Chapter 133: The King Prepares for the Monsters

(This is from the perspective of Edgar II.)

I hear the sound of footsteps running down the corridor of Linkstar Castle. This is likely an urgent report. Just as I thought so, the knight stationed in front of my office opened the door.

“What has happened?” “Your Majesty, it seems another horde of monsters has appeared.” “I see, again? Let us hear the report then.” I urged the knight who came to report to enter the room.

“Where did they appear this time?” “Sire! They emerged from the Demon Forest in the east and the Sea of Trees in the west.” “The Sea of Trees is to be expected, but for a horde to emerge from the Demon Forest in the east… What is the situation on the ground?”

“The village near the forest appears to have been devastated. However, the knights stationed there bought time, and the villagers were able to flee to a nearby walled town. Furthermore, the village knights were rescued by the Kingdom Knight Order led by the Royal Guard.”

“I see. It is good that there was no harm to the residents. It seems the ones in the village were fine knights. I am relieved they could be rescued as well.” “Yes. It seems the Kingdom Knight Order happened to be patrolling nearby.” I am glad I strengthened the Kingdom Knight Order’s patrol activities after hearing the Elven warning from William-kun.

“And what of the Sea of Trees?” “It appears an extremely large number of monsters appeared in the Fairchild Margrave territory.” “An extremely large number… but the Margrave’s Knight Order is elite.” Theodore‘s knights should have been able to repel them. If they were to fall, it would mean a horde of monsters that no lord’s army could handle.

“Yes. There has been a report that they were successfully repelled.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “However, the monster horde was organized, and when they saw they were at a disadvantage, they retreated all at once. Furthermore, there was word of a monster that uses magic.”

What? Monsters, who usually attack as they please, were organized? And a monster that uses magic, no less. After the knight withdrew, I summoned the Prime Minister to share the information and deliberate.

“Prime Minister, how many locations does this make for this month?” “It is the fifth location.” “That is many.”

“Yes. And the fact that a pack of Magic Boars appeared even in a small demon realm like the Demon Forest in the east is a problem.” “Indeed. It was good that we heightened the alert.” “As you say, Sire.”

“What do you think of the monster horde that emerged from the Sea of Trees in the west?” “An organized horde and a monster that uses magic… It is only natural to think it is the higher-ranking monster William-dono heard about from the Elves.”

“I agree. As the Elder of the Elves warned, the monster offensive has likely begun to intensify.” “Yes. Abnormal weather is occurring due to the weakening of the World Tree. We should view it as the power of Darkness growing stronger.”

“Umu. In that case, we cannot afford to be stingy. Let us provide the equipment William-kun granted with two attributes to the nobles who hold territories near the demon realms.” “Is that wise, Sire? Equipment with two attributes can be sold at a high price, so there is a risk of resale or theft.”

“It does not matter. Reducing casualties as much as possible is the priority.” “Understood. Then we shall distribute the equipment granted with two characteristics to the nobles with territories near the demon realms. To ensure it reaches even those with weak economic power, we will keep the price low.”

“I am counting on you. Also, issue permission to the Kingdom Knight Order to use the equipment granted with four characteristics.” “Your Majesty, if it becomes known that our country is using Mithril equipment with four granted characteristics, there is a risk that neighboring countries will become wary.” “No. I wish to avoid suffering great casualties by withholding equipment.” “Understood.”

“Aside from the Kingdom Knight Order, the Fairchild family and the Cardiff Earl family also possess equipment with four granted characteristics. Since an extremely large number of monsters attacked the Fairchild territory, Theodore likely deployed the Mithril equipment as well.” “Most likely.”

“It was fortunate that the two families bordering the Sea of Trees, where the most monsters appear, have good equipment. Ideally, we would be able to provide equipment with four characteristics to many nobles, but…” “Mithril is rare, so we cannot gather the numbers. Furthermore, if we were to provide it, the price would be so high that some nobles could not afford it. On the other hand, if we keep the price too low, it will strain the national treasury.”

“It cannot be helped, then.” “Yes. Furthermore, according to reports from the Kingdom Knight Order, equipment with two characteristics is sufficiently powerful.” “I suppose so. Even so, it is terrifying to think what would have happened if William-kun were not here.”