Chapter 118
(Kyle
Calendar Year 508: Age 15)
The Night
Before Departure
Translator : PolterGlast
Since receiving that
"letter of misfortune" at the beginning of the year, I've been
scrambling to get preparations done. Thanks to the cooperation of my comrades,
we've somehow managed to prepare for my absence, except for the plague
response.
The day before my
departure, I gathered all the Mages and key members for a comprehensive
briefing and meeting.
"First, please
give your reports in order."
"I will report on
the construction of the New Checkpoint (Fort)." Elan was the first to
stand up.
"The foundational
work for the Fran side checkpoint and fort is almost complete. We are now
proceeding with the installation of defensive equipment and construction within
the fort. Only the accommodation facility (isolation ward) that you instructed
will be completed by next spring. However, the waterway is taking more effort
than expected, so we are rushing its completion by next summer."
"I'll supplement
from the administrative office. The miners have already moved into temporary
housing within the fort. For now, the only residents are the guards and
laborers, so the well water is just barely enough. However, the ironworks and
blacksmith workshops are planned to begin operation once the waterway is
completed. We are currently proceeding with the construction of those
buildings."
"Elan, Miseri,
thank you. Please aim for overall completion by next summer."
"I will report on
the construction of the Demon Realm fort." Christoph stood up.
"Regarding the
Demon Realm fort, only the corner where the catapults are installed is
complete, but for the rest, only the foundational work for the outer wall has
been finished. We have secured a safe zone for now, so we are prioritizing the
completion of the outer wall and the defensive wall enclosing the rocky area
with the water source. Currently, a total of 600 Frontier Knights and military
colonists are working in shifts. If safety is secured and the New Checkpoint
construction stabilizes, I would like to deploy temporary laborers as well...
is that permissible?"
"For the
deployment of temporary laborers to the Demon Realm side, could you add a small
allowance and initially recruit volunteers? Please consult with the
administrative office to decide on the allowance. Also, for important sections
like the water source and catapults, please continue to proceed with only the
Frontier Knights, as before."
"I will report on
the garrison." Gale stood up.
"Currently, the
garrison in the Teigun area has not yet reached its full capacity. The regular
soldiers remain at 50 for now, but we have managed to secure about 80 part-time
soldiers. However, even with that, the numbers are tight, and we are currently
relying on the mercenary corps."
Yes, this was a major
challenge. The security forces were severely lacking for the two checkpoints,
Teigun city, the post town, and the pasture village alone.
"Commander Weiss,
Kiira-san, please continue to support us for the time being. Gale, please
continue recruitment and training at a manageable pace. Also, for security and
night patrols, please continue to rely on the self-defense force."
"I will report
from the Commerce Department." Bart stood up.
"From after this
year's harvest, we believe the path to food self-sufficiency will become clear.
Once that happens, I think it will be fine to entrust food distribution to the
merchants. Since the beginning of this year, Kaoru and I have been taking turns
traveling to the northern neighboring country, and we have already collected a
considerable number of oyster shells that can be gathered at present.
Therefore, Kaoru will be assigned to construction support for the time being,
and I plan to shift to trade and broad intelligence operations."
"Bart's proposal
is understood. Kaoru, thank you for your continued efforts."
"I have a matter
regarding trade that I would like your approval for. For the monster materials
obtained from the previous battle (Southern Gate Bloody Battle) and the demon
realm subjugation operation, I would like to release the surplus ones to the
market and Teigun's workshops. If materials and processed goods are circulated
through Bart's trade, we can expect a considerably high profit."
"Yoltia's
proposal is also understood. Please manage it skillfully so as not to disrupt
the market price."
"I will report
from the Intelligence Department." Raphael stood up.
"My department is
primarily focused on monitoring within the Estol territory and neighboring
territories, and there has been no major movement so far. However, if possible,
I would like to increase the number of intelligence agents slightly. I request
your approval. Also, please have Yoltia report on the Teigun area."
"Regarding the
countermeasures against spies and suspicious individuals that Anne and I have
been working on, we have secured the cooperation of many taverns, stalls, and
brothels. Although it's currently only places deemed trustworthy, everyone is
cooperative in maintaining the city's security. We've also established a system
for reporting suspicious individuals, primarily in cooperation with the
self-defense force's night patrol."
"Raphael, Yoltia,
thank you. The distribution of the plates seems to have gone smoothly,
too?"
In Teigun, all
residents know about past bandit attacks and the infiltration of spies. And
they are indignant at those who try to bring down their city. As a
countermeasure, we distributed metal plates as ID cards to residents and
officially accepted temporary laborers. This was generally well-received.
These plates have a
number, and a corresponding encrypted code. With this, when passing through the
gate, they can simply state the plate number and code to pass easily. For
merchants without transactions or travelers who temporarily stop by,
different-looking plates indicating temporary visitors are issued at the
reception desk, a deposit is collected, and the deposit is returned upon their
departure. Furthermore, they are obligated to always wear this plate around
their neck. In return, there are no entrance fees or similar charges, which
they have accepted.
"I will report on
the special mission response." Marianne rose from her seat.
"Our
investigation of past cases has so far confirmed what is possible, but
effective countermeasures have not yet been identified. Other responses will
also require a little more time. However, a prototype for soap will be
completed soon, so we wish to begin test operations."
Regarding epidemic
countermeasures, by my instruction, the details are intentionally kept secret
from everyone except the Holy Mages. This was to avoid causing unnecessary
anxiety at this stage. And thanks to Bart, a large quantity of oyster shells
has been acquired, so I expect the experiment with that will also begin in
earnest.
"Commander Weiss,
please share any information you can regarding the Frontier Knights."
"Yes. We have
conducted numerous monster subjugation operations since the initial one, and we
can say that we have almost completely cleared the actively attacking monsters
in the Demon Realm on the Teigun side. Currently, the only area that has become
increasingly dangerous is the Demon Realm on the Hiyorimi territory side.
Therefore, it would be best to continue prohibiting merchants from passing
through to Southern Gate."
※
Since my trip to the
Royal Capital was decided at the beginning of the year, I spent half of each
month in Teigun and the other half at the Demon Realm fort under construction.
"I will train you
to the point where you can easily defeat those weaklings in the Royal Capital.
Also, there's a Demon Realm near the eastern border, relatively close to the
Royal Capital. I heard from Lord Darek that there are also exercises in the
Demon Realm, so you'll be able to defeat a variety of monsters."
As these words
implied, Commander (demon)'s rigorous training continued endlessly. A year
after first entering the Demon Realm, I could effortlessly defeat Black Wolves,
Hellhounds (demon dogs), and Calydonian Boars (giant boars), which had
initially given me trouble.
What was troublesome were
the monsters from which certain catalysts could be collected. They would
unleash attacks similar to magic, and if I let my guard down, I would suffer a
direct hit.
"Monsters have
conventional methods of defense and offense depending on their type. First,
familiarize yourself with this knowledge in your body. When our mercenary corps
first came to Teigun, we also sought guidance from experienced hunters, and
trained with them in the Demon Realm. It feels like a distant past now,
though..."
The Commander advised
me as I struggled. Even the mercenary corps, which now boasted absolute
strength in the Demon Realm, were just a group of amateurs when they first
began stationed here as a settlement. I used that as encouragement and worked
hard.
As I did so, I
gradually grew to be able to single-handedly defeat Great Mantises (giant
praying mantises), Demon Bears, and Demon Wolves, which possessed instant-kill
level attack power. Of course, just in case, the Commander's (demon's) support
was always there. Thanks to this, I've now faced over 20 types of monsters, and
the standard tactics for most of them are ingrained in my body.
"The proficiency
of the Frontier Knights branch has also improved. Now, they should be able to
fight on par with, or even surpass, the Imperial Iron Cavalry."
Yes, I suppose so.
After all, they went through the same hell as I did...
"Now, I also have
something to tell everyone. Although they are not present here, 10 individuals
recently underwent Mage aptitude confirmation under Father Grace. And six new
comrades are scheduled to join us. I'd like all of you, as senior members, to
help them."
In addition to Masrur,
four individuals from the list of candidates, and following Viscount Gorman's
example, five individuals with outstanding musical talent, had undergone
aptitude confirmation. And! With a one-in-five chance, we successfully
unearthed our first Sound Mage in the Solis territory.
Regarding this
aptitude confirmation, I actually wanted to report a complete failure, but I
was told that would be too unnatural. So, I compromised with the priest,
reporting that only one individual had aptitude this time.
The results were as
follows:
Earth Mage: Masrur
Wind Mages: 2
Sound Mage: 1
(reported)
Fire Mage: 1
Holy Mage: 1
It's likely that Mage
discoveries are nearing their end. This batch included individuals from as
young as 14 to their 30s, and even a housewife with children.
Furthermore, through
trial and error, we are proceeding with research and experimentation on the
combat application of Sound Magic. When we first received the Sound Mages from
Viscount Gorman, they only showed promise in sound amplification, noise
cancellation, and sound source detection. Since then, through repeated
proposals and consultations with the Commander, we've had them train and devise
ways to use it as offensive magic. If this can be effectively implemented,
combined with my brother's pride-and-joy Light Magic, I believe it will become
a very useful offensive tool on the battlefield. As a tactic, it would be
effective against all creatures with ears.
As for the sugarcane
and rice that Bart acquired, Masrur is slated to lead their cultivation.
Thus, the
report-sharing meeting concluded, and it transitioned into a farewell party.
My anxieties are endless,
knowing I have to leave Teigun, a place I don't want to be away from, for three
years.
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