049. Group Subjugation Mission
Afterward. After several days of working out the details with Nora and exchanging "Like this, Like that" with each other, she was finally able to have a single halberd created.
It is 2.3 meters long.
It weighs 2.7 kilograms.
The tip of the spear is long and thin. The axe blade was made in a "Half-Moon Shape" (* The upper part of the half-moon was partially cut off so that it would not interfere with the stabbing and pulling motion of the spear). The hammer part was made into a rounded cylinder about 12 cm long and 5 cm in diameter.
「For the time being, I made it as requested, but the material is just steel, and as I have told you many times, if there is anything, no matter how trivial, you must tell me!」
I expressed my gratitude to Nora many times as I was told, and I showed up at Hannah-san's place for the first time in almost a week. And...
「A group subjugation mission (raid quest)?」
What was presented to me was a group subjugation mission that is regularly issued by the military and the guild.
「At last, the commotion in Karguri has begun to calm down and the goblins are gradually decreasing in number, but as usual, various monsters and beasts are appearing in the central and eastern parts of Hanaria, and the situation continues to be unpredictable. In particular, changes are beginning to appear in the direction of the "Great Sea of Trees," so this mission has been issued from a variety of perspectives. If there are no inconveniences, I would like to ask Yuuto-san and the others to join us.」
「I don't mind, but――what are the details?」
「This time, we will divide you into five units, and you will use each location as a base to thoroughly defeat the demonic beasts that appear in the vicinity.」
That being said, the proposed areas are in the western and central parts of the country, just across the Hanaria Bridge. And even a place close to the "Agricultural City of Bele" was mentioned as a candidate.
「We have already received over 200 applications and have made some progress in sorting them out ― Hopefully, Yuuto-san will be a member of this third unit.」
「Unit 3――where is it?」
「In the center of the continent ......, southwest of Lake Hanaria.」
Hannah-san indicated it with her slender, beautiful fingers, but as far as I could see on the map, it was not far north across the Hanaria Bridge. I could tell that near the forest entrance, but
「This area is also a zone where various resources such as timber, medicinal herbs, and ores can be collected, but it is still "part of the Great Sea of Trees" and is the most dangerous area among the five candidates. Therefore, a total of more than 30 members of "D and E ranks only" will be asked to take subjugate the monster for about 10 days.」
When I was told this, I covered my mouth with my hand and stared at the map for a while, and thought about it.
「――Is this "her" nomination after all?」
I glanced at Hannah-san's face, and she neither denied nor affirmed my question, but kept her usual smiling face. However ...
「According to the map, it looks like a pretty difficult place to get to and from. Considering that it's at the "Edge of the Great Sea of Trees" and "Southwest of the lake," I guess even I can be reasonably good at it now.」
I don't think it's a place where you can let your guard down, though, and even though it's only for D and E ranks, it's only 30 people and 10 days. Considering that
(There's no doubt about it, they are relying on "my ability")
Osada-kun whispered, and I agreed with him.
(Damn. It's hard to return the favor, but I had to tell General Jean about Osada-kun's [S-Dimensional Stomach]!)
It all started after the Karguri attack.
A few soldiers who were guarding the west gate at the time reported to the general that "a huge rock suddenly fell and blocked the destroyed gate", what on earth does this mean? Thus they set out to investigate ― and soon it came to us.
At first, I made a fool of myself to prevent Osada-kun's abilities from being misused or getting us into trouble, but Jean's excellent speaking skills and logical thinking/pointing out the obvious blocked our escape route,
「Be honest with me and I'll help you keep your information secret.」
I could not refuse her offer, and I had no choice but to explain Osada-kun's abilities to her and her second-in-command, the officer with the eye patch, Luia.
(Needless to say, Osada-kun's [S-Dimensional Stomach] is a tremendous ability in terms of storing and transporting supplies, to the point that it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a cheat. If the fact were to become public knowledge, a war could break out over him).
That's why we have kept it a secret as long as possible.
「This time, it is a joint operation between the Fixer Guild and the Hanaria army. Also, I myself will be in command of the third unit, so you guys will just have to do the bare minimum of miscellaneous tasks in addition to defeating the enemy.」
When I thought of that, suddenly, I heard a male voice, and then a tall, slender man walked up to me.
He was about the age of his early 20s. He had sallow skin and bluish-black hair, and his left eye was covered by a black eye patch.
I couldn't help but half-glance at the figure.
「......It's been a long time, hasn't it? Lieutenant General Luia.」
When I called out his name, he - Luia laughed "Hahaha".
「Aren't you and me on good terms♪ Don't be shy now♪ And I told you that you can call me "Luia" in private, right? Brother♪」
He put his arm around my shoulder while saying this, but apparently, I wasn't very good at him.
「As you may have already noticed, the upper management is focusing most of their attention on the area we are in charge of at this time. Although it looks like an easy place to get to and from on a map, in reality, there are almost only animal paths and it is easy to get lost, and the demonic beasts are strong and numerous. Taking advantage of its characteristics, it is even used for training new recruits in the military.」
「Are you planning to attack such an area thoroughly this time around―or are you going to let us help you develop new areas?」
「I shall remain silent about that, but ...... In any case, the cooperation of you and Osada-shi is essential. As you have already heard from Hannah-shi, I will be as flexible as possible in terms of compensation and conditions, and unlike General, I am a "man who understands" what he is talking about. I will not bore you.」
「......When you say it like that, is it my imagination, or do I feel like I'm losing my motivation inexplicably?」
It's full of shady stuff, but honestly, it has all sorts of benefits for me too.
(Real training to familiarize myself with a halberd, making connections with the military and mid-level fixers, collecting materials and high rewards――)
Given all that, it's rather difficult to find a reason to say no. Furthermore
「That reminds me, I received a letter addressed to you through a "certain source". It may not be directly related to this job, but ...... I'll give it to you just in case.」
Luia, with a meaningful smile on his face, handed me the letter half-pushingly.
I tried to push it back, but
「――――!」
I gasped when I saw the words on the back.
「Then we leave in three days. Also, there is a place where I would like Osada-shi to go before we leave ...... What about you?」
「......Let's see. It's a pretty big request this time, and I'll take it, but it'll be dangerous if I'm not prepared for it.」
I was so excited that even I could tell that my voice was hoarse, but Luia and the others left without pointing anything out, saying, "Well then, see you later," and I also headed off to "a place" to meet the sender of the letter on my own.
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Tftc
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