Chapter 102
(Kyle
Calendar Year 507: Age 14)
Demon Realm
Inspection ②
Translator : PolterGlast
Somehow, the brutal
training entered its third day. Like me, many who joined this subjugation unit
for the first time suffered some kind of injury, experiencing firsthand the
dangers of the Demon Realm. The fact that there were no casualties was due
solely to thorough preparation, strategic deployment, and the presence of Holy
Mages. I now fully understood why my brother Harley had previously requested
Holy Mages to accompany the Solis Iron Cavalry on their Demon Realm exercises.
Even if the Demon Realm's environment itself was different then, it remains too
harsh an environment for new recruits or those with insufficient training. On
the other hand, it can also be said to be an extremely efficient place for
gaining practical combat experience and improving proficiency.
※
"We've mostly
cleared the corridor exit and the foothills of Teigun Mountain, but... the
situation is worse than expected. I believe subjugation operations of this scale
will be necessary for some time."
The Commander made his
recommendation with a grave expression.
"Is this due to
the impact of the previous war after all?"
"Yes. They are
actively attacking even forces of this size. I must say that a considerable number
of those who have tasted human blood likely still remain."
Normally, even
monsters, so it is said, do not actively attack opponents they believe they
will surely lose to. Except for two exceptions: when driven into a frenzy by
the smell of blood, losing all self-control, and when they have attacked humans
and developed a taste for blood. The current situation clearly falls into the
latter category.
"If we don't
thoroughly eliminate such monsters, it will directly lead to future
casualties." The Commander's impatience was entirely justified.
"Then, we will
prioritize the construction of the forward operating base. I will inspect the
location recommended by Elan after this, but Commander, please give Christoph
and Elan precise instructions regarding the site's issues and necessary
requirements for its realization."
Thus, it was decided
that regular dispatches of the subjugation unit, along with a portion of the
fort construction and the establishment of a base, would proceed ahead of
schedule.
※
In the afternoon, we
headed towards our original objective: the "water source" that Elan
had mentioned, located on the southern slope of Teigun Mountain.
"The water source
is beyond this rocky climb. I really wanted Takuhir-sama to see it."
Elan took the lead,
scrambling up the rocky terrain. The destination was not yet visible, but the
roar of a massive amount of water cascading down gradually grew louder.
Finally... as we reached the top of the rocky ascent, the scenery completely
changed.
Beyond the rugged
rocks, a breathtaking sight unfolded at the foot of the mountain. A narrow
crevice, like a cut made with a knife from above, ran down an unscalable cliff
face. The crevice itself was probably only a few meters wide. Within that
narrow crevice, a narrow and deep canyon stretched far into the rocky mountain.
Following the bottom of that canyon, a torrent of water, gathered from Teigun
Mountain, roared down from the very bottom of the crevice. A waterfall nearly
100 meters high plunged into a basin, a massive cascade of water.
It was... a mystical
and majestic sight. As I gazed, a vivid memory from long ago resurfaced. It was
precisely like the Tsurugi-no-Ootaki of Mt. Tsurugi, the legendary waterfall
located in the deepest part of the Kurobe Gorge. A scene so magnificent that
"Nishida" had recorded it while watching TV and replayed it countless
times. A scene almost identical to that was now unfolding before my eyes. For a
long while, I was so captivated by the cascading water and the scenery that I
forgot how to speak.
"I see, with this
much water, the water problem will be solved at once, and what's more, even if
someone wanted to get their hands on [the water rights], no one could touch it.
Is that how it is?"
"Yes, if we build
an aqueduct from the point where this waterfall drops, there's a difference in
elevation, so we can freely divert abundant water. And this flow, it goes
underground again further down. So, if we cleverly conceal the waterway, the
enemy won't know where the water source is."
"I see, the water
volume is abundant, as if it has gathered all the water from the southern slope
of Teigun Mountain," the Commander also remarked with deep emotion, gazing
at the scene.
"Can you please
turn around and look in the direction we just came from?"
At Christoph's words,
we all simultaneously turned to look in the direction we had climbed from. From
here, we could see the entire Demon Realm area, and even the corridor exit in
the distance.
"The fort
concept, which Elan and I discussed, is to enclose the outer edge of this rocky
area, connecting it with a defensive wall for over ten km towards Teigun's
corridor exit, to the place where we set traps this time, thus fortifying it
into an impregnable fortress."
"If we do that,
we can create a safe settlement in this Demon Realm. An even larger version of
Teigun!" Elan's eyes sparkled as he added.
Indeed, if this could
be done, the development of the Demon Realm could proceed safely. Compared to
the fan-shaped Teigun plains, this area is rectangular, allowing for efficient
land use. Resources like excavated rock and timber can also be sourced locally.
Of course, it would require considerable development funds, over five years of
construction, and a large number of laborers...
"That's interesting!
If we first build a fort here as a base, and eventually a Frontier Knight
garrison, we could quickly rush to Southern Gate. We could cut the travel
distance by a third."
The Commander's
opinion was also valid. From here, cavalry could reach it considerably faster.
There would also be no need to carefully navigate the narrow pass.
Furthermore, I have a
fear that 【history repeats itself】. In the Southern Gate Bloody Battle, my brother Darek
somehow survived, but half of what was written in the "history book"
has come true. The young Mage Clan was lost, and my brother's Youth Knight Corps,
combining the First and Second, suffered massive losses, with nearly 60% of
their 2,500 members gone.
Six years from now,
the Gryphonia Imperial Army might invade Teigun with tens of thousands of
troops. Utilizing the lessons learned from the previous year, they would make
thorough preparations.
Now that I think about
it, the King's words...
"Show Teigun to
be an impregnable fortress capable of repelling tens of thousands of
troops."
These words also began
to feel like a flag.
"Christoph, Elan,
first, construct a fort of sufficient size here. After that, extend the
defensive wall to enclose the corridor exit. Please formulate a plan based on
defensive facilities that can withstand an invasion of tens of thousands of
troops in the future. Commander, please provide guidance on whether it is
sufficient as a defensive base."
"Don't worry, by
summer, we'll have 500 stout laborers capable of working in this dangerous
zone."
"Could it be...
that?"
"Yes, I am the
commander. I intend to use it as part of their training. Takuhir-sama, please
just get tacit approval from the dignitaries."
The Commander said,
laughing.
Thus, the plan set at
the beginning of the year was already confirmed to be moved up at this point. I
felt a slight headache at the thought of causing trouble for Miseri, Claire,
and Yoltia, who managed the gold coins, with unexpected expenditures.
After the inspection,
we thoroughly cleared the line connecting the southern slope of Teigun Mountain
and the corridor exit, thus concluding the first subjugation operation.
The results were
sufficient. Morale rose as the Lord himself participated in monster subjugation
and achieved results independently. Half of the monster materials obtained were
paid as expenses, but the other half was equally distributed among the participating
soldiers. The soldiers who participated for the temporary income were also
delighted, and for some reason, the number of soldiers wishing to participate
in subsequent dangerous subjugations increased.
The mercenary corps
also absorbed hunters who made their living hunting in the Demon Realm, gaining
50 new members for a dedicated anti-Demon Realm unit. For the hunters, the
current Demon Realm had become too dangerous a place, so the offer of safe
hunting was a godsend. The Commander stated that for a contract period until
the fort base was completed, all monsters they hunted independently would
belong to them, and no contract fee was required. They gladly accepted this.
In the future, they
will likely become the first residents when the new fort is completed.
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