword, Diluc diverted the conversation by saying so.

"Really? I heard Mizeroi even cut off its arm."

"I aimed for that. We encountered an ogre before coming here, and Selfars showed us a demonstration... We were aiming for the arm of the one holding a club, working together."

Mizeroi reacted with a slight twitch at that response.

"Hey Sel, did you use your ability skill? Wasn't it too intense, so you had it sealed?"

"Yeah, I had it sealed. I did use it for the first time in a while in the initial battle with three ogres among a horde of 200... It's tough, as expected. Well, since it was just once, I'm fine now."

"I see... As long as you're okay. Don't overdo it, okay? We're both not that young anymore."

"Hahaha, you're right. Diluc, get stronger quickly and make it easier for me."

"...I'll do my best."

With the conversation shifting to Selfers' ability skill, the topic of the ogre battle seemed to be diverted.

"Oh, right. Sel, what are your plans after this? It's already getting dark, and I assume you won't be heading back today?"

"Yeah, that's right. I apologize, but I'd like to stay in Badalona tonight with the knights. Is that okay?"

Selfers glanced briefly at the mayor, Yofan.

"Yes, of course, it's not a problem. Since this mansion can't accommodate everyone, I'll open up the inn with minimal hospitality... Most of the women have evacuated, so we can only offer basic services. I apologize, especially to our benefactors who helped us in such dire straits."

Yofan responded with sincere apologies.

According to the story heard earlier, women, children, and the elderly had evacuated in two groups. In addition to the group encountered by Selfers and his party, there was another group heading in the opposite direction, toward the capital, Yanseil. Dafyyd and the others encountered them on their way here, confirmed their safety, and evacuated them to a nearby town. In any case, they wouldn't be able to return to Badalona for a few more days, so there would be a shortage of labor in the town for a while.

"No, no, just being able to sleep is more than enough. We'll also take turns with the knights for the night watch, so I appreciate your hospitality for one night."

"Yes, I'll guide you later, so please have a good rest."

Afterward, provisions were served in a cafeteria-style, and knights and residents, who took turns cleaning up, enjoyed the food outdoors, creating a somewhat informal standing-party atmosphere. Some alcohol was also offered, but everyone was too tired, so the party didn't transition to full swing. Each person retired to the provided lodgings for a good night's sleep.

The following morning arrived with the lively sounds of horses' hooves, signaling Badalona's awakening. It was a messenger from the Kalenberg Territory, riding at a fast pace.

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